The Asking Academy™ consists of three phases spanning 5 months:

1. Preparation: Specific prep work completed during the month preceding The Summit
2. The Summit: 2 days together for interactive, hands-on training, equipping and coaching
3. Implementation: 4 months of follow-up to mentor team members and monitor the fundraising success

DAY 1

• The philosophy of Conversational Fundraising™
• Seeking bigger gifts — a.k.a. fully funding your mission
• Building the “Ask” — how to prepare a fundable proposal
• Climbing the 10 Step Staircase — How to ask strategic questions so you can listen for strategic answers
• Getting in — how to actually secure appointments with busy, focused funders
• Linkage — why your Call Team is important and how to select the right players
• Defining the “Why” — putting a name and face on your unique mission
• Getting personal — creating specific written solicitation plans for your prospects
• Dialogue with America’s ASKing Coach

DAY 2

• Planning: The first step in success — Win it on paper
• Practice makes perfect — Role play with your solicitation team
• Getting un-stuck: Identifying obstacles to successful one-on-one major gift solicitations and overcoming them
• Ready, Set, GO! Countdown to your 15-day fundraising sprint
• Sharing the Wealth — How to transfer Conversational Fundraising™ practices to other volunteers and staff members