Fundraising Academy Certificate Program
Empower Your Mission. Elevate Your Impact.
Master the art and strategy of fundraising to drive lasting change in your organization and community.
Experience level:
Beginner - Intermediate.
The Fundraising Academy Certificate Program is a practical, skill-building experience for nonprofit professionals, emerging leaders, and fund development staff who want to strengthen their fundraising expertise and elevate their organization’s impact. This program equips participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence to lead effective fundraising efforts and build a culture of philanthropy across their organization.
Through an engaging mix of instruction, applied exercises, and peer discussion, participants will:
- Learn to apply the Fundraising Cycle as a strategic roadmap to guide fund development activities.
- Conduct an internal Development Assessment to understand organizational readiness and capacity for growth.
- Align fundraising efforts with their organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and financial goals.
- Craft a persuasive and emotionally resonant Case for Giving that inspires donor support.
- Plan and assess special event fundraising strategies, cultivating donor relationships and boosting visibility.
- Explore the integration of major gifts and planned giving to support long-term financial sustainability.
- Build a comprehensive Strategic Fund Development Plan tailored to their organization’s needs.
- Develop the leadership skills necessary to engage staff, board members, and volunteers in fundraising success.
- Design and launch a Monthly Sustainers Program to promote donor retention and recurring support.
- Understand core principles of grant writing as part of a diverse fundraising portfolio.
- Gain hands-on experience with fundraising databases (CRMs) to manage donors and analyze giving trends.
Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to refine your fundraising leadership, this certificate program offers the critical foundation and applied tools needed to advance your fundraising practice and deepen your organization’s impact.
Cancellation policy: If plans change and you are no longer able to attend, we will transfer your enrollment and payment to the next program cycle. Funds must be applied and used within a 6 (six) month period. We do not offer refunds.
Schedule:
Day 1 | November 18 | 9 am - 12 pm | Fundraising Strategy and Development Assessment
Focus: Foundations of fundraising leadership and organizational readiness
Agenda:
- Welcome and Program Overview
- Introduction to the Fundraising Cycle (Identify → Cultivate → Ask → Steward → Renew)
- Conducting a Development Assessment: Tools, Indicators, and Readiness
- Aligning Fundraising with Strategic Plans and Operating Budgets
- Overview of Fundraising Methods (Individual, Events, Grants, Monthly, Major, Planned Giving)
- Introduction to Fundraising Databases and Their Role in Stewardship and Planning
- Assignment: Complete and submit the Development Assessment Summary
Day 2 | November 25 | 9 am - 12 pm | Crafting a Compelling Case for Giving
Focus: Storytelling, messaging, and donor psychology
Agenda:
- Review of Development Assessment Highlights
- Understanding Donor Motivations and Key Audiences
- Elements of a Strong Case for Giving
- Workshopping Case Narratives with Peer Input
- Using CRM Segmentation to Tailor Messaging
- Assignment: Draft your organization’s Case for Giving
Day 3 | December 2 | 9 am - 12 pm | Special Events, Major Gifts, and Planned Giving
Focus: Storytelling, messaging, and donor psychology
Agenda:
- Review of Development Assessment Highlights
- Understanding Donor Motivations and Key Audiences
- Elements of a Strong Case for Giving
- Workshopping Case Narratives with Peer Input
- Using CRM Segmentation to Tailor Messaging
- Assignment: Draft your organization’s Case for Giving
Day 4 | December 9 | 9 am - 12 pm | Leading the Development Function and Building the Plan
Focus: Strategic planning, infrastructure, and leadership
Agenda:
- Components of a Strategic Fund Development Plan
- Mapping Strategies to Strategic Priorities and Financial Goals
- Roles and Responsibilities of Staff, Board, and Volunteers
- Metrics and Dashboards for Measuring Success
- Building a Culture of Philanthropy Across the Organization
- Assignment: Draft your Strategic Fund Development Plan
Day 5 | December 16 | 9 am - 12 pm | Sustainers, Grants, and Final Presentations
Focus: Building long-term revenue and presenting integrated strategies
Agenda:
- Monthly Sustainer Programs: Design, Technology, and Stewardship
- Grant Writing Essentials: Types of Grants, Key Proposal Components, and Fit with Overall Strategy
- Integrating Monthly and Grant Funding into the Development Plan
- Final Presentations: Highlights from Case for Giving, Events Strategy, and Fund Development Plan
- Peer Feedback and Group Reflection
- Certificate Recognition and Closing
Program Details:
- Fall 2025: Jan 22 & 29, Feb 5, 12, & 19. Five half-day sessions via Zoom.
- CVNL Member tuition: $750.
- Non-member tuition: $945.
- Class Size: Limited to 30 participants to ensure personalized attention and meaningful discussions.
- CVNL Certificate of Completion awarded to participants who register for the full series and complete course requirements. Participants may miss one class and still qualify for a certificate.
- All sessions will be recorded and shared.
Our Faculty
Our faculty members are experienced and working professionals, who combine strong theoretical frameworks and real-life industry knowledge.
Dr. Jolie Mason
Leadership coach and nonprofit management consultant with more than 20 years of executive experience
Who Should Attend?
The Fundraising Academy Certificate Program is designed for nonprofit professionals who are committed to deepening their impact through effective and sustainable fundraising strategies. This includes development staff, executive directors, board members, volunteer leaders, and emerging professionals eager to strengthen their fundraising skills and lead with confidence. Whether you’re building a new development program, expanding an existing one, or transitioning into a fundraising leadership role, this program provides the essential tools and strategic insights to elevate your efforts. If you’re passionate about advancing your mission, building donor relationships, and fostering a culture of philanthropy within your organization, this program is for you.
Tuition & Scholarships
CVNL is pleased to offer partial scholarships to support first-generation professionals and professionals entering the nonprofit sector for the first time in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties.
These scholarships are made available by generous grants from the Peter A., and Vernice H. Gasser Foundation, the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, the Solano Community Foundation, Marin Community Foundation, and U.S. Bank. To apply, click here, or for more information, please contact us at learning@cvnl.org.
SPONSORED IN PART BY:
