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COMMENTAFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course
- AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course Schedule
- AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Flyer
- AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course Host Toolkit
New Name & Course Outline:
The new AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course (as it will now be known) will be available for AFP Chapters to offer within their programs starting May 1, 2010. This new course was developed with a foundation from the Essentials of Fundraising Program and the First Course and is composed of seven modules that have been designed by experienced fundraising professionals to meet the real-world needs and challenges non profit organizations face every day.
This 16 hr course is meant to be taught in an active learning style and includes case studies and projects for groups and individuals, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable. The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course offers a complete overview of the development function, featuring the most current information and techniques and will provide an overview of skills, techniques and program components for individuals with zero to four years of fundraising experience.
Hosting the Course:
To host the AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, please download the document above titled “AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course Host Toolkit.” Then, complete pages 28-30 of the Host Toolkit and send the documents and the deposit to:
Professional Advancement Division
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
4300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
The Program Coordinator at AFP IHQ will then contact the course host with more details. For more information, please contact the AFP Professional Advancement Division at proadv@afpnet.org or 703-519-8494.
Course Objectives:
The course objectives for The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course represent the "big picture" overview of the course. Under these objectives, for each course module there will be additional learning objectives that will lead to accomplishment of these overall course objectives.
At the conclusion of the new course, the participating novice practitioner should be able to:
Overview of Fundraising
- Explain the culture of philanthropy and the role philanthropy plays in organizations.
- Name 8-10 key reasons people give.
- Describe the primary sources of contributions.
- Describe the essential components of an integrated development program and the primary purpose of each one.
- State key qualities that every fundraiser should possess and describe a basic path for personal professional development.
Developing a Comprehensive Solicitation Program
- Define and clearly articulate an organization's case for support.
- Indicate the advantages of individual and group solicitation methods, and summarize how each is best incorporated into an integrated development program.
- Distinguish the differences between and uses for annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving.
- Develop appropriate policies and procedures to ensure integrity of donor intent and to honor donors and volunteers in ways appropriate to their contributions to the organization.
- Implement a development plan that supports the organization's overall mission and strategic plan, and meets the needs of stakeholders.
Building & Sustaining Relationships
- Identify and segment the pool of potential donors, using appropriate variables such as previous gift level and potential, interest areas and relationship to organization, and organizational needs.
- Initiate, maintain, and enhance continuing and mutually beneficial relationships with volunteers, donors, and qualified prospects.
- Ensure that relationships are supported and enhanced through effective donor records management and proper stewardship of funds.
Securing the Gift
- Develop a comprehensive marketing and communications plan, including appropriate events and activities to inform and engage donors and qualified prospects.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate solicitation strategies that will maximize the outcomes of solicitation efforts.
- Describe the roles of the Internet and social media in fundraising.
- Implement appropriate acknowledgement, acceptance, and recognition practices to honor donors and volunteers.
Volunteers, Management, and Accountability
- Describe the essential roles and responsibilities of board and staff members.
- Discuss ways to best utilize volunteers in the fundraising process.
- Apply effective techniques for recruiting, training, managing, evaluating, and recognizing volunteers.
- Coordinate the budgeting and planning process of the fundraising department with that of the overall organization.
- Ensure accountability in fundraising activities through effective planning, reporting, and evaluation processes.
Seamless AFP Education Matrix:
In addition, the Task Force made the decision to align The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course after the 2009 revised CFRE Review Course so that the material is taught in a way that takes the beginner from a fundamental understanding to a natural progression of skills and knowledge that the practitioner of 4-5 years would have prepping to write their CFRE. This also allows for a seamless transition across AFP curriculum that will be important as AFP expands its training and educational programming.
The seven modules of The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course are:
Module 1: Overview of Fundraising
Module 2: Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program
Module 3: Building & Sustaining Relationships
Module 4: Marketing for Ongoing Success
Module 5: Securing the Gift
Module 6: Volunteers - Partners in Fundraising
Module 7: Management & Accountability
AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course Pilots:
Currently, we are finalizing the curriculum as we prepare to embark on our Pilots. Our original plan was to conduct two Pilots, one in Canada and one in the US, but we were fortunate that the founding Chapter developer of the AFP Essentials of Fundraising Program - Philadelphia has offered to host a third Pilot.
As such Pilots will be happening in Charleston, South Carolina on March 2-3; Pilot Two will be happening in Vancouver, British Columbia on March 15-16 and the third Pilot will be hosted in Philadelphia, PA on March 19-20.
These three Pilot's will allow us to test the near final curriculum in three separate communities (both urban and rural); integrate our learning's and have it ready to launch in Baltimore at the AFP International Conference, April 10-11, 2010.
Warmest regards on behalf of the North American EOF & FC Redevelopment Task Force and AFP Education and Training Team,Tania Little, CFRE
Chair, North American EOF & C Redevelopment Task Force
AFP Acknowledgments and Thanks:
AFP IHQ congratulates and especially thanks the volunteers from the AFP Greater Philadelphia Chapter that developed and drafted The AFP Essentials of Fundraising Program. Thanks to their creative efforts, AFP was able to synthesize the best of both Essentials of Fundraising and the AFP First Course in Fundraising to create the new AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course for all of AFP’s communities.
