Classes and Training

We offer four distinctive services that advance people's ability to get the most out of high stakes, face to face encounters with their organisation's donors:

  • One-day and two-day Major Gift Master Class
  • In-house bespoke trainings, including writing and key message workshops
  • Trainings for senior management and development teams
  • Coaching and mentoring

Our training classes and coaching sessions use repeat practice scenarios plus gentle feedback to build the confidence and effectiveness of those at the coalface of major gift asks.
Our approach is experiential. This means that we want you to feel what it’s like to ask a donor for support, and to practice handling tough questions and complex negotiations. We also bring a sense of fun and enthusiasm to everything that we do.

We see especially high demand for our flagship two-day Major Gift Major Class. We will hold another one in autumn 2010, so watch this space for further detail. We will also launch an open enrolment writing course in the autumn, and will post details here for that as well. In the meantime, do get in touch with any queries -- and remember that we offer all our courses in-house as well.

In-house Training

For organizations with larger development teams that need bespoke training, Prospero Partners provides hands-on workshops. Each workshop is designed in collaboration with the staff to ensure that training meets the whole team’s needs and addresses actual donor and prospect scenarios. Workshops can address a range of specific issues, including:

  • Building a more cohesive and effective fundraising team
  • Effective personal communication
  • Team coaching
  • Ask training for major gift solicitations
  • Communicating with donors – both in writing and in person
  • Building and stewarding donor relationships – from making that first phone call to winning a major gift
  • How to network effectively at events

Training for Universities and Colleges

In response to the new HEFCE matched funding scheme for universities and colleges, Prospero Partners also offers in-house training courses specifically for the higher education sector. These courses go beyond hands-on major gift ask training, focussing in addition on team building, alumni/ae development, and effective collaboration with deans and faculty. Please click below to download the brochure about our higher education training.
Download brochure (.pdf, 182kb)

Coaching and Mentoring

Prospero Partners coaching enables busy senior staff to practice “making an ask” and gain confidence in key meetings with major donors.

Coaching is ideal for busy executives who wish for more individualised attention, including Vice Chancellors, Trustees, or those preparing for a particularly challenging scenario. We also mentor fundraising staff so that they can embed best practice into their own approach, and can help find effective solutions to specific organisational or fundraising challenges.

Coaching and mentoring can take place at the client site or at offices in central London. We can use video recording, if required, to help clients to recognise and hone their individual communication style.

Coaching sessions usually last from one to three hours and are charged depending on location and travel.