Fundraising & Solicitation Training
What about fundraising is so scary?
Perhaps it is the possibility of rejection? Perhaps it is the possibility of a question that you are not prepared to answer. Perhaps you just don’t know what to say or where to begin.
At Sapphire Fundraising Specialists, our vision is to increase confidence in fundraisers for organizations to achieve their missions.
You and your team can do this!
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So what’s this going to cost me? And how long will it take? What’s included? Who can be included?
Is it possible that you had these questions?
While each nonprofit organization will receive a custom proposal that outlines exactly what will be included in the training, read on for some more information.
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Pricing for Trainings will vary based on the topic, the number of people included, whether there is travel involved, and of course, the number of sessions. Generally, the total cost will be between $1,800 and $7,500.*
*Pricing is subject to change. Email us to find out our current rates.
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Trainings are usually 1 to 2 hours at a time, but can also be half-day or full-day retreats.
We also recommend considering a series of trainings, so that learning can be built upon and habits formed over time.
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Beyond the soliciation training and handouts for the training, you will have the opportunity to have a pre-session to review the training to ensure it is customized to your needs.
You might also be interested in a post-session debrief to talk about next steps, like one-on-one coaching or additional training sessions for your team or board members.
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Take a look below ⬇️ for who to consider including!
For Your Development Staff
Does your team have the confidence to make the ask? Are they prepared to make the case? Do you or your team need a training or refresher course?
Raising money is a skill that can be learned and is built on confidence and practice.
We will work with you to put together a course that fits your needs and gives your team the communication tools, poise, and preparation to become more effective fundraisers and sellers.
For Your Lay Leaders and Board
How does your board participate in your organization’s fundraising? Do they solicit? Do they identify prospects or make introductions? Do they say they’ll reach out to invite someone to the annual event but then do not know what to say?
Board members are volunteers – chances are they have very limited time. So if you’re asking them to do something – make it as easy for them to do as possible.
Part of that can also be they need solicitation training. This is not a skill people have just by being in business for decades or by sitting on multiple nonprofit boards. We will work with you and your board or group of volunteers to train them, to find ways for your staff to have more productive and efficient help, and to give a more enjoyable experience for your lay leaders.
Gen Z’s Guide to Donor Conversations
You hired a great team of newer fundraising professionals. They’re smart. They’re mission-driven. But they stare at their donor call lists and don’t take action.
Consider this for a moment…
Perhaps your Gen Z fundraisers were in school during the Covid pandemic and didn’t get the normal college experience.
Perhaps they now work-from-home part time and rarely get access to observing seasoned fundraisers talking to donors.
Perhaps when they are in the office, they hesitate because they don’t want their colleagues to overhear their phone calls.
Perhaps, they wonder if (when?) AI will replace their job.
And yet, your next gen or Gen Z fundraisers are tasked with building donor relationships of all generations.
For Your Non-Development Staff
Imagine this scenario: a donor calls your organization, and by chance someone on your programs or accounting team answers. The donor has questions about how to make a gift or about where their money would go.
Your super experienced and incredibly knowledgeable employee has no idea what to say. They’ve never spoken to a donor before about fundraising or how the money is spent.
Now picture if your entire staff was prepared to answer this question and more. Imagine if part of your organizational culture was a culture of philanthropy. A training for your entire team could do that: to understand the basics of fundraising, and to speak confidently and eloquently about the organization in a one-on-one conversation.