Sharpen Your Fundraising Skills. Elevate Your Impact.
Fundraising Academy by Sanford Institute of Philanthropy is the premier educational hub for fundraising professionals, volunteers, and board members. We help you build your skills with our Cause Selling approach to relationship-driven fundraising.
Amplify Your Cause
Fundraising isn’t just about passion — it’s about action. We equip you with a proven framework and resources to help you move from caring about a cause to making real change in your community.
Cultivate:
Learn the art of building meaningful and aligned relationships with donors through our eight-step Cause Selling Cycle.
Champion:
Discover your personal fundraising philosophy and adopt proven strategies to achieve organizational goals.
Deliver:
Feel confident in your ability to cultivate lasting relationships, advocate for your cause, and conduct successful campaigns.
Jarrett Ransom Featured in The Major Gifts Report
Following her presentation at AFP ICON, Jarrett Ransom, Senior Advisor and Lead Senior Ambassador at the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, was featured in The Major Gifts Report for her insights on overcoming donor objections and strengthening donor relationships.
Flexible, Fundraising Training
Access nonprofit fundraising training courses in a range of flexible formats
and tailored to meet your unique needs.
Free Webinars
Gain actionable insights and sharpen your fundraising skills with expert-led topics.
Live Workshops
Collaborate with peers to build innovative strategies for your organization.
Customized Trainings
Receive tailored training sessions for your organization’s unique needs.
Full participation in Fundraising Academy courses, workshops, and certificates is applicable for CFRE points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Check out our lineup of interactive webinars and live workshops, led by expert trainers and sponsored by Bloomerang.
Upcoming Virtual Events
Check out our lineup of webinars and live workshops — led by expert trainers and infused with high-energy, interactive learning
Webinar
Creating a Culture of Philanthropy: Building Trust Across Your Organization
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / 2–3:30 p.m. PST/EST
Webinar
Save the Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2026
Wednesday, December 16, 2026 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / 2–3:30 p.m. PST/EST
Featured Blog
Firm Boundaries, Open Communication: Fundraising Ethics
By: Joelle Kanshepolsky, Partner, Pathway Group
Ethical fundraising requires both courage and clarity. In this blog, Joelle Kanshepolsky shares a real-world example of turning down a significant funding opportunity that did not align with organizational strategy, illustrating how mission-focused decision-making and transparent donor communication work hand in hand. Learn why setting clear boundaries, leading with honesty, and prioritizing trust can strengthen donor relationships and support long-term fundraising success.
What Our Learners Say…
“The ways I benefitted professionally from Fundraising Academy were manyfold. Most valuable was learning to refine my “ask” of potential funders. I was in biomedical sales for many years, so I had good sales skills going in. Learning how to use those skills and engage funders in a relationship was the major lesson I learned from Cause Selling.”
– Sue P.,
Fundraising Academy Graduate
“The Fundraising Essential Certificate provides valuable and practical content that reinforces best practices, strengthens my existing knowledge, and provides tools that support my immediate and long-term advancement in the nonprofit sector. “
– Niki B.,
Director of Philanthropy, A Step Beyond
“Fundraising Academy did not disappoint. The most meaningful tool I came away with was the application of six indicators as an objective method to help assess the viability of prospective donors. The thoughtful and systematic approach to qualifying prospects has been a game changer for me.”
– Lynne M.,
Fundraising Academy Graduate