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Course Descriptions

The 2008-2009 program is underway and is no longer accepting applications Single courses may be available Next program starts: Autumn 2009 Details will be posted in Spring Program location: UW campus, Seattle Sign up to receive e-mail updates >> Contact a program representative >>   Learn how a field work placement can benefit your nonprofit >> E-mail us if your nonprofit is interested in a field work placement >>   Read an article about fundraising in the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal >>

Program Orientation Meeting, Monday, Sept. 15, 2008, 6:00-7:30 p.m., UW campus, Seattle. Room: TBD (see map).

Classes meet Wednesdays and select Mondays as listed below on the UW campus, Seattle.

Interested in taking a single class? Some courses (designated by a below) may be open on a space-available basis to professionals who are not seeking the certificate. See Single-Course Enrollment for details.

Autumn Course

Introduction and Annual Giving

Schedule: (14 sessions) Mondays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Sept. 22, and Oct. 6, 2008, and Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Sept. 24-Dec. 17, 2008 (no class Nov 26); $799; 4.5 CEUs

Instructor: Susan Howlett

This course introduces you to the world of fundraising and philanthropy. It provides frameworks, principles and methods for fundraising. Topics include where money comes from, why people give, and the elements of a fundraising plan. You will learn standard tools utilized by fundraising professionals for moving supporters from information to interest, and involvement to investment. Relationship-building through the web is also introduced.

Winter Course

Finance and Grant Writing

Schedule: (15 sessions) Mondays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 26, and Feb. 2, 2009, and Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., Jan. 7-March 18, 2009 (no class Jan. 19); $749; 4.20 CEUs.

Instructors: Goodwin Deacon, Susan Howlett, and Kathe Shaw-Bassett

Become familiar with the nuts and bolts of fundraising infrastructure. This course focuses on the financial tools necessary for today’s fundraising professionals and provides real experience in research and writing grants. It includes an overview of organizational and fundraising budgets essential to direct a comprehensive fundraising program, and covers budget development and decision making in depth. You will develop problem-solving and assessment skills for dealing with practical issues in budgeting and financial management.

This course discusses how to read financial statements, how to fill out Form 990, and the current issues around government reporting. You will be able to talk more knowledgeably to donors about the financial aspects of giving.

In the grant writing modules, you will learn how to research and write effective grant proposals. The course includes how to determine who has the money, who is right for you to approach, and how to do so effectively. The focus is on the grant application process, including research, selecting, and ultimately writing. You will gain skills through hands-on practice, developing the proposal and writing a practice grant reviewed by professional grant writers. You will learn to research foundation, corporate and government information, assess and implement the grants process, and communicate compellingly with grant makers. On the last night, a panel of funders talks about the grantmaking process from their perspective.

How to sign up for single-course enrollment in this course

Spring Course

Field Work for Fundraisers

Schedule: (10 sessions) Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m., March 25-May 27, 2009; $799; 5.5 CEUs.

Instructor: Janet Boguch

The program concludes with field work conducted in a nonprofit organization of interest to you. It will involve 25 hours of field work experience or independent research in a nonprofit and is designed to support participants in applying your knowledge while acquiring tangible experience for your resume or portfolio. You are encouraged to select your nonprofit in Fall quarter and work on the budget assignments and grant application with that nonprofit in mind so that by spring quarter, you can provide a knowledgeable contribution to the nonprofit in return for gaining the hours of field work experience.

The weekly classes will provide frameworks and principles key to the discipline of fundraising, such ethics, teamwork and a culture of philanthropy. The landscape of the nonprofit sector, the different types of nonprofits and organizational stages will also be covered. The weekly classes also provide time for reporting back, mentoring, and gaining insight from the field work. The program concludes with participant presentations of the field work results and discussion of personal fundraising career goals.