Services

We provide single or a series of training programs and web-based lessons suitable for:

• Executive Directors
• Board Members
• Development Leaders and Staff
• Fundraising Volunteers

Examples of training topics include:

• Asking: Who, Why, What, When, Where, How?
• Fundraising 101: Using the Five i’s to Fuel Your Fundraising
• Capital Campaign 101
• Laying the Groundwork for a Capital Campaign
• Foundation Relations
• Major Gift Fundraising
• Planned Giving: An Introduction

Client stories:

After completing a feasibility study in conjunction with i5 Fundraising the State College Community Land Trust engaged Sophie Penney to serve as its campaign counsel. Individually and in groups, through formal and informal sessions, thanks to Sophie’s guidance we learned many lessons about capital campaigns in particular and fundraising in general.

“We discussed and reviewed what we learned in a marketing and fundraising committee meeting and discovered that we had acquired new, critical knowledge and skills related to: relationship building, asking for gifts, and more. The lessons that we learned served us well with the campaign, which reached its goal in five months. Those lessons will also benefit the Land Trust as it raises funds to support the ongoing work of providing affordable housing in the Borough of State College.”

Colleen Ritter, Executive Director
State College Community Land Trust

We take a personalized approach to coaching.

We begin with a no fee, 30 minute consultation to identify your goals and aspirations and to determine whether coaching is right for you.

If you become a coaching participant, you will complete a short form to provide information about:

• Your background, experience, and goals
• Potential pluses and possible impediments to achieving your goal
• Timeline for Achieving Your Goals

You will then receive a personalized Development Plan that might include:

• Readings from fundraising and leadership literature
• Engaging in exercises to learn or model skills, such as asking for gifts
• Interviewing other professionals then discussing what you learned from those conversations

Ready for to discuss your goals and aspirations?

Client Stories:

Several years ago I engaged Sophie to serve as my fundraising coach. We first had an in-depth conversation during which we identified my goals and gaps in my knowledge base. Sophie developed a several step plan then provided me with informative readings and instructive exercises which we discussed in one-on-one meetings. The experienced broadened and deepened my knowledge about fundraising and better equipped me to cultivate key prospects. I highly recommend Sophie as a fundraising coach.”

Executive Director
County-Wide Nonprofit

Fundraising consulting through one-on-ones or group sessions.

• Campaign Feasibility Study or Campaign Counsel
• Development Audit
• Developing or Updating a Planned Giving Program
• Foundation Relations

Consulting may take place in-person, over the phone, or via Zoom or Teams.

Client Stories: 

State College Community Land Trust

A board member introduced me to The State College Community Land Trust (SCCLT). For over 20 years The SCCLT has taken a unique, and very successful, approach to providing affordable housing in State College Borough.

How? The SCCLT purchases and rehabs homes, resells the home, and leases the land. By reducing the overall purchase price, The SCCLT has been able to sell over 35 homes and provide over 50 families and individuals with affordable housing. You can learn more here.

What’s next? The SCCLT had a vision to build a net zero ready house to make home ownership affordable both short and long term. The question? Could The SCCLT launch a successful capital campaign? Through collaboration with volunteers and staff, we provided Board training about campaigns and completed a campaign feasibility study.

Here’s what Peg Hambrick, Chair of GreenBuild, had to say about the study: 

Most volunteers for not-for-profits are not fundraising experts. When the State College Community Land Trust needed counsel for the GreenBuild project, Sophie Penny deftly guided us. She is extremely knowledgeable in the art and science of not-for-profit fundraising.”