Institute for Conversational Fundraising ™

"Kent, thank you so much for the time and effort you've contributed to this year's Endowment Challenge Grant program. It was certainly evident in the training today that you've made a positive impact on the organizations that are participating. Thank you for your willingness to share your expertise so that others can succeed!"

Julia Crouch
Executive Director
Bartlesville Community Foundation

"Came away with concepts that can help us with our fundraising efforts. Organized. Feel more confident now than I did prior to attending the meeting. Take the {fundraising} effort to a whole ‘nother level."

Ted Mossman
Board Chair - Elect
Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado

"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

"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

"What I’ve learned in this day and a half, has changed my thinking 180 degrees around asking. It’s Asking About Asking, it’s not asking for a number, its about asking about passion, it’s asking for the benefit of those that we serve at John 3:16, it's not even asking for John 3:16. You cannot afford not to attend."

Steve Warrick
Board President
John 3:16 Mission

"'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

"Transformational experience for me and my team, ready to apply in a real world application. Really placing the donor as the focus point."

Bob Sullivan
Board Treasurer
Youth at Heart

"Lots of helpful information delivered in a great format."

Steve August
Board Member
John 3:16 Mission

"Kent's book is clear, concise and compelling. The advice helped me recently secure a $70,000 gift from a generous couple because at every step along the cultivation process I asked about and listened to their desires. I made the relationship the top priority, and it resulted in a win-win for the donors and our organization."

Karen Senger
Individual Gifts Manager
Food Bank of Northern Nevada

"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

"It has been a revelation, I think it’s certainly helped us become confident and comfortable with helping people direct and think through their philanthropical pursuits. "

Bill Covell
Board Volunteer
Circles - Bartlesville

"I’m clicking my heels with joy!"

Garen McMillian
Board Member
Circles Joplin

"'Asking about Asking' is the one book that I will use to train my board of directors in the art of fundraising. Stroman's '10 Step Staircase' for solicitation provides volunteers and professionals a simple and easy-to-learn structure for getting to the ask. Readers will find confidence and feel empowered for ASKING donors for larger gifts."

Paul Kent
CEO
Habitat for Humanity, Tulsa

"…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

"After attending the Asking Academy, I received my first really large donation, ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Thank you Kent for your excellent training. It was hard for me to change the way I fund raised; but, I had great results when fundraising the KENT WAY. I have given several of your books [Asking about Asking] away. I am giving them for Leadership Tulsa and Broken Arrow Interns. I think this is much better than a PLAQUE! Your book will be a help to them as they sit on other boards!"

Judi Myers
CEO
Gatesway Foundation

"Breath of fresh air coming into the academy, really feel rejuvenated. This has opened my eyes to a new approach and really finding out the needs and desires of our donors."

Penny Immel
Director of Development
Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado