Principles & Techniques of Fundraising

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.

Certificates: Fund Raising Management,

Schedule and Agenda

Please review the attendance policy and cancellation/transfer policy before registering.

Principles & Techniques of Fundraising is offered in the following three formats:

In-person

The in-person class is four 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.
Day 4: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Online (Asynchronous)

The asynchronous online course is eight 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 INSTITUTIONAL READINESS
Intro to Fundraising, Fundraising Cycle, Philanthropic Landscape

WEEK 2 INSTITUTIONAL READINESS
Case for Support, Constituency Markets

WEEK 3 VEHICLES AND STRATEGIES
Annual Fund and Building the Base of Support

WEEK 4 VEHICLES AND STRATEGIES, DYNAMIC FUNCTIONS
Prospective Donor Research, Major Gifts, & Solicitation

WEEK 5 VEHICLES AND STRATEGIES
Planned Gifts and Capital Campaigns

WEEK 6 MARKETS
Corporate and Foundation Markets

WEEK 7 HUMAN RESOURCES, DYNAMIC FUNCTIONS
Boards, Volunteers, Teams, Ethics

WEEK 8 MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Planning, Budgeting, Managing

To be eligible for the Certificate of Achievement, all coursework must be completed and submitted no later than Sunday of week 8 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This is a firm deadline and late work will not be accepted.

Virtual (Live)

The live, virtual class is held over eight sessions from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern and hosted using the Zoom platform. More details about the virtual format and requirements may be viewed here.

The April 1-May 20, 2025 virtual course will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Session 1

Opening Session

Introductions

Expectations and Challenges

Course Overview

The Cube

Philanthropy, Development, and Fundraising

The Fundraising Cycle

The Philanthropic Landscape

Research on Philanthropic Giving

Understanding the External Environment

Fundraising as an Exchange of Values

Cube: Institutional Readiness

Session 2

The Case for Support

Cube: Institutional Readiness

 Constituency Markets

Focus on individuals as constituency for fundraising

Cube: Institutional Readiness, Markets, and Vehicles

Session 3

The Annual Fund Program

Cube: Vehicles

Building the Base of Support

Focus on digital fundraising, direct mail, and special events

Cube: Vehicles

Session 4

Prospective Donor Research and Major Giving

Cube: Vehicles

Planned Giving

Cube: Vehicles

Session 5

Campaigns: Capital to Comprehensive

Cube: Vehicles

Fundraising from Corporations and Foundations

Cube: Markets

Session 6

Solicitation Exercise

Cube: Dynamic Functions

Volunteers, Boards, and the Staff Team

Cube: Human Resources

Session 7

Stewardship

Cube: Institutional Readiness

Ethical Fundraising

Cube: Dynamic Functions

Session 8

Budgeting and Managing

Cube: Management

Action Planning

Application of Principles

Resources Inventory Analysis

Review of Expectations and Obstacles

Preparing a Statement of Objectives

Course Evaluation

Certificates & Celebration

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.

Principles & Techniques of Fundraising qualifies for 27.0 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.

The baseline course for all of The Fund Raising School courses.

Our trademark course—the definitive training program for fundraisers

Recognized internationally, Principles & Techniques provides you with the foundation and inspiration to achieve your organization’s financial goals. This course presents the total framework for operating an accomplished fund development program. In just four days you will gain A-through-Z knowledge and skills that are essential for fundraising success.

You’ll learn how to

• Identify and validate prospective donors
• Manage the fundraising process
• Use research to match a donor’s interests and needs with your nonprofit’s mission and goals
• Build an annual fund donor base that keeps on giving
• Manage the process of raising money
• Recognize planned giving benefits to your donors and to your nonprofit
• Structure a successful solicitation
• Respond to challenges and ethical dilemmas with professional skill

What you’ll receive

• An easy-to-use, comprehensive study guide to use for future reference
• Now included: a digital copy of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, fifth edition
• Gift club ideas
• Board strengths inventory
• Donor evaluation forms
• Invaluable bibliography from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
• Formulas for establishing best-practice benchmarks
• A chance to network and build long-lasting, cross-mentoring relationships with other professionals

The Fundraising Cube

The Fundraising Cube is a colorful desktop reminder of The Fund Raising School’s internationally-regarded fundraising management process. This handy reference is a source of pride for alumni.