Strategic Gift Planning Bootcamp

 

Next course will be October 6-9, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario

"Bootcamp provided me with the confidence and "how-to" to have meaningful conversations with donors surrounding bequests. This course over-delivered my expectations! " -

Krista Linklater, St. Marys Memorial Hospital Foundation

Quick links

*Agenda is subject to change

Take Your Major Gift Fundraising to the Next Level
Are you ready to enhance your expertise, build confidence, and elevate your career in major gift fundraising? This Bootcamp is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to refine your skills, expand your knowledge, and gain practical tools to secure transformational gifts.

This course is designed to help you unlock new approaches to charitable giving, engage donors in meaningful ways, and create impactful gift plans that make a real difference. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of advanced giving strategies or refresh your skills, this Bootcamp will provide you with the confidence and resources to excel.

Why Bootcamp is Invaluable for Major Gift Fundraisers
Major gift fundraising is about building strong relationships and guiding donors through meaningful giving opportunities. This Bootcamp equips you with the tools to:

  • Explore advanced giving options: Learn about gifts that go beyond cash, including gifts of securities, bequests, and other planned giving strategies.

  • Gain confidence in complex conversations: Build comfort discussing giving options and navigating technical aspects like tax implications.

  • Apply learning to real-world scenarios: Engage in interactive exercises and case studies to strengthen your practical skills.

  • Expand your toolkit: Leave with actionable tools, resources, and strategies you can use immediately in your work.

  • Build your network: Connect with other experienced fundraisers and share insights to grow together.

Agenda Highlights
Bootcamp is packed with valuable sessions designed to help you take your fundraising to the next level, including:

  • The Fundamentals of Strategic Gift Planning: Explore how to integrate gift planning into your major gift work.

  • Gifts of Securities and Tax Benefits: Learn how to confidently discuss and structure gifts of appreciated assets.

  • Bequests and Legacy Giving: Discover how to inspire donors to make lasting commitments through their wills.

  • Interactive Case Studies: Apply what you’ve learned to real-life scenarios and walk away with practical solutions.

  • Building Your Toolkit: Gain access to resources you can use immediately to elevate your fundraising efforts.

Who Should Attend?
This course is tailored for:

  • Fundraising professionals with at least two years of experience securing major gifts from individuals.

  • Experienced fundraisers seeking to refresh their knowledge of gift planning strategies and techniques.

Through active participation and collaboration, you’ll leave this Bootcamp with the skills, confidence, and resources to secure transformational gifts and make an even greater impact in your work.

2025 Agenda*
*Subject to change

Are you unsure about where to begin or which course is right for you? We have two recommendations for you:

Our Professional Development Roadmap is a helpful guide for gift planners and fundraisers in their journey to becoming a successful charitable gift planner.

This Course Descriptions document contains a brief description of each of our 4 courses in one place, to help you decide which is the right fit for you at this point in your career.

Dates

Monday, October 6, 2025 (5:00 pm) - Thursday, October 9, 2025 (11:00 am)

Faculty 

Michelle Osborne, CFRE & Jancie L. St-Denis, CFRE

Location 

Toronto, Ontario (more info to be posted shortly)

PRICING 

1. Tuition (to be paid to CAGP Foundation)

Important note: Tuition is tax exempt

Early Bird (available until July 21, 2025)
CAGP Member: $1300 
Non-member: $1600 

Regular (July 22 - September 10, 2025)
CAGP Member: $1400 
Non-member: $1700

2. Meals (to be paid to CAGP Foundation with tuition)

A meal plan is provided for all attendees. This will cover dinner the Monday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesday and Wednesday, plus breakfast and lunch on Thursday. Coffee breaks are also included. 

Price of the meal plan: TBC

3. Accommodation (to be paid directly to the hotel) 

Accommodation is available to attendees at $199/night (plus taxes and fees) checking in on Monday, October 6 and checking out on Monday, October 9. Attendees make their own reservations (link to be provided) and will pay the hotel directly upon checkout. 

Accommodation breakdown: $199/night + 8.5% MAT tax ($16.92) + 13% HST ($28.07) = $243.98/night X 3 nights = $731.94 total including all taxes

Please note: As this is an intensive and highly interactive course starting early each morning and featuring required evening activities, attendees are strongly encouraged to stay at the hotel. This ensures that individuals, and their team members, get the most out of the course. All registrants must purchase the meal plan and attend the meals.

Registration Deadline is Wednesday, September 10, 2025

CE Credits

Full participation in the Strategic Gift Planning Bootcamp is applicable for up to 18.25 credits* in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Remember! As a CAGP member, you receive a 20% discount off of your CFRE certification or recertification!

 

MFA-P  Full participation of the Strategic Gift Planning Bootcamp is applicable for a maximum of 15 credits toward the MFA-P relicencing. 

 

Cancellation Policy for Participants - Please read carefully

Tuition & Meal Plan

Before August 1, 2025 – Full refund, less a $150 administrative fee*
August 2 – August 25, 2025 – 50% refund, less a $150 administrative fee*
After August 25, 2025 – No refund*

*IMPORTANT: Registration is transferable within your organization at any time, subject to a $150 administration fee.

All cancellations must be received in writing.

CAGP Foundation reserves the right to amend or cancel the event.

If an event has to be cancelled or rescheduled we will contact you as soon as possible to notify you of the change. You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

In the event of a cancellation, we will not reimburse travel, accommodation or other costs related to the event.

Read what our past attendees had to say:

This course helped re-enforce my "why", and our "why."  I now feel more comfortable with the language and the technical aspects of strategic gift giving, and can be more focused how on the donor relationship.
         - Karen Henders, South Saskatchewan Community Foundation

If you are offered the opportunity to attend the CAGP Strategic Gift Planning Bootcamp - seize it! You will build a level of comfort and confidence and network of like-minded individuals, who are committed to helping today's generations shape the communities and institutions of tomorrow.
          - 2018 Bootcamp Attendee

Great foundational material.  As someone new to the field, I found the stories and friendships shared among participants and leadership alone to be worth the price of admission!
         - 2016 Bootcamp Attendee

Have questions? 

Contact Erin Kuhns, Manager, Education and Training:1-888-430-9494 Ext. 222 or email ekuhns@cagp-acpdp.org.

 

This education session is offered by:

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