Strong Organizations, Strong Fundraising

Fall 2026 Fundraising Series Day 1 – Organizational Resilience & Strategic Alignment for Fundraising Success – How Strong Organizations Create Strong Fundraising

Fundraising doesn’t begin with an ask; it begins with alignment.

In this session, participants will explore how leadership, governance, and strategic clarity directly shape donor trust and long-term stewardship. This session focuses on strengthening the internal foundation that makes fundraising more natural, more effective and more sustainable.

Participants will learn:

• how organizations move through different life cycles
• how planning for those stages reduces instability and increases confidence
• how strategic alignment is a powerful driver of donor engagement and retention.

This training is part of the Fall 2026 Fundraising Series – Building Resilient Organizations, Sustainable Revenue, and Confident Askers

What if fundraising didn’t feel reactive, overwhelming, or dependent on a few high-stress moments each year?

What if it felt steady, aligned, and grounded in the kind of organization you’re actually building?

This three-day workshop series is designed for nonprofit leaders, development staff, and board members who want to move beyond short-term tactics and build a sustainable, relationship-centered approach to fundraising.

Participants can attend one, two, or all three days as each session stands on its own while also building toward a cohesive, long-term strategy.

• Sept. 22 – Day 1 – Organizational Resilience & Strategic Alignment for Fundraising Success
• Sept. 23 – Day 2 – Creating Sustainable Revenue Systems
• Sept. 24 – Day 3 – Making the Ask with Confidence

The Initiative Foundation’s Nonprofit Academy trainings are part of the organization’s mission to serve the people of Central Minnesota. If your organization is located outside our 14-county and two Native nation service area, please contact Nicole Clements regarding participation options.

Presented by: Janet Cobb

Janet has worked in the nonprofit arena her entire career, holding a variety of positions, including communications manager, director of development, and executive director. Along the way, she has managed budgets from less than $50,000 to more than $8 million. She holds certifications as a fundraising executive and as a nonprofit professional.

Nicknamed “The Small Nonprofit Whisperer” by colleagues, Janet has consulted with, coached, or trained more than 700 early-stage, grassroots, and small nonprofits to help them build capacity and acquire the skills needed to support and expand their efforts.

The Initiative Foundation may take photographs or recordings of events, trainings, and workshops we sponsor. By attending Initiative Foundation-sponsored events, all participants agree that the Initiative Foundation has permission to take photos and/or recordings and that the Initiative Foundation has an irrevocable right to use these photos and recordings for publicity, advertising, social media posts, and any and all other uses. By attending this event you are releasing the Initiative Foundation from any and all claims relating to the use of your image for any reason. If you wish to be excluded from recording/photography, please email [email protected] and identify yourself and the training you will attend. We will work to accommodate reasonable requests.

The Initiative Foundation makes every effort to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) and Minnesota State Board Policy 1B.4. Members of the general public who require accommodations to attend a public event should complete this form at least 10 business days prior to an event when practical.