Artful Askers exists to empower faith-based and community organizations with the knowledge, resources, tools, and expertise to access funding and other resources.  "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 people to engage in the process for themselves--no need to hire a consultant. The process we teach 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.  We teach the entire process in a one-day workshop: 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. . . Following is a list of upcomming workshops (added regularly).

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.  September 20, Saturday, East Brunswick, NJ           More info and/or Pre-Register, Click HERE   The DVD series of a "live" workshop is available for $99 (Click HERE). Speaking engagements and workshops for contracted groups are NOT always open/posted. 2008 dates are being scheduled/in process. DVD available today! Order it today and watch it with your Board or another nonprofit or church in your area!   Our MOST Popular Products and Services: 1. DVD Artful Askers Series (an actual workshop). Info--Click HERE      (most people can engage in the process themselves after watching/attending)  2. Topic-Specific CDs of Sample Grant Proposals. Info--Click HERE  3. Complimentary Templates and Articles FYI. Info--Click HERE  4. 50+ Complimentary Topic-Specific Samples. Click HERE  5. A One Day Workshop in Your City. Info--Click HERE  6. 18-Hours (of focused time dedicated to you/your org). Info--Click HERE   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! If you have an interest in gaining funds or other resources for a new or existing church or nonprofit, this workshop makes the process doable to you! Now! We offer a basin and towel to servants, nonprofit leaders, Pastors, Board Members, and ministry leaders. Our mission is to empower you to meet community needs—yourself by learning the process of accessing money and//or other resources.The DVD Series includes four sessions:      Session One: Paradigm Shift and Knowing What You Don’t Know      Session Two: Who are “They?” Knowing and Getting Ready to Receive       Session Three: Writing and Sharing Your Vision Document      Session Four: Researching and Engaging Through Approval OR Rejection Note: For greatest impact, view DVDs in order and in their entirety. Then, invite your Board, your staff, your key volunteers, and other nonprofit leaders to watch it and start collaborative efforts in your community!

Click HERE. Watch the DVD, get ready, and ENGAGE! Engage in relationships through approval AND rejection and much! Remember, once you attend an Artful Askers Workshop or purchase and watch the DVD--we don't charge anything to help and coach you. The more you help yourself, the more we help you! We believe what we teach: Money is not the problem--money is not the solution. Money is only one of the means that is utilized to meet needs.  Watch the DVD yourself--then, ask a Board Member, staff member, or a volunteer to watch it and work together. Afterwards, share it with another nonprofit leader to utilize. To order a DVD Series, Click HERE.  Further, several large publishers and denominations have done studies on our materials and have agreed that 75% to 85% of the people who purchase, read, and utilize the printed Artful Askers Workbook and a Samples Manual on CD can do this process without any additional help--our Workshops and Video Series enhance your opportunities even more! These concepts are ALL rooted in the Scriptures and are principles that are very simple to incorporate into various relationships-and we should do that with funders (and wife, husband, children, parents, pastor, neighbors, friends, etc!!!). And remember, once you have attended the Artful Askers Workshop and/or have purchased/watched the DVD series, we don't charge anything to help you and coach you through the process! However, if you are interested in retainers, Better yet, YOU schedule and Host a workshop for nonprofits and churches in your community! Click HERE if you are interested in learning more about Hosting a Workshop.

Ask, and it will be given. Seek, and you will find. 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! Bob Vickers and Artful Askers P.O. Box 1225 • Warrensburg, MO 64093 • (660) 747-6390 C.S.T.  contact us  Interested in knowing more? Our Artful Askers Workbook is FULL of information enlightening and empowering you to engage in this process. For example, over the next 20 years, one generation will transfer over 20 trillion dollars of wealth!!! $10,000,000,000,000 is estimated from intergenerational transfer of wealth. Another $10,000,000,000,000 will transfer without a “next generation!” According to the research, Churches, Faith-Based Organizations, and community groups doing good work are the least prepared to receive this blessing. The Artful Askers Workshop, DVD series, and Workbook is designed and taught to help you be "ready to receive," leverage your resources, engage with people to meet needs in your community, and teach you how to engage in an appropriate relationship with a funder.