Course Name: Professional Fundraising Certificate Program

Facilitator: Robin Thompson, MS – President TT&K, Inc. (Click here to learn more about Robin)

Format: In-Person Only

Dates: 2025 Dates Coming Soon! If you are interested in information on the next available session. please email Anna@vailvalleypartnership.com or click here to join the Vail Valley Works email list.

Certificate/Credit: Full participation in the Professional Fundraising Certificate Program is applicable for 16 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Cost: $450 (VVP Members)*/$600 (Public Price)

• *Scholarship funds may be available to VVP members in good standing – click here to view requirements and complete the scholarship application. 

Intended For: This program is ideal for people who currently work, or those who want to work in charitable organizations to gain the knowledge that is typically acquired over years of experience, into classroom and experiential learning. This may include staff, directors, program administrators, board members, philanthropists, members of faith-based communities, volunteers, or those interested in employment or volunteering.

Course Description: This training program is customized around the core competencies for nonprofit success. Learn critical information about fundraising, major gift prospecting, solicitation, database segmentation, and winning grants. Understand how business principles guide the operation while building relationships based upon donors’ interests keep a nonprofit strong.  This program incorporates knowledge of fundraising in rural communities like the Vail Valley. This makes it extremely valuable for anyone who lives in, or works with, nonprofits in rural communities.

Participants complete a Development Audit at their nonprofit or another nonprofit and present the audit report and their completed portfolio to the review panel in the final class. Based on the review panel recommendation the certificate is awarded.

Learning Outcomes:

• Comprehensive overview of all aspects of a nonprofit organization
• Major Gift prospecting, soliciting and stewarding
• Budgeting for the Fundraising Process
• Understanding and creating fundraising vehicles
• Learning about the fundraising cycle
• Applying the critical parts of Moves Management
• The when, where, how and why of events
• Putting fundraising theories into practice
• Finding funding
• Building, motivating and managing the team
• Build and manage the annual fund program
• When and how to design a capital campaign
• Learn about a planned giving program
• How to secure corporate donations and sponsorships
• What you need to know about applying for grants
• How, when and where to ask for a gift

Session Schedule:

• Session 1:            Understanding the Role of the Nonprofit and Those People It Serves
• Session 2:           Telling the Story with a Case Statement, Elevator Speech and Donor Bill of Rights
• Session 3:           Understanding and Creating Fundraising Campaigns, Events, Appeal Letters, etc.
• Session 4:           Critical Parts of Major Gift Prospecting
• Session 5:           Major Gift Cultivating, Soliciting and Stewarding
• Session 6:           The Ask – Solicitation Strategies for Major, Annual and Planned Gifts
• Session 7:           Planning, Budgeting and Strategies for the Fundraising Process
• Session 8:           Development Audit Presentation

Dates: 2025 Dates Coming Soon! If you are interested in information on the next available session. please email Anna@vailvalleypartnership.com or click here to join the Vail Valley Works email list.

Pricing:

• VVP Members: $450
• Public Price: $600
  • *Scholarship funds may be available to VVP members in good standing – click here to view requirements and complete the scholarship application. 

Registration Includes:

• A comprehensive study guide workbook
• Customized forms that are created to streamline processes
• Exclusive formulas for establishing best-practice benchmarks
• Completing a quiz and audit to receive a Professional Fundraising Certificate (16 CFRE Continuing Education Credits)
• Engaging in-person discussions
• Submitting assignments
• Customized education specific to donors in mountain communities
• A chance to network and build long-lasting relationships with other professionals
• Light lunch