Institute for Conversational Fundraising ™

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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 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

"Reinforces many of the attributes of fundraising. Investment of the time and funds to attend the Asking Academy are well worth while because the return on investment is huge."

Bob Myers
Performance Coach - West
Scouting U

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

Pat Moore
Board Volunteer
Circles - Bartlesville

"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

"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

"The Asking Academy was the best fundraising training that I received in 13 years in the business. Thank you Kent and Kathy!!!!"

Caroline Gist
President
Putnam City Public Schools Foundation

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

Hanna Shearer
Pastor
1st Presbyterian Church

"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

"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