Institute for Conversational Fundraising ™

"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

"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

"Every ministry leader and fundraiser needs to attend The Asking Academy."

Bob Tiede
Cru

"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

"Great information! Lots of good techniques to put into practice! I believe this [The Asking Academy] has been chock-full of ideas, specific strategies to be successful in our fundraising efforts! Thanks!"

Jim Beverley
Board Member
John 3:16 Mission

"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

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

Pat Moore
Board Volunteer
Circles - Bartlesville

"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

"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

"…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

"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 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

"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

"Kent - THANK YOU for adding Bob and Hilanne to your week. Hilanne is an awesome lady and an amazing addition to our team. She was really ready to step up our efforts supporting the warriors. Through your help and guidance we expect to take our organization to the next level and beyond. Your help will save families and save lives. No higher calling."

Jim Dolan
Executive Director and Founder
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

"Kent is genuine, optimistic and sincere, same approach that needs to be taken with donors. Methodology to it {fundraising} and there are tips that we can learn along the way to help us be successful."

Marquetta Finley
Director of Development
Youth at Heart

"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