Virtual Fundraising Training Course

Virtual Fundraising Training Course

Applications due on August 15, 2025. Apply here.  

This eight-week virtual training course on Developing Annual Sustainability, offered through The Fund Raising School (see description below), will equip participants with strategies to strengthen institutional advancement, engage donors, and plan annual sustainability for higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. This free online course will be offered to selected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa who demonstrate potential to apply fundraising knowledge in higher education. To keep the peer interaction and course experience interactive and effective, this course will be open to up to 30 selected participants. The course will be led by experts from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropyand the Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment at the University of Witwatersrand, with guest speakers from African higher education institutions. 

Participants will learn how to:

• Develop a broad, enduring base of supporters and meet your fundraising goals from one year to the next; 
• Involve staff, board and other volunteers to identify, cultivate and ask for gifts from new donors while renewing and receiving larger gifts from current donors; 
• Make a convincing case for support; 
• Create gift range charts for planning; and 
• Get volunteers actively involved with your fundraising. 

Participants are expected to:

• Complete a course module that they will receive every other week; 
  
• Spend a minimum of 4-7 hours per week on course assignments; 
• Meet weekly deadlines to maintain pace with the course. 

Successful applicants will be invited to participate in this eight-week online course free of charge. The tentative course date is from mid-October to mid-December 2025. Participants who complete the course successfully will receive a certificate from The Fund Raising School. It also qualifies for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International education points/hours. 

Eligibility Criteria: To be considered, all applicants must:

• Be highly self-motivated, independent learners currently working as university administrators and/or faculty (e.g., Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Director, Head of Department, Deans, Development Officers, Advancement Officers) from higher education institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.  
  
  
• Hold a master's degree or equivalent in any field. 

• Be able to speak, read, and write in English. 

• Commitment of ongoing presence in this online course in order to complete the tasks that earn the certificate of completion. 
  
  
• Be comfortable with virtual learning technology. 
  
  
• Priority will be given to individuals with demonstrated involvement in institutional advancement/fundraising or alumni relations. 

Timeline:

• Application submission deadline: August 15, 2025 

• Notification of award selection: by September 15, 2025  

• Course registration: by October 1, 2025 

• Participation in the eight-week online course: mid-October to mid-December 2025 

Application Requirements:

• Completed application form. 

• CV/Resume highlighting relevant experience (1–2 pages). 

• A statement of fundraising goals and interests, and reasons for applying to this course (max. 300 words). 

• A description of how this training course aligns with the applicant’s role in the university (max. 300 words).   
• A copy of the applicant’s diploma from the highest level of education attained.  

Applications must be submitted by August 15, 2025. Please submit your application materials through this online form.  Please direct any questions to Dennis Kilama, Research Assistant and doctoral candidate (kidenn@iu.edu). 

About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy 

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, Women’s Philanthropy Institute, and the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook. 

About The Fund Raising School 

For 50 years, The Fund Raising School (TFRS) has been at the forefront of helping thousands of fundraising professionals around the world achieve new levels of success. We teach the how and why of philanthropy, the current issues, and the art and science of fundraising. The depth and breadth of TFRS curriculum have been proven effective for participants with varying levels of fundraising experience. TFRS participants leave the training with practical skills needed to make a difference, as well as a deep understanding and ability to better articulate the powerful role their organization can play in making the world a better place. 

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