WHAT WE DO

Virtual Learning. Real Results.

Q: Who should attend this masterclass?

This course is ideal for: • Executive directors, CEOs, and heads of schools • Development directors and major gifts officers • Board members involved in campaign planning or donor engagement. Whether you’re new to philanthropy or an experienced fundraiser, the course is tailored to help you excel in your role.

Q: What technology do I need?

The sessions will be hosted via Zoom. A stable internet connection and a device with audio and video capabilities are all you need to participate fully. Links and resources will be shared ahead of each session.

Virtual Masterclass: Planning Your Next Campaign

Every successful capital campaign begins with a solid plan. Winkler Group-led campaigns reach 109% of their goals. Let us show you how.

Whether you’re preparing for your organization’s first campaign or seeking to surpass previous milestones, our virtual capital campaign masterclass is your roadmap to success.

Led by Jim Bush, a veteran fundraiser with decades of hands-on campaign experience, this masterclass combines real-world examples, interactive collaboration, and actionable strategies tailored to your organization’s needs. Over three highly engaging weeks, you’ll gain practical knowledge used in some of the most successful campaigns across the country—all from the convenience of your home or office.

YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF:

How to assess your current development program and build a stronger foundation.
The essential components of a robust major gifts program, from staffing to systems.
Best practices for stewarding donors to strengthen long-term relationships.
Proven strategies to engage and inspire your board to take an active leadership role.
The foundational steps of preparing for a successful capital campaign.
How major gifts drive early momentum and long-term success in a capital campaign.
How to leverage your feasibility study as a pre-campaign cultivation tool.

This isn’t just another webinar—it’s a comprehensive learning experience designed to arm you with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to lead confidently, cultivate transformational gifts, and achieve your most ambitious fundraising goals.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Interactive. Flexible. Powerful.

The virtual format of this course ensures you can balance learning with your busy schedule, while still gaining the full benefit of interactive, engaging content. Each session spans three hours—combining expert instruction with interactive learning, practical exercises, and real-time breakout discussions.

May 2025 Series

Session 1 | Thursday, April 24
Session 2 | Thursday, May 1
Session 3 | Thursday, May 8

All sessions run from 10 AM–1 PM (ET).

June 2025 Series

Session 1 | Friday, June 13
Session 2 | Friday, June 20
Session 3 | Friday, June 27

All sessions run from 10 AM–1 PM (ET).

Optional Coaching and Q&A Sessions

Take your learning further with optional small-group coaching and Q&A sessions the Monday following each masterclass session (2 PM–3 PM ET). These personalized sessions are perfect for addressing your unique opportunities, brainstorming implementation strategies, and gaining insights tailored to your school or organization!

Ready to secure your spot? Pricing for the virtual masterclass is designed to offer flexibility for individuals and groups. For detailed information on fees, discounts, and how to register, please visit our Pricing & FAQ section below. We look forward to having you join us!

MASTERCLASS CURRICULUM

Planning Your Next Campaign

With lessons designed to meet the demands of today’s economic and philanthropic landscapes, our curriculum dives deep and bridges the gap between major gift cultivation and successful campaign planning. Each session builds on the last, offering strategies, expert insights, and tools to help fundraising professionals prepare for their next capital campaign.

By the end of this series, you will have a clear understanding of how to align major gifts with campaign goals and how to become ready to launch a campaign.

Session 1

Major Gifts Mastery

The first session focuses on assessing your organization’s current fundraising efforts and setting the stage for cultivating major gifts. You’ll learn how to identify, engage, and steward major donors while building a donor-centered program that drives long-term growth.

Key Topics | Assessing Your Development Office; Foundations for Major Gifts Success; Building a Major Gift Pipeline; Effective Stewardship Practices

Session 2

Bridging Major Gifts and Campaign Planning

In the second session, you’ll explore how major gifts are the cornerstone of successful campaign planning and execution. This session connects major gift cultivation to capital campaign readiness. Strategies learned will help you make stronger major gift asks.

Key Topics | Major Gifts as a Campaign Catalyst; Building Donor Engagement Strategies; Aligning Your Team for Success; Engaging Leadership in Major Gift Work

Session 3

Campaign Planning and the Feasibility Study

The final session delves into the essential steps of campaign readiness, focusing on feasibility studies, early planning, and board development. By the end of this session, you’ll assess your organization’s campaign potential and create a strategic roadmap for success. You’ll consider campaign priorities and assess your campaign’s financial goal.

Key Topics | Understanding Campaign Readiness; Leadership Alignment and Engagement; Campaign Feasibility Studies (and Their Utility as a Cultivation Tool); Building Momentum Toward Launch

YOUR MASTERCLASS INSTRUCTORS

Learn From the Experts

Gain insights and practical tools from two of the industry’s most respected fundraising professionals. With decades of combined experience, Jim Bush and Jessica Browning bring unparalleled expertise and proven success to help you achieve your fundraising goals. As seasoned leaders and sought-after speakers, they have guided campaign workshops for organizations like CASE and SAIS, equipping fundraisers nationwide with strategies that work.

Jim Bush, Principal and CEO

With over 30 years of experience, Jim Bush has helped nonprofits of all sizes raise more than $500 million through major gifts and capital campaigns. He’s partnered with organizations like World Vision, the YMCA, and Elon University to design fundraising programs that deliver measurable results.

As your masterclass instructor, Jim brings his wealth of expertise to life with a dynamic and humorous teaching style that keeps you engaged while equipping you with the tools and strategies your development shop needs to thrive. A sought-after speaker and trainer, Jim has earned top-speaker honors at 50+ conferences and serves on the Editorial Review Board of Giving USA.

Jessica Browning, Principal and EVP

Jessica Browning brings more than 25 years of nonprofit expertise, specializing in donor communications and campaign strategy. She has written fundraising materials for 100+ organizations and has advised hundreds of organizations on fundraising and campaign strategies.

Jessica offers personalized follow-up coaching to help you apply masterclass strategies to your organization. With her practical guidance and collaborative approach, you’ll leave feeling confident and prepared to strengthen donor relationships and achieve your campaign goals.

PRICING + FAQS

Your Investment in Success

We want to make this masterclass accessible for individuals and teams alike. Whether you’re attending solo or bringing your colleagues along for the experience, we offer pricing options that fit your needs.

Individual Registration

$450

Immerse yourself in expert instruction and real-time collaborative learning with peers from across the country.

Group Registration

$750

Better together—save $600! Perfect for teams of up to three participants who want to build a shared strategy and deepen learning across roles.

What You Receive

Comprehensive Instruction

Access to three live, interactive sessions with industry expert Jim Bush.

Course Materials & Templates

Downloadable resources to apply immediately to your organization.

Session Recordings

Full access to recordings in case you miss a session or want to revisit key points.

Networking Opportunities

Collaborate with peers, share challenges, and gain insights during interactive small-group breakouts. These breakouts allow for personalized feedback and hands-on application of lessons.

Ongoing Support

Individual and small-group coaching sessions for personalized guidance. Each Monday, join a one-hour session to ask questions, share challenges, and receive tailored advice specific to your organization’s needs.

Everything You Need to Know

Who should attend this masterclass?

This course is ideal for:

• Executive directors, CEOs, and heads of schools
• Development directors and major gifts officers
• Board members involved in campaign planning or donor engagement.

Whether you’re new to philanthropy or an experienced fundraiser, the course is tailored to help you excel in your role.

How long is each session?

Each session runs for three hours (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET) and includes interactive presentations, real-world exercises, and breakout discussions for deeper learning.

How do I register?

To register, first select whether you’d like to attend the March or June series. After choosing your preferred dates, you’ll be directed to the dedicated Zoom registration page for your selected series to complete the checkout process off-site.

Is there any follow-up to the course instruction?

Yes! Participants can join optional small-group coaching sessions led by Jessica Browning, Principal and EVP. These hour-long sessions take place the Monday following each class and provide an opportunity to dive deeper into your organization’s specific strengths and challenges, ask questions, and receive tailored guidance.

Is this course eligible for CFRE credits?

Yes, this masterclass qualifies for CFRE continuing education credits. More details on the number of approved credits coming soon!

Can I attend with my team?

Absolutely! The group registration option is perfect for teams of up to three participants who want to learn together. Save $600 by registering as a group and bring your key team members for a unified approach to your next campaign.

What technology do I need?

The sessions will be hosted via Zoom. A stable internet connection and a device with audio and video capabilities are all you need to participate fully. Links and resources will be shared ahead of each session.

What if I have to miss a session?

We understand that schedules can be unpredictable. All registered participants will receive recordings of each session, so you can catch up on any content you miss.

Can I cancel my registration?

Yes, we understand plans change. Registrations can be canceled or transferred up to two weeks before the course start date. Contact us at info@winklergroup.com for assistance.

THE REAL IMPACT

What Organizations Say About Their Masterclass Experience

Thoroughly enjoyed Jim as a presenter. The combination of major gifts and capital campaign planning in one course was a game-changer for us. The step-by-step guidance on assessing campaign readiness made all the difference. We now feel prepared for the road ahead.

Stepping into this role with practically zero knowledge and I'm now feeling knowledgeable, well-equipped, and dare I say excited! Thank you. Truly a transformational workshop in my career.

I can’t recommend this masterclass enough. The Winkler Group’s expertise and ability to tailor course material to our unique challenges were game changers. We left with practical steps to take back and implement right away. It was worth every minute.

WHAT WE DO​