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

When and where

Location	Date	Price	Registration
Chicago	October 9, 2023–October 12, 2023	$1,695	One seat left! Please email tfrs@iupui.edu for regisgration details.
Fort Lauderdale	October 16, 2023–October 19, 2023	$1,695	Register
Atlanta	November 6, 2023–November 9, 2023	$1,695	Register
Indianapolis	November 13, 2023–November 16, 2023	$1,695	Register
Indianapolis	December 11, 2023–December 14, 2023	$1,695	Register
Indianapolis	January 16, 2024–January 19, 2024	$1,695	Register
San Diego	January 22, 2024–January 25, 2024	$1,695	Register
Online (Asynchronous)	January 29, 2024–March 24, 2024	$1,745	Register
Fort Lauderdale	February 19, 2024–February 22, 2024	$1,695	Register
Virtual (Live)	February 27, 2024–April 16, 2024	$1,695	Register
Atlanta	March 4, 2024–March 7, 2024	$1,695	Register
Indianapolis	March 11, 2024–March 14, 2024	$1,695	Register
Grapevine (Dallas-Fort Worth)	April 8, 2024–April 11, 2024	$1,695	Register
Online (Asynchronous)	April 15, 2024–June 9, 2024	$1,745	Register
Indianapolis	May 6, 2024–May 9, 2024	$1,695	Register
Denver	May 13, 2024–May 16, 2024	$1,695	Register
Indianapolis	June 3, 2024–June 6, 2024	$1,695	Register

Schedule and Agenda

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.

Day 1	Agenda
8:00	Registration Check-in
8:30	Opening Session Introductions Expectations and Challenges Course Overview The Cube Philanthropy, Development, and Fundraising The Fundraising Cycle
10:00	Break
10:15	The Philanthropic Landscape Research on Philanthropic Giving Understanding the External Environment Fundraising as an Exchange of Values Cube: Institutional Readiness
11:45	Lunch
1:00	The Case for Support Cube: Institutional Readiness
2:45	Break
3:00	Constituency Markets Focus on individuals as constituency for fundraising Cube: Institutional Readiness, Markets, and Vehicles
4:45	Day 1 Debrief
5:00	Adjourn

Day 2	Agenda
8:30	Previous Day Review
8:45	The Annual Fund Program Cube: Vehicles
10:00	Break
10:15	Building the Base of Support Focus on digital fundraising, direct mail, and special events Cube: Vehicles
11:45	Lunch
1:00	Prospective Donor Research and Major Giving Cube: Vehicles
2:45	Break
3:00	Planned Giving Cube: Vehicles
4:45	Day 2 Debrief
5:00	Adjourn

Day 3	Agenda
8:30	Previous Day Review
8:45	Campaigns: Capital to Comprehensive Cube: Vehicles
10:00	Break
10:15	Fundraising from Corporations and Foundations Cube: Markets
11:45	Lunch
1:00	Solicitation Exercise Cube: Dynamic Functions
3:00	Break
3:15	Volunteers, Boards, and the Staff Team Cube: Human Resources
4:50	Day 3 Debrief
5:00	Adjourn

Day 4	Agenda
8:30	Previous Day Review
8:45	Stewardship Cube: Institutional Readiness
9:45	Break
10:00	Ethical Fundraising Cube: Dynamic Fundraising
11:45	Lunch
1:00	Budgeting and Managing Cube: Management
2:15	Break
2:30	Action Planning
3:45	Application of Principles Resources Inventory Analysis Review of Expectations and Obstacles Preparing a Statement of Objectives Course Evaluation Certificates & Celebration
5:00	Adjourn

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 pm 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 2pm to 5pm Eastern and hosted using the Zoom platform. More details about the virtual format and requirements may be viewed here.

The February 27-April 16, 2024 virtual course will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 27
Tuesday, March 5
Tuesday, March 12
Tuesday, March 19
Tuesday, March 26
Tuesday, April 2
Tuesday, April 9
Tuesday, April 16

WEEK 1
Introductions and Expectations
The Philanthropic Landscape

WEEK 2
Case for Support
Your Constituency

WEEK 3
The Annual Fund

WEEK 4
Donor Research
Major Giving

WEEK 5
Planned Giving
Capital Campaigns

WEEK 6
Fundraising from Corporations and Foundation
Boards

WEEK 7
Volunteers
Team Building
Budgeting

WEEK 8
Ethical Fundraising
Management
Action Planning
Application of Principles

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, check, or purchase order. 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

Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, Fifth Edition

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.