The LIFT Fundraising Accelerator is designed for organizations with limited fundraising staff who want to expand and diversify their revenue streams.

Through a cohort-based model, one representative from your organization will join a small group of peers in a
supportive learning environment. Together, participants connect, share real-world experiences, and collaborate to overcome challenges and explore new opportunities.

LIFT not only provides practical tools and knowledge, but also fosters a sense of community—because fundraising is stronger when we learn and grow together.

what we'll cover

Course Sessions

Foundations of Fundraising – 3 hours
Gain a big-picture view of the fundraising landscape. Explore current trends, what motivates donors, and core concepts such as the donor pyramid and donor cycle.

Diversifying Revenue – 3 hours
Take a deep dive into potential revenue streams and learn how to strategically choose the right ones for your organization. Together, we’ll balance resources, costs, donor motivation, and the importance of both 'friendraising' and fundraising.

Developing Effective Communications – 2 hours
Learn how to craft compelling messages that inspire action. We’ll cover storytelling, building a strong case for support, and making the most of social media in your fundraising efforts.

Setting Your Priorities – 2 hours

Bring it all together. Consolidate your learnings, share insights with peers, and identify your top fundraising priorities. This session focuses on resourcing and planning effectively for implementation.

We understand that every organization is unique, which is why our programming allows plenty of time for questions and encourages participants to reflect on their unique situations. After completing our four core course sessions, an NSOF instructor will meet individually with each participant for a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation. These personalized sessions provide an opportunity to address priorities, resolve any remaining questions and work toward implementation.

how is this delivered?

A Zoom connection that can support video is required for this program. If you are not able to connect by video through Zoom and are interested in participant, please contact the school at admin@nsof.ca.

instructor

Rowena Veylan

You can read the instructors' bio here.

Dates

February 2, 2026 (10am - 1pm)

February 9, 2026 (10am - 1pm)

February 23, 2026 (10am - 12pm)

March 2, 2026 (10am - 12pm)

investment

$750 per organization.

Ongoing support

Alumni of our accelerator programs are invited to join our 12-month Community of Practice series — a professional development opportunity designed to deepen your fundraising knowledge and practice. Each month, we dedicate two hours to exploring a focused fundraising topic. Sessions often feature expert instructors, guest speakers, and sector leaders who provide insights tailored to your organization’s needs.

This initiative is designed to help you put fundraising theory into action with practical tools, peer support, and
real-world strategies. Invitations for the following year are sent each October directly to our alumni organizations. If you did not receive your invitation, please contact us at admin@nsof.ca.

Investment: $250

Looking for more flexibility with schedules and programming and/or want to involve others from your organization? You may want to look at our UPLIFT Fundraising Accelerator Program.