The Fundraising School

The Principles and Techniques of Fundraising course provides the foundation and inspiration to achieve an organization’s financial goals. This course presents the total framework for operating an accomplished fund development program.

Maximize your fundraising success through this timeless course that teaches the tried-and-true practical skills of effective fundraising. Strengthen your fundraising abilities by learning proven fund development tools, and draft a specific fundraising plan to grow your organization.

The course covers the foundational concepts of fundraising, including donor motivations, different fundraising strategies including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation fundraising, events, and crowdfunding, while also delving into ethical practices, case statement development, stewardship, and effective solicitation techniques across various channels.

Certificates: Fund Raising Management

This course is 1 of 4 required to earn the Certificate of Fund Raising Management. The certificate will be awarded upon successful completion of all 4 courses.

You must successfully complete all 4 courses and all related assignments in order to earn the Certificate of Fund Raising Management.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Fundraising

• What is fundraising and its importance for non-profit organizations
• The fundraising ecosystem: donors, foundations, corporations, volunteers
• Ethical principles in fundraising
• Key terms and concepts in fundraising (e.g., donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) 

Module 2: Understanding Donor Motivations

• Psychological factors influencing giving
• Different types of donors (e.g., philanthropic, cause-related, transactional)
• Identifying donor interests and values 

Module 3: Developing a Fundraising Strategy

• Identifying fundraising goals and objectives
• Conducting a needs assessment and market research
• Creating a comprehensive fundraising plan

Module 4: Annual Giving Programs

• Direct mail appeals
• Email solicitation
• Online giving platforms
• Telemarketing 

Module 5: Major Gifts Fundraising

• Identifying potential major donors
• Building relationships with major donors
• Preparing a personalized case statement
• Making the “ask” for a major gift. 

Module 6: Planned Giving

• Estate planning options (e.g., wills, trusts, annuities)
• Identifying potential planned giving donors
• Strategies for cultivating planned giving prospects 

Module 7: Corporate and Foundation Fundraising

• Researching potential corporate and foundation funders
• Crafting proposals to fit funder guidelines
• Building relationships with corporate and foundation staff 

Module 8: Special Events Fundraising

• Types of fundraising events (e.g., galas, walks, auctions)
• Event planning and logistics
• Maximizing event revenue and donor engagement 

Module 9: Crowdfunding

• Different crowdfunding platforms
• Developing a compelling crowdfunding campaign,
• Utilizing social media for crowdfunding promotion. 

Module 10: Donor Stewardship

• Importance of post-donation communication
• Acknowledging donations and providing updates on impact
• Building long-term relationships with donors