As our community becomes more complex, nonprofits are facing an unprecedented number of challenges on their path to success and understanding community needs.
That is why the Community Foundation of Sarasota County provides workshops and trainings as opportunities for local nonprofits to gather and learn from one another as well as industry experts about ways to maximize their efforts and strengthen their work.
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Our workshops and trainings cover a broad array of topics and fields and rotate on a variable schedule. Some of our recent offerings include:
- Donor Stewardship and Retention
- Giving Challenge Final Steps to Success
- Campaign Communication Planning
- Set Your Organization up for Giving Challenge Success
Are you a nonprofit professional or a consultant/consulting firm with ideas on training topics and workshop ideas we should host in the future? Submit your ideas for us to consider hosting in the future.
For more information on upcoming sessions, please see the details below:
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Previous Workshops & Trainings
Donor Stewardship and Retention
April 28, 2026It’s important to thank your supporters, build lasting relationships with donors, and focus on stewarding them for the future. In this post-Giving Challenge webinar, GiveGab covered stewardship best practices and strategies for building stronger and longer-lasting relationships with your supporters.
Giving Challenge Final Steps to Success
March 10, 2026In this webinar we covered last-minute tips and best practices to engage with supporters during the 2026 Giving Challenge. The GiveGab and Community Foundation of Sarasota County teams also answered any and all last-minute questions.
Countdown to Impact
Feb. 4, 2026
Supplemental Handout & Template for Download:
Run-of-Show (ROS) Example (Word)
This hands-on session guided participants through creating a detailed “run of show” for the 2026 Giving Challenge, testing planned activities, and spotting potential gaps. Participants also explored strategies to begin stewardship planning—so organizations were ready to thank, engage, and retain donors.
This training was led by Victoria Finley, CFRE and Sara Leonard, MBA, CFRE, two consultants with The Patterson Foundation as part of its Fueling Dynamic Fundraising initiative.
Campaign Communication Planning
Jan. 21, 2026
Supplemental Handout for Download:
Communication Planning Resources (PDF)
Strong campaigns start with strong communications. This practical session helped organizations craft clear, compelling messages to use before, during, and after the 2026 Giving Challenge. Learn how to create a streamlined communications plan, tailor messages for different audiences, and maximize reach across social media, email, and other channels.
This training was led by Jennifer Abbott, CAP and Sara Leonard, MBA, CFRE, two consultants with The Patterson Foundation as part of its Fueling Dynamic Fundraising initiative.
Set Your Organization up for Giving Challenge Success
Oct. 28, 2025
Supplemental Handouts & Templates for Download:
Guidelines Checklist (Word|PDF)
Timeline Checklist (Excel)
Using a six-month timeline as a guide, participants explored how to set realistic fundraising goals for the 2026 Giving Challenge, determine the central focus of their campaign, identify the right prize opportunities, recruit a strong support team, and align Giving Challenge activities with their broader fundraising efforts.
This training was led by Josephine Eisenberg and Sara Leonard, MBA, CFRE, two consultants with The Patterson Foundation as part of its Fueling Dynamic Fundraising initiative.
Kick-off Webinar: Getting Ready
Sept. 9, 2025This webinar featured everything nonprofits needed to know about the 2026 Giving Challenge, including how to register their nonprofit for the 24-hour online giving event and the features available to make their nonprofit as successful as possible.
Our friends at the Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) offer a meaningful selection of workshops and trainings throughout the year. Find out more about MCF events and programs and view their full events calendar.