Leadership Gift School: Elevate Your Nonprofit's Philanthropy Program

Are you a nonprofit executive seeking to take your major gift philanthropy program to new heights? Look no further than Leadership Gift School (LGS). This transformative cohort-based program is designed exclusively for nonprofit CEOs and Development Directors who are committed to advancing their fundraising strategies and building highly trained teams.

JOIN A DYNAMIC LEARNING COMMUNITY

Leadership Gift School is designed for CEOs and Development Directors who want to work as true partners in advancing thei organization's philanthropic strategy.  Over five sessions, executive and development leaders learn together from experienced philanthropic practitioners, analyze real-world case studies, and engage their board to strengthen donor strategy, internal alignment, and leadership confidence.  At LGS, we believe that the power of collaboration and peer learning is unmatched. 

PROVEN SUCCESS

With a track record of success spanning over a decade, Leadership Gift School has graduated 275 nonprofit leaders from 109 organizations. Our program's excellence has been validated by an independent study conducted by UNC Charlotte, and features the direct participation of the experienced philanthropy leaders who serve on the IPL Board of Directors. When you join LGS, you become part of a powerful network of professionals who have unlocked the secrets to building and growing highly effective major gift philanthropy programs.

KEY FOCUS AREAS

Through LGS, you will gain the expertise needed to:

              • Increase individual giving and reduce reliance on corporate support.
              • Design and implement customized leadership gift strategies tailored to your organization.
              • Cultivate funding opportunities that attract major gifts from $10,000 to $1 million+
              • Foster long-term relationships with donors and grantors that lead to sustained funding.
              • Involve your board in philanthropic advocacy and action.
              • Foster a culture of ethical fundraising organization-wide.
              • Make major and leadership gift development a top priority for your nonprofit.

PROGRAM FEES

The LGS program costs $4,250 for each participating organization, which covers the CEO/ED and primary Development Director.  Additional members of the leadership team may participate for $500 each.

If you are ready to transform your nonprofit's philanthropy program, we invite you to complete the application form below to express your interest in attending a future cohort of Leadership Gift School (Cohort 14 began in January, 2026).
We prioritize a diverse group of nonprofits that are prepared to implement the established practices taught in our program. Join us and unlock the full potential of your organization's fundraising efforts.

AUDIENCE
CEOs and Development Directors are both required to participate in all sessions.
Board members are invited to attend two half-day sessions.
Applications are required to ensure a diverse group of nonprofits that are prepared
to implement the established practices.

Leadership Gift School Graduates
Click here to view our graduates through 2025
View Cohort 11 presentation clips here

APPLY HERE FOR COHORT 1: TRIANGLE

APPLY HERE FOR COHORT 15: CHARLOTTE