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    February 12, 2025
  • Fundraising Essentials Certificate and Courses

    Master the Art of Fundraising with Tailored, Self-Paced Learning!

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    By submitting this form, I confirm that the information provided on this form is accurate and complete. I also understand that certain degree programs may not be available in all states. I also consent and agree to receive email communications, pre-recorded messages, phone calls, and/or SMS/Text Messages – using automated technology – about educational opportunities from National University and/or its affiliates. I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time.

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  • Elevate Your Fundraising Success

    Access the tools to revolutionize your fundraising strategy with the Fundraising Essentials Certificate or explore new course bundles and individual courses to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to grow your career or build your team’s capacity, these flexible, self-paced programs are built for busy fundraisers.

    Looking For An
    Individual Certificate?
    Want Certificates
    For Your Team?

     Explore Your Learning Options

    Earn the Full Certificate: Complete the full 9-course program for a comprehensive foundation in fundraising, culminating in a Capstone project held October 5–October 30, 2026.

    Bundle Your Learning: Choose from two new curated bundles that break the certificate into manageable pieces — Fundraising Fundamentals and Cause Selling: Relationship-Driven Fundraising. Learn more about the bundles! 

    Take Courses Individually: Select the topics most relevant to you. After completing the required intro course (FUN600) at no cost, you can take courses in any order.
     

    Why Choose This Program?

    Flexible Format

    Design your learning experience around your schedule.

    Cost

    $2,500 $999 — now more accessible for all fundraisers!

    Expert Designed

    Learn from an array of industry leaders shaping the future of fundraising.

    Grow Your Donor Base

    Strategically manage donor
    relationships to drive long-term impact. 

    Immediate Impact

    Start applying practical strategies right away to boost outcomes.

    Expand Your Network

    Connect with like-minded professionals
    and gain mentorship.

    Looking for an

    Individual Certificate?

    Complete courses based on your current needs, and in any order, after completing the introductory course.

    • Increase Your Confidence: Master proven fundraising strategies that equip you to tackle complex fundraising challenges with ease.

    • Boost Your Resume: Showcase your commitment to professional development and expertise in fundraising.

    • Pursue Your CFRE: Earn CFRE Education Points toward your CFRE certification or recertification.
    Enroll Now

    Want certificates for your team?

    Organizational Licenses

    Equip your team with the Fundraising Essentials Certificate and take advantage of our “buy more, save more” offer— the larger your purchase, the bigger the discount.

    • Attract and Retain Key Donors: Enable your team to implement strategies that cultivate long-term relationships.
    • Strengthen Your Team’s Fundraising Capacity: Equip your staff to navigate fundraising challenges with resilience and adaptability, while instilling a culture of philanthropy and fostering a unified, systemic approach to fundraising
    • Boost Staff Retention: Fostering professional growth opportunities will help retain your valuable fundraising team members.
    • Position Your Organization for Success: Stand out as a leading nonprofit in a competitive landscape.
    • Diversify Your Revenue Pipeline: Build sustainable growth through more robust and varied fundraising revenue streams.
    Inquire Today

    Who Should Enroll

    This certificate helps individuals and teams sharpen their fundraising skills to achieve their unique career and organizational goals. It benefits:

    • Early-career fundraisers
    • Experienced fundraisers seeking career advancement
    • Nonprofit staff involved in fundraising activities
    • Individuals exploring fundraising as a career path
    Enroll Now

     NEW! Course Bundles

    Explore focused learning experiences designed to fit your fundraising journey.

    View Bundles

    Certificate Courses

    Interested in a specific topic? You can also purchase courses individually.

    All individual courses require FUN600 as a prerequisite.

    If you purchase any course below, you’ll be automatically enrolled in FUN600 at no cost.

    FUN 600: An Introduction to Cause Selling: Relationship-Driven Fundraising

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 5 hours

    Prerequisite(s): This course will serve as a prerequisite to the others.

    Description: Cause Selling is a relationship-centered, collaborative approach to professional fundraising that integrates valuable systems from the for-profit realm, with a focus on building long-term connections benefiting donors and organizations. In this course, we introduce the concept of Cause Selling and basic fundraising career concepts, aiming to meaningfully connect with donors to advance your mission. This course will lay the foundation for a Cause Selling Certificate which could lead to a lasting fundraising career, covering crucial aspects such as understanding fundraising, efficient daily management, effective communication, and motivating factors for giving.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 610: Fundraising Foundations – Finding Your Why & Understanding Why People Give Selling: Relationship-Driven Fundraising

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: Elevate your fundraising prowess with the comprehensive ‘Fundraising Foundations’ course. Unlock foundational skills required to excel in the art of fundraising, as you delve into the core principles that underpin successful pitches. Gain a deep understanding of the intricate web of internal and external donor motivations and master the ASADA Donation Decision Process to seamlessly guide prospective investors through the journey of giving. Explore the hidden forces of subliminal psychology and sociocultural dynamics that shape donor decisions and learn to avoid common communication barriers that can impede favorable outcomes.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 620: Fundraising Basics – Crafting Donor Personas & Ethics in Fundraising

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: Master the art of effective communication by understanding and adapting to various social styles to facilitate impactful interactions with stakeholders. Understand the importance of ethics and learn to cultivate relationships with transparency, fairness, and accountability, using a structured approach to ethical decision-making. Gain insights into an organization’s code of conduct and its role in aligning business development efforts with ethical standards. By course completion, you’ll be well-equipped to build relationships, make ethical choices, and contribute effectively to your Cause Selling endeavors while maintaining the highest levels of integrity.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 630: Fundraising Essentials – Six Powerful Fundraising Tools, Time Management

    Modality:  Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description:  In this course, you will identify the Pillars of Success and equip yourself to thrive in a Cause Selling career. After successfully completing this course, you will be able to articulate your positioning statement and competitive advantage in your industry. Harness the power of data analytics to establish a strategic fund development strategy and inform meaningful donor outreach and cultivation. Apply proven time management methods to separate priorities from the noise and optimize your effectiveness as a Cause Selling professional. Through a dynamic blend of theory and practical application, this course empowers you to excel in fundraising and make a profound impact on your cause.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 640: Prospecting – Converting Leads into Qualified Donors

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: In an era defined by relentless competition, discover the pivotal role of prospecting in identifying your like-minded champions within the industry landscape. Unveil the most powerful prospecting tool at your disposal—referrals—while mastering the art of leveraging Centers of Influence to open doors to new potential investors. Leverage the M.A.D.D.E.N. prospecting qualification approach to streamline your focus and resources for maximum impact. Gain knowledge to curate the necessary information to further qualify your prospects and set yourself up for a successful first impression. Utilizing the six-step telephone track, build rapport with your prospect’s gatekeepers, navigate your first conversation, and secure your first meeting with confidence.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 650: Donor Cultivation – Approach, Need Discovery, Presentation

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 15 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: Learn the secrets to crafting a compelling first impression that paves the way for meaningful connections. Master the art of effective questioning techniques to discern prospects’ needs and interests. Enhance trust-building skills through advanced listening strategies and incorporate key presentation elements that captivate audiences and amplify your organization’s cause. Deliver compelling presentations that not only convey your organization’s impact but also align seamlessly with your prospects’ philanthropic aspirations. By the end of this course, you’ll possess the skills to successfully approach your donor, cultivate a relationship that builds trust, and present your cause with confidence.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 660: The Ask – Confirming the Gift – Handling Objections, The Ask

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: In this course, we will focus on the skills needed to successfully confirm the gift, an important component of the relationship-driven Cause Selling Cycle. Before you make an ask, you must first uncover any concerns or questions that would prevent the investor from saying yes. In this course, you will learn to navigate your investor’s objections and concerns with confidence with a step-by-step Handling Objections roadmap. Additionally, you will develop the necessary attitudes and techniques for successful asks, recognizing donor signals and understanding the crucial function of the ask in the Cause Selling Cycle. By mastering these skills, you will enhance your ability to secure funding for your important cause and create opportunities to foster donor loyalty.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 670: Stewardship – Fostering Donor Loyalty

    Modality: Self-Paced

    Estimated Learning Time: 10 hours

    Prerequisite(s): FUN600 (included free with purchase)

    Description: Understand the pivotal role of stewardship in retaining donors and uncover the core factors behind donor attrition. Gain insights into the keys to donor loyalty, learning to segment, engage, and personalize communication effectively. Develop strategies to maximize current donors and re-engage lapsed ones, while crafting comprehensive stewardship plans that inspire continued donor investment. Through discussions and real-world case studies, you’ll emerge with the practical skills needed to ensure sustained support for your cause by fostering lasting donor connections.

    Purchase Individually
    FUN 680: Capstone – Perfecting Your Pitch, Fundraising Action Plan

    Modality: Async/Sync Facilitated (upcoming course: March 30–April 24, 2026)

    Estimated Learning Time: 45 hours (about 2 days)

    Prerequisite(s): FUN 600, FUN 610, FUN 620, FUN 630, FUN 640, FUN 650, FUN 660, FUN 670

    Description: In this capstone course, students will synthesize components of each course from both the Fundraising Fundamentals and the Cause Selling Cycle course sequences in a culminating experience that leads to the Cause Selling Certificate.  This course gives students the opportunity to create a Fundraising Action Plan and a unique, persuasive pitch. As you progress, you will skillfully formulate pertinent questions and key planning steps, shaping the blueprint for your very own Fundraising Action Plan. Finally, you will harness your newly acquired insights to synthesize a captivating pitch that stands as the cornerstone of your fundraising success, poised to resonate with donors and investors alike.

    Request Certificate Info
    Disclaimer

    Please Note: At this time, certificate and course purchases are only available to learners located within the United States. We appreciate your patience in the meantime and invite you to explore our Online Learning Portal and other no-cost resources.

    Looking to strengthen your grant writing or nonprofit leadership skills?

    Expand your fundraising expertise with online Grant Writing and Nonprofit Management programs offered through National University’s Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) partnership. Gain practical skills, earn professional credentials, and learn at your own pace—plus receive a 10% tuition discount as a member of our community.

    Explore PACE Programs

    mlockardtbf

    February 11, 2025
  • mlockardtbf

    February 11, 2025
  • Online
    Learning Portal

    Online Learning Portal

    The Fundraising Academy Online Learning Portal provides no-cost, on-demand training for nonprofits and fundraising professionals to build and retain donor relationships using the relationship-driven Cause Selling approach. Sign up today to start your learning journey.

    Sign Up Now

    Cause Selling Cycle

    Explore and start applying the 8-step Cause Selling Cycle as soon as you log onto the portal. 

    On-Demand Webinars

    Access upcoming and archived monthly webinars covering timely fundraising topics.  

    Supplemental Tools

    Boost your fundraising abilities with daily tips, blogs, donor conversation questions, and more. 

    Quick Demo: How to Create Your Account

    Follow the video or step-by-step guide to get started in just minutes.

    Step 1: Create Your Profile

    Go to https://online.fundraising-academy.org/register, and select
    Fundraising Academy under Primary Program of Interest.

    Step 2: Choose Your Role

    Select your role, work location,
    and how you were referred to us.

    Step 3: Access the Portal

    Congratulations! Now you can explore our
    no-cost fundraising resources.

    Already have an account? Log in to find your next course, webinar, or worksheet. 

    Login

    mlockardtbf

    February 11, 2025
  • mlockardtbf

    February 11, 2025
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