BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH PRODID:-//Tendenci - The Open Source AMS for Associations//Tendenci Codeba se MIMEDIR//EN BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:--- This iCal file does *NOT* confirm registration.\nEvent det ails subject to change. ---\nhttps://www.rialliance.org/events/692/\n\nEve nt Title: Building and Cultivating Major Donors for Small- to Mid-Size Non profits Series\nStart Date / Time: Sept. 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. US/Eastern\nL ocation: \nSpeaker: Ellen Christine\nOffered by Minnesota Council of Found ations\nMany nonprofit leaders know they need to diversify funding, but ma jor donor fundraising can feel out of reach, especially in small- to mid-s ize nonprofits without large development teams. The good news is that your next major donor is likely already connected to your organization or with in your existing network. The key is knowing where to look, how to build t he relationship, and how to confidently invite deeper investment in your m ission.\nIn this 3-session virtual series, we will help you build the conf idence, clarity, and practical systems needed to identify, cultivate, and engage major donors in ways that feel genuine, strategic, and aligned with your mission.\nAcross three live online sessions, we will reframe fundrai sing as relationship-building, map the people already surrounding your mis sion, prioritize the right donor prospects, and strengthen your ability to lead donor conversations with greater clarity and confidence. Through pra ctical tools, guided exercises, and real-time application, this series is designed to help you move from uncertainty and overwhelm to a more focused , strategic, and repeatable approach to major donor fundraising.\nYou will leave with practical frameworks and tools you can use immediately to stre ngthen donor relationships, build a more intentional donor portfolio, and create momentum toward long-term fundraising sustainability. Past particip ants have shared that this course increased their confidence, strengthened their donor conversations, and gave them practical tools they could apply right away.\nBy the end of this 3-session series, you will be able to: \n \nReframe major donor fundraising as an opportunity to build meaningful do nor partnerships rather than simply ask for money. \nIdentify potential ma jor donors, connectors, and advisors already within your organization&rsqu o\;s existing network. \nPrioritize the right donor prospects based on ali gnment, engagement, readiness, and funding goals. \nDevelop tailored engag ement strategies that deepen trust and move donor relationships forward. \ nLead donor conversations with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose. \ nUse practical tools and frameworks to build a more structured, strategic, and repeatable major donor process that supports more diversified funding .\n\n \nSession Details\n \n\n\nSession 1: Mindset and Cultivate Mapping & ndash\; September 15 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT \nIn this session, we be gin by exploring the psychology of generosity and dismantling the &ldquo\; begging&rdquo\; narrative that often creates fear or hesitation around fun draising. Together, we will shift the mindset from asking for money to inv iting partnership in meaningful work.\nWe will then map 30&ndash\;50 relat ionship pathways within your existing network to help you identify the hid den donor potential already surrounding your mission, including supporters , connectors, and advisors.\nBy the end of Session 1, you will be able to: \n\nReframe fundraising as an invitation to partnership rather than a tra nsactional ask.\nDescribe how generosity, shared purpose, and donor motiva tion can shape stronger fundraising conversations.\nIdentify supporters, c onnectors, and advisors already within your organization&rsquo\;s network. \nCreate a Cultivate Map of 30&ndash\;50 relationship pathways connected t o your mission.\nRecognize where major donor potential may already exist w ithin your current community and relationships. \n\n\n\n\n\nSession 2: Bui lding the Right Portfolio &ndash\; September 29 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT \nIn this session, we will help you move from a broad or cluttered data base to a prioritized portfolio of qualified donor prospects. Using the En gagement Scorecard and related tools, we will evaluate prospects based on engagement, alignment, influence, readiness, and relationship strength.\nY ou will begin building a focused Power 10 Portfolio and develop customized engagement designs that help move priority donors from contact to committ ed partner.\nBy the end of Session 2, you will be able to: \n\nEvaluate do nor prospects using practical criteria such as alignment, engagement, infl uence, and readiness. \nDistinguish between a broad contact list and a foc used donor portfolio built for meaningful cultivation. \nPrioritize a Powe r 10 Portfolio based on real funding goals and relationship potential. \nD evelop customized engagement designs for your top prospects. \nBuild a mor e strategic and repeatable process for major donor cultivation over time. \n\n\n\n\n\nSession 3: Designing Confident Conversations &ndash\; October 13 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT \nIn this session, we will build the messa ging and structure you need to lead donor conversations with greater clari ty and confidence. Building on the work from the first two sessions, we wi ll help you define impact, communicate need, and make the ask in a way tha t feels grounded, relational, and clear.\nWe will also strengthen your app roach to stewardship so donors become more than a source of funding. They become meaningful partners in your mission.\nBy the end of Session 3, you will be able to: \n\nUse a clear framework to structure major donor conve rsations with greater confidence.\nCommunicate shared values, need, impact , and invitation in a compelling and mission-centered way.\nPrepare for do nor asks with messaging that feels clear, relational, and strategic.\nAppr oach the ask as a natural part of relationship-building rather than a disc onnected fundraising task.\nStrengthen stewardship and next-step planning to support long-term donor partnership.\n\n\n\n\n\nOptional Implementation Labs: From Strategy to Action &ndash\; September 22, October 6, &\; Oc tober 20 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT\nThese optional one-hour working ses sions are designed to help you move from theory to execution without the o verwhelm. Through peer discussion, hands-on application, and focused group coaching, we will bridge the gap between &ldquo\;knowing&rdquo\; and &ldq uo\;doing.&rdquo\; \nRather than introducing new content, these sessions g ive you space to apply the course tools directly to your own donor portfol io, messaging, outreach strategies, and upcoming conversations. Together, we will troubleshoot challenges, refine next steps, and build momentum so you can walk into your next donor meeting with greater clarity, confidence , and a practical 90-day action plan.\nBy participating in the optional im plementation labs, you will be able to: \n\nApply course tools and framewo rks directly to your own donor relationships and fundraising priorities. \ nRefine engagement strategies, donor messaging, and next steps through pee r discussion and group coaching. \nStrengthen your readiness for upcoming donor meetings and conversations. \nBuild a practical 90-day activation pl an for cultivation, asks, follow-up, and stewardship. \nIncrease your conf idence in moving from planning to real-world donor action.\n\nThese three Implementation Labs sessions are included with the &ldquo\;Building and Cu ltivating Major Donors for Small- to Mid-Size Nonprofits Series&rdquo\; re gistration.\n\n\n\nWhat You Will Walk Away With\nBy the end of the series, you will leave with more than notes. You will leave with a practical fund raising engine built for immediate execution and long-term sustainability, including: \n\nThe Cultivate Map: a strategic visualization of 30&ndash\; 50 relationship pathways and connectors within your existing network \nThe Power 10 Portfolio: a prioritized list of qualified donors connected to r eal funding goals and revenue needs \nCustom Engagement Designs: tailored plans for moving top prospects from contact to committed investor \nThe As k Framework: a structured, confidence-building guide for donor conversatio ns \nA 90-Day Activation Plan: a sequenced rhythm for outreach, follow-up, and stewardship that helps maintain momentum long after the first gift is made \n\n \n\n \n Event Details  \nThis event is a series with three dates and three optional Implementation Labs. The series registration pric e includes all six sessions.\nSeries Sessions:\n\nSeptember 15 from 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT \nSeptember 29 from 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT\nOctob er 13 from 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT\n\nOptional Implementation Labs:\n\n September 22 from 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT \nOctober 6 from 9:30am &ndas h\; 10:30am CT \nOctober 20 from 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT\n\nThis virtua l event will take place on the Zoom platform. Your access link will be ema iled to you the day before the event after 12 p.m.\nThis sessions will be recorded available to registrants after the live event.\nCaptioning is pro vided automatically through Zoom. For information on requesting CART, ASL, or another accommodation, please visit our Registration Policies page.\n \nAlliance for Nonprofit Impact members are eligible for $175 MCN member r ate.\n\n--- This iCal file does *NOT* confirm registration.Event details s ubject to change. ---\n\n--- By Tendenci - The Open Source AMS for Associa tions ---\n UID:uid692@rialliance.org SUMMARY:Building and Cultivating Major Donors for Small- to Mid-Size Nonprofits Series DTSTART:20260915T133000Z DTEND:20260915T150000Z CLASS:PUBLIC PRIORITY:5 DTSTAMP:20261109T173958Z TRANSP:OPAQUE SEQUENCE:0 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
--- This iCal file does *NOT* confirm re gistration.Event details subject to change. ---

Event Title: Buil ding and Cultivating Major Donors for Small- to Mid-Size Nonprofits Series

https://www.rialliance.org/events/692/

When: Sep t. 15, 2026, 9:30 a.m. US/Eastern
Speaker: Ellen Christine

Offered by Minnesota Council of Foundations

Many nonprofit leade rs know they need to diversify funding, but major donor fundraising can fe el out of reach, especially in small- to mid-size nonprofits without large development teams. The good news is that your next major donor is likely already connected to your organization or within your existing network. Th e key is knowing where to look, how to build the relationship, and how to confidently invite deeper investment in your mission.

In this 3-session virtual series, we will help you build the confidence, clarity, and practical systems needed to identify, cultivate, and engage major donors in ways that feel genuine, strategic, and aligned with your mission.

Across three live on line sessions, we will reframe fundraising as relationship-building, map t he people already surrounding your mission, prioritize the right donor pro spects, and strengthen your ability to lead donor conversations with great er clarity and confidence. Through practical tools, guided exercises, and real-time application, this series is designed to help you move from uncer tainty and overwhelm to a more focused, strategic, and repeatable approach to major donor fundraising.

You will le ave with practical frameworks and tools you can use immediately to strengt hen donor relationships, build a more intentional donor portfolio, and cre ate momentum toward long-term fundraising sustainability. Past participant s have shared that this course increased their confidence, strengthened th eir donor conversations, and gave them practical tools they could apply ri ght away.

By the end of this 3-s ession \;series, you will be able to: \;

 \;

Session Details

 \;

S ession 1: Mindset and Cultivate Mapping &ndash\; \;September 15 @ 9:30am \;&ndash\; 11:00am CT \;

In this session, we begin by exploring the psychology of generosity and dismantling the &ldquo\;begging&rdquo\; narr ative that often creates fear or hesitation around fundraising. Together, we will shift the mindset from asking for money to inviting partnership in meaningful work.

W e will then map 30&ndash\;50 relationship pathways within your existing ne twork to help you identify the hidden donor potential already surrounding your mission, including supporters, connectors, and advisors.

By the end of Session 1 , you will be able to: \;

  • Reframe fundraising as an invitation to partn ership rather than a transactional ask.
  • Describe how generosity, shared purpose, and donor motivation can shap e stronger fundraising conversations.
  • Identify supporters, connectors, and advisors already within your organi zation&rsquo\;s network.
  • Create a Cu ltivate Map of 30&ndash\;50 relationship pathways connected to your missio n.
  • Recognize where major donor poten tial may already exist within your current community and relationships.&nb sp\;
Session 2: Building the Right Portfolio &ndash\; \;September 29 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT \;

In this session, we will help you move from a broad or cluttered database to a prioritized portfolio of qua lified donor prospects. Using the Engagement Scorecard and related tools, we will evaluate prospects based on engagement, alignment, influence, read iness, and relationship strength.

You will begin building a focused Power 10 Portfolio and de velop customized engagement designs that help move priority donors from co ntact to committed partner.

By t he end of Session 2, you will be able to: \;

  • Evaluate donor prospects u sing practical criteria such as alignment, engagement, influence, and read iness. \;
  • Distinguish between a broad contact list and a focused donor portfolio built for meaningful cult ivation. \;
  • Prioritize a Power 1 0 Portfolio based on real funding goals and relationship potential. \;
  • Develop customized engagement desig ns for your top prospects. \;
  • Bu ild a more strategic and repeatable process for major donor cultivation ov er time. \;
Session 3: \;Designing Confident Conversatio ns \;&ndash\; \;October 13 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT&n bsp\;

In this session, we will build the messaging and structure you need to lead donor conversations with greater clarity and confidence. Building on the work f rom the first two sessions, we will help you define impact, communicate ne ed, and make the ask in a way that feels grounded, relational, and clear.< /p>

We will also streng then your approach to stewardship so donors become more than a source of f unding. They become meaningful partners in your mission.

By the end of Session 3, you will be able to: \; \;

    Use a clear framework to structure major do nor conversations with greater confidence.
  • Communicate shared values, need, impact, and invitation in a compel ling and mission-centered way.
  • Prepa re for donor asks with messaging that feels clear, relational, and strateg ic.
  • Approach the ask as a natural pa rt of relationship-building rather than a disconnected fundraising task.
  • Strengthen stewardship and next-step planning to support long-term donor partnership.
Optional Implementation Labs: From St rategy to Action \;&ndash\; September 22, October 6, &\; O ctober 20 @ 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT

These optional \;one-hour \;working sess ions are designed to help you move from theory to execution \;without the overwhelm. Through peer discussion, hands-on application, and focused group coaching, we will bridge the gap between &ldquo\;knowing&rdquo\; and &ldquo\;doing.&rdquo\; \;

Rather than introducing \;new content, these sessions give you space to apply the course tools directly to your own donor portfolio, messaging, outreach strategies, and upcoming conversations. Together, we will troubleshoot challenges, refine next steps, and build momentum so you can walk into your next donor meeting with greater clarity, confidence, a nd a practical 90-day action plan.

By \;participating \;in the optional implementatio n labs, you will be able to: \;

  • Apply course tools and frameworks directly to yo ur own donor relationships and fundraising priorities. \;
  • Refine engagement strategies, donor messaging, a nd next steps through peer discussion and group coaching. \;
  • Strengthen your readiness for upcoming donor meetings and conversations. \;
  • B uild a practical 90-day activation plan for cultivation, asks, follow-up, and stewardship. \;
  • Increase you r confidence in moving from planning to real-world donor action.

Thes e three Implementation Labs sessions are included with the &ldquo\;Buildin g and Cultivating Major Donors for Small- to Mid-Size Nonprofits Series&rd quo\; registration.

What You Will Walk Away With

By the end of the series, you will leave with more than notes. You will leave with a practical fundrais ing engine built for immediate execution and long-term sustainability, inc luding: \;

  • The Cultivate Ma p: \;a strategic visualization of 30&ndash\;50 relationship p athways and connectors within your existing network \;
  • The Power 10 Portfolio: \;a prioritized list of qualified d onors connected to real funding goals and revenue needs \;
  • Custom Engagement Designs: \;tailored plans for moving top prospects from contact to committed investor \;
  • T he Ask Framework: \;a structured, confidence-building guide f or donor conversations \;
  • A 90-Day \;Activation P lan: \;a sequenced rhythm for outreach, follow-up, and stewar dship that helps \;maintain \;momentum long after the first gift i s made \;

 Event Details  \;

This event is a series with three dates and three optional Implementation Labs. The series regis tration price includes all six sessions.

Series Sessions:

  • September 15 from 9:30am \;&ndash\; 11:00am C T \;
  • September 29 from 9:30am &n dash\; 11:00am CT
  • October 13 from 9: 30am &ndash\; 11:00am CT

Optional Implementation Labs:

  • September \;22 \;from 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT \;
  • October 6 \;f rom 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT \;
  • October 20 \;from 9:30am &ndash\; 10:30am CT

This virtual event will take place on the Zoom platform. Your access link will be emailed to you the day before the event after 12 p.m.

This sessions will be recorded ava ilable to registrants after the live event.

Captioning is provided automatically through Zoom. For information on requesting CART, ASL, or another accommodation, please visit our \;Registration Policies page.

 \;

Alliance for No nprofit Impact members are eligible for $175 MCN member rate.

--- This iCal file does *NOT* confirm registration.Event details su bject to change. ---
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