Artful Askers exists to empower faith-based and community organizations with the knowledge, tools, expertise, and skills to access money and other resources to meet needs in their community. "Philanthropy is the 'art' of connecting a cheerful giver and a grateful recipient by an 'artful' ask."  Accessing money is not a secret--it's a "process" and the process is based entirely upon proven principles that work whether you believe them or not. Most people don't know what they don't know but if you follow the process, it works. Working with nonprofits, community leaders, churches, Board Members, and others interested in meeting community needs, we have taught more than 24,000 doers and more than 850 donors to engage the process for themselves--no need to hire a consultant. The process applies in every situation. Regardless of the amount of money you are looking for or what the need is, if you follow the process, your need will be met. However, don't use religious words--show the social value of what you are doing and the benefit to people in your community. We teach the entire process in a one-day workshop, on DVD, and through webinars online: Leveraging through gleaners; Being ready to receive; Sharing your vision in a 3- to 5-page written document (following very strict format/content guidelines); Assessing, engaging in, and stewarding the connections and relationships around you; and BEing and DOing your part. . .

Artful Askers 1-Day Workshop            Building Relationships With Funders and Resources:       - Workshops start at 8:30 OR 9:00 am (doors open 30 minutes prior).       - All workshops end at 4:00 or 4:30 pm.       - Pre-Registration via PayPal (preferred) OR by check mailed (5 days in advance).             (or send e-mail confirming attendance and pay cash/check at door).       - Non Pre-Registered walk-ups paying cash/check IF space/materials allow.       - You leave the workshop with everything you need to engage in the process. 1st quarter 2009 workshops posted on January 1, 2009.

Not a workshop close to you? Don't travel and spend money on an airline ticket, motel, and time away. . . WEBINARS: Live! ONLINE    Join a 90-minute webinar!         12:00 noon to 1:30 pm CST        Building Relationship with Funders        To Pre-Register or for more information, Click HERE New webinars are posted regularly as needed. Stay at your home or office and on your phone and learn this entire process for yourself! Speaking engagements and workshops for contracted groups are NOT always open/posted. DVD of a full, one-day workshop available today only $99! Order it today, receive it in a few days, and watch it with your Board or another nonprofit or church in your area!

THE Key to success in accessing resources to meet the needs in your community is following and engaging in a relationship process--with corporations, foundations, individuals, churches, state- and federal-sources, and other entities around you. Building a relationship on respect, honor, gratefulness, positive words, order, other-orientation, grace, and common interests, among other qualities--much like any other relationship. To read an overview of the process taught, Click HERE. Artful Askers DVD--ONLY $99! In this DVD series of an actual workshop, you will learn that money is never THE problem and money is never THE solution. You must be ready to receive, record your vision, identify and steward all relationships around you, engage, follow-through/follow-up and learn to leverage your resources and relationships to build community. These steps are starting points–the MOST important thing you must do is learn to work together with others including your Board! You will also learn quickly that you don’t know what you don’t know. BUT, by the end of the 4 sessions, you will KNOW it and will be empowered to engage! Our MOST Popular Products and Services: 1. DVD Artful Askers Series (actual workshop). Info--Click HERE      (most people can engage in process after watching/attending)  2. Topic-Specific CDs of Sample Grant Proposals. Info--Click HERE  3. Complimentary Templates and Articles. Info--Click HERE  4. 50+ Topic-Specific Samples. Click HERE  5. A One Day Workshop in Your City. Info--Click HERE  6. 18-Hours (focused time to you/your org). Info--Click HERE

Ask, and it will be given. Seek, and you will find. Want to help nonprofits and churches in your community? Schedule and Host a workshop for your community! Click HERE if you are interested in learning more about Hosting a workshop.   If I can build and maintain this website, you can do one for your church, ministry, faith-based or community nonprofit organization, too. Be YOUR own webmaster! Interested? Click HERE!  This website is updated daily! Bob Vickers and Artful Askers P.O. Box 1225 • Warrensburg, MO 64093 • (660) 747-6390 C.S.T. Send us an e-mail--Click HERE