[VIRTUAL] Lilly School of Philanthropy Certificate in Fundraising Management

For 50 years, The Fund Raising School has been at the forefront of helping thousands of fundraising professionals around the world achieve new levels of success. The depth and breadth of TFRS curriculum have proven effective for participants with varying levels of fundraising experience. TFRS participants leave the training with practical skills needed to make a difference, as well as the ability to better articulate the powerful role their organizations play in making the world a better place.

Training Philosophy and Format
Participants who attend The Fund Raising School’s courses discover ways to address today’s philanthropic needs and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities using practical tools, innovative strategies, and ethical practices taught by experienced faculty. Through dynamic, research-based curricula, TFRS teaches not only the "how" of philanthropy but also explores the "why," examining the principles of philanthropy, current trends, and the art and science behind effective fundraising. Designed for professionals at all experience levels, Lilly Family School’s professional development courses equip participants with practical, actionable skills they can apply immediately, Additionally, participants gain a deep understanding and ability to better articulate the powerful role their organization plays in creating meaningful change and the confidence to communicate that impact with clarity and purpose to donors.

The Fund Raising School’s partners benefit from training techniques that are based on the philosophy of participatory learning through interactive sessions that include discussion, lecture, and application activities which are the most effective in producing long-term learning.

A successful experience in courses depends to a great extent on interactive learning and is a shared responsibility between faculty and participants. Although a certain amount of lecture is necessary, valuable learning takes place through discussion and group or individual activity during the sessions. In short, cooperative effort by both the presenter and the learner is vital for optimum educational and experiential benefit.

TFRS Faculty

TFRS faculty is comprised of experienced professionals who have been trained in effective interactive teaching and learning techniques. They are committed to the philosophies of TFRS and continue to fine-tune their skills through professional and continuing education activities. Faculty members have expertise based on a wide variety of backgrounds. The Fund Raising School’s staff will work to ensure that faculty member’s knowledge of the participants’ backgrounds will provide for a program that addresses their specific needs.

Recognized internationally, Principles & Techniques provides the foundation and inspiration to achieve an organization’s financial goals. This course presents the total framework for operating an accomplished fund development program. Course participants will receive a digital copy of Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, fifth edition, upon completing the course.

Course Highlights:

• Identify and validate prospective donors
• Manage the fundraising process
• Use research to match a donor’s interests and needs with your organization’s mission and goals
• Build an annual fund donor base that keeps on giving
• Manage the process of raising money
• Recognize planned giving benefits to donors and to the organization
• Structure a successful solicitation
• Understand the fundraising cycle
• Respond to challenges and ethical

Dates and Times

Instructors

• Cathy Brown
• Andrew Lonsbury

This course teaches participants how to maintain good relations with current donors and encourages them to repeat and increase their giving. Participants will strengthen fundraising skills that can sustain their organization including direct mail, online giving, major gifts, and special events.

Course Highlights:

• Determine which strategies to use and when to use them
• Manage time effectively
• Make a convincing case for support
• Insights into donor psychology
• Create gift range charts for planning
• Get volunteers actively involved with your fundraising
• Use the annual fund to support a total development program
• How to put together an annual fund by using worksheets
• Using AI in your work
• How to engage donors in the digital age
• How to assess the cost efficiency and effectiveness of your annual fund

Dates and Times

Instructors

• Melissa Brown
• Sarah Nathan

Consistent donors can become major donors when fundraisers effectively implement the Eight-Step Major Gifts Management Cycle. This course will teach participants to identify and utilize their own communication strengths when meeting with donors to develop major gifts and increase their fundraising success.

Course Highlights:

• Use the mission to motivate volunteers
• Develop an organizational vision for major gifts
• Organize a major gift program
• Provide and cultivate leadership for a major gifts program
• Help volunteers overcome their resistance to asking for gifts
• Respond to objections in presentations
• Define the roles of board and staff in major gift fundraising
• Manage the eight-step major gifts process
• Use current research to guide your approach
• Forge leadership partnerships

Dates and Times

Instructors

• Erik Daubert
• Vicki Pugh

This course explores capital, endowment, comprehensive, and project-based campaigns. Participants will navigate the decision-making process, considering the "why" and "why not" factors, and uncover intangible benefits for the university, beyond finances. Participants will learn how to engage stakeholders effectively, utilizing proven strategies and tools to design, implement, and manage campaigns.

Course Highlights:

• Understand fundraising campaign types including capital, endowment, combined, comprehensive, and project; in ways that are clear, useful, and engaging
• Consider the “why” and “why not” when deciding whether to design and implement a fundraising campaign
• Appreciate the intangible benefits, beyond money raised, that a nonprofit can receive through a fundraising campaign
• Engage a diverse range of stakeholders to drive the campaign’s success
• Utilize strategies, tools, and forms available to design, implement, and manage a successful campaign
• Be aware of ethical issues associated with campaign fundraising
• Apply learnings from this course to the context of their own nonprofits

Dates and Times

Instructors

• Cathy Brown
• Erik Daubert

Virtual (Live) Courses

For courses five sessions or longer, one missed live session can be made up by listening to a session recording in full and provide written responses to key questions from the session. Participants who miss more than one live session will not be eligible to receive the certificate of completion and CFRE education points.

For courses with four or fewer sessions, attendance at all live sessions is required to receive a certificate.

Attendance is taken daily. Participants must stay through the end of the class to receive the certificate of completion. Below is the full attendance policy for each course modality. Please contact TFRS (tfrs@iu.edu) before registering for a course if you have any questions.