The baseline course for all of The Fund Raising School courses.

Our Trademark Course - The Definitive Training Program for Fundraisers

Recognized internationally, Principles & Techniques gives you the foundation and inspiration to lead your nonprofit to its financial goals. It provides you with the framework for operating a successful total development program. It is an intensive 8 week, A-through-Z online training program that is the basis for the rest of the School's courses. Successful completion involves weekly participation, under the direction of faculty, and submission of course activities on time.

Special Note about the March 5-30, 2012 Accelerated Online Principles & Techniques of Fundraising Course:

This is a special one-time, accelerated offering of the online Principles & Techniques of Fundraising course that runs 4 weeks instead of the normal 8 weeks. Participants will complete two learning modules per week instead of one learning module per week. This intensive format is designed for participants who want to develop their knowledge of fundraising in a shorter time frame, are completely comfortable with technology, and have the personal and professional flexibility to devote the necessary time and energy on a weekly basis to complete the course.

You'll Learn To:

• Identify and validate prospective donors
• Manage the fundraising process
• Use research to match a donor's interests and needs with your nonprofit '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 your donors and to your nonprofit
• Structure a successful solicitation
• Respond to challenges and ethical dilemmas with professional skill.

Weekly Course Activities Include:

• Reading
• Viewing narrated presentations
• Engaging in forum discussions with others
• Submitting assignments

To preview the online learning environment:

• Go to http://cop.blackboard.com.
• Click on “Preview as Guest” on the log-in page.
• You’ll be taken to a page with “My Courses” featured on the right. Click on “Online Course Preview” under “My Courses.”
• This will bring you to the Online Course Preview. Read the welcome statement and follow directions from there to experience our online learning environment.