Non-Profit Development Advising
“…training has made a vast difference…pleased to recommend…”
Kenneth G. Rubin, Midwest Director
Boys & Girls Clubs
For executive directors and directors of development that are new to the fundraising profession or are looking to improve their skills and gain a fresh perspective and renewed sense of motivation. This process will enhance the ability of individuals in working with and cultivating major donors for their non-profit organization.
This process includes but is not limited to:
Professional Advising – Get an honest, expert opinion and creative suggestions about the direction you or your organization should take to be successful.
How to Ask Probing Questions – Understanding what potential donors are interested in and what their needs are can go a long way in securing their gifts. Getting to know your donors on an individual basis is a skill that Stockard Consulting can help you acquire.
One on One Meetings – Learn to plan your meeting to get the most out of the time you spend with a potential donor, and how to conduct the meeting so that it remains focused on the topic at hand.
Major Donor Research – How to put together a successful plan that is well-designed and relationship-driven in order to add important dollars to your organization.
The Art of Making Appointments – You won’t be able to follow through on anything else without securing the appointment first! Learn the best methods for getting an audience and creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere in which to make your pitch.
Cultivating a Major Donor – Once you identify potential major donors, have you had difficulty building relationships with them? Learn to cultivate the relationship by building trust, motivation, and commitment, and lay the foundation for a successful future of support.
How to Ask for the Gift – Have your potential donors failed to follow up with a gift? One of the main reasons people do not give is that they have not been properly asked. Learn the keys to the successful request, including how, when, and where to make your presentation.
Developing Good Listening Skills – Once you have your plan in place, it is vital to pay attention to the donors’ straightforward answers as well as their subtle cues. Learn how to listen, to ask follow-up questions based on the conversation, and to retain the information presented to you.
Matching the Donor’s Interest with the Organization’s Needs – One of the most important steps in development, this is where it all comes together. Stockard Consulting will show you how to use your research, knowledge gained, and relationships with your donors to secure the gift that best matches their interests with your organization’s immediate needs or those that may arise in the future. People are more inclined to give if they can support something they feel connected to.
Grant Writing – If you are looking for tips to create more effective grant writing, Stockard Consulting has the experience to guide you in the right direction. Let us show you how to plan and prepare, coordinate your research, target your proposal to the appropriate grant maker, organize, write, and package your proposal, submit your proposal to the funder, and follow up.
Publications – Non-profit development depends on effective marketing materials such as brochures, press releases, and web site articles to convey your organization’s message. Stockard Consulting can assist you in creating these materials as well as in generating positive media attention.
Internet Fundraising – Explore e-philanthropy with new and innovative online fundraising ideas that are made possible by Internet technology. Learn how to use the Internet to effectively communicate with potential donors, market your programs online, and bring supporters to your web site.
Planned Giving – Learn how bequests to your organization – such as wills, trusts, life insurance, charitable gift annuities, and retirement plans – can be prudently invested to earn interest that can be used on a continuous basis while the principal remains intact.