The Refresher Course Content
 

Session One (Lessons 1 - 10):

Basic Tricks & Techniques

The lessons in this session review some of the basics of the Gifthorse Conspiracy including its origins, terminology, types and styles of grantmaking and a few of the trusty tricks that have served to strengthen the Conspiracy over the years. It is not exhaustive, but then who wants to be exhausted.

Lesson # 1:     Gifthorse Conspiracy Theories

Lesson # 2:     Euphemisms ‘R’ Us

Lesson # 3:     Father No’s Best 

Lesson # 4:     The Who, Where, When, How, What & Why of                                 Gifthorse Grantmaking

Lesson # 5:     Home, Home on the Range

Lesson # 6:     The Gifthorse Courtship Dance

Lesson # 7:     The Sugar Cube Satchel

Lesson # 8:     Inside the Gifthorse Mind: Playing our Slots

Lesson # 9:     Sneers for Peers

Lesson # 10:   Disarming Diversions


Session Two (Lessons 11 - 20): 

The 10 Commitments:

Whines, Whispers & Wild Gifthorses

This session is the most demanding but also the most urgent of all of our studies. Each of the ten lessons addresses one of the 10 Commitments that hold the Conspiracy together, that makes us who we are. We hear what many grantseekers and fundraisers are saying about the Commitments; what they Whine and Whisper when we’re out of earshot. Our Course Instructor explains how we can neighsay these naysayers. We also learn how to spot Wild Gifthorses, the traitors to the Conspiracy who have grown in number to the point that they pose a threat. 

The 10 Commitments Handy Handout

Lesson # 11:     Trying to Make a Long Story Short

Lesson # 12:     Trying to Make a Short Story Long

Lesson # 13:     McProjects 

Lesson # 14:     Nice Niche:  We're Down But Not Out

Lesson # 15:     The Pity Principle

Lesson # 16:     Fatal Attraction: Keeping our Options Closed

Lesson # 17:     We Hold These Myths to be Self-Evident

Lesson # 18:     Change is as Good as a Rest

Lesson # 19:     Gonna Find Out Who’s Naughty or Nice

Lesson # 20:     Alms Control Agreements & Other Terms of
                          Endearment


Session Three (Lessons 21 - 30):

     Our Good Friends at the Trough

The ten lessons in this session introduce us to our many friends; the people and grantseekers which feed off and perpetuate the Conspiracy even though they’re on the outside grazing in. They desperately need us. It pains us to admit that we also need them, so we won’t.

You'll also get a sneak preview of the Conspiracy's plan for world Donor Domination.

Lesson # 21:     The Silken Solicitors

Lesson # 22:     Project Puppies & Pirates

Lesson # 23:     Tender is the Fight

Lesson # 24:     Grave Misgivings

Lesson # 25:     Passion Players

Lesson # 26:     The Grim & Determined

Lesson # 27:     Grant Hoppers & Rent-A-Brains

Lesson # 28:     The Scribe Tribe 

Lesson # 29:     Cash Trash

Lesson # 30:     Groupthink-Lip Sync - Our future as the 
                          Lowest Common Dominator


The Conspiracy Com
pliance Checklist

Spot your own Wild Gifthorse tendencies from among 80+ Wild donor behaviours


*Wild Gifthorse:

A Wild Gifthorse is a grantmaker, donor or philanthropist which has broken one or more of the sacred 10 Commitments. Wild Gifthorses mistakenly believe that the greatest impediment to effective social betterment, development and change are the flaws in the way that funds flow from donors to those engaged in these efforts. They exhibit 80+ separate Wild behaviours, all of which are exposed in Lessons 11-20 and in the Conspiracy Compliance Checklist.



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