Workshop: Writing Appeals

September 18, 2025 11:00am-4:30pm ET

Overview

Writing is one of the most important skills a fundraiser can possess. And while you don’t need to be an award-winning author to write strong appeals, you do need to be able to make the case for support in a clear and compelling way. Developing messages that resonate and selecting words that motivate can make all the difference. By refining your writing skills, your prospects are more likely to read your appeals and respond with a gift.

Join us on September 18th for a one-day interactive learning experience where you’ll learn how to write effective fundraising appeals for your institution.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

  • Learn about best practices for writing fundraising appeals
  • Actively share, critique, and rewrite real-life examples
  • Network with peers to share ideas and experiences
  • Obtain workshop handouts and other materials
  • Earn CFRE credit
  • And more!

This event is ideal for advancement professionals at educational institutions who wish to learn the nuts and bolts, effective techniques, and current best practices of writing direct fundraising appeals.

  • Save $250 when you register by Friday, August 8, 2025
  • AGN Members save an additional 30%
  • Receive further discounts when registering multiple attendees from one institution
  • Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Program

(all times are EDT)

10:50am - Sign-In Begins

11:00am - Welcome/Overview of the Day

11:05am - Opening Session: Writing Effective Appeals

Learn how to address different audiences and craft messages that communicate your institution’s stories in a compelling way.

12:00pm - Small Group Discussion 1

Introduce yourself, get to know others, and reflect on lessons learned in the opening session.

12:30pm - Break (30 minutes)

1:00pm - Small Group Discussion 2

Share, critique and rewrite real-world examples as submitted by each member of the group.

2:15pm - Break (30 minutes)

2:45pm - Small Group Discussion 3

Share, critique and rewrite real-world examples as submitted by each member of the group.

4:00pm - Bringing It All Together

Hear a final report from the faculty including a summary of key takeaways and next steps.

4:30pm - Workshop Ends

*Note: Only one person/login per institutional registration.

Faculty

Dan Allenby  (Host) |  President & Founder at Annual Giving Network

Dan is an author, speaker, and consultant who has worked with educational institutions for more than 25 years to improve their fundraising results. An internationally recognized expert on annual giving, he is a CASE Laureate and recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. His book Ideas for Annual Giving offers designs for helping organizations increase their levels of sustainable philanthropic support. Dan has led annual giving and membership programs at Boston University, Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the National Geographic Society. He also served on the faculty for CASE’s Summer Institute in Educational Fundraising and chaired its Senior Annual Giving Professionals Conference and Annual Giving Workshop for five collective terms. He holds a B.A. in History from James Madison University and a M.B.A. from Boston College. Outside of work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, and getting away to the beaches of Cape Cod. His philosophy is that success comes from focusing on what’s right in front of you.

Gina Fiorillo

Gina Fiorillo has led programs at New York University, the Rutgers University Foundation, Kean University, and Douglass College. She holds a B.A. in English from Douglass College and an M.P.A. from the School of Public Affairs & Administration at Rutgers University.

Megan Poole

Megan has led annual giving and direct marketing programs at the University of Virginia and the University of Florida. Her other experience includes work as a college writing instructor and a highschool English teacher. She holds a B.A. in English from Wesleyan College and an M.A. in English from Syracuse University.

 

For more information about this workshop, please contact us at 888.407.5064 or [email protected].