Certificate Program in Fundraising and Board Development:
Noncredit Courses

All classes are taught by a practicing development professional identified by the Association of Development Officers in Westchester. Students receive printed materials, a bibliography, and networking information at each class.

FALL 2008

Course I: Introduction to Fundraising and Board Development
This three-week introductory course focuses on the roles of the nonprofit board, executive director, and development director in establishing and attaining development goals. The first session addresses the umbrella concepts of the fundraising pyramid, the giving cycle, charitable giving standards, and ethics in fundraising. The second session looks closely at the composition, skills, duties, and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, while the third session looks at how strategic plans and development plans are interrelated. Participants leave the class with the tools to develop an integrated and effective development plan for their organizations.
Session 1 (Sept. 17): Overview of Fundraising and Board Development
Session 2 (Sept. 24): Duties and Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
Session 3 (Oct. 1): Strategic Plans and Development Plans
HCE9067.20 / $170
ADO members register for HCE9067.21 / $145
Wed., 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Sept. 17–Oct. 1 (9 hours, 3 sessions)
Library Classroom 1004B (updated 9/19/08)

Course II: Fundraising Techniques
Each session of this six-week series focuses on a different approach to fundraising for the nonprofit organization. Beginning with the annual giving campaign, the series continues with reviews and discussion of special events, major gift solicitation, options for planned giving, capital campaigns, and donor recognition. Important to all of the techniques is the development and management of volunteer programs to support your efforts. The classes provide practical guidelines for identifying potential donors, handling the “ask” meeting, providing effective donor recognition, and utilizing your board in your efforts. Become familiar with various types of life income gifts (charitable gift annuities, remainder trusts, pooled income funds, life insurance, and bequests) and understand the interests of the major players: prospect, development office, financial planner, attorney, accountant, and bank.
Session 1 (Oct. 15): Annual Giving
Session 2 (Oct. 22): Special Events
Session 3 (Oct. 29): Major Gifts
Session 4 (Nov. 5): Planned Giving
Session 5 (Nov. 12): Capital Campaigns
Session 6 (Nov. 19): Donor Relations and Volunteer Program Management
HCE9068.20 / $340
ADO members register for HCE9068.21 / $315
Wed., 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Oct. 15–Nov. 19 (18 hours, 6 sessions)
Library Classroom 1004B (updated 9/19/08)

SPRING 2009: The courses listed below begin Feb. 25; schedules will be posted by late Oct. 2008.

Course III: Fundraising Technology and Research
This three-week course guides you through activities and resources related to fundraising outcomes, with a special emphasis on using technology to access current, significant data for planning, solicitation, record-keeping, and reporting. The first session provides an overview on how to select and use database software programs and includes information on how to solicit donations through your Web site and the Internet. In session two, you will learn to identify and approach potential donors for your organization. Session three guides you to information on funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and state and federal agencies.
HCE9069.10 / $170
ADO members register for HCE9069.11 / $145
Session 1: Technology Applications
Session 2: Individual Donor Research
Session 3: Corporate, Foundation, and Government Funding Research

Course IV: Fundraising Communications
With your goals established and your research completed, you are ready to present your proposals to carefully selected donors. This four-session series begins with the basic principles of preparing grant proposals for foundations, corporations, and government agencies, including the letter of intent and guidelines for cultivating positive communications in reports, site visits, and thank-you letters. In session two, corporate and foundation executives provide guidelines on how and when to approach corporations and foundations for gifts, and a noted philanthropist offers tips on making a proposal stand out. The third session considers activities and guidelines for strengthening relationships with the media and demonstrates how to turn stories into news and link materials to popular Internet search engines. It includes a primer on the important difference between advertising and public relations and the effective use of branding. The series concludes with a review of materials typically produced by a development officer: newsletters, annual reports, brochures, annual appeals, ads, and Web content. Learn here how to work with freelancers and printers.
HCE 9071.20 / $230
ADO members register for HCE9071.21 / $205
Session 1: Grant Writing
Session 2: Corporate, Foundation, and Government Relations
Session 3: Image Development and Public Relations
Session 4: Marketing and Advertising

Updated June 20, 2008