Advanced Career Education (ACE) Seminar – Part 2*: The Art of the Ask: Fundraising Strategies for Early Career Coaches

Historically, coaches have always had to fund raise for their programs. However, in the new world of NIL and revenue sharing, coaches these days now may need to ramp up their fundraising efforts with the skills used by higher education Advancement/Development professionals or those that work for non-profit organizations. Because I spent nearly 30 years coaching collegiate volleyball before becoming an Asst. Director of Leadership Gifts, I know that many coaches may not have these skills in their toolbox and may not be getting the assistance they need from their Athletic Department development folks or from people across campus. This is especially true for brand new coaches at the beginning of their careers.

Objectives
1. Donors need to be the most important part of your plan, not the money they can give. By adopting a donor-centric approach, coaches can build meaningful relationships with alumni, local businesses, and community members, turning them into passionate and, more importantly, consistent supporters of their teams.
2. Coaches will learn how to diversify their fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, and online campaigns, all while creating and fostering a culture of giving that aligns with the values and mission of their programs.
3. We'll discuss the importance of building a strong case for support, creating compelling fundraising campaigns, and using effective communication to engage donors.