Fundraising Intensives

Guiding you through creating a fund development plan, implementing a year-end fundraising campaign, and developing long-term strategies.

Each year, we offer two fundraising intensives. In the spring, Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts with a Plan guides you through creating a fund development plan for the year ahead. In the fall, the Year-End Giving Game Plan supports you in implementing an end-of-year fundraising campaign and developing long-term strategies to better engage your donors. Each intensive includes three sessions and two hours of 1:1 consulting support.

In the Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts with a Plan, you will leave the intensive with:

  • A one-year draft fundraising plan: a map to guide your work
  • Updated “case for support” language to use in donor communications
  • A gift chart based on your real data to help you create a realistic fundraising plan for the next year
  • A calendar of actions to keep you on track
  • Next steps so you make sure that you meet your goals

Fill out this inquiry form by March 6 if you are interested in joining this intensive!

In the Year-End Giving Game Plan, you will leave the intensive with the following: 

  • More organized donor data that segments out certain donor groups
  • A custom donor report (relationship-building tool), drafted for your audience
  • A campaign calendar to map out your request timeline
  • Custom ask language to be used in all request communications (i.e. a request letter + request emails)
  • Post-campaign thank-you language to be used in tax receipts and/or thank-you notes

Why take it?

Both intensives are designed to get stuff done. We put the fun in fundraising by creating a space for:

  • Accountability: We get it. Nonprofit leaders are busy. And there are always a million things on your to-do list. We will help you stay accountable to the very real and important fundraising goals. There will be homework! Each intensive provides a clear timeline and required deliverables to help you stay on track.
  • Templates and tools: We are ready with worksheets and examples to drill down to the important tasks and make the process seem less overwhelming.
  • Teamwork: We encourage you to join with several members from your organization to ensure that the work is distributed. You will also learn from your peers in the intensive and gain valuable insights from their experiences.
  • Results: Previous participants have exceeded their fundraising goals and built strong, lasting funding relationships.

Who is it for?

These intensives differ from our other programs because we invite your organization to include up to three participants, rather than relying on a single staff member to learn alone. Each intensive is designed for the staff member who leads your fund development work, and we encourage you to include up to one additional staff member and/or a board member to participate alongside them.

Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts with a Plan is designed to create fund development plans for charitable giving – not government funding or earned revenue, such as ticket sales or memberships. This course is best suited for organizations that have some current charitable giving experience and seek to stabilize, diversify, and strengthen unrestricted charitable revenue.

Year-End Giving Game Plan is designed for organizations that have individual donors and access to donor/subscriber data. Previous experience running a campaign is not required.

FAQs

When and where is it held?

The intensives are offered virtually. Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts with a Plan is held from March to May. The Year-End Giving Game Plan is held from October to November. See the program schedules below for more details.

How much does it cost?

The total cost for each organization to participate in each of the intensives is $2,350 or $1,950 for Foraker Partners.

Are discounts available?

Yes, a limited number of discounts are available. Indicate your interest in the application.

How do I apply?

Applications for Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts With a Plan are open now and close on Friday, March 6.

Program schedule

Fast Track Fundraising: It Starts with a Plan

Class 1: March 24 from 9:00 – 12:00pm
Overview: Why Do I need a fundraising plan?

  • Learn the Theory

  • Set Overarching Goals

  • Create a Gift Chart

Class 2: April 14 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Start Getting it Done

  • Identify Your Audience and Key Messages

  • Reassess Your Fundraising Infrastructure

  • Set Key Objectives

Class 3: May 5 from 9:00 – 12:00 pm
Put it All Together

  • Determine Metrics for Success

  • Create your plan for accountability and measuring success

  • Create Accountability

End of Year Giving Game Plan

Class 1: TBD, Fall 2026
Prepare to Connect: Segment your donor data and build better relationships with your donors

  • Set your campaign goals

  • Segment key donor audiences and make a plan for relationship-building

  • Draft a donor report

Class 2: TBD, Fall 2026
Plan the request: Craft the right ask for right now + set up your campaign schedule

  • Create a campaign calendar

  • Draft a request letter

  • Make sure your email and social media language is read

Class 3: TBD, Fall 2026

Ready to Roll: Assess your donation tools + refresh your donor thank you letters

· Assess your website’s Donate page and gift acceptance process
· Refresh your tax receipt
· Draft thank-you language