Book a funding speaker who leaves the room with a plan
Cherrise Wilks speaks to nonprofit teams, business associations, and public agencies about funding education and capital readiness — in plain language, with the next step named. A highly-rated motivational speaker with 20+ years as a public administrator and businesswoman, she is the founder of Affinity Consulting Group NEFL and The Fund Finders® Academy, and hosts the upcoming Beyond Bootstrapping® Podcast.
As seen in Bold Journey and Orlando Voyager
On stage
Recent speaking engagements
Signature topics
Unlocking Funding Secrets: Strategies for Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs
A practical tour of the capital paths open to a growing business, and how to judge which is worth pursuing.
Beyond Bootstrapping®: An Introduction to Business Credit
How business credit is built and read by a lender, and the sequence owners should follow before they borrow.
Relationships As Currency: Mastering the Power of Strategic Relationships in Business
How agencies, businesses, and funders structure partnerships that keep capital in the community.
Bounce Back Stronger: Building a Crisis-Proof Lifestyle Business
Planning practices that keep an organization funded and steady when conditions change.
AI in Government: Streamlining Services and Transforming Public Impact
What public administrators and their partners need to know about using AI responsibly in service delivery.
Formats
- Conference keynote, 45 to 60 minutes
- Half-day or full-day workshop
- Board or staff training session
- Panel appearance or moderation
- Virtual webinar for distributed audiences
Speaking fees
Every engagement includes planning time and materials. Final pricing depends on format, travel, and audience size.
1-hour workshop
$2,500 – $5,000
Keynote address
$5,000 – $10,000
Half-day seminar
$10,000 – $25,000
Full-day seminar
$30,000 – $100,000
Free financial planning tool
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You cannot fund a number you have never seen. Here are 25 costs nobody warned you about.