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,

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.

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 January 7-February 11, 2025 virtual class will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Tuesday, February 11, 2025

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.