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How non-profit CEOs can raise more money without lots of time, a big network or feeling like you are begging
Introducing The Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge
Are you a non-profit CEO struggling to raise significant funds? Do you feel like you’re constantly juggling day-to-day tasks, leaving little time to focus on building real, lasting donor relationships? Maybe you’re unsure where to start with fundraising, who to approach, or how to ask for money without feeling awkward or uncomfortable?
The Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge is here to help you change that.
Philanthropy: Your Pathway to Freedom
Philanthropy isn’t just about raising money; it’s about unlocking the freedom you need to lead your organisation with purpose and vision. When you master philanthropy, you gain access to unrestricted funding that allows you to stop worrying about survival and focus on scaling your impact. No more chasing short-term grants or worrying about next month’s budget—philanthropy gives you the freedom to plan long-term, invest in your team, and pursue the bold initiatives that will truly transform your organisation and the lives of the people you serve.
The Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge is designed to help you build that pathway to freedom, step by step.
For many non-profit CEOs, raising money from philanthropy feels like a constant uphill battle. You’re navigating the complexities of who to reach out to, unsure about the right way to pitch, and all the while battling the discomfort that comes with asking for large donations. It’s easy to feel like you’re begging, or that you don’t have the right network to access high-net-worth individuals. Plus, with the daily demands of running an organisation, finding time to focus on fundraising often feels impossible. These challenges are exactly why so many leaders struggle to tap into the potential of philanthropy, despite knowing it’s the most powerful source of funding for their mission. The Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge helps you break through these barriers, giving you the tools and confidence to successfully raise more money without the overwhelm.
100+ Satisfied Non-Profit CEOs:
Why it works:
No theory - just proven action steps that get results
The Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge works because it’s built on a proven, step-by-step system designed specifically for busy non-profit CEOs like you. It cuts through the complexity of fundraising by giving you clear, actionable steps that lead directly to results. Here’s why it’s so effective:
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Real-World Experience: The framework is based on years of personal experience raising millions from philanthropists. It’s been tested and refined with over 100 non-profit leaders completing the course.
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Focus on Action, Not Theory: This challenge is all about taking action. Each day’s content includes practical, hands-on steps you can implement immediately, so you’ll start making progress right away—no fluff, just what works.
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Tailored for Busy CEOs: The daily content is bite-sized, designed to fit into your busy schedule. You don’t need hours of free time, a huge network, or complicated strategies. You’ll gain practical tools that help you raise money faster and more effectively.
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Accountability and Support: Weekly group coaching calls and a vibrant community of peers keep you motivated and on track. Plus, the 1:1 Success Call ensures you’re getting the personalised guidance you need to succeed.
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A Holistic Approach: Fundraising isn’t just about the ask; it’s about building meaningful relationships and presenting your mission in a way that excites donors. This challenge equips you with the skills to do both, creating long-term impact and financial sustainability.
By the end of the six weeks, you’ll have a repeatable system that makes fundraising easier, more effective, and even enjoyable. That’s why it works.
What you get when you join the challenge
When you join the Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge, you’re stepping into a comprehensive, six-week programme designed to get you raising more money from philanthropy with confidence and clarity.
You’ll receive daily bite-sized insights that you can easily fit into your schedule, giving you actionable steps to improve your fundraising skills in real-time. Each week, we’ll come together for live group coaching calls where you can ask questions, get feedback, and stay accountable to your progress. You’ll also gain access to a range of practical tools like pitching cheat sheets, outreach templates, and asking scripts to make your fundraising efforts easier and more effective.
With the added bonus of joining a community of like-minded non-profit leaders, you’ll have everything you need to unlock the power of philanthropy and take your organisation’s impact to new heights.
Daily actionable lessons
Receive daily actionable lessons to guide you step by step on the journey to raising more money.
Weekly Group Coaching
Keep yourself accountable with our weekly group coaching calls. Share successes and learnings with the other members and ask any questions you have.
Exclusive tools & templates
Receive a range of tools proven to improve the fundraising process and enhance donor engagement. You'll get email templates, pitch templates, accountability group chats and more.
Bonuses:
- Asking Cheat Sheet: so you can turn nice conversations into support
- Accountability WhatsApp group: to share challenges and successes
- Onwards App: Watch content anywhere you have your phone or laptop
- Exclusive: Philanthropy Q&A Sessions with our Founder Darren
Join the next cohort
100% money-back guarantee
Join the next cohort
We're looking for 8 non-profits
You're closer than you think to a fundraising breakthrough
This is your moment. If you’re tired of the uncertainty, the stress, and the constant pressure to secure funding, the Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge is the step-by-step path to get you there. You don’t need a huge network or years of experience—just the right guidance and proven tools.
Imagine what it would feel like to confidently approach philanthropists, knowing exactly how to share your vision and inspire their support. Imagine the freedom to focus on your mission, rather than constantly worrying about where the next donation will come from.
You’re closer than you think to raising the funds your organisation needs to grow, thrive, and make an even bigger impact. All it takes is the right strategy and the decision to start now.
Don't wait for the "perfect time"—it doesn’t exist.
Take action today and join a group of like-minded leaders who are ready to transform their fundraising and unlock the power of philanthropy.
Our Clients' Success Stories
CEOs just like you have raised hundreds of thousands of euros using our methods. See how they’ve transformed their organizations by unlocking philanthropic support.
Helping Helium Arts raise an additional €250k
After struggling to secure donations, Helium Art's non-profit transformed its approach through the 6-week challenge, resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders. resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders.
"Darren's support has given me the knowledge and confidence to use my existing network to find high net worth donors, where I thought I had none. The course and the ongoing support through the Momentum group coaching over the past year is directly responsible for us raising a quarter of a million euro over three years."
Helene Hugel
Helium Arts
Additional funds raised
Improving The B!G Idea's fundraising strategy
After struggling to secure donations, Helium Art's non-profit transformed its approach through the 6-week challenge, resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders. resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders.
"Darren's support has given me the knowledge and confidence to use my existing network to find high net worth donors, where I thought I had none. The course and the ongoing support through the Momentum group coaching over the past year is directly responsible for us raising a quarter of a million euro over three years."
Kim Mackenzie-Doyle
The B!G Idea
Additional funds raised
Revitalising Grow Remote's Stagnant Fundraising Strategy
After struggling to secure donations, Helium Art's non-profit transformed its approach through the 6-week challenge, resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders. resulting in a 50% increase in donor engagement and successful pitches to major funders.
"Darren's support has given me the knowledge and confidence to use my existing network to find high net worth donors, where I thought I had none. The course and the ongoing support through the Momentum group coaching over the past year is directly responsible for us raising a quarter of a million euro over three years."
Miriam Spollen
Grow Remote
Additional funds raised
Client Testimonials
Check out our client testimonials. We pride ourselves on our ability do deliver exceptional results.
"Darren's practical and demystifying knowledge of Philanthropy is second to none. It gives me great confidence as a leader and philanthropic fundraiser to have him in my circle."
Kim Mackenzie-Doyle
The B!G Idea
Additional funds raised
"For anyone looking to deepen their understanding of philanthropy or to make a meaningful impact, Darren's guidance and the Kickstart Challenge are invaluable."
Miriam Spollen
Connections Arts Centre
Additional funds raised
"I believe that Darren Ryan is the most important and impactful person in social enterprise in Ireland today."
Tracy Keogh
Grow Remote
Additional funds raised
As a graduate of Darren’s Philanthropy Course, I can certainly recommend it to others. Darren has tremendous expertise and his commitment to supporting non-for-profit leaders to be successful in the area of philanthropy is very inspiring and enabling.
Caoimhe de Barra
CEO Trócaire
Additional funds raised
"Darren's support has given me the knowledge and confidence to use my existing network to find high net worth donors, where I thought I had none."
Helene Hugel
Helium Arts
Additional funds raised
"Since completing the course, our fundraising success rate has increased substantially. I’d highly recommend the Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge to any non-profit leader looking to significantly boost their fundraising efforts!"
Kris Healy
CEO Spadework
Additional funds raised
Limited-time offer
100% Money-Back Guarante
Course Guarantee
We're so sure that you will love the course that we're happy to offer it to you with zero risk. If you don't love it after the three weeks, just let us know and we will refund the full course fee. No hard feelings.
Results Guarantee
We do this work because we believe it brings results. If you apply the lessons and don't raise 10x your investment in the year following the course, we will refund the full course fee.
Meet the Team
Your Philanthropy Guide:
Darren Ryan, founder of Onwards, is your guide for this journey. Darren has raised millions in philanthropic funding across the USA, UK, and Ireland. He has also spent years as a funder, hearing pitches and allocating resources to high-impact non-profits.
As a former leader of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and The Ireland Funds, board member of Philanthropy Ireland, and seasoned fundraiser, Darren knows what it takes to build meaningful donor relationships and secure transformative funding.
Through daily lessons Darren will give you his step-by-step roadmap to raising money from philanthropy.
Your Philanthropy Coach:
Mark McDonnell is the Head Coach at Onwards. Mark was formerly the CEO at The Soar Foundation and knows first-hand the challenges of raising money for your cause while juggling the day to day demands of running a non-profit. Mark worked closely with Darren to implement the lessons in the Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge, transforming their fundraising approach and getting incredible results. Now he is supporting others to do the same.
Mark is a highly experienced coach and facilitator. Through weekly group coaching sessions, Mark will coach you to deepen the learning and get the most out of the course. He will help you to overcome the personal blocks to progress and connect deeply with the other non-profit CEOs in the community.
Mark will also provide a 1:1 Success Coaching Call with every participant after the course finishes.
Get Started Today
We're looking for non-profit CEOs to join the next cohort of the Philanthropy Kickstart Challenge.
The course will launch on the 24th of October and run for six weeks. Weekly group coaching calls will be held on Thursdays at 4pm GMT / 11am EST / 8am PST.