
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!
INFO SESSION: Register for free for our online Fundraising and Development Info Session! Once 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.
SUMMER CLASSES
- Introduction to Fundraising and Development, asynchronous, 07/21/25 - 08/29/25
- Annual Giving, asynchronous, 07/14/25 - 08/22/25
- Donor Relations and Stewardship, asynchronous, 07/21/25 - 08/29/25
- Major Gifts and Planned Giving, asynchronous, 07/21/25 - 08/29/25
- Grant Writing for Nonprofits, asynchronous, 07/21/25 - 08/29/25 *Free access to FDO, the Foundation Directory Online, included
- Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations, one Zoom session per week on Mondays, 6–9pm PT - 07/21/25 - 08/25/25
- NEW WORKSHOP! Breaking Into Nonprofits: Group Coaching for Career Success, one Zoom session per week on Tuesdays, 5-7pm PT - 6/24/25 - 7/8/25
Certificate Benefits
- Build a strong foundation in communication and relationship-building skills
- Gain a working knowledge of fundraising methods
- Learn practical strategies and emerging trends for developing an annual giving program
- Discover how to develop relationships with your donors and increase support for your organization
- Develop practical skills which can be immediately utilized and applied to work environments
- Build a new career in Fundraising and Development or advance in your current role
- Access to dedicated Career Resources Hub with career information, job postings, events and tutorials.
- Networking opportunities with peers and instructors
The online Professional Certificate in Fundraising and Development is designed to best prepare you for a successful career in philanthropy. Nonprofit organizations make a stronger impact toward their causes when they are equipped with the right resources.
An emphasis on strengthening relationship-building skills pairs with foundational knowledge in a wide range of fundraising methods - from annual giving and donor relations to grant writing and corporate partnerships. Discover best practices in how to efficiently apply varied fundraising methods, marketing tools and technology. Experts help you to discern which methods best fit your needs, how to focus your resources, and then practically apply the appropriate tools.
Network with accomplished fundraising executives and build relationships that will positively impact your career and organization. Gain exposure to model programs and professionals through frequent guest speakers. With the ability to tailor your learning by selecting from a range of electives and specializations, you can ensure you master skills to meet the specific needs of your organization.
How to enroll in the certificate
- Submit your application (free). Click on the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page and complete the short application.
- 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".
Once you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will be able to obtain your Professional Certificate in Fundraising and Development.
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.
For more information: FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu
Fundraising and Development
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
Career Services
1:1 virtual or in person Career Coaching - Graduates 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.
Professional Associations - 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.
Connect with Students, Alumni and Instructors - Join our private group on LinkedIn.
The Career Channel - Brought to you by UCTV and UC San Diego Extended Studies, the Career Channel provides information, tools and experts to help those in career transition identify emerging areas of opportunity and develop plans for reskilling.
San Diego Workforce Partnership - Get help with your career research to find the priority sectors and priority jobs. The San Diego Workforce Partnership looks at all occupations in San Diego County to determine which pay best, have the most openings and are growing quickly. Find out more at SDWP - My Next Move.
Conditions for Admission
UC San Diego Extended Studies programs are designed to best serve college-prepared working professionals.
This certificate is open to the community and to all adult learners with no pre-admission testing and no submission timeline.
CFRE Approved Program
The Program is now 100% online and is CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification exam approved.
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 application for 120 points Category 1.B.
Transfer to Online MBA Program
Students who complete UC San Diego Extended Studies' Fundraising and Development Certificate are eligible to receive a 9-semester credit block applied towards Antioch University's online Master of Business Administration Program.

Visit The Virtual Career Hub Today To Unlock Your Benefits!
Advisory Board
Jim Andreoni
Claudia Ehrlich, MBA, CAP
Martin Furey
Anton Russell
Marta Serra-Garcia
Jeff Spitko
Lauren Welch, GPC
Brian Zumbano
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