Want a way to dip your toe into the formal study of philanthropy? The new graduate certificate in philanthropic fundraising from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy offers a chance to get into the academic study of philanthropy, while providing a graduate level certificate.
Comprised of five courses, the certificate seeks to address the latest research on philanthropy and fundraising while also assisting students in making practical applications in order to develop their knowledge base and skills in fundraising. All of the courses will be offered online, making it easy for current and aspiring fundraisers to complete the certificate from anywhere in the world.
Required courses include Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector, Principles and Practices of Fundraising, Donor Behavior in Major and Planned Giving, and Institutional Donors.
Rounding out the required four courses is one elective course. Students can choose from electives such as Altruism and Health, Gender and Philanthropy, Grant Making and the Roles of Foundations, Economics of Philanthropy, and more.
Dr. Patrick Dwyer, assistant professor of philanthropic studies, teaches the required courses Donor Behavior in Major and Planned Giving, and Institutional Donors. He explains how both are useful to those interested in and committed to fundraising:
“In Donor Behavior in Major and Planned Giving, we study donors, particularly high net worth donors, and why they give. How can fundraisers go about engaging them as potential donors to their organization?
“In addition, you can also learn what makes fundraising leaders effective. Individuals in the course will be given the opportunity to work on developing and presenting themselves as a leader in this area.”
Not only will students learn about what makes donors tick, they’ll also gain insights into how they themselves as donors act.
The Institutional Donors course studies different kinds of grantmaking institutions, including foundations, corporations, federated organizations, giving circles, etc., and how fundraisers can engage with them.
“Who are these institutions, and why do they give? Where did they come from? Who do they give to? How could I get them to give to my cause?” are a few of the questions that Dwyer shared are explored in the class.
“The course also offers students the more hands-on experience of developing a comprehensive grant proposal for a nonprofit program of their choice. Special attention will also be paid to ethical considerations and good stewardship strategies,” Dr. Dwyer explained. “Not only will it be informative and engaging, but it will be practically useful.”
Why create a new certificate focused on the theoretical and practical aspects of fundraising?
Dr. Kathi Badertscher, director of graduate programs, explains:
“Currently, more than 90,000 fundraisers are employed across the United States, and 1,700 are employed in the state of Indiana. Double-digit growth up to 15% is projected across the country and in Indiana through 2026. That said, the overall nonprofit sector employs 10% of the U.S. workforce, and fundraising knowledge and skills are vital to a diverse array of positions in the sector beyond specific fundraising titles, ranging from program and volunteer coordinators to chief executive officers.
“The curriculum for the graduate certificate in philanthropic fundraising will focus on the convergence of theory and practice. Students will study the latest research on philanthropy, and make practical applications in order to develop their knowledge base and skills in fundraising.”
Want to learn more about this certificate, or the new undergraduate certificate in philanthropic fundraising? Contact Luke Bickel at lbickel@iupui.edu.
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