Growth Exchange: Business Building Workshops - 3 Steps to Better Fundraising

3 Steps to Better Fundraising
How to use numbers to clearly tell your story and prove your impact to raise more money

Stephen has spent his career championing nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. He left EY in 1989 and took a curious path to Amnesty International USA, where he wore more than a few hats—serving for seven years as CFO and Director of Development. During his time there, he helped raise over $20 million a year and played a key role in building the systems that helped scale the organization’s 300% growth after the Human Rights Now! tour. Never one to shy away from innovation, Stephen went on to found Virtual Growth (1995), the first online accounting service, which morphed into GrowthForce. Steve built GrowthForce into one of the largest cloud-based accounting services firms in the country. After over 20 years at the helm as CEO, he decided it was time for a new chapter. Now, he’s all in on the Fundraising Accountant Community—a space where nonprofit leaders can find honest advice, practical resources, and the support they need to run better, grow faster, and raise more money. Learn more...

Program Overview

This 90-minute, hands-on workshop equips nonprofit leaders with practical steps to raise more money by treating donors like investors. Participants will learn how to use numbers to tell a story that draws donors to action. You’ll learn how to measure your ROI to build donor confidence, strengthen relationships, and increase funding.

Through a proven real-world example and guided discussion, attendees will connect financial performance to mission impact in a way that resonates with donors and decision-makers.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is designed for nonprofit CEOs, Executive Directors and their senior leadership teams, especially fundraising and financial leaders.

This is especially valuable for mission-driven organizations where labor is the largest expense and financial clarity is critical to demonstrating impact.

Organizations that attend with fundraising and finance leadership team members will gain the greatest value, leaving with a shared framework for aligning operations, storytelling, and donor investment strategy.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will learn:

1. What are the right numbers for Investors?

2. The steps to get those numbers?

3. How to show donors your social and economic impact. 

Takeaways

Participants will spend a dedicated portion of the workshop completing a guided Step -by-Step Workbook and will leave with a clear path to tell your story with numbers tailored to their organization’s mission, financial structure, and fundraising goals.

By the end of the session, attendees will:

• Get the financial metrics needed to confidently communicate impact 

• Sketch out a practical framework to create program economics 

• Start to build a story they can immediately use in fundraising conversations

Organizations that attend as a leadership team will leave with shared alignment, clarity, and actionable next steps—not just ideas.
 

More About 'Growth Exchange: Business Building Workshops'


 

The Growth Exchange: Business Building Workshops is an ongoing educational series designed to equip business leaders with practical tools, strategic insight, and meaningful connections that support long-term growth and a thriving local economy.

Rooted in the Chamber’s mission to create a community where businesses and people flourish, the Growth Exchange brings together local expertise, real-world experience, and actionable learning. Each session tackles timely topics and evolving challenges, helping businesses of all sizes stay competitive and prepared for what’s next.

Workshops will cover key areas essential to success, including leadership development, financial clarity, operations, workforce strategy, marketing, growth planning and more. Every session is designed to be practical, accessible, and immediately applicable—while fostering collaboration among entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and established organizations.

Invest in your growth. Prioritize your development. Be part of the Exchange.