DRG's first virtual Acknowledgment Bootcamp will teach you the essential skills and best practices to enhance your process, and craft more meaningful, effective donor acknowledgments.
At DRG, we believe every donor should receive an acknowledgment—no matter the size of their gift. Meaningful acknowledgments are the first step in building trust with donors, establishing strong relationships, and enhancing donor retention. A timely and effective acknowledgment process is a must-have for every nonprofit organization regardless of size or budget.
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There are so many questions surrounding this topic, it can be overwhelming: Who should receive an acknowledgment and when? How should these acknowledgments be formatted? What elements make a message personalized and meaningful? Who should sign them? And most importantly, how can you simplify the process to ensure every donor feels appreciated without overextending your team?​
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We've built a comprehensive program to answer all of these questions and more! Led by industry experts Angie Joens and Colton Withers, DRG's Keys to Donor Acknowledgments Bootcamp is a live, virtual training program created to teach nonprofit professionals how to navigate the entire acknowledgment process from beginning to end—including in-depth training, expert insights, and real-world examples.
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This program is best suited for those who are new to acknowledgment writing or are looking to make their acknowledgment process more effective. It's an excellent training resource for anyone seeking more information on best practices and enhancing their acknowledgment process. ​​
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Spots are limited to the first 50 registrants, so register today to ensure you don’t miss out!
What You Get
Our dynamic bootcamp combines expert-led sessions and real-world examples to provide you with the skills and confidence to implement an effective acknowledgment program. It will cover the fundamentals and best practices of
acknowledgments and the acknowledgment process.
This live, virtual bootcamp, delivered through Zoom, includes two interactive half-day workshops on September 19 and September 20, 2024 from 1 to 5 pm ET—a total of 8 hours of live training.
To preserve the interactive quality and personal engagement of the bootcamp, no recordings will be provided. Space is limited to 50 participants, to ensure an intimate learning environment promoting direct interaction and personalized feedback. Registration is first-come, first-serve, so secure your spot today to avoid missing out on this unique opportunity to develop and grow your acknowledgment skills.
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When you purchase this bootcamp, you will receive:
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8 hours of interactive, live virtual training (no recordings)
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8 CFRE Credits
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Access to exclusive DRG tools, templates, and resources​
What You Will Learn
DRG's Keys to Donor Acknowledgments Bootcamp has been strategically developed for nonprofit professionals who are new to acknowledgment writing, or those interested in enhancing their acknowledgment process. The course is designed to accommodate a variety of professional experiences and perspectives, but is best for donor relations professionals with less than three years of experience.
Our bootcamp offers a bespoke learning experience, meticulously crafted for those new to DRG's acknowledgment concepts. It will focus on the core principles and best practices of efficient acknowledgment writing, ensuring you gain a solid foundation and expert insights to excel at thanking donors effectively.
While not required, it is recommended that all participants have a working knowledge of The Four Pillars of Donor Relations prior to beginning this program.
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What you can expect:
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Use The Four Pillars of Donor Relations framework to gain a comprehensive understanding of acknowledgment's pivotal role within your organization’s donor relations plan.
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Gain an in-depth understanding of acknowledgment best practices and how to craft meaningful messages that resonate with donors.
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Explore various types of acknowledgments, including traditional letters, digital, and behavior-based communications.
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Learn how to improve your process to make it more timely and efficient.
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Understand key donor populations and behaviors your organization should be acknowledging, and strategies for creating a matrix for each.
Your Investment
Register today to join us on September 19 and September 20, 2024 and secure your spot in our live, comprehensive acknowledgment training. Spots are limited to the first 50 registrants.
Join DRG's
Keys to Donor Acknowledgments
Virtual Bootcamp
$750*
*Cost is per person.
This registration cannot be shared with other members of your organization.
Meet Your Facilitators
Angie Joens
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Angie Joens has gained extensive management, development and stewardship experience during her professional career. Currently, she is the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development Outreach for the University of California Davis and in this role supervises the annual giving, donor relations, research and prospect management, proposal services, marketing and communications, and development recruitment for the Office of Development.
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Prior to her work with UC Davis, Joens was Vice President of Development Operations for the Mercy Medical Center Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. She also served as the Senior Director of Donor Relations for the Iowa State University Foundation and worked for RuffaloCODY a for-profit company that assists the non-profit industry with fundraising. She began her career as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
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Joens is also a non-profit consultant, an executive coach, and speaks nationally on topics related to stewardship, development and leadership. She has been featured in several industry publications including CASE Currents Magazine and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Joens earned her BA from the University of Iowa, her MPA from Iowa State University, and her Executive Coaching Certificate from UC Davis. She is a proud volunteer for the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).​
Colton Withers
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Prior to joining the DRG Group as the Director of Operations, Colton served as the Associate Director of Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO). In this role, Colton led PMO's external relations team of donor relations, marketing & communications, and operations professionals. Colton came to PMO by way of major gift fundraising, serving as PMO's Director of Development from 2014-2017. Ironically, it was this role that further enforced his love for and the importance of donor relations: every major gift visit he had seemed to start off with a donor relations question!
Colton’s journey in higher education and performing arts fundraising began at Franklin College in Franklin, IN. He is a graduate of Purdue University (BS) and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (MA). A lifelong performer, Colton is a passionate supporter of the performing arts and has served as the president of the Indianapolis Men's Chorus board of directors, vice president of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra board of directors, and as a fundraising consultant for the Cincinnati Sound Chorus.
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Colton's DRG clients include healthcare organizations, independent boarding schools, Canadian universities, land-grant universities, and liberal arts colleges. Colton has helped clients inspire donors through exceptional communications, build and implement innovative programs, design and analyze surveys, and train employees on the art and science of donor relations.
FAQs
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Will a recording of the virtual presentations be provided?
No. Due to the interactive and personalized nature of this bootcamp, no recordings will be provided.
Can I pay via invoice?
Of course! We've been working with nonprofits for over a decade and we know the drill. If you would like to pay via invoice or need approval from another person or department to purchase (but still want to take advantage of the time-sensitive savings and bonus content), no worries. Send us an email at info@donorrelationsguru.com and we'll take care of you!
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I've purchased the bootcamp, but didn't get an email. What happened?
Try as we might, occasionally our emails end up in junk/spam/promotions folders or are blocked by an organization's firewall. If you do not receive an email from us within a few minutes of your purchase, please reach out us right away at info@donorrelations.com.
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How do I access the bootcamp?
Your confirmation email will include a link to each Zoom event included in the bootcamp. If you do not receive the confirmation email and/or event links, please contact us at info@donorrelations.com. ​
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Can I share my registration with others within my team, department, or organization?
Not this time. While we often encourage you to share our content with your entire team, we want to be able to interact with every individual in this bootcamp. Please make sure anyone at your organization wishing to attend registers separately.
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I have another question...who do I reach out to?
Just email us at info@donorrelations.com and let us know how we can help!