Charity Growth
Mini MBA
By Better Story
The Charity Growth Mini MBA by Better Story is for senior leaders in the charity sector who want to experience sustainable growth for themselves and their organisations.
Your leadership touches almost every area of the charity, and all eyes are on you for vision, growth, and impact. We’ve been there, and know it is deeply rewarding but can also be challenging, draining and sometimes lonely.
The Charity Growth Mini MBA unlocks the knowledge and experience of Better Story’s 20-strong team of charity growth experts who provide fundraising, communications, and coaching services to charities of all sizes.
Whichever format you choose, you’ll come away with the tools and techniques needed to continue to grow yourself and your charity.
Formats
2 Day Intensive
March ’25, Bristol
We would love to host you in-person; getting to know you and your peers whilst learning fascinating content from charity experts.
Each session is approximately 1 hour long and there will be plenty of interaction and conversation in groups. You’ll go away full of ideas to transform your leadership and grow your charity.
Day 1
Welcome
Introductions
Session 1:
Setting a course for growth
Lunch
Session 2:
Creating High-Performing Teams: From Recruitment to Retention
Break
Session 3:
Building a Strategy to Raise Funds
Social Activities (Optional)
Day 2
Session 4:
Communicating for Growth
Break
Session 5:
Growing your income from UK trusts and foundations
Lunch
Session 6:
Starting and growing a Major Giving programme
Break
Group Coaching/ Feedback Session
Pricing
£900 paid in two instalments (includes lunch)
Accommodation not included
For leaders who value building in-person relationships and want to make fast progress away from the distractions of the home & office.
Why Bristol?
Bristol is not only a beautiful city full of creative energy, it’s a hub for the Better Story team and easy to access via road and rail.
Self-Paced Video Course
Launches in April ’25
Our bespoke online learning platform allows you to view recordings all 6 main sessions + 6 bonus sessions from the in-person mini-mba.
Packed with actionable content and advice to help you and your charity grow.
£500+ vat
For leaders who value self-paced reflective learning from anywhere in the world.
Join the waitlist to receive 10% discount on launch.
2 Day Intensive
June ’25, Malaga
We would love to host you in-person; getting to know you and your peers whilst learning fascinating content from charity experts.
Each session is approximately 1 hour long and there will be plenty of interaction and conversation in groups. You’ll go away full of ideas to transform your leadership and grow your charity.
Day 1
Welcome
Introductions
Session 1:
Setting a course for growth
Lunch
Session 2:
Creating High-Performing Teams: From Recruitment to Retention
Break
Session 3:
Building a Strategy to Raise Funds
Social Activities (Optional)
Day 2
Session 4:
Communicating for Growth
Break
Session 5:
Growing your income from UK trusts and foundations
Lunch
Session 6:
Starting and growing a Major Giving programme
Break
Group Coaching/ Feedback Session
Pricing
£900 paid in two installments (includes lunch)
Accommodation not included
For leaders who value building in-person relationships and want to make fast progress away from the distractions of the home & office.
Why Malaga?
If you factor in budget air travel, food and accommodation, you’ll spend less attending this course in Malaga than you would in the UK (do tell your Trustees this!)
It’s also where two of the Better Story team live (we’re not jealous at all)
Oh and it will probably be a perfect 28 degrees 🏖️
6 Month Online Learning Community
September ’25, Online
Format
2 hour virtual meeting at the start of the month consisting of:
Main session (1 hour)
Guided reflection over coffee (Optional. 30 mins)
Bonus session (Optional. 30 mins)
1 hour group coaching session mid-month consisting of:
Reflecting on learning
Action planning
Building relationships with your peers on the course
Pricing
£150pm for 6 months
For leaders who value a learning community and time between session to make real progress
Syllabus
September 2025
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Setting a course for growth
Leading with vision
Getting your team bought in
Involving your beneficiaries (co-design)
Strategic goal-setting and planning
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
How to lead in the Charity Sector without burning out, by Patrick Regan OBE
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session
October 2025
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Creating High-Performing Teams: From Recruitment to Retention
Finding the right people
Making moments
Keeping things fair
Becoming psychologically informed
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
How to make the best of LinkedIn
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session
November 2025
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Building a Strategy to Raise Funds
Creating a theory of change.
Designing fundable programmes.
Setting a budget which will deliver your vision
Forming your fundraising strategy
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Collaborative Leadership by Dr Kate Coleman
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session
December 2025
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Communicating for Growth
Key components of a comms strategy
Emails that increase engagement
Mass fundraising campaign tactics
Social media: how to focus your efforts
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Good use of A.I for charities
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session
January 2026
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Growing your income from UK trusts and foundations
Writing an inspiring case for support
Prospecting 101
Components of a successful fundraising application
Managing the pipeline
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Impact Measurement
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session
February 2026
Start of Month
10-11am Main session:
Starting and growing a Major Giving programme
Prospecting major donors
Secrets of an outstanding major donor event
How and when to make the ask
Cultivating organisations’ buy-in
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Raising money from US Trusts
Mid-Month
10-11am Peer growth session (presentation of Charity Mini MBA certificates)
We know how busy you are. So we have designed a course that maximises learning, impact and community, with an optimal time commitment.
Whichever format suits you best, our experienced course leaders will guide you through vision, strategy, fundraising, communications, impact, wellbeing and more in a way that’s relatable and actionable.
The Charity Growth Mini MBA unlocks the knowledge and experience of Better Story’s 20-strong team of charity growth experts who provide fundraising, communications, and coaching services to charities of all sizes.
Register your interest to be the first to hear more information and get your application in.
At the end of the course, you will have the knowledge, strategies and peer community needed to continue to grow your charity for greater impact.
24/25 Course Syllabus
September 2024
Thursday 5 September
10-11am Main session:
Setting a course for growth
Leading with vision
Getting your team bought in
Involving your beneficiaries (co-design)
Strategic goal-setting and planning
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
How to lead in the Charity Sector without burning out, by Patrick Regan OBE
Thursday 19 September
10-11am Peer growth session
October 2024
Thursday 3 October
10-11am Main session:
Creating High-Performing Teams: From Recruitment to Retention
Finding the right people
Making moments
Keeping things fair
Becoming psychologically informed
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
How to make the best of LinkedIn
Thursday 17 October
10-11am Peer growth session
November 2024
Thursday 7 November
10-11am Main session:
Building a Strategy to Raise Funds
Creating a theory of change.
Designing fundable programmes.
Setting a budget which will deliver your vision
Forming your fundraising strategy
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Collaborative Leadership by Dr Kate Coleman
Thursday 21 November
10-11am Peer growth session
December 2024
Thursday 5 December
10-11am Main session:
Communicating for Growth
Key components of a comms strategy
Emails that increase engagement
Mass fundraising campaign tactics
Social media: how to focus your efforts
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Good use of A.I for charities
Thursday 19 December
10-11am Peer growth session
January 2025
Thursday 9 January
10-11am Main session:
Growing your income from UK trusts and foundations
Writing an inspiring case for support
Prospecting 101
Components of a successful fundraising application
Managing the pipeline
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Impact Measurement
Thursday 23 January
10-11am Peer growth session
February 2025
Thursday 6 February
10-11am Main session:
Starting and growing a Major Gift programme
Prospecting major donors
Secrets of an outstanding major donor event
How and when to make the ask
Cultivating organisations’ buy-in
11-11:30am Guided reflection over coffee (optional)
11:30am-12pm Bonus session (optional):
Raising money from US Trusts
Thursday 20 February
10-11am Peer growth session (presentation of Charity Mini MBA certificates)
Register your interest to be the first to hear more information and get your application in.
Testimonials
Your Course Leaders
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Karina has over 20 years’ experience as a charity founder, CEO and social venture leader. Skilled in strategy, project innovation and fundraising, she is passionate about helping charity leaders develop strong sustainable organisations that make a real difference to people's lives. Karina has a business Masters in Social Innovation and is involved with social impact work at her local church. She lives in Derbyshire with 1 husband, 2 cats and 3 chickens.
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Dan has years of experience as a CEO and fundraising manager for several internationally recognised non-profit organisations. He has raised millions of pounds for charities over the last 10 years. He is passionate about charities having the resources they need to multiply their impact, helping more people to 'live a better story'. He lives in Wiltshire with his two girls and labradoodle.
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Jason wants to make the world a better place and does this through helping charities secure resources, increase their impact and make positive change. He has worked in the third, housing and public sectors for two decades. In that time, he has secured millions in funding through competitive tendering processes and grants. Jason is also a non-executive director for Llais: Your Voice in Health and Social Care and Taff Housing Association. Outside of work, he loves spending time with his family and training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Investment
To be considered for the Charity Growth Mini MBA you need to be in a leadership position in a registered charity.
To make the most of the 6-month online course and contribute effectively to the community you’ll need to be available for at least half of the main sessions. You can delegate a team member in your place for up to two sessions.
Course Fees
6 month online course: £150 + vat per month for 6 months
2 day in-person course in Bristol or Malaga: £900 +vat (payment plans available).
Accommodation not included. We can recommend a convenient hotel.Self-paced online course: £450 + vat
If you’d like your senior leadership team to benefit from the Charity Growth Mini MBA, get in touch to explore a group discount or exclusive course just for your non-profit.
No prior qualifications are necessary. The Charity Growth Mini MBA is not a formal qualification.
Join the waitlist to be the first to hear more information and get your application in.