Working with ESC has impacted the growth of DIY Girls by helping me with my personal growth as a leader. In turn, we've been able to grow our annual budget from $550,000 to almost $1.5 million. It's been huge for our organization and has allowed us to grow our capacity to serve more student in the community.
Developing Development Program (DDP)
Developing Development Program (DDP)
About DDP
This year’s Developing Development Program (DDP) curriculum is designed to address both immediate fundraising needs and long-term strategies for lasting financial sustainability.
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What You'll Get
Developing Development Program (DDP) is a complete training and coaching experience for up to four members of your staff and board.
- Custom coaching for your team focused on driving a fund development and relationship-building strategy
- 6 training sessions for up to four staff and board members — you can rotate participants throughout the program
- Detailed assessment of your fund development program
- Relationship-building tools and creative practices to apply towards your long-term fund development goals
- A supportive and collaborative cohort of nonprofit peers
What You'll Learn
DDP will prepare you with practical tools to build a dynamic development strategy and learn how to seize opportunities for your organization. You and your team will learn how to map the path forward amid an evolving nonprofit landscape. Topics for DDP 2026 include:
- Building a team-based approach to fund development
- Engaging your board leadership in fund development
- Writing your fund development plan
- Developing your case for support
- Making the ask including how to motivate contributors to make “stretch gifts”
Coaching
Your organization will be matched with a skilled ESC consultant who will work with your team. As your coach, your consultant will provide a comprehensive Fund Development Assessment of your existing fund development program by completing a series of stakeholder interviews.
After analyzing your data, they will guide you through key development benchmarks for a diversified fundraising portfolio and, most importantly, support you in implementing a customized Fund Development Plan.
With the guidance of your consultant, you will complete various projects
throughout the program, including preparing to make “the ask” to key individual donors.
Peer Learning and Groupwork
You will join a diverse cohort of fellow nonprofit leaders and board members to form a supportive and confidential forum to share knowledge and personal experiences and to explore new strategies for dealing with challenging situations.
Together, you will learn to communicate your nonprofit’s evolving priorities and positive social impact to your supporters.
Participants will benefit from a flexible “learn on your schedule” approach, combined with group meetings that include peer learning and guidance from a dedicated coach.
In every session, there will be discussions about board roles, responsibilities, and expectations. We’ll also talk about how the board specifically fits into each of the topics we discuss.
Each session will also include time for coaches and clients to get together. Coaches and clients can also decide to meet in between sessions.
Class Training
Good stewardship depends on your entire team, not just one or two individuals.
Participants will explore diverse fund development topics focused on individual giving and sustainability.
Participants will also engage with an online curriculum that is designed to be flexible for working nonprofit professionals. With a mix of videos; panel discussions; recommending reading and podcast lists; this program serves to support a diverse array of learning styles and schedules.
We recommend that participants include the Executive Director, a development staff member, and at least one board member.
How It Works
Our program fees are determined on a sliding scale based on organizational budget size.
Under $1 million:
$5,000/organization
$1–5 million:
$7,000/organization
Over $5 million:
$8,500/participant
- Up to four staff and board members can attend each session of the 6-month program
- Fees will be due after acceptance into the program
Application Process
Program Starts March 2026
Apply through our online form below and contact Meghan Maloney, Director of Volunteers and Cohort Programs, at [email protected], (213) 613-9103 x 119 with any questions.
Upon receipt of application, you will be contacted to schedule a video interview via Zoom.
Ask about additional financial assistance that may be available for eligible organizations to reduce your program fees.
Training Sessions
DDP sessions will be held in-person at The California Endowment building in Downtown Los Angeles. Participants will engage with an online curriculum that is designed to be flexible for working nonprofit professionals. With a mix of videos; panel discussions; recommending reading and podcast lists; this program serves to support a diverse array of learning styles and schedules. These sessions will start from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. P.S.T. You may bring all four members to each session – We recommend that participants include the Executive Director, a development staff member, and at least one board member.
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Wednesday, July 22, 2026
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Want to Know More?
For more information, please contact Meghan Maloney, Director of Volunteers and Cohort Programs, at [email protected], (213) 613-9103 x 119.
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