Discover the essential elements of successful fundraising from a seasoned practitioner with over 50 years of experience. Gain invaluable insights into building a solid foundation for your organization's fundraising efforts. Learn from real-life stories of triumphs and setbacks, and acquire expert tips on managing the pressures of the role effectively. This interactive session offers a chance to explore various career paths, delve into specialized areas of fundraising, and connect with like-minded professionals.

Instructor: Len Iaquinta

Explore the essentials of crafting a compelling case for support and effectively narrating your organization’s mission to inspire donor engagement. This immersive module delves into tailoring your message for diverse audiences, integrating it across key publications like annual reports, proposals, solicitations, and digital platforms. Gain insights into successful solicitation strategies and master the art of the two-person ask. Practice pitching your narrative through interactive role-playing exercises with actual donors and philanthropists to refine your storytelling prowess.

Instructor: Rashidah Butler-Jackson

Sound planning and clear writing are just the beginning. Develop an appropriate plan, communicate it effectively to your staff and key volunteers, and learn to evaluate its effectiveness. This session covers planning, benchmarking with other organizations, and using tools to track your progress. Understand your data, history, and key indicators to strategically reach your demographic targets and achieve your financial goals.

Instructor: Len Iaquinta

Learn to collaborate effectively with foundations, corporations, and grant-making organizations while staying true to your mission. Understand grant restrictions and assess your readiness to comply. Discover strategies for engaging contacts and bypassing the “no unsolicited proposals accepted” rule. Learn how to incorporate the use of new technologies, such as AI and how to use these new tools ethically. Identify potential pitfalls of organization grants and how to interpret an organization’s 990 and balance sheet to your advantage. Participate in an instructor-guided critique of proposals to enhance your grant writing skills.

Instructor: Ginny Finn

Increase donor retention by building a culture of philanthropy in your organization. Identify, enlist, and motivate volunteer leadership and staff for effective and ethical fund development. Learn how to secure long-lasting donor relationships by choosing the right donor management tools and strategies. Understand the importance of developing sound policies , including the use of qualitative and quantitative data, that support ethical philanthropic funds management. Group discussions will include trends in giving, generational change, and evolving attitudes towards philanthropy.

Instructor: Jennifer Charpentier