Civic Space Park and the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus
Nonprofit Management Institute

Upcoming courses

NMI 106: Optimizing Nonprofit Resource Fund Development (June 2025)

Session details

Changes in the global economy have focused our attention on the need for philanthropy and fund development more than ever. This course focuses on the basics of the fund development process and how to create a plan that will result in effective fundraising strategies for staff and volunteers – even in tough economic times.

Learning Objectives:

  • Distinguish between primary sources of philanthropy and types of gifts/giving.
  • Discuss the factors that encourage donors and volunteers to engage with your organization.
  • Apply the Donor Bill of Rights and AFP Code of Ethics to your fundraising program.
  • Develop a compelling case statement and an effective elevator pitch for your organization.
  • Apply specific strategies to enhance your organization’s development strategy.
  • Develop solicitation and stewardship strategies for specific donors.
  • Conduct a SWOT analysis of your organization.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of development programs and propose specific changes for implementation.

This course will consist of article reading, discussion questions, authentic assessments, and self-tests to enhance learning and build upon prior knowledge.

NMI courses are taught using the Canvas learning management system and include a variety of multimedia tools and resources. To ensure you can successfully access the multimedia tools in your courses, we recommend you use a standard PC or Mac desktop or laptop. Mobile devices are not recommended. Courses are best accessed using a high-speed Internet connection and a modern web browser such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Chrome or Safari.

Early Bird special: $349 (ends two weeks before course start date, retail $379).

Program description

Program dates

to

Delivery method

Online

Time commitment

20 hours (10 hours per week, 2 weeks per course)

Cost

$379

Ask any nonprofit leader what one of their greatest organizational challenges is and they will resoundingly answer, “Fundraising!” Recent changes in the global economy have created scarcer financial resources and focused even greater attention on the need for philanthropic giving and funding development for nonprofit organizations.

This course teaches you the basics of the fund development process, how to cultivate charitable giving resources and create a plan that will result in effective fundraising strategies for your organization – even in the toughest of economic times.

This course is required for:

Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate

Nonprofit Management Certificate


Knowledge Specialist

Jennifer Tersigni
Knowledge Specialist, Nonprofit Management Institute

Jennifer Tersigni’s professional career began at The White House, where she worked on a team that supported fundraising, leadership and change management in action after the Oklahoma City bombing, a federal government furlough, and Clinton Administration headlines. Since then, she has helped  nonprofit organizations spark growth and transformation through efforts that combine the best in fundraising, organizational development, strategic consulting, and transformational leadership.
While working in the nonprofit sector, Jennifer started Raise the Bar Consulting out of a desire to provide relevant and innovative consulting solutions that help organizations to thrive, so that they could meet their mission and further their goals in contemporary and cost-effective ways.
Jennifer never anticipated becoming a fundraising powerhouse – it just happened that way. In her unforeseen 25-year career, Jennifer has served as a chief development officer, transitional leader, CEO, university instructor, and entrepreneur. Thus far, Jennifer has raised more than $160 million, and she and her team have assisted close to two-hundred organizations to stabilize, grow, and flourish.
When you’ve pulled yourself up by your bootstraps from an early age, chartered your own path, and recognized your own strength and skills, it’s natural to help others do the same. Jennifer is a certified Professional Interim Executive and has held the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential continuously since 2008. She is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association of Nonprofit Specialists, the Third Sector, and adjunct faculty at Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Nonprofit Innovation. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona. 
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys travel, cooking, yoga, investing, and spending time with her family and friends. Jennifer has lived in and traveled to more than forty-eight countries to-date, brings cross-cultural experience to her work, and always looks forward to life’s next great adventure.
 

Other sessions for this program

Title Date Course delivery
NMI 106: Optimizing Nonprofit Resource Fund Development (January 2025) to Online

More NMI offerings

Program Date Course delivery Qualifies for certificate(s)
NMI 106: Optimizing Nonprofit Resource Fund Development (January 2025) to Online Nonprofit Management Certificate, Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate
NMI 230: Tell Your Story Boot Camp (January 2025) to Online Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate
Nonprofit Marketing & Strategic Communications Certificate (Next Start Date: 1/27/25) Online Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate
NMI 103: Effective Financial Management Principles (February 2025) to Online Nonprofit Management Certificate, Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate
Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate (February 2025) to Online Grant Development: State and Foundation Proposals Certificate