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APPLICATION: Essentials of Development 2027

Program Description and Expectations:

The Idaho Nonprofit Center is proud to partner with the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring Essentials of Development to Idaho in 2026. Essentials of Development is a program to support growing nonprofits to articulate their mission and create a development program focusing on major gifts.
Overview

Program Description: Essentials of Development is designed to equip small to mid-sized nonprofits with the knowledge, skills and tools to build a thriving development program by cultivating strong relationships with individual donors.

Program Capacity: 9-12 Idaho-based nonprofit organizations
  • Note: Each organization is required to bring their entire fundraising team to each class session.
Why participate in this program?
  • Essentials of Development is for small to mid-sized organizations that:
    1. Need help increasing the contributed income base of their revenue stream.
    2. Are willing to exert the concerted effort to implement the four “Essentials of Development” in their fundraising practice.
    3. Desire to focus on increasing their individual donor base, including major donors.
    4. Are committed to including board members and development personnel in all three training sessions.
  • Essentials of Development is NOT for organizations that:
    1. Do not have at least one paid staff member.
    2. Are looking for help mostly in the area of foundations and grants.
    3. Are solely seeking to get their foot in the door with the Murdock Trust or Idaho Community Foundation grant processes.
    4. Are hoping for a "quick fix" for their contributed revenue need.
Expectations

Participants are expected to participate in all three (3) class sessions and all scheduled coaching calls to successfully complete the program. If an absence is anticipated, please give a 72-hour notice to Nonprofit Center staff and your assigned coach.
  • Attendance: The participating organizations must have their entire development team attend. The development team must include: the Executive Director/CEO, a Development Director or equivalent, two (2) board members, and any additional fundraising staff the organization might have.

  • Virtual Class Sessions: All three (3) class sessions will be full-day sessions which include lectures, activities, breakout sessions, work time, and group sharing. They will be held on Zoom. There will be breaks, but participants must block out the full time.

    Participants should join the Zoom meeting in a quiet and private space and should dedicate their attention to the class session. Cameras are encouraged to be on during discussions, and frequent distractions and divided attention will not be tolerated.

  • Coaching Sessions: Organizations will be paired with an Essentials coach—who works with the organization from the survey prior to the first seminar through the remainder of the training—to assess and build the organization’s development process.

    Organizations are responsible for scheduling five (5) calls with their coaches. If an organization cannot attend a coaching session, a 72-hour notice is required to reschedule.

    If the organization would like additional coaching other than the hours included in the program, they must work with their coach on an additional hourly rate.

  • Surveys and Assessment: Prior to acceptance, organizations will be asked to complete the following: Interest Form, Board Commitment Form (to be completed by each participating board member), and Placement Form.

    Real-time evaluation and feedback are provided during the Essentials of Development seminars and coaching sessions. Participants will also be asked to complete a feedback survey after each class session and a final Feedback and Assessment Survey on completion of the program.
Estimated Cost to Participate
*Pricing subject to change
  • Members: $700
  • Non-members: $850

With over 40 hours of development and coaching, this program is valued over $10,000 per participating organization.
Application Deadline & Placement Timeline

Completed applications are due November 1, 2026

The Idaho Community Foundation team will inform applicants of their placement status by November 16, 2026

Read through the complete syllabus and program schedule: Essentials of Development Overview




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1.I have read through and understand the requirements and expectations above.(Required.)
2.I understand that this program is an intensive 8-month commitment for your entire fundraising team (February through September 2027)(Required.)
3.I understand that completing this application does not guarantee my organization's placement into the 2027 program.(Required.)
Current Progress,
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