Fund Development

The Fund Development Institute focuses on the “Art and Science” of fundraising and the work that fundraisers do. The format of this program is guided by fundraising cycle and the culture of philanthropy and incorporates fundamentals and practical application tools and methods.

The Fund Development Institute is the premier program on the east coast that helps professionals take their career to the next level. It is designed around the individual needs of fundraising professionals, executive directors, career switchers and development or program staff. Classes are taught by nonprofit and fundraising professionals who are experts in their fields and share real-world knowledge as well as their love of fundraising.

Institute Overview

Knowledge of current fundraising techniques and skills is essential for nonprofit professionals. It’s not enough to know the “what” of fundraising; nonprofit professional also need to know the “how.” This program focuses on the “Art and Science” of fundraising and the work that fundraisers do.

This program will be guided by the fundraising cycle and the culture of philanthropy and will incorporate fundamentals and practical application tools and methods. The Fund Development Institute is an intensive certification program. At the conclusion of the program, you’ll earn a certificate in Fund Development from the University of Richmond.

Outcomes

  • Learn to incorporate the “art of fundraising” into your organization by using the fundraising cycle as the foundation of your fundraising strategies.
  • Incorporate the “science of fundraising” with the fundamentals of the culture of philanthropy, into the way you work with your volunteer leaders and donors.
  • Learn how to identify and build your giving constituency and set up your development team for success

Modules

Individual learning modules are clustered around the following themes.

1. Assessment

  • Individual
  • Organizational using SCOC (Internal Strengths/Challenges, External Opportunities/Challenges)

2. Fundraising Cycle

  • Identify
  • Inform (Communicate)
  • Involve (Cultivate)
  • Invest (Ask)
  • Steward

3. Fundamentals & Application

  • Creating Fundraising Flow: Setting Up for Success, Policies & Procedures
  • Developing a Giving Constituency
  • The Role of Volunteer Leadership
  • Practicing the Art of the Candid Conversation
  • Breaking Down the Silos: Creating a Culture of Philanthropy

4. Types of Giving

  • Annual Fund
  • Grants
  • Gift Planning: Major Gifts & Planned Giving
  • Capital Campaigns
CFRE logo

CFRE Approved

Approved provider for continuing education — Full participation in IOP courses is applicable for points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification based on the number of contact hours listed for the class.

Earn the Fund Development for Nonprofits Badge

Fund Development badge

In addition to earning a Certificate from the University of Richmond, students who complete this Institute successfully will earn the Fund Development for Nonprofits badge. Once earned, you can share this badge on your website, digital resume and social media profiles to demonstrate to employers and colleagues that you’ve completed the program’s outcomes.