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certificate in fundraising management curriculum.
certificate in fundraising management course descriptions.
Fundraising Concepts and Practices (Core)
This is an overview of all fundraising programs. Learn how to integrate various fundraising activities with a major gift emphasis. Instructor: Paul J. Strawhecker
- Institutional issues relating to fundraising
- Organizing your fundraising program
- Why case statements are important
- Identifying and involving prospects and donors
- Planning and executing an annual fund campaign
- Using the capital campaign effectively
- Major gift fundraising for the small shop
- Planned giving overview
This workshop gives participants an opportunity to build an annual giving plan. Activities will include panel discussions and group activities. This class is recommended for individuals with two years or less development experience. Instructor: Betsy Brownrigg
- Organizational assessment
- Direct mail
- Special events
- Sponsorship
- Grants management
Campaign style fundraising is an often under-used strategy that can increase endowments and generate general funds as well as build buildings. Based on Paul J. Strawhecker's book Capital Campaign Implementation: Are You Ready? you will learn how to lay the groundwork as well as the general concepts of a successful capital campaign. Participants will receive a copy of the book. Instructors: Paul J. Strawhecker and John Fettig
- Organizational readiness
- Pre-philantrhopic planning study preparation
- Philanthropic planning study
- Campaign planning, cultivation and solicitation
Planned Giving and Major Gifts (Core)
Learn how to ask for the big gift! This class will discuss the identification, cultivation and proposal development for major and planned gifts. Instructors: Jodie Nolan
- Planned giving vehicles
- Legal aspects of planned giving
- How to select your endowment manager
- How to set up the appointment
- How to make the call/role playing
- What you need to know to establish and manage these programs
- How to make the call (role playing)
Strategic planning is critical for your organization and your development office. This course will lead you step-by-step through the development of a strategic plan, beginning with a powerful mission statement, analysis of your organization's strengths and weaknesses, and assessment of your competitive position. Instructor: Pete Tulipana
- What is strategic planning
- Strategic planning vs. long-rang planning
- Element of a strategic planning process
- A model for strategic planning
Your Board of Directors is cornerstones of your organization. An effective Board of Directors can help increase your giving activities. Instructor: Pete Tulipana
- The role and function of the Board of Directors
- How to set expectations and motivate your Board
Direct Mail and Donor Data Management (Elective)
Bring your fundraising materials for an analysis and some new ideas. Learn how to start or enhance your direct mail fundraising program, taking a donor's view to see how you can improve all your donor communications. Plan and conduct tests so that you get results you can use. Instructor: Bernie Devlin
- Donor record keeping
- Donor communications
- Analysis of the data and testing for success
- Letter writing--the appeal and the thank-you letter
- Inserts and newsletters
- Processing the gift
This seminar will focus on the development of successful grant proposals. It is designed to assist both first-time and seasoned proposal writers. Instructor: Sara Woods
- How to understand the life cycle of a grant-funded program
- How to locate federal, state, local and foundation funding
- How to write a successful proposal that contains convincing key elements
- How to develop and present clear budgets for grant proposals
- How to develop and utilize effective mechanism for program evaluation
- How to obtain a successful grant development strategy for your organization
Prospect Research and Donor Relationships (Elective)
Prospect research is an important component of the development program. Organizations wishing to obtain major gifts from individuals, corporations or foundations must do their homework. Instructor: Jodie Nolan
- Sources of information for prospect research
- The benefits of prospect research
- Electronic screening
- Pitfalls of research
- How to build relationships with donors and prospects
- How to organize and maintain a stewardship program
Public Relations and Marketing (Elective)
This is an overview of the manner in which Public Relations lays groundwork
for fundraising. Learn how applying public relations concepts and techniques
can enhance development programs. Instructor:
Dr. Eileen
Wirth
- Role of mission in publications success
- Inexpensive but effective public relations research techniques
- Creating positioning statements and other strategic messages
- Targeting key audiences
- Strengthening identity as the basis for a sound public image
- Strategic event planning
- Strategic media relations
certificate in fundraising management instructors.
Betsy is vice president of development services for Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. In her 20-plus years of development and administrative experience, Betsy has addressed the challenges organizations face in strategic planning, annual fund campaigns and working with boards. She has served as executive director of the Omaha Children's Museum and director of administration for Opera Omaha.
Bernie has 22 years experience in non-profit management and fundraising. As Director of Public Appeals for Girls and Boys Town in Nebraska, he directed all aspects of the direct response fundraising including production acquisition mailings, donor renewal, donor database, donor communications and telemarketing and direct response TV. Bernie has served on the Board of Directors of the Direct Marketing Association Non Profit Federation, and has been a frequent presenter at Direct Marketing Association conferences and meetings. He has also worked as a professor and researcher as the University of Nebraska at Omaha Psychology Department and worked as a special education teacher in Philadelphia. Today, Bernie enjoys consulting with non-profits on fundraising, data management, and director marketing issues for charitable organizations. return to course descriptions
John is a senor associate at Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. He has worked with
not-for-profit organizations for more than 20 years. His development experience
includes work in higher education, economic development and developmental
disabilities. He served as Director of Development for Special Olympics
Nebraska, as Director of Development at Blackburn College (Illinois) and
as Executive Director of the Carlinville (Illinois) Economic Development
Corporation. John has experience in all areas of fundraising including
annual giving, direct mail and telephone, special events, planned giving
and capital campaigns. He has been active in community affairs, serving
as a board of education member and leader in Rotary International. He
is a past president of the Nebraska Chapter of the Association of Fundraising
Professionals.
return to course descriptions
Jodie is vice president of gift planning services for Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc., an Omaha based nonprofit consulting firm. She has in excess of 20 years of development experience associated primarily with child welfare organizations, higher education, and healthcare institutions. Most recently, she has served as national director of major gifts/planned giving for Boys Town, and previously served in positions such as vice president of institutional advancement for the College of St. Mary (Omaha); director of development, Child Saving Institute, affiliated with the National Benevolent Association (Omaha); and the St. Joseph Health Care Foundation (Omaha). return to course descriptions
Paul J. Strawhecker, MPA, ACFRE
Paul is president of Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. Paul's career spans over 30 years in managing fundraising programs throughout the country, generating over $200 million in annual giving, planned giving and capital campaigns. Paul started Boys Town's planned giving program, was responsible for the City of Omaha's social service programs and served as vice president for a 75-hospital management group and a university system. return to course descriptions
Pete is executive director of Family Services, has 25 years professional management experience with expertise in strategic planning, program development and evaluation, organization behavior, and policy development. Peter has done an extensive amount of training and development with boards of directors. return to course descriptions
Eileen is chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Creighton University. She is a former reporter for the Omaha World-Herald and a former public relations official for Union Pacific Railroad. At UP, she served on the regional advisory committee for the Union Pacific Foundation. Eileen has been a public relations consultant and volunteer for many groups. She is a former president of the Omaha Library Board and is vice president of the Omaha Public Library Foundation. She is also a board member of Omaha Press Club Journalism Education, Inc., and the Cathedral Arts Project. She has been heavily involved in volunteer PR and development work for Marian and Creighton Prep high schools, St. Cecilia's Grade School and the Omaha Public Library. Eileen is the author of three books including The Omaha Experience, written for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and Catholic School Public Relations Cases, published by the National Catholic Educational Association. return to course descriptions
Sara is an assistant dean in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service at UNO. A grant writing specialist and consultant for over 15 years, she has written or co-written over 100 successful proposals to federal, state, local and private funding agencies totaling over $50 million. return to course descriptions