Data and Research Guidance with Dr. Monica Rezac
Do you have a question about how your organization uses and leverages data and research? Set up a time to chat with Dr. Monica Rezac, research coordinator of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

The Fundraising Leadership Series provides development professionals with essential leadership skills to be a strategic leader in their organization. The unique design of this certificate series, co-created with nonprofit leaders, recognizes the central role of development in a nonprofit’s culture, strategy, and communications. Participants will engage with other development professionals in an interactive program that builds their capacity as organizational leaders and changemakers. Each session will feature senior nonprofit leaders from across the region who will share their expertise and experiences on the topic.

Upon completion, development professionals will have applied experience in their organization’s context using leadership tools and knowledge they acquire. Additionally, they will exhibit the capacity to better lead strategic development operations in nonprofit organizations.

The 2024 Fundraising Leadership Series:
September 20, October 4, 18, November 1 and 15, 2024 (8:30-11:30am). Note: the September 20, October 18 and November 15 sessions will be held in-person and the October 4 and November 1, 2024 sessions will be held virtually via Zoom..

The 2024 Fundraising Leadership Series has already begun. If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Fundraising Leadership Series please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720

Introducing the Fundraising Mastermind: A Transformative Cohort Experience for Senior Fundraising and Nonprofit Leaders

Fundraising Mastermind is a unique cohort-based program exclusively designed for senior fundraising leaders. This collaborative experience brings together a select group of professionals to tackle real-world challenges, share expertise, and unlock the power of collective knowledge—all in a supportive, lightly-facilitated environment.

Regardless of where your organization is in its budget year, it’s never too late to craft a powerful Annual Development Plan. This two-part program will empower you with an overview of what you need to tailor a plan that aligns seamlessly with your organization’s mission.

The pre-recorded session will help you understand the 15 essential components that make up a successful Annual Development Plan, from donor engagement to campaign execution. (Video recording – 1 hour 19 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will illustrate how those components work in practice through a discussion of real-world examples of successful Annual Development Plans. (Live session – 2 hours)

Set the stage for a successful capital campaign with this two-part program focused on the fundamentals: Assessing your organization’s readiness, determining the appropriate campaign structure, crafting a compelling case statement, and identifying prime donor prospects.

The pre-recorded session will provide an overview of the concepts and components of capital campaigns, providing a solid foundation for your journey. (Video recording – 1 hour 22 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will include a discussion of real capital campaigns, potential capital campaigning in participants’ organizations, along with plenty of time for questions and trouble-shooting. (Live session – 2 hours)

Power your nonprofit’s success through effective prospect research and winning proposal writing. This two-part program will dive into effective strategies for conducting targeted research on foundations and individuals, empowering your organization to identify potential donors.

The pre-recorded session will unpack the elements of effective individual and foundation prospect research, along with proposal writing, to propel your organization toward fundraising success. (Video recording – 1 hour 17 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will include a discussion of real-world examples and challenges to help you elevate your understanding of prospect research and proposal writing. (Live session – 2 hours)

Kickstart your fundraising journey with Fundraising Fundamentals Part 1, a program designed to build a robust foundation for success.

Start with a pre-recorded session that introduces you to the world of nonprofits and civil society with an exploration of the history of nonprofits and fundraising. You’ll leave with an understanding of philanthropy and fundraising, fundraising philosophy, and the history of the art and science of fundraising.
(Video recording – 1 hour 42 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will acquaint you with the nonprofit sector, including local and national fundraising trends, a discussion of why people may hesitate to give money and time, and an introduction to the topics of fundraising structures such as the donor pyramid, moves management, and staff and board roles in fundraising.
(Live session – 2 hours)

Note: this session was previous named Organizing for Fundraising: An Introduction.

Continue your exploration into the dynamic realm of fundraising with Fundraising Fundamentals Part 2.

The pre-recorded session will unlock the keys to purpose-driven fundraising, help you navigate the fundraising cycle, and delve into the strategic use of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). (Video recording – 1 hour 18 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will explore the nuances of fundraising leadership, discuss the impact of changing constituent demographics, and underscore the importance of stewardship and donor recognition.
(Live session – 2 hours)

Note: this session was previous named Organizing for Fundraising.

Creating compelling, well-structured, and persuasive proposals that effectively communicate value. This two-part program will equip you with practical insights to elevate your proposal-writing skills and increase your chances of securing funding.

The pre-recorded session includes an overview of the proposal writing process, the letter of inquiry, and proposal components, along with tips for success and red flags to watch out for. (Video recording – 1 hour 29 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will use real proposals to provide a hands-on understanding of their structure and components. We’ll also discuss how to tailor your approach to meet the unique requirements of each grant opportunity and delve into effective strategies for engaging with foundations. (Live session – 2 hours)

Whether you’re new to fundraising or seeking to elevate your skills, this two-part program will lay the groundwork for measurement and evaluation in fundraising.

The pre-recorded session will address the ‘why’ behind evaluation, explore the basics of social impact, and discuss types of evaluation, theory of change, logic models, and dashboards. (Video recording – 1 hour)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will delve deeper into measurement and evaluation, including a discussion of how to implement dashboards to provide strategic fundraising insights.
(Live session – 2 hours)

Reluctant volunteers can transform into fearless fundraisers. This two-part program will show you how you can shift your volunteers’ approach to fundraising from dread to enthusiasm.

The pre-recorded session will explore concepts and components related to fundraising with volunteers, including the giving landscape in the United States, the motivational underpinnings of fundraising, and how volunteers and staff can effectively support the fundraising cycle. (Video recording – 1 hour 16 minutes)

The next date of the live virtual session has not been scheduled, it will include a practical and tailored discussion of how volunteers can support fundraising in participants’ organizations.
(Live session – 2 hours)

Do you have a question or a problem you need help with? Set up a time to chat with Dr. Brent Never, director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

In these turbulent times it is critical to embrace change. Throughout the year we will present tools nonprofits can utilize to innovate and excel in today’s environment – building the foundation for a promising future. MCNL’s Navigation Series creates an interactive virtual community to learn and share the ideas nonprofits need to be successful.

Dates for this two-hour informational session:
June 18, 2025 (3:30-5:30pm)