Raising the Right Revenue:
A Fund Development Lab
Lab Outline
Did you know that over 50% of BC’s non-profits rely on earned income? And yet most fundraising programs focus on philanthropic dollars for charitable organizations.
Raising the Right Revenue is an 8-day lab over 8 weeks that looks at all the revenue sources non-profits in BC rely on. Throughout the lab, participants will create fund development plans that align with the mission and strategic priorities of their organization.
This is an opportunity to receive practical support in the strategy, planning, and implementation tools that will result in revenue that aligns with your organization’s mission and strategic priorities. Identify which of the many potential revenue sources will work for your organization, develop your case for support, and get comfortable making the ask – or pitch.
Suggested participants:
Executive directors and senior leaders responsible (operational managers, CEOs, board members, fund developers, etc.) for the financial sustainability of a non-profit organization.
This lab will benefit participants who are:
- Committed to developing business and fund development plans.
- Looking to build skill and confidence when making asks of different kinds of financial support.
- Seeking to understand current strategies for attracting other revenue sources.
Important note! Money and revenue can be stressful, confusing, and triggering topics. This lab will offer a space to ask questions and share organizational experiences in a safe and inclusive way.
Lab Outcomes
By the end of this lab, you will be able to:
- Speak simply and persuasively about your cause.
- Identify realistic strategies to raise and diversify resources.
- Identify key elements of membership development.
- Solicit a major gift or grant with confidence.
- Describe the fundamentals of creating a business plan.
- Describe the characteristics of both contributed and earned revenue streams.
- Use mission-based prospecting to align donors and funders to your own mission and strategic plans.
- Describe restricted and unrestricted funding and the basics of financial management.
Registration Details
Application Deadline: 1 week before the start date
Bursary Application Deadline: 1 week before the start date
Location: Online/Virtual
Cost: $1999 Non-Members | $1799 Members
Program Schedule
Check out what our Raising the Right Revenue program looks like.
January 22, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
January 29, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
February 5, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
February 12, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
February 19, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
February 26, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
March 5, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
March 12, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lab Benefits
- Practice drafting a fund development plan and case statement to support asks and pitches to various audiences.
- Access tools and checklists for organizational responsiveness to grant opportunities.
- Use tools for budget processes and setting predictable and sustainable resource development.
- Connect with a network of peers who can support you with this work.
- Practice pitching your case to a panel of funders.
Lab Topics
Topics of each of the 8 half-day learning session:
Nurturing a Culture of Philanthropy
Core concepts in revenue development, cultural context, and organizational readiness.
Fund Development Planning
Non-profit business model canvas, building a fund development plan, ethics, and accountability.
Individual Giving and Major Gifts
Trends, the donor cycle, monthly giving, and approaches to major gifts.
Grants and Government Funding
Funder types, writing and managing strong applications, relationship building, and accessing government funding.
Earned Income
Understanding earned revenue opportunities and social enterprise models.
Corporate Giving, Special Events, and Membership
Strategies for corporate partnerships, special events, and membership programs.
Building and Making the Pitch
Developing a compelling case for support and practicing your pitch with funders and peers.