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The Certificate will commence on July 5th 2023 with the first module delivered in-person with tutor Kevin Delaney.
Please note this EFA-certified course will only run once in 2023.
Do you want to improve your fundraising skills and continue with your professional development? The Certificate in Fundraising gives a solid grounding in the theoretical concepts and principles behind fundraising. It examines the role of fundraising within the sector and the role it plays in Irish society.
This is an online professional qualification, with no face to face training days. It is designed to give clear milestones to keep students motivated and engaged. The key to success within this educational approach is student participation and student involvement. The course won’t work without it.
The online format for the Certificate in Fundraising allows you to study for Ireland’s only recognised fundraising qualification, wherever you live, complete scheduled weekly tasks at times which suit you during the week, with on-going distance learning support from our professional, experienced tutors, which includes three short scheduled meetings with your class and tutor. The virtual learning environment helps you to gain the knowledge and apply it as well as giving you the opportunity to share your ideas and experiences through the student discussion forum.
This qualification is designed for individuals responsible for the frontline implementation of fundraising activities. As a guide, you should have a minimum of one to three years of fundraising experience either in a paid or voluntary capacity. However, it is also suitable for those looking to make a career change into fundraising should they be willing to put in the extra time needed. The Cii Academy team is available to discuss this further, if necessary.
You will become a more confident fundraiser and understand how to improve your results. You will learn practical, effective fundraising skills to apply in your current role. These skills will enable you to make a positive immediate impact on your own, and your organisation's fundraising results.
The Certificate will commence in July 2023, and will run again in 2024. If you are interested in enrolling for this please fill in this form below.
You are required to complete eight modules to achieve the Certificate in Fundraising. This includes seven core modules and one elective module of your choice.
The seven compulsory modules are:
You also choose one elective module from the following:
The course is delivered 100% online with a mixture of content including interactive activities (including an online student discussion forum), readings, and case studies. Assessment is based on the completion of two formal written assignments. The deadlines for your Assignments are set in advance to help you plan your studies.
Each of these modules is delivered over the course of a week. Learning will commence with an introductory session where you will meet your tutor and your class. This will be held on Monday from 9.00am - 9.30am during the week of the module. You will also be supplied with a recommended timetable to guide you through the material, over the course of the week. Further meetings with your tutor and fellow students are scheduled - mid-week and at the end of the week (typically Wednesday & Friday from 1.00pm - 2.00pm). You will work your way through the learning material between those meetings - it is split into 30 minute chunks and typically finishes with a thought-provoking notion! You can expect to spend 6-8 hours on each course during the week, including the content, meetings, and any extra material you may be given.
The online course is housed in a Learning Management System where you can manage your details, access your calendar and review your progress and feedback for submitted assignments and activities. You will also have access to each module’s learning outcomes, readings and activities enabling you to consolidate your knowledge and put your learning into practice. Other resources may include required readings, relevant articles, videos, and links to useful websites. The student discussion forum will enable you to post comments and feedback in response to tutors’ and your fellow students’ postings.
Student participation and engagement is essential throughout the qualification.
The syllabus blends the very latest ideas from professional practice with up-to-date practical Irish case studies. You’ll gain knowledge and skills at the very cutting edge of the profession that you can take to any employer and make a genuine difference to their fundraising program.
We will provide an introduction to the nonprofit sector and the role of philanthropy as a primary source of income for many organisations. We will also examine the critical topics of ethics and the development of best practice for fundraising charities. We’ll look at ethical frameworks, the Code of Fundraising, the Guidelines for Charitable Organisations Fundraising from the Public, the Charities Governance Code, GDPR, Charities SORP and common place ethical issues that fundraisers will typically encounter in the course of their employment.
We aim to give students an understanding of the fundraising planning process, an overview of how to conduct a fundraising audit, and an understanding of how to set fundraising objectives and how to develop strategies and tactical plans.
We will examine donor management by providing students with an understanding of best practices in donor care and retention, an understanding of the value of data in donor care and retention, and an introduction to the key stages in building a donor retention strategy. We will also learn why people donate and why they stop, an understanding of the key stages in the donor recruitment process and an overview of the essentials of creative briefing.
The course grows the notion of a fundraising mix, developing the detail of how to implement key forms of fundraising. It provides an introduction to direct response fundraising, using traditional media. It will also provide an understanding of best practice in relation to major gift fundraising, community fundraising, institutional fundraising including both corporate fundraising and fundraising from grants, trusts & foundations. A case study approach will be adopted, allowing participants to apply their learning to a local organisation. There will also be an opportunity to explore either legacy fundraising, digital fundraising or team dynamics in more detail.
You will need to complete two work-based, case study written assignments.
What level of commitment is needed?
You are expected to attend every session and actively engage with your class and tutor. If you fail to attend and/or engage you will disrupt your own learning experience and the shared learning experience of your group.
You are also expected to study in your own time. On average the length of time needed to complete the Certificate in Fundraising is approximately six months, this includes assessments. You are expected to commit approximately 6-8 hours a week until the completion of the program. This amounts to approximately 150 hours of individual study.
To ensure you are not placed at a disadvantage when studying for the Certificate you should have a good command of written and spoken English to complete assignments to the required standard.
Course Fees include:
Minimum 1-3 years paid or voluntary. It is also suitable for those looking to make a career change into fundraising should they be willing to put in the extra time needed.
Online
€990 - Member Rate
€1500 - Non-Member Rate
Please note that a 20% Deposit will be required to secure your place on this course.
If you have any questions regarding the Certificate in Fundraising please contact annelies@charitiesinstituteireland.ie
