Get Funded: Strategic Fundraising and Presenting for
Nonprofits and Charities

Many Nonprofit and charitable organizations are in a continuous state of fundraising. As such, they would like to have members of their team who are equipped with the tools necessary to tell a compelling story and win over funders. This course will give trainees in fundraising roles the appropriate skill sets to effectively convince organizations, donors and grant programs to write cheques. The course will provide them with the knowledge, application and practice necessary to become persuasive fundraisers so that your organization can get its funding needs met and focus on fulfilling its mission.

Team members will learn:

• The fundamentals of positioning an organization as the most worth of funding
• How to write a brand story that distinguishes you from others
• How to prepare a compelling presentation and pitch deck
• Public speaking and presentation skills necessary to call the audience to action

By the end of this course, team members will have everything they need to confidently make the ask and get a "yes".

COURSE OUTLINE

3 Days - 9 am to 4 pm

Day 1 - Crafting a Brand Story

Instructor led from 9am-12pm (12 pm lunch)
Individual Work (1pm to 4pm)

Trainees will learn why a brand story is a powerful tool for organizations who are looking to convince others that they are different, and what elements are needed to craft a compelling brand story.

Unit 1 –The Elements of a Brand Story

• Learning the elements of storytelling from Hollywood blockbusters.
• The role of the customer in the brand story
• Taking the customer on the hero’s journey
• Positioning the organization as the guide in the story

Unit 2–Unpacking a Brand Story

• Case studies of successful pitch decks
• Analysis of the components in their brand story
• Breaking down each element and its impact on the story
• How the elements have been incorporated into the deck

Unit 3–How to Write a Brand Story

• 6 components of an effective brand story
• Writing your brand story in the style of a Hollywood blockbuster
• Positioning your organization to the customer in the story
• Testing your story for impact

Unit 4–Building Trust in the Story with Social Proof

• Follow-up on individual work from Day 1
• Discussion of interviews conducted
• Turning an interview into a success story
• Crafting testimonials and case studies

Homework from 1pm to 4 pm

Team Exercise - Case Study Work

• Complete brand story worksheets using your organization as a case study
• Compile answers with the team
• Choose top answer

Creation of Final Brand Story

• Create a final version of your organization’s brand story using the template provided
• Working with their team, participants will prepare  to present the brand story for the next class

Day 2 - Creating an Effective Pitch Deck

Instructor led from 9am-12pm (12 pm lunch)
Group Work (1pm to 4pm)

On this day, trainees will build on their previously developed skills learning how to take a well-crafted brand story, add in funder considerations, and ultimately create a highly effective pitch deck.  The pitch deck presentation is the key method of communicating your organization’s “ask”, making the deck one of the most important factors in successful fundraising.

Unit 5 – Key Elements of a Great Pitch Deck

• The 5 elements of a great pitch
• The “must-have” slides for every pitch deck
• Creating an attention-grabbing opening
• Demonstrating your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) clearly
• Closing with a powerful call to action

Unit 6 – Integrating the Brand Story into the Pitch

• Building the element of a story into your presentation
• Engaging the audience by creating dramatic tension
• Showing the audience the impact that will result from their support
• Inviting the audience to join you on the “hero’s journey”

Unit 7 - Framing your Ask

• How to make your investment opportunity stand out
• Creating scarcity so funders feel like they might miss out
• Showing funders exactly what to do next
• Pre-emptive follow-up while the funders are hot

Unit 8–Formatting Your Deck

• Must have slides
• Pictures and diagrams
• Text size and ratio
• Slide Dos and Don’ts
• How to create the proper “look and feel”
• Top mistakes to avoid

Unit 9–Pitch Styles

• The “Problem - Solution - System” approach
• The Narrative Approach
• Who’s it for? What’s in it for you? Why are we different?
• Choosing the best style for the audience/event

Group Work 1pm to 4 pm

• Create a pitch deck for your organization
• Prepare to present your pitch in the next class

Day 3 - Delivering a Compelling Presentation

Full Day, 9 am to 4 pm Instructor led with hands on application of skills

Once the pitch deck has been crafted, the next challenge is to actually present the material to investors.  On this day, trainees will learn important presentation skills, including how to prepare for and deliver presentations.  The day will end with students actually presenting their pitch decks to the class.

Unit 10–Knowing Your Audience

• Getting the background on the event
• Who’s in the audience
  • Researching the funders
  • Finding their sweet spot
• Positioning your pitch and ask to the audience

Unit 11–Preparing for Your Venue

• In person versus online
• In person
  • Scoping out your presentation area
  • Positioning yourself in front of the audience
  • Positioning yourself with respect to the screen
  • Identifying the mechanics of “your stage”
• Online
  • Choosing your backdrop
  • Setting up your camera
  • Getting the lighting right
  • What to wear so you show up well
  • How the screen works back to front

Unit 12–Choosing the Right Pitch Format for Your Audience

• Technical versus Narrative
• Case studies
• What slides to include and remove
• Fitting the pitch within the time constraints of your audience

Unit 13–Ensuring that All Key Elements of the Pitch are Covered

• What are your must have slides
• Perfectly scripting your case studies
• Practicing describing your system
• Due Diligence scripting and discussion
• Fitting all critical points into the time you have

Unit 14–Answering Due Diligence Questions

• Restating the question for the room
• Clarifying the question you will answer
• Practicing your responses to key investor questions
• Leave nothing to chance

Final Presentation

Trainees will culminate their training by delivering their pitch deck presentation.

Fee per Participant: $4,800

Certification Awarded:  Strategic Fundraising & Pitching Certification for Nonprofits & Charities