Fundraising Campaigns: From Capital to Comprehensive
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.
Certificates: Fund Raising Management,
| Location | Dates | Cost | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | May 19, 2025 - May 21, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Closed |
| Denver | June 23, 2025 - June 25, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Register |
| Indianapolis (NCAA) | July 28, 2025 - July 30, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Register |
| Online (Asynchronous) | August 04, 2025 - September 14, 2025 | $1,345.00 | Register |
| New York City | August 18, 2025 - August 20, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Register |
| Chicago | October 20, 2025 - October 22, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Register |
| Fort Lauderdale | December 08, 2025 - December 10, 2025 | $1,295.00 | Register |
| Online (Asynchronous) | January 12, 2026 - February 22, 2026 | $1,345.00 | Registration opening soon |
| Indianapolis (NCAA) | January 20, 2026 - January 22, 2026 | $1,295.00 | Registration opening soon |
| San Diego | March 09, 2026 - March 11, 2026 | $1,295.00 | Registration opening soon |
| Virtual (Live) | May 26, 2026 - June 30, 2026 | $1,295.00 | Registration opening soon |
| Denver | June 15, 2026 - June 17, 2026 | $1,295.00 | Registration opening soon |
Course Details
Please review the attendance policy and cancellation/transfer policy before registering.
Schedule
The course is offered in the following three formats:
In-person
The in-person class is three days in length.
Day 1: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Day 2: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Day 3: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Introductions and Expectations |
| 9:00 | Development Overview |
| 10:15 | Break |
| 10:30 | Campaign Readiness |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:15 | Campaign Structure |
| 2:45 | Break |
| 3:00 | Campaign Planning - Objectives, Goal, Timeline |
| 4:45 | Debrief |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Review of Previous Day |
| 8:45 | Case for Support |
| 10:15 | Break |
| 10:30 | Budget & Financial Modeling |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:15 | Communications, Campaign Theme and Name, & Donor Recognition |
| 3:00 | Break |
| 3:15 | Ethics |
| 4:45 | Debrief |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Review of Previous Day |
| 8:45 | Sequential Fundraising |
| 10:15 | Break |
| 10:30 | Prospective Donor Solicitation |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:15 | Public Phase, Celebration, Stewardship, Review and Learn |
| 3:00 | Break |
| 3:15 | Application & Action Planning |
| 4:45 | Debrief |
| 5:00 | Adjourn |
Online (Asynchronous) Schedule
The asynchronous online course is six weeks in length.
Each week you’ll have a course module to complete. Each module consists of:
- readings from a PDF study guide
- viewing a pre-recorded narrated presentation
- completing a 10-question quiz where you must score a 7 or higher
- engaging in forum discussions with others
- and submitting assignments.
More details about the online format and requirements may be viewed here.
Week 1
Introductions and Expectations
Development Overview
Campaign Readiness
Week 2
Campaign Structure
Campaign Planning – Objectives, Goal, Timeline
Week 3
Case for Support
Budget & Financial Modeling
Week 4
Communications, Campaign Theme and Name, & Donor Recognition
Ethics
Week 5
Sequential Fundraising
Prospective Donor Solicitation
Week 6
Public Phase, Celebration, Stewardship, Review and Learn
Application & Action Planning
To be eligible for the Certificate of Achievement, all coursework must be completed and submitted no later than Sunday of week 6 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This is a firm deadline and late work will not be accepted.
Virtual (Live) Schedule
The live, virtual class is held over six sessions from 2pm to 5pm Eastern and hosted using the Zoom platform. More details about the virtual format and requirements may be viewed here.
The May 26-June 30, 2026 virtual class will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Required Pre-work
Reading – Campaign Essentials, from Achieving Excellence in Fundraising
Podcast – Campaign Essentials
Podcast – New Data for Fundraising Campaigns
Session 1
Introductions and Expectations
Development Overview
Campaign Readiness
Required Podcast: Fundraising Campaigns: For the Right Reason
Session 2
Campaign Structure
Campaign Planning – Objectives, Goal, Timeline
Required Podcast: Capital Campaigns
Session 3
Case for Support
Budget & Financial Modeling
Required Podcast: Working with Volunteer Fundraisers
Session 4
Communications, Campaign Theme and Name, & Donor Recognition
Ethics
Required Podcast: Personalizing Your Donor Stewardship
Session 5
Sequential Fundraising
Prospective Donor Solicitation
Required Podcast: The Invitation to Give
Session 6
Public Phase, Celebration, Stewardship, Review and Learn
Application & Action Planning
Location
The location next to each course date indicates if the course is being held in-person (e.g. city name) or online.
For in-person classes, please click on the city name for further details and recommended hotel accommodations.
Registrants for in-person, online, and virtual dates will receive complete course logistical information upon registration.
CFRE Education Points
Full participation in many of The Fund Raising School’s courses fulfill education point requirements for Category 1.B-Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Managing the Capital Campaign qualifies for 20.25 CFRE Education Points/Hours.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION NOTE: Tuition payment is due before the class begins and may be paid by credit card or check. All cancellations and transfers are subject to an administrative fee of $275.
Objectives
- Understand fundraising campaigns including capital, endowment, combined, comprehensive and project in a way that is clear, useful and engaging;
- Consider the “why” and “why not” when deciding whether or not to design and implement a fundraising campaign;
- Appreciate the intangible benefits, beyond money raised, that a nonprofit can receive through a fundraising campaign;
- Engage a diverse range of stakeholders to drive the campaign’s success;
- Utilize strategies, tools, and forms available to design, implement, and manage a successful campaign;
- Be aware of ethical issues associated with campaign fundraising; and
- Apply learnings from this course to the context of their own nonprofits.