TAKE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF FUNDRAISING WITH...
Basic Online Advancement Training (BOAT)
Turn your organization's potential for impact into REALITY.
Get everything you need to be successful with fundraising.
☑ Training ☑ Coaching ☑ Accountability
Can you answer YES to any of these questions?
Do you want to grow your nonprofit's fundraising efforts but have NO IDEA where to start?
Are you new to fundraising, and need to understand how it all fits together?
Do you have a nonprofit that has been successful, but for some reason you're feeling stuck?
Do you want direct access to fundraising experts who can help with your vision articulation, communications plans, development plan, and ANY questions you may have?
Are you convinced you need an organized fundraising program, but aren't quite sure what steps to take?
If you answered YES to ANY of the questions above, we invite you to join Basic Online Advancement Training and take your nonprofit's impact to the next level!
What does BOAT include?
The Fundraising Blueprint
Learn the essentials of starting and building fundraising programs with 12 modules covering the entire spectrum of development.
There is a science to fundraising. These lessons will show you the best practices that have been proven to work.
This includes more than 50 online video lessons carefully planned and designed by Petrus Development's expert fundraising coaches to help you understand every level of the fundraising process.
Samples and Templates
Skip the hassle of starting from scratch.
Jump-start the implementation of course materials with dozens of samples and templates from a variety of nonprofits.
This includes everything you need to kick off your development efforts, from sample Case Statements to editable newsletter and appeal letter templates.
Expert Courses
You will learn:
- How to craft and communicate your vision effectively
- How to get your first donations
- How to qualify potential major donors
- How to approach major donors
- Where to focus your time for the most effective fundraising efforts
Your Challenge is to TAKE ACTION and Implement What You Learn Each Day to Grow Your Nonprofit's Fundraising
Yes, there will be some work involved...
And yes, there will be suggested tasks to implement what you learn in your organization...
But every day you'll be taking steps toward building your fundraising into a sustainable program!
Not only will you learn what fundraising is and how it works, but you will have 12-month communications and development plans to bring to your team FINISHED by the end of the 10 weeks.
Dozens of organizations have been through BOAT already. See what Cassy had to say about her experience in the Spring 2024 session in this video:
Get These AMAZING Bonuses...
When You Join 'Basic Online Advancement Training' Today...
Bonus #1
Access to the BOAT Group Cohort Sessions and Office Hours
($1,300 Value)
Want a Support Network to Help You Raise Money?
Gather virtually with other BOAT members, plus an experienced fundraising coach, to unpack and apply the lessons to your unique situation.
The five 90-minute live, virtual sessions will zoom in on the key foundational elements that you must put in place first for your fundraising efforts to thrive.
Each session concludes with an "office hours" session where you can get questions about your organization's unique circumstances answered.
Here's Why This is So POWERFUL...
Fundraising is a big topic. Even with all of the course resources in BOAT, questions are going to come up.
Get your questions answered, and get help from an experienced fundraiser and fundraising coach to tweak tactics to fit the distinctive characteristics of your nonprofit.
PLUS, you will finish BOAT with a network of peers to support you on your fundraising journey.
After working with dozens of nonprofits in BOAT, it has been consistently shown that those who participate in the live cohort sessions consistently get the strongest results both during and after the program.
See cohort times and availability below.
Join BOAT Now
Bonus #2
Access to the Petrus Development Bonus Library
($3,000 Value)
Go deeper with tactical, nuts-and-bolts advice from a variety of professionals around the fundraising world.
The Petrus team has hand-picked the lessons in the bonus library, which includes trainings, summits, seminars, and more that we have compiled over the last several years.
You'll get access to trainings like...
☑ The Database Deep Dive - Going beyond the basics of choosing and setting up a database, these trainings will help you make the most of your list. Learn how to keep your data clean and how to segment your list to get the most effective returns from your communications.
☑ How to Raise Money with a Giving Day - Every detail you need to know about successfully engaging your constituents with a day of giving, like Giving Tuesday. This course breaks down how to plan and prepare in the weeks ahead of the giving day, how to execute on the day itself, and how to follow up with your donors for long term success.
☑ The Virtual Gala Blueprint - Everything you need to know to raise money with a virtual event, from planning the program, to setting up the technology, to making the ask, to amplifying your results.
☑ The Major Gifts Incubator - Kickstart your efforts to meet donors and ask for transformational gifts with tactical trainings that include how to plan a major gifts campaign, how to secure appointments with donors, and how to execute a donor meeting over Zoom.
PLUS MORE!
Join BOAT NowBonus #3
60-minute one-on-one strategy session with a fundraising coach.
($150 Value)
Your knowledge of fundraising will progress with each module, and your application of the material will progress with each cohort call.
Erase all doubt about your fundraising plans by having an expert fundraising coach review your progress with you and offer advice to bulletproof your development plan for the coming year.
Join BOAT NowPLUS Special Offers...
BOAT members will receive access to special offers from some of our partners like Catholic Social Media by Prenger Solutions Group
Is There A Guarantee?
Absolutely.
We guarantee that if you work your way through the course, show up to the live cohort calls, and implement what you learn, by the time the 10 weeks is done, you will have a fundraising plan to implement and a solid understanding of the core fundamentals of nonprofit fundraising.
Now we can’t guarantee that you are going to hit all of your fundraising goals in 10 weeks, after all, because we can’t do the work for you. But we are guaranteeing that you will get $1,500 worth of value and service from us to support you.
However, if at any time you are not satisfied with the level of service you are receiving you can email our team and receive a full refund for the program.
Pretty simple.
Best case - you build the foundations of a self-sustaining fundraising program and are able to grow your nonprofit to hit your long-term goals and make a deeper impact.
Worst case - you tell us we are no good, we write you a check, and you get ten weeks of free fundraising training.
Both options are risk free. But the only thing guaranteed not to help you raise more money is doing nothing today.
Join BOAT Now
"The 10 week session was intense, but still allowed me to apply techniques I learned from each week's session.
I am still in communication with individuals I met through the cohort, asking advice and learning from one another.
Petrus coaches have shared the joy in our fundraising successes!
I would recommend the BOAT program to any new fundraising professional."
Bethany Kendrick
Director of Development
St. Pius X Catholic Student Center at Pittsburg State University
Your Instructors & Guides
Andrew N. Robison
Andrew has been in fundraising since 2005. He has worked in campus ministry and university settings and now serves as president and owner of Petrus Development. Andrew is also an adjunct professor in the University of Mary Institute for Catholic Philanthropy.
Sarah Rose
Sarah has been in the development field since 2010. She has fundraised for Catholic Charities of Central Texas and for the Dripping Springs Public Library. Additionally, Sarah has worked with many nonprofits as a consultant for Petrus Development.
Rhen Hoehn
Rhen has worked in development since 2015. As development director for St. Albert the Great University Parish at Michigan Tech, he oversaw the $3.14M Multiply the Mission campaign. Rhen has been a consultant for Petrus Development since 2018.
WINTER 2025 TENTATIVE BOAT SCHEDULE
Friday, January 17
Winter Session Registration Closes (Unless cohort seats fill earlier)
Monday, January 13
A new module of content begins releasing each week.
Week of January 20
Cohort Calls begin
Week of March 17:
Final Week of Cohort
Sessions will take place the weeks of 1/20, 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, and 3/17
Hear from some of our AMAZING Alumni!
“Solid information, networking perks, trusted guides, proven methods. BOAT is a such a testament for today's Catholics living in the world and still working for the Church. ”
-Catherine Richard
College Missions Co.
"BOAT has given me a lot of knowledge about development in order to get things going in the right direction. I've gone from knowing very little about development, to being confident in setting up a good framework to move forward with a development plan."
-AJ Kingsmore
Auburn Catholic Campus Ministry
“You don't know what you don't know. The course will make that known to you. It will also give you more than enough to make considerably impactful changes in your fundraising practice.”
-Roy Saab
iSupport
“The BOAT lessons are extremely valuable and there is a lot of excellent information in the videos and PDFs. The examples, transcripts, and calendars are very helpful. The course material is absolutely outstanding, thorough, and comprehensive!”
-Michael Vento
Image of God Institute
“BOAT is more than what I was hoping for. The BOAT program has helped me to understand the process of forming relationships and building a case statement to present to our donors. It has exceeded my expectations.”
-Kim Allbee
The Catholic Center at the University of Vermont
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is BOAT for?
Will this work for my type of nonprofit?
What modules are included in the course?
What will I walk away with from BOAT?
What is the time commitment?
Do I have to attend the cohort calls?
Who is the right person at my organization to go through BOAT?
How long will I have access to the training modules?
Do you offer Enterprise pricing for groups?
How can I get other questions about BOAT answered?
Here's What to Do Next
From here it's just finalizing the details. Click on the button below to get started.
Join BOAT today, and we'll show you the right way to build a strong fundraising program.
You will have instant access to on-demand fundraising lessons, samples, and templates, with more released each week for 10 weeks (a $1,500 value).
PLUS, you'll get:
☑ LIVE Group Cohort Sessions (a $1,300 value)
☑ Access to the Petrus Development Bonus Library (a $3,000 value)
☑ A 60-minute, 1:1 strategy session with a fundraising coach (a $150 value)
That is a total value of $5,950, but you get it all for just $1,500!
Sound good?
Join Basic Online Advancement Training TODAY!
(P.S. Hurry, registration closes Friday, October 4 unless cohort seats are filled first)
