If your experience has been anything like mine, you’ve had a negative view of fundraising at some point in your life (and maybe you still do now). When I was approached ten years ago to consider coming on staff in the development department with a private college, I first had to ask what “development” even was. When I was told it was primarily fundraising, I said, “No, thank you!” I didn’t want to be part of a field I had always seen as a necessary evil that burdened donors, and I was fearful of the responsibility that came with finding an organization’s necessary funding.

“Our food pantry has been feeding the same families for years. Is there anything we can do to bring about long term transformation in people’s lives?” The leaders who ask this question know that their clients don’t merely lack food, but they also often suffer from a lack of community and self-worth.

You’ve identified some of your clients who could benefit from some new skills. It’s easy to say, “Let’s teach a class.” But let’s be honest, running a class is tough. We’ve collected some advice from experienced leaders and programs so that you can make your class a time of real transformation and community—and something everyone looks forward to.