Why is Fundraising Academy now called Sanford Institute of Philanthropy? 

As we continue expanding our services and training offerings — including new resources like Board Training — we’re returning to the legacy name our customers know best: Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. Fundraising Academy is the signature program within the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. This change better reflects the breadth of support, education, and professional development we provide across the philanthropy and nonprofit sectors. 

What is Sanford Learning?

Previously known as The Academies, Sanford Learning at National University supports K–12 educators, school leaders, and nonprofit professionals with high-quality, accessible learning opportunities. Its two core brands, Sanford Institute of Philanthropy and Sanford Harmony, prepare professionals for the nonprofit fundraising sector and the future of education. 

Is Fundraising Academy by Sanford Institute of Philanthropy free?

Fundraising Academy by Sanford Institute of Philanthropy offers many no-cost resources, including access to our Online Learning Portal, webinars, and blogs. Additional offerings, like the Fundraising Essentials Certificate and customized cohorts, are available at a low cost.

Do you offer customized training in Fundraising Development?

Yes! We provide tailored training packages designed to support new development teams in advancing their individual giving goals. For more information, see the Cohort section below.

Do you offer in-person training?

Yes, we offer in-person components as part of our customized training packages and regularly participate in conference sessions across the U.S.

How do I receive CFRE credits after watching a webinar on the Online Learning Portal?

To receive CFRE credits:

·   Watch the webinar in full.

·   A pop-up will appear showing your progress and providing access to the CFRE tracker.

·   If the pop-up doesn’t appear, go to My Progress > Completed on the Online Learning Portal and select webinars marked 100% complete. You’ll see an option to download the CFRE tracker to submit for credit.

Is there a refund policy?

Yes. We, Sanford Learning at National University, want all our students to have a positive and rewarding learning experience. If a student is not completely satisfied with a course, we offer a refund policy to ensure satisfaction. 

To be eligible for a refund, the student must submit a written request, including a valid reason, within 9 calendar days of registering for the course. Additionally, the student must not have attempted more than 25% of the course. 

To request a refund, please email academieshelp@nu.edu and include your full name, email address, and course name. Your reason for requesting a refund will be carefully reviewed, and we reserve the right to refuse a refund if we determine the request to be invalid. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are approved for a refund, we will issue a refund to your original method of payment within 60 days of the refund approval.  

We value our students’ feedback and strive to continuously improve our courses and services. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our refund policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Do CFRE points expire?

No, CFRE points do not expire.

Can I download and save information from certificate courses?

Yes! You’re welcome to download materials for personal use. We just ask that they not be shared externally.

How many CFRE education points are needed for CFRE recertification?

To recertify, you’ll need:

·   45 education points

·   30 professional practice points

·   40 professional performance points

Learn more on the CFRE website.

How many team members are required for a customized training package?

We can accommodate teams from 2 to 50 members.

If my team has fewer than 20 members, can we combine with another organization?

Yes! Let us know your preferred partner organization, and we’ll help coordinate.

How long does a cohort last?

Cohorts range from one week to four months, depending on your team’s needs.

How much does a cohort cost?

Cohort pricing varies. Please email Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at SanfordPhilanthropy@nu.edu for current pricing options.

Does a partner have a financial obligation?

Yes. Sanford Institute of Philanthropy partners are organizations that work with us to enhance their fundraising teams. They develop programs in collaboration with us and pay fees for services provided.

Can I use the Cause Selling textbook as required reading at my organization or in my classroom?

Cause Selling The Sanford Way: A Guide to Relationship-Driven Fundraising may only be used as a required reading text through programming distributed directly by Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. 

Can I achieve my CFRE through Sanford Institute of Philanthropy?

While we don’t issue CFRE credentials directly, you can earn CFRE points by participating in our webinars, certificate, and live trainings. We provide a CFRE tracker to help you submit your points.

What is Cause Selling?

Cause Selling is a relationship-driven, collaborative approach to fundraising. It blends systems from the for-profit world with a focus on long-term connections between the donor and the organization.

What are the steps of the Cause Selling Cycle?

1. Prospecting 

2. Pre-Approach 

3. Approach 

4. Need Discovery 

5. Presentation 

6. Handling Objections 

7. The Ask 

8. Stewardship 

Do I have to go through each Cause Selling step in order?

Each step of the Cause Selling Cycle can be accessed without going in order. Each donor is unique, and you may be at a different point in your journey with each donor. We do recommend following the Cause Selling Cycle while cultivating your donors to ensure you haven’t missed critical steps that will set you up for a successful Ask.

How much does the program cost?

Many of our offerings — including the Online Learning Portal and monthly webinars — are offered at no cost. Some programs, such as individual workshops and certificate courses, are offered at a low cost.

How do I find workshops near me?

Visit our Customized Trainings page to see upcoming training opportunities.

How do I partner with Sanford Institute of Philanthropy?

Sanford Institute of Philanthropy partners support our mission by expanding training opportunities to a wider network of fundraisers. To learn more about partnering with Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, check out our website and fill out the form or email us at fundraisingacademy@nu.edu.

How do I become an instructor?

Sanford Institute of Philanthropy instructors are fundraising professionals committed to inclusive, safe learning environments. To learn more about becoming a Certified Cause Selling Trainer, email SanfordPhilanthropy@nu.edu.

In fundraising, building relationships is an art form. You need a pragmatic mindset and ample preparation to succeed at identifying, approaching, and cultivating donor relationships. In this course, the Fundraising Academy teaches you how to prospect, manage prospect information, prepare for your first meeting with a potential donor, make a lasting first impression, and more. First, learn prospecting techniques, from securing leads to crowdfunding. Next, explore tactics to optimize the visibility of your organization’s professional social media presence to garner gifts. Uncover ways to conduct phone calls successfully and manage events to build excitement around your organization’s cause. Finally, review examples of discovery conversations and ways to improve your listening skills. Developing long-lasting and committed donors takes time, and every step along the way is important toward making a successful ask.

Go to the course 

Relationships are part of our daily lives, and focusing on them is a proven method for successful communication. To raise funds successfully, you need to aim for long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. This starts by understanding the exponential growth of the nonprofit world’s impact on donors. This course from Fundraising Academy explains how donor’s mindsets have changed with the development of watchdog organizations. Learn to embrace your selling persona and improve prospective and donor relationships with the Cause Selling Cycle. Explore ways to remain ethical in the gray areas, as well as the time management, organizational, and communication skills that you will need as prospective donors decide to partner with you and your cause.

Go to the course

Fundraisers are an integral part of building a nonprofit organization. Your organization’s values, mission, and services don’t sell themselves. That’s why successful fundraisers must build, manage, and maintain strong relationships with their donors. In this course, learn how to leverage Cause Selling to open doors for your organization. Find out how to use this relationship-driven fundraising model to identify and acquire prospective donors, construct an effective presentation that highlights your organization, handle objections, and make a successful ask. Dive into donor giving motivations and learn how to build lasting relationships with your donors to ensure the success of your organization for years to come.

Go to the course

Hearing no is a part of any negotiation, but if you can distinguish the difference between a hard no and a stalling tactic, it will help you reach your fundraising goals. In this course, the Fundraising Academy walks you through valuable insights on navigating the level of interest that a prospective donor demonstrates when they present objections, excuses, and questions. This course coaches you through a common technique for handling frustrations and helps you to identify the importance of timing as you help potential donors to make a decision. After this course, you won’t be unsettled by donor objections, but instead will be able to see them as an opportunity for raising funds for your cause.

Go to the course

Successful fundraising depends on a fundraiser’s ability to communicate knowledge about the organization effectively to current and prospective donors. In this course, the Fundraising Academy at National University offers you a wide variety of tips to incorporate into your fundraising presentation, including how to leverage technology and analyze data to develop a plan that will motivate your donors to invest. Dive into the six pillars of fundraising and how to use these pillars to set and achieve ambitious goals for your organization. Learn about the difference between your organization’s mission and positioning statement, and then explore how to focus on the future goals of your organization and incorporate those goals into your presentation.

Go to the course