NPMGT X001 - Professional Fundraising Certificate

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs has partnered with Elective Learning, LLC to offer a Certificate in Fundraising, developed by experienced fundraisers to teach the foundations of philanthropy in the United States and the fundamentals of professional fundraising.

Developed by five experienced fundraisers, this program focuses on the foundations of philanthropy and the fundamentals of professional fundraising. In this online, self-paced program, participants will explore universal practices that can be used by any organization—regardless of size, scope or mission—including best practices and proven strategies for Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Organized into multiple courses covering vital aspects of professional fundraising and taught by experts with years of first-hand experience, the Professional Fundraising Certificate takes approximately seven hours to complete and provides the specialized training needed to develop, strengthen, and support fundraising success.

What You’ll Learn

• Expand your knowledge of proven best practices used by nonprofit organizations and universities to successfully raise money.
• Gain an understanding of the fundamentals of professional fundraising, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations.
• Learn best practices for grant writing and submitting proposals to foundations and corporations for funding support.
• Understand the psychology of giving and the history of philanthropy in the United States.

What You’ll Earn

The Certificate in Fundraising is CFRE accredited and approved for 6.0 continuing education credits (CEUs), issued by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.

Additional Information

This course is offered in partnership with Elective Learning, LLC and is accredited through CFRE.

About the Content

Module 1: Certification Introduction
Instructor: Leighton Wilson
Module Length: Approximately 15 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course presents an overview of the fundraising landscape. Understanding the fundamentals will allow participants to better navigate the fundraising process. This overview serves as the foundation for the remainder of the Certificate in Fundraising program.

• Overview of Professional Fundraising

Module 2: Foundations of Philanthropy
Instructor: Marian Stern
Module Length: Approximately 95 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course covers the history and evolution of philanthropy in the United States, the role of boards and board members, and the psychology of philanthropy and donor motivation.

• History of American Philanthropy
• Origins of Philanthropy in the U.S.
• Evolution of Philanthropy in the U.S.
• 20th Century Philanthropy
• 21st Century Philanthropy
• Boards
• Donor Motivation

Module 3: Board of Directors

Module 4: Annual Giving
Instructor: Adrian Matthys
Module Length: Approximately 90 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course presents annual giving strategy and tactics, identifies who should be making annual gifts, and explores donor acquisition, segmentation, and stewardship.

• Defining an Annual Gift
• Who Should Make Annual Gifts?
• Filling the Leaky Bucket
• Donor Segmentation
• Tactics
• Stewardship

Module 5: Major Gifts
Instructor: Leighton Wilson
Module Length: Approximately 60 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course covers major gift fundraising strategy, the major gift development cycle, communication, stewardship, and relationship management, including making the ask, campaign strategy, and event fundraising.

• Interpersonal Fundraising
• Major Gift Strategy
• Major Gift Communications
• Donor Intent
• Campaigns & The Ask

Module 6: Planned Giving
Instructor: Davida Isaacson
Module Length: Approximately 40 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course presents best practices in planned giving, including audiences, marketing, gift plans, stewardship, and overall strategy.

• What is Planned Giving?
• Audiences for Planned Giving
• Marketing Techniques
• Gift Plans
• Gift Administration
• Stewardship

Module 7: Foundation Relations

Module 8: Grant Writing

Module 9: Corporate Relations
Instructor: Lily Cabrera
Module Length: Approximately 75 minutes

Learning Objectives: This course covers institutional giving by presenting the principles of corporate and foundation relations.

• Principles of Corporate Relations
• Principles of Foundation Relations
• Grant Writing

Contact Us

For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or course records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

For questions about this certificate program, please contact:
Leighton Wilson at info@electivelearning.com or John Glenn Professional Development at glenn-training@osu.edu.