November 17 & 19 · Virtual only · Live on Zoom

Build your next funder campaign.

You already know how to raise money. What's usually missing is protected time to build the next campaign with your own numbers and real feedback.

Reserve your seat → See how it works

Created and facilitated by
Marie Deveaux, PCC & Norlander Wilson

Presented by

NJW Operations

Why now

The funding changed. Your mission didn't.

The Lab gives you dedicated time to choose your next funders, ground the ask in program evidence and full cost, and plan the outreach.

1 in 3

nonprofits had government funding cut, frozen or delayed in early 2025.

Urban Institute

2 in 3

nonprofits with government grants would run a deficit without them.

Candid

1 program

Your next campaign starts with one program, a clear need and funders whose priorities fit the work.

The Lab's focus

What you leave with

A reviewed campaign, ready to test.

Working time, not a webinar. Peers give feedback and a facilitator checks your plan before you leave.

A one-page campaign plan

For one program, peer-reviewed and facilitator-checked.

A realistic campaign goal

Grounded in full cost and the size of the gap.

Two new funder audiences

Chosen for fit, with a written ask for each.

A full-cost gift ladder

Gift amounts tied to program, staff and operating costs.

Five priority prospects

With fit, timing and a next step for each.

Six weeks of momentum

A calendar, three drafted messages and peer accountability to Dec 3.

Included with your seat

Your own Lab portal, open long after the Lab.

Everything for the Lab lives in one place, and the resource library stays open for you afterward.

A sample participant dashboard.

Your participant dashboardYour schedule, Zoom links and calendar invites, and a place to upload your pre-work. Sign in with a password or an emailed link.
The Lab libraryThe workbook, examples, slides and templates, opening as the Lab moves forward.
A resource library for the whole year30+ calculators, guides and templates: board toolkit, finance, grant writing, strategy and more.
The participant workbookYour working document for both mornings, ready to download the day you register.

Portal and library access are included through March 3, 2027.

How it works

Prepare. Build. Test.

Now
Take the readiness check
Four questions, about three minutes, before you pay.
Before Nov 17
Do the pre-work
Pick one program; gather results, full cost and funding history. Two to three hours.
Nov 17 & 19
Build together online
Two working mornings. A development specialist joins on Day 2.
Dec 3
Test your outreach
Peer accountability, then an online check-in, 12:00–1:30 pm ET.

Some gaps on the check? You can still join: register by November 9 and attend the online prep session on November 12, 12:00–1:30 pm ET.

The two mornings

What you'll build, block by block.

Every block works the same way: we show you an example, we try it together, then you build it for your own program and test it with a peer. Along the way we use six simple tools you may already know from work, translated for fundraising.

Build the case 9:00 am–12:00 pm

9:00Welcome, meet your Zoom breakout group, and the program we'll follow for two days
9:10Your shortfall: why you're short, by how much, and a realistic campaign targetTool: Campaign SWOT
9:30Fit: choose two supporter audiences who match your work and have an open doorTool: Ideal Supporter Profile
10:05Need and approach: say why your work matters in plain words, without grant languageTools: Funder Golden Circle and If–Then–Because
10:45Evidence: one honest proof point your records really support
11:15Full cost: what the work really costs, and a gift ladder tied to real budget uses
11:50Homework for Thursday and a quick connection exchange with a peer

Who it's for

Leaders who already raise money and need the next approach.

Executive directors and one teammate at nonprofits where government grants or contracts are a meaningful share of the budget, and at least one program tracks its results.

You bring the experience and relationships. We bring the structure, the time and the feedback.

What to expect

Working time: you build your campaign for most of each morning.
Campaign planning and outreach. Grant writing is outside the Lab's scope.
Cause-area starter lists to support your research; you qualify your own prospects.
A reviewed campaign ready to test. Funding decisions depend on funder fit, timing and follow-through.

Your facilitators

Leadership and operations, working together.

Marie Deveaux, PCC

Founder & CEO, High Tides Consulting

A Professional Certified Coach who helps mission-driven leaders and teams grow, with a background in multi-site operations.

Master's, Nonprofit Management
120+ executives coached
Author, The Art of Conversationship

mariedeveaux.com →

Norlander Wilson

Founder, NJW Operations

A behavioral operations strategist and fractional COO who helps nonprofit leaders connect program evidence, full costs and team capacity to practical plans.

44+ Audit & Diagnostic Engagements
Nonprofit Operations & Strategy
M.A., Experimental Psychology

njwoperations.com →

Meet the full team →

Ways to join

Choose how you'll take part.

Early bird · ends Oct 30

The live Lab · direct registration

$995$1,195

per organization · covers the ED + one teammate

Both live virtual mornings
Workbook and pre-work support
Participant portal and resource library
Peer review and a facilitator check
Accountability group + Dec 3 check-in

Reserve your seat →

Recording-only

$195

for teams that can't attend the live virtual sessions

Edited teaching segments
Release Nov 26 · access to Dec 31
Portal access with the resource library
No peer review or facilitator check

Learn about recordings

Partner seats

from$850

per organization in a paid partner block

5+ organizations by Oct 30: $850

Partner rates require a paid block from a firm, funder or network. Participating organizations register with their partner code; direct registration is $995 through October 30, then $1,195.

Partner details

4 questions before you pay
Limited to 25 organizations
Seats transfer within your organization
Clear cancellation and rescheduling terms

Questions

Before you register.

Is the Lab fully virtual? Is it shorter?

Yes, the Lab is virtual only, live on Zoom. Two full, hands-on workshop mornings: November 17 and 19, 9:00 am–12:00 pm Eastern. If 16 or more organizations enroll, Day 2 extends to 1:00 pm; we will confirm after November 6. Both attendees should plan to participate throughout, with time to build your campaign, receive peer feedback and complete a facilitator check. Session links will be sent to registered participants.

How is this different from an information session?

You work on your own campaign for most of both mornings, get structured feedback from peers and a facilitator, and leave with a plan ready to test.

Will this replace our lost funding?

A reviewed campaign ready to test. The Lab does not promise money raised. You qualify your prospects and decide how to approach them; funding decisions depend on fit, timing and follow-through.

We have never done individual or major-gift fundraising. Is that a problem?

Experience with every funding strategy is not required. You will consider private foundations, individual donors, major gifts and corporate giving, and choose an approach suited to your program. Peer pairs are matched by funding experience. Earned revenue is optional.

How do I know if we're ready?

The readiness check asks four questions before payment. Organizations with gaps can register through November 9 and must attend online prep on Thursday, November 12, 12:00–1:30 pm Eastern. All-Yes registration closes November 13. If a different first step would be more useful, Norlander will talk it through with you.

Can more than two of us attend?

The price covers the executive director and one teammate. Choose the person who will run the campaign with you.

Is it recorded?

Teaching segments only. Discussions, peer reviews and organization details are never recorded.

What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?

If your organization cancels, registration fees are non-refundable. You may substitute attendees from the same organization. If NJW Operations cancels the Lab, we will refund the full registration amount paid. NJW Operations reserves the right to reschedule the Lab. Any replacement dates will begin within 60 calendar days of the original start date, at no additional charge to the purchaser. Purchasers may transfer their registration to the new dates or receive a full refund. If replacement dates cannot be offered within that period, NJW will issue a full refund. Refunds go to the original purchaser, including the paying partner for partner-funded registrations. Contact hello@njwoperations.com for substitutions or refund requests.

What happens after the Lab?

You keep everything you built and start testing your outreach. Accountability groups run through the December 3 online check-in, 12:00–1:30 pm Eastern, and a 90-day survey asks what you implemented and what changed.

25 organizations · November 17 & 19

Your next funder campaign starts with four questions.

About three minutes, before you pay. You'll know right away whether the Lab fits your organization now.