Mockingbird Incubator Fundraising Intensive
A four-week deep dive into fundraising for organizations ready to build a real development program.
Applications for this online program are not yet open. Sign up for the waitlist to be notified when applications open in Summer 2026.
ABoUt the program:
If you have been running your nonprofit for a while, you already know that the work of sustaining an organization never really stops. Fundraising in a way that is strategic, sustainable, and not entirely dependent on one grant or one donor is the real challenge.
The Mockingbird Incubator Fundraising Intensive was created for organizations that have moved past survival mode and are ready to build. Over four weeks, our team will guide you through a comprehensive fundraising framework: from donor psychology and individual giving strategy, to institutional funding and long-term sustainability planning.
We welcome 20 organizations per cohort. Each week includes a two-hour live online workshop, plus optional homework and reading materials to help you apply what you are learning directly to your work.
This program is presented in partnership with Givebutter. To be considered, you need to have a Givebutter account. Use this link to create an account.
Is this program for you?
This intensive is designed for nonprofit organizations that are ready to go deep into fundraising strategy. Specifically, this is for you if:
Your organization is at least 1 year old and has a strong track record of program delivery.
Your annual budget is between $50,000 and $500,000
You are a 501(c)(3) organization or operating under fiscal sponsorship
You are incorporated and operating in the United States
You are ready to commit to building or strengthening your fundraising program
pROGRAM COMMITMENT:
This is a four-week program. We meet once a week for two hours. That is a total of eight hours of live instruction over the course of the program.
We also provide optional homework assignments and reading materials each week to help you apply what you are learning. We ask that you show up to each session, come prepared, and actively participate throughout.
What Is included:
Four live online workshops on fundraising strategy and development
Optional homework assignments and curated reading materials each week
Workshop recordings and supplementary resources on our digital learning platform
Lifetime discounted access to all additional Mockingbird events and trainings
Access to our network of nonprofit professionals and growing alumni community
2026 Program Curriculum and Schedule
The Fundraising Intensive will take place in the summer of 2026. Our first cohort will start on July 24, 2026 and runs for four (4) consecutive weeks, ending on August 14, 2026. Additional dates are TDB.
Our cohort meets on Fridays from 10 AM to 12 PM (PST) // 1 PM to 3 PM (EST). We reserve the right to change the order and dates of the workshops. The program topics include:
Week 1: Strategic Fundraising Framework
Week 2: Individual Giving Strategy and Donor Engagement
Week 3: Institutional Funding Strategies (Grants and Corporate Donors)
Week 4: Execution Planning, Systems, and Sustainability
Program Facilitators
Rachel M. Goldman, CNM, M.S.
Chief Financial Officer
Rachel joined Mockingbird Analytics in 2021 with over ten years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, enrichment coordinator, curriculum writer, and board member. Since beginning at Mockingbird, Rachel has raised over $40 million on behalf of nonprofit clients across the country through both private and public grant programs. A graduate of New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized and Drexel University’s Westphal College, she is passionate about helping nonprofits reach their goals through sustainable fundraising and financial planning. Rachel is also a proud City Year LA and TFA LA alum with particular interest in education, youth development, and arts & culture. In addition to her leadership at Mockingbird Analytics, Rachel serves as Mockingbird Incubator’s Chief Financial Officer, and leads the financial management of both the nonprofit and its fiscally sponsored projects.
Jessica Payne
Founder, Director of Research & Project Management
Jessica Payne is the founder and owner of Mockingbird Analytics, a community and non-profit research and evaluation company, which she comes to with a decade of research and evaluation project management experience in government, community and academic settings. She is also the co-founder of Mockingbird Incubator a nonprofit that provides incubation services to new and emerging nonprofits. Prior to founding Mockingbird, Jessica was the Research and Evaluation Manager for CASA of Los Angeles, where she managed large scale data system conversion projects with more than 500+ users, as well as all original research and strategic planning.
PAMELA Gutierrez
Founder, coo
Pamela joined the Mockingbird Analytics team in 2018, bringing with her a wealth of experience in finance and a passion for social impact. Before Mockingbird, she worked for over seven years in the financial sector in Colombia, specializing in Risk Management, Strategy Evaluation, and Portfolio Administration. Driven by a desire to apply her financial expertise to the social sector, Pamela moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California. This transition allowed her to blend her quantitative evaluation and financial analysis skills with her dedication to social change. As Chief Operating Officer at Mockingbird Analytics, Pamela supports the development of the organization and its clients by creating systems that enable nonprofits to grow.
LOOKING FOR training you can do at your own speed?
Start slow with our on-demand Nonprofit Management School program. Choose from a variety of recorded trainings, workshops, and checklists to get the ball rolling in your nonprofit.
FAQs
Who is this program for?
This intensive is designed for early-stage but established nonprofit organizations with a track record of work. To be eligible, your organization must be at least one year old, have an annual budget between $50,000 and $500,000, be a 501(c)(3) or operating under fiscal sponsorship, and be incorporated and operating in the United States.
Who is this program not for?
This program is not designed for brand-new organizations with no fundraising history. The topics covered are advanced and assume that participants have some existing organizational context to work from. If you are just getting started, we recommend our Nonprofit Incubator Program, or our self-paced courses on Introduction to Nonprofit Management instead. We also do not accept organizations based outside of the United States or that do not meet the budget eligibility requirements.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Annual budget between $50,000 and $500,000
501(c)(3) nonprofit or organization operating under fiscal sponsorship
At least one year of operation with a track record of community work
Incorporated and operating in the United States
Ready to commit to the full four-week program
Do I need to have participated in the Incubator Program first?
No. Prior participation in the Mockingbird Incubator Program is not required. The Fundraising Intensive is open to any eligible organization, whether or not they have been part of a previous Mockingbird cohort. Past Incubator participants are absolutely welcome to apply.
What does the curriculum cover?
Over four weeks, we cover the full arc of building a fundraising program: strategic planning and development frameworks in week one, individual giving and donor engagement in week two, institutional funding and grants in week three, and execution planning and sustainability in week four.
Is this program online?
Yes. All sessions are 100% online. You do not need to be based in any particular city to participate. Since we focus on U.S. nonprofit governance and fundraising practices, your organization must be incorporated and operating in the United States.
When does the program take place?
The Fundraising Intensive takes place in the Summer of 2026. For specific session dates, application deadlines, and times, please visit our main program page.
What is the program commitment?
This is a four-week program. Each week we hold one live online workshop that runs for two hours. In addition to the live sessions, we provide optional homework assignments and reading materials. We ask participants to attend every session and engage fully throughout the program.
How much does it cost?
Thanks to our partner Givebutter, the 20 selected organizations will receive a full scholarship to participate. There is no cost to apply or participate. To be considered for selection, you must have a Givebutter account. Create your free account here.
Can my team participate?
Program membership includes attendance of one member per organization for each workshop. Consistency across all four weeks is essential, so we encourage you to designate one primary participant who can commit to attending every session. If you would like additional team members to join, please contact us for more information.
Do you have more questions?
We would love to hear from you. Email us at info@mockingbirdincubator.org