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Essentials of Fundraising Series

Contact Professional Advancement Coordinator for more information.
Subject matter coordinator: Nikki Cagle. Direct: 703.519.8494 or Toll Free: 800.666.3863; Email: ProAdv@afpnet.org

What is the AFP Essentials of Fundraising Series?

The AFP Essentials of Fundraising series offers introductory level sessions on fundraising theory and practice and is designed to help organizations raise money more effectively and efficiently. This series of five 3-hour interactive workshops includes case studies and projects, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable.

The series has been designed by experienced fundraising professionals to meet the real world needs and challenges nonprofit organizations face every day.

The benefits of participating can revitalize your current fundraising plan and transform a struggling development effort. The Essentials of Fundraising series provides best practices that will make your future fundraising efforts clearer and more effective.

What are the Essentials?

The five 3-hour interactive workshops address:

• Starting an integrated development program
• Identifying and soliciting annual donors
• Seeking grant support
• Board and volunteer development
• Individual major gifts

These workshops will help you develop skills that can be tailored to fit your organization. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to network and develop relationships with other fundraisers in your area.

You will receive useful tools and materials, including sample fundraising plans, solicitation letters, policies and guidelines and other relevant fundraising resources.

Who should attend?

• Anyone new to the development field will learn how to organize and manage fundraising programs, gain basic skills in a variety of techniques and prepare for a career in development.
• Volunteers will find the Essentials of Fundraising valuable preparation for gift solicitation.
• Trustees and CEOs will discover useful tools to shape the direction and clarify the expectations of the development office.

What will I learn?

This course will introduce the novice fundraiser to the fundamental concepts and techniques of fundraising. The Essentials Curriculum includes:

Starting a Development Program

This first course focuses on the information and skills needed to establish an integrated fundraising program. During this session, participants will learn how to identify potential funding sources and how different types of fundraising fit into the bigger picture. Additionally, this course will provide methods for assessing your institution's readiness, defining your case, developing resources and establishing basic policies and procedures needed to manage a solid fundraising program.

Annual Giving

This course is designed to help you discover core constituencies and turn them into continuous annual donors. Knowing the range of techniques available will help you design a plan and develop strategies to move donors on the path of lifetime commitment to your organization.

Corporate and Foundation Grantseeking

Although 85 percent of U.S. contributions to nonprofit organizations comes from individuals, foundations and corporations are important complements to fundraising efforts. This course will instruct participants on how to fund their unique activities as well as impart effective grant writing and reporting skills. You will also learn how to identify foundations willing to fund your organization's activities.

Board and Volunteer Development

This course is designed to show you how to work with and energize volunteers to help your organization raise money efficiently and effectively. Participants also will learn how to recruit the best board and volunteer fundraisers as well as evaluate your current team.

Individual Major Gift Fundraising

This course explains how to engage donors at a deeper level so that their annual giving reaches maximum financial capacity. It will provide development officers, staff and board members of nonprofit organizations a framework for developing a successful individual major gifts program. Participants will learn how to lay the foundation of necessary attitudes, skills, insight and knowledge.

How do I find a course in my area and register?

The course is sponsored by AFP chapters in various locations. Check the AFP educational schedule under Related Links, below, for upcoming dates and locations where the course will be held. To register, contact the licensed chapter.

Currently licensed chapters/organizations and contact email:

Licensing the Essentials of Fundraising

Your chapter can license the Essentials of Fundraising from AFP to hold the sessions in your area; for information, visit How to License the Essentials of Fundraising.

Related AFP Resources