Fundraising and Development

About the Fundraising and Development Program

Overview

Certificate Benefits

Certificate Guidelines

Explore Program

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 capital campaigns 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.

All courses are CFRE approved.
Full participation in the Professional Certificate in Fundraising and Development is applicable for 120 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

All classes are offered ONLINE in our online platform Canvas either:

Live online: the instructor and students meet every week on a certain day and time, normally Mon/Tue/Wed or Thu in the evening (6 to 9pm PST).
Asynchronously (more flexibility), you will access instructional materials (lecture recordings, pdfs, videos, articles and other resource) and guided assignments each week at your own pace, you are expected to complete weekly assignments for all modules within a time frame, as well as participate in discussion board forums where you will be interacting with the instructor and your peers. Instructors will provide constant feedback and will be available for one-on-one communication, or at times, optional office-hour zoom meetings. Tests have different formats, depending on the class and instructors, they can be quizzes, projects, discussion boards, final projects.

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

For more information: FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu

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
Networking opportunities with peers and instructors

How to enroll in the program

Submit your application (free). Click on the “Apply Now” button on the Fundraising & Development Certificate webpage (on the right side of the page) and complete the short application. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Upon acceptance, log in to MyExtension, navigate to "My Applications" Then Click "Pay Certificate Fee" to pay the nonrefundable $95 certificate fee to confirm your enrollment.
Enroll in one or more courses, you will pay for each course as you go (there is no lumpsum). We recommend starting with Introduction to Fundraising and Development (BUSA-40984), offered every quarter (click on the “Expand all” link or on the blue bar under the course overview, then on the “Add to Cart” button).

Once you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will be able to request an audit by Student Services and your certificate will be mailed to you.
The program can be completed in approximately one year, depending on the number of courses taken per quarter.
Courses can be taken on a stand-alone basis, or counted towards our Professional Certificate.

Register for our next free online Fundraising & Development Info Session and log into Canvas to find useful information and resources.

Format: Online, Live Online

Course options vary per quarter, please contact our Program Manager at FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu

Estimated Cost: $2,550

Duration: 8-12 Months

Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.

Contact

Department: Business, Professional & Legal Programs
Phone: 858-534-8189
Email: FRDevProgram@ucsd.edu

Courses

Number of courses: four required courses and two elective courses
Total units: 12

Info Session

Free, Online

Fundraising and Development Information SessionINFO-70189

Units: 0.00

Free

Are you considering a career in the Nonprofit sector?Join us for a FREE Information Session over Zoom and learn how our online Fundraising and Development Certificate and career services can prepare y...

See Details

Upcoming Start Dates:

March 30, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Required

Complete all four courses - 8 units

Introduction to Fundraising and DevelopmentBUSA-40984

Units: 2.00

$425

Do you need the basics of fundraising under your belt or a refresher in the fundamentals of development? This course introduces the fundraising process, fundraising as a career, and standards of prof...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

July 17, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Donor Relations and StewardshipBUSA-40930

Units: 2.00

$425

For every new donor making a gift to a charity, one stops giving. Research suggests poor retention among donors is attributed to limited gift acknowledgment and a lack of consistent efforts to communi...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

July 17, 2023

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Annual GivingBUSA-41023

Units: 2.00

$425

Annual giving includes contributions made annually to sustain a nonprofit s community solutions and are the lifeblood of fundraising programs. A growing annual giving program is a team sport and culmi...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

October 23, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Major Gifts and Planned GivingBUSA-41024

Units: 2.00

$425

Regular small donations can minimally sustain an organization for a while, but frequently development professionals must develop a plan to meet annual budget or capital needs for future growth. In thi...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

October 9, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Elective Options

Complete two courses - 4 units required

Grant Writing for NonprofitsBUSA-40957

Units: 2.00

$425

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the grants process and how you can use grants to fund your endeavors. This hands-on course will guide you through the entire process of writing a funding proposal...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

July 17, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Financial Management for Nonprofit OrganizationsBUSA-40791

Units: 2.00

$425

The leaders and staff of nonprofit organizations must ensure that accounting records and financial statements are accurate and comply with regulatory requirements. This class covers basic nonprofit ac...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

July 19, 2023

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Corporate Relations and PartnershipBUSA-40982

Units: 2.00

$425

The right community allies can advance your organization s mission and impact. In this course you will learn about the various avenues in which corporations choose to align themselves with the communi...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

November 6, 2023

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Special and Capital CampaignsBUSA-40931

Units: 2.00

$425

Campaigns are a cost-effective way to raise large sums of money in a relatively short period of time. This course covers capital and comprehensive campaigns as well as topics including matching gifts,...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

Typically Offered: Spring

Board and Volunteer ManagementBUSA-40985

Units: 2.00

$425

Nonprofits rely on volunteers to accomplish the mission, so effective utilization and management of those relationships is key. Creating meaningful and useful roles for volunteers within your organiza...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

Typically Offered: Spring

Financial Management for GrantsBUSA-40986

Units: 2.00

$425

This course is intended to help grantees fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to safeguard grant funds and ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were awarded. The course will help bu...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Next Steps Experience

Career Resources and 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.
Connect with Alumni and Instructors from UCSD Extended Studies Nonprofit Management Certificate by joining our private group on LinkedIn.
O*Net - Career resources offered by O*Net , an online portal for career exploration, job analysis and self-assessment tools.
The Career Channel - Brought to you by UCTV and UC San Diego Extension, the Career Channel provides information, tools and experts to help those in career transition identify emerging areas of opportunity and develop plans for reskilling.
Explore Career Tools to Make your Next Career Move - Get help with your career research to find the priority sectors and priority jobs. The San Diego Workforce Partnership looked at all occupations in San Diego County to determine which pay best, have the most openings and are growing quickly. There are 72 priority jobs in San Diego County, ranging from stucco masons to biomedical engineers. Find out more at SDWP - My Next Move.
More Career Resources and Services
Professional Associations - Professional associations offer a terrific opportunity for career education, professional development and networking. Link to list of associations.

Conditions for Admission

UC San Diego Extension 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.

Industry Requirements

This program is endorsed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN).

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.

Learn More

Advisory Board

April 21, 2021

A Fundraiser’s Tale: The Unlikely Career Of Making a Difference

Many bristle at the idea of asking for money, but some of the most life-changing technological advancements and meaningful social actions are instigated by private, philanthropic dollars. And in most cases, someone had to ask.

April 12, 2021

How Social Media Can Help (Not Hurt) Your Career

Four experts explain how to build a strong professional online brand and avoid the pitfalls of social media engagement.

October 27, 2020

The Art of Staying Focused: 4 Ways to Beat Distraction

Is staying focused at work or school a challenge for you? We've got some helpful tips to help you stay on-task and distraction-free no matter what you're working on or where you are.

January 20, 2015

The art of fundraising for worthy causes: 'You can make a positive difference'

David Pierce is something of a pioneer in grant writing, fundraising and development, having started nearly 35 years ago in his home state of Washington.

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

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Fundraising and Development

Page Tools

About the Fundraising and Development Program

Courses

Delivery Method

Info Session

Fundraising and Development Information SessionINFO-70189

Upcoming Start Dates:

Required

Introduction to Fundraising and DevelopmentBUSA-40984

Upcoming Start Dates:

Donor Relations and StewardshipBUSA-40930

Upcoming Start Dates:

Annual GivingBUSA-41023

Upcoming Start Dates:

Major Gifts and Planned GivingBUSA-41024

Upcoming Start Dates:

Elective Options

Grant Writing for NonprofitsBUSA-40957

Upcoming Start Dates:

Financial Management for Nonprofit OrganizationsBUSA-40791

Upcoming Start Dates:

Corporate Relations and PartnershipBUSA-40982

Upcoming Start Dates:

Special and Capital CampaignsBUSA-40931

Upcoming Start Dates:

Board and Volunteer ManagementBUSA-40985

Upcoming Start Dates:

Financial Management for GrantsBUSA-40986

Upcoming Start Dates:

Next Steps Experience

Conditions for Admission

Industry Requirements

Transfer to Online MBA Program

Related Documents

Advisory Board

Related Articles

A Fundraiser’s Tale: The Unlikely Career Of Making a Difference

How Social Media Can Help (Not Hurt) Your Career

The Art of Staying Focused: 4 Ways to Beat Distraction

The art of fundraising for worthy causes: 'You can make a positive difference'

Programs you may also like:

Healthcare Financial Analysis

Taxation

Accounting

Stay Updated

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Interested in the Program?

Ready to get started?

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