C.W. Post, in partnership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals of the (LIAFP), offers a certificate program in fundraising management designed to meet the needs of individuals who are marketing and raising money for not-for-profit organizations.

Certificate in Fundraising Management
To earn the Certificate in Fundraising Management, each student is required to successfully complete four courses, one of which must be the core course, "The Business of Raising Money for the Non-Profit Sector." No sequence is required, however, for those without previous experience, we strongly recommend beginning with the Core Course as it provides an overview of the basics of fundraising. Once all courses are completed you must notify the Continuing Education Department at C.W. Post who will in turn notify the LIAFP to issue your certificate.

• If you’re a professional, a volunteer or have any affiliation with a not-for-profit organization of any size, you’ll learn all the pieces of the development picture and how they fit together - and you’ll become more effective in dealing with board members, volunteers, staff and vendors.

• If you’re contemplating a career change, you should know that knowledgeable fundraising executives are highly respected and sought. This curriculum will help you meet your professional goals.

• If you’re considering using your skills to become a consultant in the not-for-profit world, this course will help you gain specialized knowledge.

The program is presented by instructors with extensive fundraising and marketing experience, as well as excellent teaching skills. Interactive classes and expert guest lecturers enable students to learn from others from wide range of non-profit organizations.

LIAFP Tuition (Reimbursement)
All LIAFP members are are eligable for partial tuition reimbursement. For reimbursement and membership information call Joan Connor at (516) 520-5084.

Curriculum and Scheduling

Classes can be taken individually or in pursuit of a certificate. These courses are complete in themselves and require no prior knowledge in the specific area. However, it is suggested that for those students taking the certificate program that the core course, "The Business of Raising Money for the Non-Profit Sector" be taken first.

Each course meets once a week in the evening for either five or ten weeks.

Program Coordinator: RANDI SHUBIN DRESNER, CFRE, Executive Director, Island Harvest. A seasoned fundraising professional with more than 25 years of success having served as an instructor, mentor and consultant.

The following is a listing of the courses that are offered.

Core Course:

• The Business of Raising Money for the Non-Profit Sector

Electives:

• Establishing & Managing a Planned Giving Program

• Positioning Your Organization Through Marketing & Public Relations

• Special Events & Sponsorships

• The Art and Science of Acquiring Major Gifts

• The Art of Proposal Writing

• Acquiring and Using Information: The Technology of Fundraising

Course Descriptions

THE BUSINESS OF RAISING MONEY FOR THE NON-PROFIT SECTOR (Required)
Non-profit fundraising has become increasingly competitive, as more and more entities vie for the same donor dollars. Success depends on a solid knowledge of the basics. We'll cover understanding "the process" of raising money in the non-profit sector, creating a development plan, articulating your organization's mission, writing a case statement and developing strategies for identifying and cultivating prospects and donors. Through examining practical cases and situations, we'll come to understand the most effective ways to utilize appropriate fundraising vehicles and to maximize on the respective strengths and talents of board members, professional colleagues and support staff.

HOW TO HANDLE SPECIAL EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIPS (Elective)
The celebrity luncheon, the formal gala, the corporate-sponsored golf tournamentÉ these are just a few examples of fundraising events that bring rich rewards. Special events and sponsorships are an integral part of any charity fundraising effort. But how can you know which event will work best for you? We'll cover all the basics, including how to choose the most effective event for your purposes; planning and implementation; budgeting; sponsorship opportunities; legal and contractual issues; working with consultants, vendors and outside firms; publicity; evaluation; and what to do when Òthe party is over.Ó You'll also learn how to maximize on the many side benefits that result from special events, including an enhanced public image and greater interest on the part of volunteers and potential leaders, donors, and corporate contributors.

THE ART OF ACQUIRING MAJOR GIFTS (Elective)
Parents of the baby boom generation will leave some $30 trillion in assets behind, peaking in the year 2015. A percentage of those assets will become major gifts to charitable organizations, but the competition is fierce. In this course, you'll learn the art of acquiring major gifts through the underutilized, but highly effective method of face-to-face solicitation. Step-by-step instruction includes how to make the appointment, identify and ask for a specific gift, inform donors about tax benefits, handle objections, negotiate and close.

PLANNED GIVING PROGRAMS (Elective)
Do you want to help ensure your organization's future financial success? Planned giving tax-advantaged gifts made from a donor's assets can be a critical component in your fundraising action plan. This course will help you determine your organization's planned giving program readiness, identify planned giving prospects, implement planned giving marketing programs, and manage professional advisors. You'll become familiar with such planned giving techniques as charitable trusts, charitable annuities, pooled income funds and will bequests and will learn the tax consequences of each.

THE ART OF PROPOSAL WRITING (Elective)
Grant proposals are crucial elements in fundraising. Knowing how to develop a thorough and effective proposal, one that can be ÒrecycledÓ into other materials, will make you more efficient and your fundraising efforts more effective. You'll learn to conceptualize in an organized way and to articulate your organization's case with compelling clarity as you master the art of proposal writing.

POSITIONING YOUR ORGANIZATION THROUGH MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (Elective)
It's a highly competitive world out there, and the winner in the fundraising competition is all-too-often the organization with the most marketing savvy. In this course, you'll learn how to develop and implement a practical marketing plan. Mastering basic marketing and communications skills will play a powerful role in your future success at resource development.

Link to Schedule