Curriculum

The curriculum offered to participants is the same as the program offered by The Fund Raising School on the Indiana University campus, and will also include a focus on considerations for organizations operating in rural areas.

The courses offered in the South Dakota Nonprofit Capacity Building program will be the four outlined below.

All sessions require in-person attendance. Course I will be held the first week of November. Sessions will be held in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, alternating location each  session (2 in Rapid City, 2 in Sioux Falls). Exact dates and locations of sessions TBD.


Principles and Techniques of Fundraising (4 day course)

Recognized internationally, the Principles and Techniques course provides the foundation and inspiration to achieve an organization’s financial goals. This course presents the total framework for operating an accomplished fund development program.

  • Identify and validate prospective donors

  • Manage the fundraising process

  • Use research to match a donor’s interests and needs with your nonprofit’s mission and goals

  • Build an annual fund donor base that keeps on giving

  • Manage the process of raising money

  • Recognize planned giving benefits to your donors and to your nonprofit

  • Structure a successful solicitation

  • Respond to challenges and ethical dilemmas with professional skill


Developing Major Gifts (3-day course)

Consistent donors can become major donors when fundraisers effectively implement a Major Gifts Management Cycle. This course will teach participants to identify and utilize their own communication strengths when meeting with donors to develop major gifts and increase their fundraising success.

  • Use your mission to motivate volunteers

  • Develop an organizational vision for major gifts

  • Organize your major gift program

  • Provide and cultivate leadership for your major gifts program

  • Help volunteers overcome their resistance to asking for gifts

  • Respond to objections in your presentation

  • Define the roles of board and staff in major gift fundraising

  • Manage the eight-step major gifts process

  • Use current research to guide your approach

  • Forge leadership partnerships


Developing Annual Sustainability (2-day course)

This course teaches participants how to maintain good relations with current donors and encourage them to repeat and increase their giving. Participants will strengthen the fundraising skills that can sustain their organization including direct mail, online giving, major gifts and special events.

  • Determine which strategies to use and when to use them

  • Manage your time effectively

  • Make a convincing case for support

  • Create gift range charts for planning

  • Get volunteers actively involved with your fundraising

  • Use the annual fund to support a total development program

  • How to put together an annual fund by using worksheets

  • How to assess the cost efficiency and effectiveness of your annual fund


Fundraising Campaigns: From Capital to Comprehensive (3-day course)

This course explores capital, endowment, comprehensive, and project-based campaigns. Participants will navigate the decision-making process, considering the "why" and "why not" factors, and uncover intangible benefits for your organization, beyond finances.

  • Understand fundraising campaigns including capital, endowment, combined, comprehensive and project in a way that is clear, useful and engaging

  • Consider the “why” and “why not” when deciding whether or not to design and implement a fundraising campaign

  • Appreciate the intangible benefits, beyond money raised, that a nonprofit can receive through a fundraising campaign

  • Engage a diverse range of stakeholders to drive the campaign’s success

  • Utilize strategies, tools, and forms available to design, implement, and manage a successful campaign

  • Be aware of ethical issues associated with campaign fundraising

  • Apply learnings from this course to the context of your own nonprofits