Courses & Seminars

Our founder, Dr. Henry Rosso, defined fundraising as “the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.” This course goes beyond the specific tools and techniques of fundraising to teach the “amazing skills” of fundraising such as active listening, empathy, emotional intelligence, and additional others-focused skills that are central to connecting with donors and understanding their motivations.

Successful fundraising is an ongoing process. As you continue to identify new donors, you also need to maintain good relations with current donors and encourage them to repeat and increase their giving. Learn and strengthen the fundraising skills that can sustain your organization including direct mail, online giving, major gifts and special events.

Raise more money by receiving more major gifts. Consistent donors can become major donors when you effectively implement the Eight-Step Major Gifts Management Cycle. Identify and utilize your own communication strengths when meeting with donors to develop major gifts and increase your fundraising success.

You have developed significant fundraising skills, and now you have been promoted to lead the fundraising team. Especially for the new leader or the fundraising executive aspiring for a leadership position, in this course, you will learn how to develop and cast vision for your fundraising operation, recruit and retain talent, continually innovate, lead through consensus, address setbacks, and hold colleagues accountable for results.

Discover the keys to successfully planning a fundraising campaign. This course explores capital, endowment, comprehensive, and project-based campaigns. You will navigate the decision-making process, considering the "why" and "why not" factors, and uncover intangible benefits for your organization, beyond finances. Learn how to engage stakeholders effectively, utilizing proven strategies and tools to design, implement, and manage campaigns. You will gain practical skills that you can apply within your nonprofit context.

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. This course serves as the foundation for the rest of the curriculum. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a digital copy of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, fifth edition, the go-to reference for fundraising principles, concepts, and techniques.

Fundraising success depends on organization-wide efforts from the leadership of the board to the dedication of front-line staff. This course focuses on the role the board plays in fundraising and how to best structure the organization to support this role. Board members and staff will work collaboratively to develop an action plan to improve the culture of philanthropy in your organization, improve board recruitment and training, and ensure the organization has a solid case for support. We recommend that a staff person and a board member attend together but it’s not a requirement for the course.