Institute for Conversational Fundraising ™

"Kent is awesome at creating a dynamic learning environment that engages, inspires and equips people to achieve fundraising success! I appreciate your investment in me and Heroes on the Water to develop and carry out a thoughtful major gifts strategy that will reap benefits for our nation’s warriors, their families and communities for years to come. Thank you both for everything...it was a fantastic few days together that has set the foundation for a successful future! My next step is meeting tomorrow with Jim Dolan, Executive Director and Founder of Heroes on the Water. He is eager to learn and begin utilizing the ASKing about Asking model. Anyone who is involved in fundraising for a non-profit would extremely benefit from attending the two day academy. "

Hilanne Myers
Director of Marketing
Heroes on the Water

"I can tell you that the Asking Academy is one of, if not, the BEST trainings I’ve been to in my career. I consider taking this program a MUST for every professional fundraiser and all key volunteers. I highly recommend Kent Stroman and the Institute for Conversational Fundraising. Learning Conversational Fundraising will make a huge difference in how we build relationships with our funders throughout the Boy Scouts of America."

Carol Whitebook
Scout Executive / CEO
Cherokee Area Council - Boy Scouts of America

"It’s realistic, it gets down to the nuts and bolts of successful fundraising. Attendance at the Asking Academy is extremely beneficial and well worth the time and the investment of finances on behalf of the organization or individual. It’s a great investment of time and very important. I would encourage everyone to consider participating."

Wayne King
Major Donor Manager
John 3:16 Mission

"My anxiety is decreasing through role-playing and practice."

Hanna Shearer
Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church

"The learner in me strove to internalize Kent's lessons. It wasn't long before I put conversational fundraising into practice. Today, each and every donor visit is focused and productive. I know what to ask and how to listen. I am seeing the fruits of my labors as donors become more engaged and I move them strategically through the donor cycle."

Pamela H. Witter
Director of Development
Houghton College

"I am finding The Summit very informative and comforting in that what we are learning takes much of the fear of the unknown off the table."

Tina Rollins
CEO
Christ for Humanity

"Our team is ready to practice asking and then to proceed to ask as a direct result of what we learned at The Asking Academy. The Asking Academy opened up a whole new world for our campaign team."

Ed Tolbert
Campaign Chair
1st Presbyterian Church

"Puts practices that we believe in into sesable chunks that people can absorb and practice each of the steps with partnering and role playing so that you get a real feel for how to overcome some of the issues that people have asking for gifts for non-profits. Benefits any organization of any size that has to do fundraising."

Sue Stohlmann
Principal
excellerate! LLC

"Money back guarantee. A great investment of time. If you want to be more successful, want to stretch your dreams, want to see yourself achieve and leave behind a legacy, attend an Asking Academy."

Joycelyn McCarver
Executive Director
Youth at Heart

"The experience is that it is transformational on both personal and professional and avocational level."

Pat Moore
Board Volunteer
Circles - Bartlesville

"I really enjoyed it and truly beneficial. You gotta learn about those really impressive the 10 steps. Kent Stroman did an excellent job. If you are a non-profit out there that is struggling, this is something you need to do."

LeRoy Shepherd
Board Volunteer
Circles - Bartlesville

"All the training I've attended over the years don’t have the passion and positive teaching style giving you the confidence I’ve received at this Academy. Thanks!"

Kimberly Cowherd
Cherokee Area Council, BSA

"It feels so right. It is simply speaking to how I am made. It is building an excitement in me!! To DO it!!"

Jay St. Clair
Board Member
Circles Joplin

"If you have an opportunity to be a part of the Asking Academy, it is definitely worth attending. The tools you learn from this, is one you can walk away with and instantly implement. In just 79 days we raised $84,724. Attending the Asking Academy is worth every penny!"

Gina Elias
Executive Director
Circles - Bartlesville

"'Asking about Asking' has become an important part of my professional tool box. Brandishing the book, one of my clients commented after attending your workshop on 'Asking about Asking' that she felt as though now she had the method that would lead her organization to success in its capital campaign. Its easy to understand style and common sense approach have made a big difference in helping staff and board members face their fears about asking for donations and has given them the confidence needed to reach their goals."

Lori Timmons

"…Long story short - $170,000 in new gifts from new donors. We received one gift that was six figures! In one week we raised 12% of our annual revenue budget! Outstanding! We as an organization couldn't afford not to attend the Asking Academy."

Calvin Moore
President/CEO
Meals on Wheels

"You should attend early in the campaign. I’m leaving here with a real understanding of what Conversational Fundraising is about and what it can be. I have enjoyed being here and think it is well worth the value. We were working with an organization in a stalled campaign. As a result of our team attending the Asking Academy, we quickly revived the campaign with $250,000 in gifts."

Bill Stohlmann
Consultant
excellerate! LLC

"I went [into our meeting] with the thought of really enhancing our relationship and not asking [for a gift]. He committed $100K for starters and asked to meet again soon. More important than that… I have a great new friend for life."

Steve Whitaker
President
John 3:16 Mission