Description

WHAT A SCHOOL CAN EXPECT

By applying the processes taught in this course, a Catholic school can expect:

• A more organized and measurable Annual Fund, supported by a compelling case, appropriate donor invitations, and a useful performance dashboard.
• A stronger enrollment pipeline—from inquiry and application through enrollment, re-enrollment, and retention.
• A practical Strategic Growth Plan with clear goals, responsible leaders, deadlines, and regular reviews.
• Greater clarity about whether the school is ready for a feasibility study or capital campaign—and what must be in place before proceeding.
• A better-organized capital campaign with effective leadership, a realistic calendar, prepared volunteers, and a disciplined invitation process.
• A focused major-donor program built around identification, cultivation, personal invitations, and long-term stewardship.

The larger outcome is a school better equipped to advance its Catholic mission with stronger enrollment, broader community support, more sustainable revenue, and a clear plan for growth.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

This course is designed for presidents, principals, pastors, superintendents, advancement and development directors, enrollment and admissions leaders, board members, marketing committee members, staff, and key volunteers.

Schools are strongly encouraged to enroll at least two members of their leadership team. Shared participation helps establish common priorities, clarify responsibilities, and create the coordinated leadership necessary to put these systems into practice.

THE SCHEDULE

All eight classes meet on Wednesday at 10:00 AM Central Time.

Class # 1: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
Introduction — The Six Systems and The Annual Fund, Part One

• Introduction / Background: The Six Systems and How Each One Feeds the Others
• Where to Begin When Everything Needs Attention

#1    Building the Annual Fund Case for Support
#2    Segmenting Your Constituencies: Who Receives Which Invitation, and When

Class # 2: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
The Annual Fund, Part Two

#3    The Leadership Gift Tier and the 100% Faculty, Staff, and Board Standard
#4    Recapturing Lapsed Donors: LYBUNTs, SYBUNTs, and the Personal Note
#5    Your Annual Fund Dashboard: The Five Numbers That Tell You the Truth

Class # 3: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
Enrollment Management

#6    The Enrollment Funnel: Inquiry → Application → Enrollment → Retention
#7    Building the 12-Month Enrollment Management Calendar
#8    The Re-Enrollment Conversation: Preventing Attrition Before It Starts

Class # 4: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
The Strategic Growth Plan

#9    Strategic Plan vs. Strategic Growth Plan, and the Internal Assessment That Comes First
#10  Goals, Objectives, Owners, and the Quarterly Review That Keeps the Plan Alive

Class # 5: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
The Financial Feasibility Study

#11  When a Feasibility Study Is Necessary — and When It Is Not
#12  The Preliminary Case Statement and the Interview Sample
#13  Reading the Findings: Readiness, Leadership, and a Realistic Goal Range

Class # 6: Wednesday, December 2, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
The Capital Campaign, Part One

#14  Establishing the Correct Organizational Structure
#15  Enlisting Honorary Chairs and Operational Chairs
#16  The Campaign Calendar: Silent Phase, Public Phase, Operation Homestretch

Class # 7: Wednesday, December 9, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
The Capital Campaign, Part Two

#17  Preparing Volunteers to Extend an Invitation — Not to Make an “Ask”
#18  The Invitation-to-Pledge Ratio, and Receiving a “No” or a “Not Now” Gracefully

Class # 8: Wednesday, December 16, 2026 — 10:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
Major Donor Portfolios and Invitations

#19  Building the Portfolio: Identification, Capacity, and Affinity
#20  The Discovery Visit, the Personal Invitation, and the 12-Month Plan After the Gift

• Wrap-Up and Looking Forward

COST, CREDIT, AND REGISTRATION

Designed by ISPD in coordination with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives at the University of Dayton, this online course is tailor-made for Catholic leaders. The cost of the course is $195.00 per student. There are eight classes; each class lasts approximately 50–60 minutes. The course will be taught by Frank Donaldson, president of ISPD, and invited guest presenters.

This is a three-month course beginning Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Students will be able to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of Dayton and a Certificate of Completion from the university by participating in the eight classes from October 2026 through December 2026.

If a participant is unable to attend any of the “live” classes in the course, he or she may attend the class(es) by viewing the recording, the PowerPoint, and the handout materials on his or her own time.

Please note: If a participant is not interested in the credits for the course or the certificate, then he or she can audit the course for the information, the PowerPoints, and the handouts. The cost is the same: $195.00.