ANE: The Confident Fundraiser: Mastering Donor Solicitation


ID : 19477   

« back to classes page
The Confident Fundraiser: Mastering Donor Solicitation—A Practical Framework for Every Donor Conversation

Successful fundraising is built on meaningful conversations that inspire generosity—not scripted sales pitches. This highly interactive full-day workshop, built around the Virginia Fundraising Consultants Donor Conversation System™, is designed for new and emerging fundraising professionals who want to build confidence and competence in donor solicitation. Participants will learn how to confidently prepare for donor meetings, build authentic relationships, uncover donor passions, communicate compelling impact, navigate objections with confidence, successfully close and steward major gifts and strengthen long-term donor partnerships. Through real-world examples, guided discussions, interactive exercises, and hands-on role-playing, participants will leave with proven tools they can immediately apply to build stronger donor relationships and increase fundraising success.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Apply the six stages of the Donor Conversation System™—Prepare, Connect, Discover, Ask, Respond, and Steward—to confidently guide donor conversations from initial planning through long-term stewardship.
  • Prepare strategically for donor meetings by conducting meaningful research, setting clear objectives, and developing compelling cases for support.
  • Build authentic relationships by asking thoughtful questions, actively listening, and uncovering each donor's values, passions, and philanthropic motivations.
  • Confidently present a donor-centered gift opportunity, respond effectively to questions and objections, and successfully move conversations toward meaningful commitments.
  • Develop an individualized action plan to immediately implement the Donor Conversation System™ in their own fundraising work.
Virginia Thumm is Founder and President of Virginia Fundraising Consultants, bringing more than 40 years of fundraising leadership to nonprofit organizations throughout the country. She has directed dozens of successful capital campaigns, planning studies, and major gift initiatives that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars in philanthropic support. An AFP Certified Facilitator and nationally recognized speaker, Virginia specializes in major gifts, campaign strategy, board development, fundraising ethics, and organizational best practices. She is known for her practical, engaging teaching style that combines proven fundraising principles with real-world experience to help professionals build confidence and achieve results.

 
Add To Cart » Send to Friend »

Class Details

1 Session(s)
Weekly - Wed

Location
TCC Regional Workforce Development Center

Instructor
WD Staff 

CEUs : 0.5

Tuition:  $80.00

Registration Closes On
Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 12:00 AM

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s) Instructional Method
9/16/2026 - 9/16/2026 Weekly - Wed 09:00 AM - 03:30 PM Suffolk, TCC Regional Workforce Development Center  Map, Room: URWD-W105 WD Staff  Lecture

Featured Classes

  • No Featured Classes today.

You may also be interested in these classes

Recommended Classes