One Day Intensive: Setting the Stage

One Day Intensive: Setting the Stage

An in-person, full-day experience in the heart of New York City focused on building strategy, confidence, and meaningful invitations that lead to transformational gifts.

Fundraising can feel lonely sometimes. I know because I’ve been there too. 

It can be hard to know what to ask for, how much to ask for, and then actually gather the courage to make the invitation. 

Nearly two decades into fundraising, I still understand the nerves, the overthinking, and the weight that can come with major gift conversations.

But I also know what can happen when you learn how to thoughtfully and confidently set the stage. Time and time again, I’ve had the opportunity to help move donors toward five, six, and even seven-figure gifts — and hear “yes.”  This year alone, I’ve helped raise nearly $8 million through relationship-based fundraising strategies rooted in meaningful engagement, thoughtful timing, and brave invitations.

That’s exactly what this experience is designed to help you do.

You’ll walk away with:

Setting the Stage is an immersive, in-person workshop experience in the heart of New York City designed for fundraisers who are ready to get out of their normal rhythm, think bigger, and approach donor relationships with renewed clarity and confidence.

Together, we’ll spend the day exploring what it looks like to move strong relationships forward with greater intention. You’ll learn how to:

  • Re-energize strong donor relationships that feel stalled, or where next steps are unclear
  • Determine the right gift amount or opportunity to present to donors
  • Build confidence in major gift conversations and making direct asks
  • Use the right language for transformational gift conversations
  • Move donors toward larger, more meaningful gifts

What’s Included

  • A pre-workshop survey to help tailor the day to your organization’s goals and challenges
  • A full-day immersive workshop experience in the heart of Manhattan
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • A $100 gift card to Broadway.com to keep the NYC inspiration going
  • A 30-minute-follow up 1:1 coaching session to support implementation and next steps
Vibrant daytime view of Times Square, showcasing iconic billboards and bustling crowd in New York City.

This is for fundraisers ready to:

  • Move strong donor and stakeholder relationships forward with greater intention
  • Identify meaningful opportunities and appropriate gift amounts to put in front of donors
  • Strengthen their language, strategy, and confidence around major gift conversations
  • Make compelling invitations for five, six, and even seven-figure gifts
A serene view of Central Park's iconic walkway with people enjoying a spring day in New York City.

Midtown Manhattan, NYC

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

$1,850 per organization

Includes registration for one participant.
Additional participant(s): $350 per person.

Schedule

9:00 AM – Light Breakfast
10:00 AM – It Starts With You: Eternal Work
11:00 AM – The Right Time & the Right Invitation
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Setting the Stage to Make an Invitation
3:00 PM – Building Invitations They Can’t Refuse
4:30 PM – Wrap Up and Q&A
5:00 PM – Optional Happy Hour

Instant community. Honest conversation. Shared challenges. Shared momentum.

There’s something powerful about stepping away from your desk, being inspired by the energy and creativity of New York City, and giving yourself space to think differently about fundraising and what’s possible for your organization. Come to New York, workshop with fundraisers who truly get it, and leave ready to make braver invitations to support your organization.