To earn their CFRM, program participants will complete the internationally recognized foundational course, Principles & Techniques of Fundraising, which covers all aspects of developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan – from organizational readiness for fundraising to building an annual fund that leads to effective major gifts, comprehensive campaigns, and planned gift fundraising.
March 15, 2026 - May 10, 2026
Participants will then complete three of the following four courses:
Developing Major Gifts
May 17, 2026 - June 28, 2026
Developing Annual Sustainability
July 6, 2026 - August 16, 2026
Fundraising Campaigns: From Capital to Comprehensive
August 24, 2026 - October 5, 2026
Planned Giving: Getting the Proper Start
October 12, 2026 - November 22, 2026
The online, asynchronous courses will ensure flexibility for participants to complete the coursework on their own time. Learning online requires a very independent, self-motivated, disciplined, and collaborative learning style. Each week you’ll have a course module to complete.
Each module consists of:
- readings from weekly PDF study guides
- viewing a pre-recorded mini lecture
- completing a 10-question quiz where you must score a 7 or higher
- submitting responses to discussion questions and assignments
To be eligible for the certificate of completion, CFRM, CFRE educational points, and $1,500 grant, participants must successfully complete all coursework and evaluation surveys. Coursework (quizzes, assignments, and discussions) must be completed and submitted weekly. Any outstanding work must be submitted no later than the final day of class. This is a firm deadline, and late work will not be accepted. Multiple weeks of coursework submitted at the end of class will not be accepted.
In addition to the online asynchronous coursework, there will be opportunities for the cohort to network, scaffold their learning, and share how the fundraising skills learned are applied in their respective organizations through a live Zoom kickoff meeting and debriefings between courses.
Program Kickoff:
- March 13, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
Debriefings:
- May 8, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
- June 26, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
- August 14, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
- October 2, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
- November 20, 2026, 2:00-3:30pm ET
As part of the program, we want to know where there is room for improvement and what was most beneficial for you. Therefore, you will be expected to complete the following:
- After each course, complete a survey regarding your experience.
- Six months after completing the certificate, complete a final survey about what you learned from the program, how you've applied it, and what shifts in fundraising you’ve started to experience.
Applications are due by Friday, February 6, 2026, by 5pm MST. Late applications will not be accepted.
You will receive an email from blm14@iu.edu notifying you of your award status by February 13, 2026. Please save this email address in your contact list and/or check your junk and spam folders.
If you are selected, you will be expected to register and pay by February 20, 2026.