Writing Appeals Workshop

October 3, 2024 11:00am-4:30pm ET

Overview

Writing is one of the most important skills a fundraiser can possess. And while you don’t need to be an award-winning author to write strong appeals, you do need to be able to make the case for support in a clear and compelling way. Developing messages that resonate and selecting words that motivate can make all the difference. By refining your writing skills, your prospects are more likely to read your appeals and respond with a gift.

Join us on October 3rd for a one-day interactive learning experience where you’ll learn how to write effective fundraising appeals for your institution.

What you'll Discover

Participants will have an opportunity to:

Learn about best practices for writing fundraising appeals
Actively share, critique, and rewrite real-life examples
Network with peers to share ideas and experiences
Obtain workshop handouts and other materials
Earn CFRE credit
And more!

This event is ideal for advancement professionals at educational institutions who wish to learn the nuts and bolts, effective techniques, and current best practices of writing direct fundraising appeals.

Save $250 when you register by Friday, September 6, 2024
AGN Members save an additional 40%
Receive further discounts when registering multiple attendees from one institution

Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Program

(all times are EDT)

11:00am - Welcome/Overview of the Day

11:05am - Getting In Sync With Your Audience
Learn how to address different audiences and craft messages that communicate your institution’s stories in a compelling way.

11:30am - Small Group Breakouts
Engage in small group discussions, while actively sharing, critiquing, and rewriting sample appeals.

12:30pm - Break (30 minutes)

1:00pm - Structuring Your Appeal
Discover how to organize your copy in a way that draws a reader in, builds momentum, and flows smoothly.

1:30pm - Small Group Breakouts
Engage in small group discussions, while actively sharing, critiquing, and rewriting sample appeals.

2:30pm - Break (30 minutes)

3:00pm - Enhancing Your Ask
Find out how to craft an “ask” in a way that stands out and motivates prospects to make a gift.

3:30pm - Small Group Breakouts
Engage in small group discussions, while actively sharing, critiquing, and rewriting sample appeals.

4:20pm - Bringing It All Together
Conclude the day with a summary of lessons learned and opportunities to continue learning.

4:30pm - Workshop Ends

Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Faculty

Dan Allenby

Dan is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for more than 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally recognized expert on annual giving, he is a CASE Laureate and recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. His book Ideas for Annual Giving offers designs for helping organizations increase their levels of sustainable philanthropic support. Dan has led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society.

Meredith Johnston

Meredith has over 20 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising. She currently serves as Vice President of Philanthropy at Scripps Research and has previously led programs at UC Riverside, UC San Diego, and Oklahoma State University. Her other experience includes leading teams through change, developing and leading comprehensive campaigns, and building strong teams while nurturing talent. She holds a B.A. in Literature from the University of North Texas.

Gina Fiorillo

Gina has over 20 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising. She currently serves as Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving at New York University and has previously led programs at Rutgers University, Kean University, and Douglass College. She holds a B.A. in English from Douglass College and an M.P.A. from the School of Public Affairs & Administration at Rutgers University.

Amanda Davis

Amanda has over 15 years of experience in annual giving and educational fundraising. She currently serves as the Foundation President & Chief Advancement Officer at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has previously led programs at the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Oklahoma State University Foundation, Oklahoma City University, and the University of New Orleans. She holds B.A. in English and Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an M.P.A. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or [email protected].