Upcoming Free Trainings

We offer numerous free trainings. Below are some of these easily accessed opportunities just for you.ONLINE LEARNING COMPUTER

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The HeArt of Fundraising

 

“Is fundraising a chore or necessary evil that must be done?” Mike Stickler

Most nonprofits and ministries have an incorrect concept of fundraising. They find it a chore or necessary evil that must be done. I often hear it feels like begging of manipulating. But fundraising is just another opportunity to minister to others and build life-long friendships, if approached properly.

In this webinar, you will learn how to change your outlook and heart about fundraising. Learn the difference between “Needs-Based” fundraising and “Vision-Based” fundraising. You will learn the mistakes you have made in your approach and how not to make them again. No matter if you are a seasoned professional or just starting a new world-changing effort, your time will be well spent.

WHY VISION 2020?

The Vision Group, Ltd., has developed a newly refined focus – to help you raise your part of one billion dollars for Christian ministries and community-based organizations by the year 2020.

How? Through two essentials in development: vision casting and relationship building. We’re calling this campaign “Vision2020.” It has the potential to have a major worldwide impact on organizations.

The Most Common Reason You’re Not Funded

“Lacking a clear and compelling vision that motivates the reader is the number one reason proposals fail.” - Mike Stickler

The biggest reason your proposal will be denied is the lack of a clearly defined vision your funders can see.

This is our favorite topic to teach organizations. “Vision Development is a game changer.” A properly formed vision will compel funders to share in your objectives. In this 1.5 hour session, learn the definition of vision, mission and a “dream.” Learn how to put that vision into the culture of your organization, then how it leads to sustainable funding.

And for our online Grant Writing School members:

Taking Your Ministry GLOBAL

You’re excited about your ministry, and so is everyone else involved in or being helped by it.

But does your community know you exist of is your organization one of the “best kept secrets in town?”

This session will give you tips to connect with your community to make your fundraising activities excel beyond expectation. Learn a wide variety of strategies, including working with the media, raising awareness, planning small and large events, and make use of direct mail. All this plus a range of other smaller-scale fundraising techniques.


Learn to think beyond the typical bake sales and raffles to a more engaging level of fundraising to grow your support base to a regional, and even national, reach.

12 Secrets to WINNING Grant Funding

In today's competitive environment, what is required to WIN is based on several factors with funders and then creatively presenting a proposal to a potential funder. In this session, you will be walked through the process of the Twelve Secrets I have learned to get my proposals to the funding round. You will learn to make the approach and identify the goals of the funder(s) to best match your needs with their focuses. Plus, you will learn how to build funders into life-long partners to your organization.

All too often grant writing instruction is focused on just that: writing. The focus on writing is misplaced when it comes to winning. For nearly 20 years, I have developed thousands of organizations and individuals into WINNING grant writers. Some of them even have their own successful careers as professional grant writers. It's because I focus on what it takes to WIN a proposal, not just write one.

Engaging Philanthropy for Ministry

Engaging Philanthropy is much more an art than a program. Meeting and establishing meaningful relationships with funders can make a real impact on your ministry for years to come. That's why I have developed the most comprehensive training for ministries who have the desire and commitment to minister to this group of people.

Best Attended Session to Date!

How to Have the Most Effective Leadership Board on the Planet


Are you tired of having a "ghost board?" You know, that's the board that you never see. Does your board regularly give of their time, talent and treasure? Are your board members actively responsible for entire areas of your ministry? Do they understand your vision? Do they share it? As we travel around the country, we have observed that most Christian ministries don't use the accepted best practice methods in board management. In this complete training package we will cover board models, application processes, projected goals and fundraising for board members.

Strategic Funding Plans

Hope is not a strategy. Yet, an effective strategic plan can advance you years ahead in achieving your vision. Seldom do we plan our funding.

In this introductory session we will show you the effective steps to planning and then reaching your funding goals.

Businesses have marketing plans; Governments have income projections, why don't ministries have funding plans?

Foundation Building Campaigns

Most likely you're a vital member of your ministry's leadership team. And like most organizations, your ministry started small and unassuming; simple, yet trusting. You learned how to live by God's guidance. And surprise, He blessed you out of your ears and your members don't fit in your facility anymore. What a great problem to have! Of course, guests can enjoy the view from the parking lot for only so long. Now it's time to build. Unfortunately, "build" is a scary word for ministries. You have lots of good questions: What steps do you need to take to establish a successful building campaign? Who should be involved in the administration? How can you develop realistic foresight? Accessible goals? And, of course, how can you be sure that a capital campaign is God's will for your ministry at this time? Get timely information on the subject with this introductory webinar.

Public Relations for Ministries and Community Organizations

In this introductory session we plan to broaden your understanding of public relations, including the concept of what "public relations" really is, how the news media has changed, the importance of a press release, what makes the news, how to meet the media, how to strategize your PR campaign, how to communicate in a crisis, and how to reach the next (Millennial) generation. We look forward to an experience of fun, fellowship, and fulfillment as we share ideas and explore these concepts.

Getting Off To The Right Start

A strong start will mean a strong finish. This introductory session will guide you through the step-by-step procedures of getting your church or ministry up and going. We will discuss nonprofit models, completing your 501(c)3 paperwork and setting up your legal and biblical ministry government.

Topics Include:

  • Visioneering
  • Legal Steps Apply for Your 5013c
  • Why Do I Need a Board?
  • Image and Branding
  • The Heart of Fundraising
  • Casting Vision
  • Basics of Getting the Word Out
  • Making a Funding Plan
  • What is Public Relations
  • Intro to Grant Writing Strategic Planning