sustain & thrive:

group learning &
implementation program

calling all nonprofit leaders! are you ready to turn your mission-centered dreams into a delectable reality?

join us on a nurturing, twelve-month journey unlike any other.

led by the seasoned pros at From Scratch Fundraising, sustain & thrive isn't your ordinary nonprofit training program. no more boring webinars, no more tips and tactics without implementation advice, no one-size-fits-all strategies. 

sustain & thrive is a nurturing, twelve-month journey. it’s a collaborative, cohort-based experience where nonprofit leaders come together to find the perfect recipe to grow sustainable individual giving programs From Scratch for their unique organizations!

what makes
sustain & thrive different?

imagine a space where you can mix ideas, roll out plans, and bake strategies with a group of passionate, driven individuals, all with the common goal of seeing your organization succeed-

that’s sustain & thrive

  • if you’re a nonprofit founder, executive director or development director at an organization with annual individual giving revenue of under $1 million, this group is for you! we specialize in “hard to fundraise for” causes, and we can help you unlock the unrestricted revenue you need to put yourself in the drivers’ seat so you can implement your mission on your terms.

    this is also a great program for seasoned fundraisers who need some support and accountability for burnout. so often, we seasoned professionals think we know everything, but there’s value in learning from our other colleagues in the trenches.

  • month 1 = foundations
    assessing the state of your program & learning the Framework

    month 2 = donor retention
    design a gratitude program

    month 3 = finding your WHY
    building a solid case for support

    month 4 = who gives?
    develop your ideal donor personas and the best method to attract your ideal donor to your cause.

    month 5 = nurture your people
    design your cultivation process to move folks from “aware of” to “invested in” your organization.

    month 6 = the ask
    figure out the best ways to solicit donors to support your cause—in ways that aren’t “guilt trippy” or “arm twisty.”

    month 7 = stewardship
    building on month 2, we’ll dig deeper to create a stewardship process that keeps your donors for the long-term.

    month 8 = upgrade potential
    now that you have donors’ commitment, how will you grow the relationship to more regular or higher levels of giving?

    month 9 = the board room
    activate and engage your board in fundraising

    month 10 = putting it all together
    put everything you’ve learned together to keep your program running year-round. no more effort-to-effort; your program will operate at an even keel all the time to keep your current donors and bring in new donors.

    months 11+12: expansion
    learn more multi-channel campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, major donor fundraising, or event-based fundraising. pick a focus area based on your best fundraising options.

  • this program has ongoing start dates. we accept applications until the 15th of the month to start on the 1st of the following month.

    sessions are held every Thursday at 8 am PT / 9 am MT / 10 am CT / 11 am ET / 4 pm GMT for 60 minutes.

  • this training program delivers serious value (see Testimonials below), but we offer it as an affordable solution to nonprofits.

    this program is a “Pay As You Grow” program:

    if your nonprofit budget is < $100,000, your price is $25/month.

    if your budget is $100,000 - $499,000, your price is $75/month.

    if your budget is $500,000 - $999,000, your price is $150/month.

    if your budget is over $1 million, your price is $250/month.

you won't be baking solo! join a community of like-minded peers, learning and growing together to achieve your wildest fundraising aspirations.

cohort

collaboration

our team of fundraising connoisseurs provides hands-on guidance, sharing our tried-and-true recipe for success (the Framework for Sustainable Fundraising) while adapting strategies to fit your organization's unique flavor.

guidance

from experts

this isn't a quick-fix recipe. we believe in slow, steady growth, nurturing your fundraising journey over twelve months to ensure a strong, sustainable rise.

twelve-month

nurturing

Testimonials from Participants

  • This group was really motivating. I learned new ideas and most have executable paths. I also feel like at times my experiences have helped others. It is the best fundraising class I have been a part of and I have tried lots over the years. I had given up on them and something about the application for this one intrigued me. I'm so glad I joined.

    Megan Seifert
    Executive Director
    Headwaters Science Institute

  • I joined because I wanted the opportunity to connect with peers in similar sized orgs that may be facing the same challenges as I am. I’ve gained that and so much more. From Kelly sharing her own personal experience and tools to cohort peers giving real time insights into what is or isn’t working for them, I’ve been able to bring so much back to my day to day work.

    Deana Kaplan
    Chief Development & Communications Officer
    The Nora Project

  • When I signed up, I thought I had mastered some of the key aspects of fundraising and all I had to do was polish up. Little did I know that I did not even know the half of it!! Kelly has graciously shared her time, her resources, her knowledge and herself with us - listened patiently as we asked all sorts of questions.

    Doris Mitti Kimuli
    Director of Partnerships & Fundraising
    The Remnant Generation

  • It's wonderful to have a group of development professionals who may work in a different state or for a different cause, but still totally appreciate the challenges you face and are there to share ideas. Kelly does a great job of providing really useful, applicable content while allowing us to help and learn from each other.

    Lauren Mahajan Brocone
    Development Manager
    Transplant House of Cleveland