Fundraising Fundamentals

Who Should Enroll

• Early-Career Fundraising Professionals: Development coordinators, assistants, and other advancement professionals seeking to build the skills required for major gift and development leadership roles.
• Career Changers: Professionals from sales, marketing, communications, law, and related fields interested in transitioning into fundraising or nonprofit development.
• Nonprofit Leaders: Executive directors and other leaders of small and mid-sized organizations who oversee fundraising as part of a broader portfolio of responsibilities.
• Board Members and Volunteer Leaders: Individuals seeking a stronger understanding of fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and their role in supporting philanthropic success.

Program Benefits

Upon completion of the program, learners will be able to:

• Identify and qualify prospective donors using research, wealth and affinity data, and established prospect-management practices.
• Develop donor cultivation and moves-management strategies that guide prospects from initial engagement through solicitation and stewardship.
• Create compelling cases for support and donor proposals that align organizational priorities with donor interests and intent.
• Evaluate fundraising performance using financial and operational metrics, including return on investment and cost per dollar raised.
• Develop strategic fundraising plans incorporating goals, budgets, campaign gift tables, portfolio strategy, and volunteer leadership.
• Apply ethical, legal, and professional standards to gift solicitation, acceptance, management, and stewardship.

Eligibility and Requirements

A candidate in the program is awarded a specialized studies certificate upon the successful completion of two (2) required courses totaling 7 units with a grade of “C” or better. Find candidacy details for all certificate programs.