Question 1

What should a development director do in their first year?

Accepted Answer

In their first year, a development director should: (1) Audit the existing fundraising program across five key areas: donor retention rates, revenue mix, communication cadence, systems and CRM, and board engagement; (2) Understand what you inherited before making any asks or launching new initiatives; (3) Build a 12-month fundraising plan with monthly revenue benchmarks; (4) Establish stewardship touchpoints before solicitation; (5) Create systems for donor retention and board engagement. The most important first step is understanding what you actually have, not guessing based on assumptions. Most new development directors spend their first six months guessing when the answers are sitting in their CRM, bank statements, and board minutes.

Question 2

How do I audit a nonprofit development program?

Accepted Answer

A development program audit reviews five core areas: (1) Donor Data Health — retention rates, average gift size, lapsed donor percentage, and donor pyramid structure; (2) Revenue Mix — which channels produce money and where you're overdependent; (3) Communication Cadence — how often donors hear from you and what they hear; (4) Systems & CRM — what your database can tell you right now; (5) Board Engagement — whether your board fundraises or avoids it. The Development Program Diagnostic is a free worksheet that walks you through each area in about 20 minutes, providing a clear picture of where you're starting without requiring you to fix anything while you're doing it.

Question 3

What is The Development Director's First Year course?

Accepted Answer

The Development Director's First Year is a self-paced online course built by Kyle Conner, CFRE, for first-year development directors at small and mid-sized nonprofits. It covers nine modules across three acts: Act I (Diagnose), Act II (Build), and Act III (Execute). The course includes 50 lessons, 26 downloadable templates and worksheets, 9 module quizzes, and 1 bonus video. It teaches five signature frameworks: the Development Program Diagnostic, the Shiny Object Filter, the Fundraising Menu, the Monthly Giving Floor, and the 48-Hour Window. The course is $197 (or 2 payments of $99) and can be completed in 6-8 weeks at your own pace with lifetime access.

Question 4

How long does it take to complete the course?

Accepted Answer

The course is self-paced with no time limits. Most people complete it in 6–8 weeks, working a few hours per week. Each of the nine modules takes roughly one week to complete. However, the modules map to a 12-month timeline, so you can also work through them in real time as your first year unfolds. You have lifetime access and can revisit modules anytime. There are no deadlines or pressure — you move at your own pace.

Question 5

Is this course right for me if I'm not at a small nonprofit?

Accepted Answer

The course is built specifically for development directors at small and mid-sized nonprofits — organizations where you're expected to build or rebuild a fundraising program, often with limited staff and resources. The frameworks apply across mission types (healthcare, education, social services, etc.). If you're at a large institution with a fully-staffed development team and established systems, this course may not be the right fit. However, if you're an ED wearing the fundraising hat or a development director who inherited a mess, this course will help.

Question 6

What is a CFRE?

Accepted Answer

CFRE stands for Certified Fund Raising Executive. It is the only globally recognized, accredited certification for fundraising professionals. To earn a CFRE, professionals must demonstrate 5+ years of fundraising experience, pass a comprehensive exam, and commit to ethical fundraising standards. It demonstrates expertise in fundraising strategy, donor relations, nonprofit management, and ethical practice. Kyle Conner, the course instructor, is a CFRE with 10+ years in the nonprofit sector and 6 years as a development director.

Question 7

What frameworks are included in the course?

Accepted Answer

The course includes five signature frameworks: (1) The Development Program Diagnostic — a structured 60-day audit across five areas; (2) The Shiny Object Filter — four questions to kill bad fundraising ideas fast; (3) The Fundraising Menu — board engagement without guilt, with 12 structured ways to support fundraising; (4) The Monthly Giving Floor — calculate the monthly recurring revenue that covers baseline operating costs; (5) The 48-Hour Window — a protocol for what to do in the first two days after a gift to maximize retention. Each framework is built on real-world experience and can be applied immediately to your organization.

Question 8

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

Accepted Answer

After completing this course, you will have: (1) A completed audit of your current fundraising program; (2) A written 12-month fundraising plan with monthly revenue benchmarks; (3) A donor segmentation map and stewardship calendar; (4) A 12-month editorial calendar with draft appeal letters; (5) A corporate sponsorship package and list of first 10 prospects; (6) A grant calendar with deadlines and draft letter of inquiry; (7) A board fundraising menu with signed commitment letters; (8) A monthly giving program with calculated revenue floor; (9) A year-end campaign plan with segmented asks. These nine deliverables form the infrastructure of a functioning fundraising program.

Question 9

What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

All sales are final. There are no refunds. However, the course includes lifetime access, so you can take your time and revisit modules as needed. If you have questions before purchasing, email Kyle directly at kyle@kyleconner.dev and he will respond personally.

You Just Got t

What the Diagnostic covers.

Donor Data Health

Revenue Mix

Communication Cadence

Systems & CRM

Board Engagement

Kyle Conner, CFRE

See what you actually inherited.