Workshop: Writing Appeals

April 17, 2025 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 April 17th for a one-day interactive learning experience where you’ll learn how to write effective fundraising appeals for your institution.

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, March 14, 2025
  • 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)

10:50am - Sign-In Begins

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  (Host) |  President & Founder at Annual Giving Network

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. He also served on the faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising and chaired its Senior Annual Giving Professionals Conference and Annual Giving Workshop for five collective terms. He holds a B.A. in History from James Madison University and a M.B.A. from Boston College. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, and getting away to the beaches of Cape Cod. His philosophy is that success comes from focusing on what’s right in front of you.

Mae Parker

Mae Parker has led programs at the College of Education at the University of Iowa, Grinnell College and Earlham College. Mae holds a B.A. in Business and Nonprofit Management from Earlham College and an M.A. in Executive Development for Public Service from Ball State University. She received a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University.

 

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or info@annualgivingnetwork.com.