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Certificate

Fundraising and Development

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

About the Fundraising and Development Program

The Fundraising and Development Certificate program is 100% ONLINE and CFRE Certification approved. Join our wonderful nonprofit community now!

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INFO SESSION
Register for free for our online Fundraising and Development Info SessionOnce registered, you will be able to log into Canvas to watch the recording of our last info session, as well as find useful information and resources about the program, including a $60 discount code. 

WINTER 2026 CLASSES (Study Anywhere, Anytime – Online Asynchronous)

All courses are CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) Certification approved and can be taken on a stand-alone basis, or counted towards our Professional Certificate. 

Online, Live Online
Course options vary per quarter, please contact our Program Manager at FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu
9-12 Months
Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.
$2,550
You pay for each course separately; no upfront lump sum payment required.

Certificate Benefits

Build Your Career in Fundraising & Development and Gain the skills to make a greater impact:
  • Advance in your current role or launch a new career in philanthropy
  • Strengthen communication & relationship-building
  • Master fundraising methods
  • Apply practical strategies you can use right away
  • Network with fundraising leaders, and peers
  • Access to dedicated Career Resources Hub with career information, job postings, events and tutorials.

How to enroll in the certificate

  1. Submit your application (free). Click on the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page and complete the short application.
  2. Upon acceptance, please pay the $125 certificate fee to confirm your enrollment. Log in to MyExtension, navigate to "My Applications" and then click "Pay Certificate Fee".

For more information: FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu

Fundraising and Development

Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

Required

Complete all in any order – Multiple courses per quarter allowed

Elective Options

Complete two courses of your choice - 4 units required

Additional Sessions of Interest

Not required for certificate completion

Student Resources & Benefits

Career Services

One-on-One Career Coaching

Students who complete the Fundraising and Development Certificate can schedule an appointment with our Career coach to get advice on resume building, applications, negotiation, interviewing, leveraging LinkedIn, etc. Please send an email to careeradvising@ucsd.edu.

Private LinkedIn Group

Connect with Students, Alumni and Instructors  by joining our private group on LinkedIn.

Nonprofit Community 

Non-profit Professional Associations such as AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), GPA (Grant Professionals Association), YNPN (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network), and AiP (Advisors in Philanthropy), offer terrific opportunities for career education, professional development and networking.

Visit us at AFP ICON National Conference in San Diego (April 26-28, 2026) - Booth 1031 (Ground Level)



Financial Resources

Workforce Funding Assistance

UC San Diego Extended Studies is proud to be an approved training provider for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). If you're a displaced or disadvantaged worker, you may qualify for federal assistance to help fund your education. To explore available funding and determine your eligibility, please reach out to San Diego Workforce Partnership (workforce.org/career-centers) or EDD (www.edd.ca.gov).

Once you're approved, we're here to help finalize your paperwork, please email us at unex-workforce@ucsd.edu, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Veterans Education Benefits

The Fundraising and Development Certificate program is approved for Veterans' funding. Eligible students may apply VA Education Benefits through UC San Diego Extended Studies. For assistance with applying your benefits to this program, please visit the Veteran Benefits page or contact us at  unex-veterans@ucsd.edu.

Click here to learn more about available financial resources.

Transfer to CFRE and MBA

UC San Diego Extended Studies is CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification exam approved provider.

All courses can be taken on a stand-alone basis, or counted towards our Professional Certificate.

  • 1 course is applicable for 20 points Category 1.B.
  • Full participation is applicable for 120 points Category 1.B. 

Academic Credit Transfer

UC San Diego Extended Studies is widely recognized for its academic rigor and high-quality professional programs. Each course carries academic credits, reflecting successful completion of university-level coursework aligned with current industry standards.

Courses may be transferable to other professional, undergraduate, or graduate programs, subject to approval by the receiving institution. UC San Diego Extended Studies currently has an articulation agreement in place with Antioch University: students who complete UC San Diego Extended Studies' Fundraising and Development Certificate are eligible to receive a 9-semester credit block applied to Antioch University's Self-Designed Concentration. 


Visit The Virtual Career Hub Today To Unlock Your Benefits!

It's your one-stop shop for professional development and completely free.
Explore Careers

Advisory Board

Jim Andreoni

Professor
UC San Diego, Department of Economics

Claudia Ehrlich, MBA, CAP

Senior Director of Development
UC San Diego School of Physical Sciences

Martin Furey

Grant Director
OpSam Health

Marta Serra-Garcia

Associate Professor of Economics and Strategy
UC San Diego Rady School of Management

Jeff Spitko

Senior Director, Integrated Fundraising
San Diego Foundation

Lauren Welch, GPC

Partnership Director
Workshops for Warriors

Hannah Berger

Fundraising Consultant
The Philanthropy Coach

Ellen Bussing

Senior Fundraising Consultant
Ellen E. Bussing Fundraising Counsel

Ethan Cox

Development Director
The Loft Cinema

Rajah Gainey

Director of Philanthropy
Justin in Time for Foster Youth

Sandy Rees

Fundraising Coach, Mentor
Get Fully Funded

Julie Ripoll

Executive Director
Alliance Francaise

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