Description

Join KNN for Fueling the Mission with Sustainable Fundraising - a NEW multi-day educational and peer learning opportunity to help your nonprofit build sustainable fundraising success!

Fueling the Mission is designed to help nonprofits build a reliable base of donor support and strengthen the systems needed to sustain fundraising success over time. Participants will learn how to develop an effective annual fundraising strategy, engage donors more meaningfully, and implement practical tools to grow and retain donor support.

The interactive three-day training is led by experts from The Fund Raising School from the nationally recognized Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy and includes newly updated content on digital engagement, donor psychology, AI tools, and ethical fundraising, with a strong focus on hands-on planning and practical strategy development. 

The training is paired with a cohort of peer and consultant support to help your organization stay on track with your fundraising goals.

Fueling the Mission combines expert instruction with hands-on planning and ongoing support to help your organization build a fundraising program that delivers lasting results!

This program helps nonprofits: 

• Build a dependable base of annual donor support
• Strengthen relationships to increase donor retention and giving
• Create a strategic, actionable annual fundraising plan
• Engage board members, staff, and volunteers in fundraising success
• Use practical tools to improve fundraising effectiveness and sustainability

To help you achieve sustainable fundraising success, you’ll receive:

• Three-day training with experts from The Fund Raising School
• An easy-to-use, comprehensive study guide to use for future reference
• Planning checklists, exercises, and resources to strengthen your annual fund
• Support from a Coach/Facilitator dedicated to helping your cohort succeed
• Networking and peer support from other professionals in the cohort 
• An online community platform for communicating and connecting with your Coach/Facilitator and cohort members

Three-Day Training Details - Developing Annual Sustainability:

• Dates: 
  • Tuesday, June 2: 9:00am-5:00pm ET (8:30am check in and breakfast)
  • Wednesday, June 3: 8:30am-5pm ET
  • Thursday, June 4: 8:30am-5pm ET 
  • Continental breakfast and lunch are provided to participants all three days of the training.
• Location: Berea Gallery & Event Center, Berea, KY
• You'll learn how to:
  • Determine which fundraising strategies to use and when to use them 
  • Manage your fundraising plan effectively 
  • Make a convincing case for support 
  • Create gift range charts for planning 
  • Actively engage volunteers with your fundraising 
  • Use the annual fund to support a total development program, including major gifts
  • Assess the cost efficiency and effectiveness of your annual fund

Coaching & Implementation Support Details:

Program participants receive support on goal-setting and progress as part of the Fueling the Mission cohort, including:

• Two online group coaching calls with your cohort following training
• Two 1:1 coaching sessions
• Ongoing guidance on setting realistic metrics and measuring progress
• Access to an online communications platform to maintain connections with your cohort peers for questions, resources, and more

Reduced Fee:

• Generous support from the Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund allows KNN to offer this program to KNN members at a significantly reduced fee of $599 (the regular price for the three-day training alone is $1,495). For this deeply reduced fee, participants receive registration for the 3-day training (including meals) and coaching and peer support to help you reach your goals!

Program Components: 

• Onsite training (June 2-4 in Berea): The interactive three-day training is led by experts from The Fund Raising School from the nationally recognized Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
• Goal setting & progress check-ins: To support participant success and help us understand program impact, all participating organizations are required to complete brief goal‑setting and progress check‑ins (via online forms) between June 2026 and January 2027. This information is used for program learning, improvement, and required funder reporting.
• 1:1 coaching check‑ins: Two individual coaching sessions are available for each organization, including one 30‑minute post‑training check‑in and one additional 30‑minute check‑in later in the year to support goal progress, troubleshoot challenges, and refine next steps. Additional coaching time may be purchased by organizations if desired.
• Group coaching calls: Two cohort‑based group calls designed to deepen learning, share challenges and wins, and learn from peers.
• Online cohort engagement: Access to an online community platform for peer conversation, resource sharing, questions, and ongoing connection with your Coach/Facilitator and cohort.

Registration Details:

• We encourage organizations to register multiple team members to engage in a unified fundraising approach and strengthen internal collaboration.
• No cancellations or refunds are available. If you are no longer able to attend after registering, you may transfer your registration to a colleague at your organization.
• Note: This program is limited to 40 participants - register now to reserve your spot! 
• Your organization must have an active KNN membership to participate.
• The Fueling the Mission three-day training, Developing Annual Sustainability, qualifies for 20.5 CFRE Education Points/Hours and fulfills education point requirements for the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
  
  
  

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