Description

Are you ready to reimagine Catholic school development/advancement as a ministry of belonging, mission, and growth?

Join Frank Donaldson—Catholic school leader, author, and founder of ISPD—for this inspiring 8-session online course, based on his latest NCEA publication, The Cadence of Catholic School Development/Advancement: Connecting the Dots (Published by NCEA, June 2025).

Through 26 practical, proven steps, you’ll learn to build a vibrant, people-centered development system rooted in the belief that belonging leads to believing.

Who Should Enroll?

• Principals/Presidents
• Development/Advancement Directors
• Admissions Directors
• Board Members
• Pastors
• Superintendents
• Catholic school and parish leaders

Course Features

• Based entirely on the author’s newest book
• Practical, real-world strategies and implementation guides
• Interactive discussions and reflection prompts
• CEUs and University of Dayton certificate available
• Access to recordings, slides, and materials if you miss a live session
• Audit option available at same cost

Course Schedule

Class # 1: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Preface
• Introduction
• Step 1: Educate and Seek Buy-in from the Top: Pastor, President, Principal, Council, and Board/Council.
• Step 2: Form the Development/Advancement Executive Committee.

Class # 2: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 3: Affirm/Re-Affirm/Re-Create the Mission/Vision/Core Values of Your Catholic School.
• Step 4: Understand the Difference: Transactional Culture vs. Relational Culture.
• Step 5: Believe in the Foundational Principles and Philosophy of Catholic School Development/Advancement.
• Step 6: Understand and Integrate the Six Boxes of Catholic School Development/Advancement.

Class # 3: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 7: Establish the Internal and External Communication System to Promote and Market the School.
• Step 8: Educate the School Leadership Groups about Catholic School Development/Advancement.
• Step 9: Establish the Development/Advancement “Office and Personnel.”
• Step 10: Create the Development/Advancement Database.

Class # 4: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 11: Involve School Alums, Past Parents, Grandparents and Parishioners (if applicable) in Development/Advancement Processes from the Beginning.
• Step 12: Form the Development/Advancement Core Team.
• Step 13: Conduct a Development/Advancement Assessment with the Executive Committee and Core Team.
• Step 14: Organize and Implement a Vibrant Enrollment Management System.

Class # 5: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 15: Conduct the Ultimate Question Survey with All School Constituents.
• Step 16: Create the Written Strategic Plan for Development/Advancement.

Class # 6: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 17: Create Your Top-10 Selling Points and Your WOW.
• Step 18: Get Your Fundraising Events Organized, Scheduled and Conducted Sequentially Throughout the Year.
• Step 19: Form Student, Parent, Alumni(ae) and Parish Ambassador Teams.
• Step 20: Identify the Top 25+ Financial Leaders and Engage Them for the Long Term

Class # 7: Monday, December 15th – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 21: Organize and Implement the School’s Annual Fund Drive with the Proper Organizational Structure.
• Step 22: Form the Alumni(ae) Organizational Committee.
• Step 23: Seek Professional Growth + Develop Your School’s Strategic Growth Plan.

Class # 8: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 – 10:00 AM Central Time

• Step 24: Invite to Invest: Capital Campaigns, Planned/Legacy Giving, Memorial Giving, Endowment Growth, and Grant Writing.
• Step 25: “Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying.”
• Step 26: “Keep Building Your Village.”

Parting Thoughts: Each session runs approximately 50–60 minutes.