Almost every nonprofit has an acknowledgment challenge. What's yours?
Over the past 15 years, we've worked alongside hundreds of nonprofits, and we've learned something: every organization faces different challenges. That's why there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to acknowledgment strategy.
The Acknowledgment Lab helps you build a personalized solution to your organization's biggest acknowledgment challenge.
This six-month implementation cohort helps you solve one real acknowledgment challenge at your organization. You'll work directly with DRG consultants and a small group of peers to identify the right solution, adapt it to your organization's needs, and put it into practice with expert guidance every step of the way.
Whether you're redesigning your first-time donor acknowledgments, improving executive acknowledgments, modernizing your letters, or creating a tiered acknowledgment strategy, you'll leave with a customized solution that's built specifically for your organization.
This isn't professional development.
It's solution development.
A lot of professional development ends when the presentation is over.
You leave with pages of notes, return to a full inbox, and that project you wanted to tackle slowly slips to the bottom of your priority list.
Our Bespoke Solutions Showcase is different.
This is a working cohort. Every month, you'll bring your progress, questions, ideas, and obstacles to the table.
You get the expertise and personalized guidance of consulting, focused on one specific challenge and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional engagement.
Together, we'll work through challenges, refine your approach, and keep your project moving forward.
You won't just leave with ideas. You'll leave with solutions.
How It Works
1. Bring your challenge
2. Identify the solution
3. Put it into practice
Each participant identifies one acknowledgment challenge they want to solve.
Whether it's redesigning your first-time donor experience, improving executive acknowledgments, creating a tiered strategy, strengthening your workflows, or tackling another acknowledgment challenge, you'll focus on the work that matters most to your organization.
During monthly working sessions, you'll collaborate with DRG consultants and a small cohort of peers to:
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Diagnose the root of the challenge
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Explore proven approaches and best practices
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Evaluate options based on your organization's goals, capacity, and culture
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Receive personalized coaching and feedback
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Learn from real-world examples and peer experiences
Rather than following a rigid curriculum, every conversation is designed to help you make informed decisions that fit your institution.
Between sessions, you'll use DRG templates, worksheets, and tools to move your project forward. When questions arise, you'll have opportunities to seek guidance, share your progress, and receive feedback from both DRG consultants and your peers.
By the end of the program, you'll have a customized solution ready to be implemented at your organization.
What You'll Experience
Over six months, you'll receive:
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Six live working sessions with DRG consultants
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Six optional participant-led Q&A sessions
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Personalized coaching and feedback
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Practical templates and implementation tools
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Examples from a variety of organizations
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Peer collaboration and shared problem-solving
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Action steps to complete between sessions
This isn't about completing assignments. It's about making meaningful progress on work that will improve your donors' experience long after the program ends.
Every participant leaves with something different.
No two organizations have the same acknowledgment challenges, so no two participants leave with the same solution.
Depending on your project, you may leave with:
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A tiered acknowledgment strategy
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Executive acknowledgment processes
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New acknowledgment templates
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CRM workflow recommendations
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A major gift acknowledgment strategy
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Writing guidelines
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An implementation roadmap
Others may leave with entirely different solutions.
The goal isn't to produce the same deliverable for everyone; it’s to solve the unique problem you brought with you.
Is This Program Right For You?
This experience is designed for advancement professionals who are ready to move beyond ideas and into implementation.
It's a great fit if you:
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Have an acknowledgment challenge you've been meaning to solve
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Want expert guidance throughout the process
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Value thoughtful discussion and collaboration
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Are willing to dedicate time between sessions to implementation
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Want accountability that helps you keep moving forward
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Could use help on a big project, but aren't ready for a full consulting engagement
Program Details
To create meaningful collaboration and peer learning, each cohort is intentionally limited to 10 organizations and launches with a minimum of three participating organizations.
That means every participant has space to ask questions, receive personalized coaching, and benefit from meaningful conversations with peers.
This is a collaborative consulting experience where your work becomes part of the conversation.
6
2
Months
October 2026 -
March 2027
DRG Experts
12
10
$4,000
Total Live Sessions
Participant Maximum
Investment
FAQ
How many people from my organization can participate?
Each organization may register one participant (think of this person as your project lead). That participant may share DRG-provided presentations, worksheets, templates, handouts, and samples with colleagues inside their organization.
Are sessions recorded?
No. Sessions are intentionally not recorded to encourage candid discussion, collaborative problem-solving, and open sharing among participants.
What if I miss a session?
If you're unable to attend a working session, you'll receive the presentation materials, worksheets, and handouts. You can also attend the next available Q&A session to ask questions and continue making progress. Individual make-up sessions are not included.
Can I ask questions between sessions?
Yes. Participants are welcome to email brief implementation questions between sessions. More in-depth discussions and consulting will take place during the live cohort sessions so the entire group can benefit from the conversation.
What happens if the minimum enrollment isn't met?
The Bespoke Solutions Showcase needs a minimum of three participating organizations. If minimum enrollment is not reached, participants may transfer their registration to the next cohort or receive a full refund.
Let's solve your biggest acknowledgment challenge together.
If you're ready to stop putting off that acknowledgment project and start making meaningful progress, we'd love to work alongside you.
Enrollment is limited to 10 organizations to ensure every participant receives personalized coaching, meaningful collaboration, and expert guidance throughout the six-month experience.