Course overview

One Year Before Your Capital Campaign breaks down the 12 months before you start your campaign. In this course you'll learn what to do when you're 12 months, 9 months, 6 months and 3 months out from launching your capital campaign. And if you're already out of time, there’s also "In Case of Capital Campaign Emergency” section which you hopefully don't need but there if you do. Don't miss this chance to learn how to give your future capital campaign every chance to succeed.

This course takes a simple calendar approach, breaking down the year before your capital campaign feasibility study into 4 easy to follow sections: 12 months out, 9 months out, 6 months out and 3 months out. It will guide individuals regardless of their experience with capital campaigns on what steps to take and when, to ensure success. 

It covers establishing initial activity for prospect research, gathering evidence, the campaign narrative and financial narrative, strategy and leadership, and how to gain both project and financial momentum in the lead up to a capital campaign.

Capital campaigns are often milestone moments in the life of any organisation. The complexities involved in preparing for a campaign can sometimes lead Boards, CEOs, and Directors of Fundraising to delay action, overlook key steps, or unintentionally deprioritise the planning phase.

What you'll learn

You will take away the importance of advanced planning as a significant contributing factor to capital campaign success. The presentation will deliver a framework of how to approach the 12 months prior to a capital campaign while also taking into consideration annual fundraising programs. Particular emphasis will be placed on the implications around being at, ahead or behind their annual goals and how this relates to capital campaign success. 

Focus will be drawn to the practical and tactical: addressing and ensure you have visibility of common issues in advance of launching a capital campaign such as organisational readiness, governance, project related issues, financial narrative and of course early engagement of philanthropic donors and government representatives and much more! Fundraisers from the smallest non-profit to largest will leave with new knowledge, ideas and opportunities and the ability to apply them immediately. The result will be projects and organisations, and campaigns better positioned for capital campaign success.

Targeted Skills:

• Strategic Planning
• Case for Support Development
• Government Engagement
• Managing Up/Down + Across
• Project Management
• Building Consensus
• Face to Face major donor engagement
• Financial Narrative

Who is this course for?

Not for Profit Fundraising Leaders, CEO’s and Board Members

Delivery

In-class is 1 x 8hr session hosted at a venue in Sydney

This course won’t explore

The workshop will not cover some aspects of capital campaign planning, specifically financial modelling, client or service modelling and in the case of building works, items related such as use of architects, quantity surveyors and the like.

Participant Level

Advanced/Leadership

Prerequisite Knowledge

It would be helpful if participants had a cursory understanding of capital campaigns before the workshop.

Meet the facilitator

Read Mark Quigley's bio (PDF).

Guidelines for enrolment

Make sure you have a login for the FIA Learning Hub. Click "Sign In" or "Forgot Password" if needed.

You can enrol a staff member if they already have a login.

If you require assistance, please email training@fia.org.au.

CFRE

Full participation in One Year Before Your Capital Campaign: A 12-month step by step guide to planning for success is applicable for up to 2.25 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

FIA Code

This course relates to the following aspects of the FIA Code of Conduct:

Professional Conduct (Section 2)

2.1 Competence: The course builds professional knowledge and skills around capital campaign readiness, supporting fundraisers to perform their roles to a high professional standard.

2.4 Accountability: Preparing properly for a capital campaign demonstrates accountability to donors, boards, and beneficiaries by ensuring the organisation can deliver on its promises.

Course Overview

Learn how to prepare a 3-year plan to drive sustainable fundraising growth.

This practical, hands-on masterclass will equip you to create an effective fundraising strategy. The session builds on valuable pre-work with interactive tools, group discussion, case studies, research findings and masses of experience to help you confidently craft the outline of your strategy. Working through our 6-step process, we examine the fundraising market, your organisational culture, donor motivations, your fundraising portfolio, how to influence donor behaviour and the enablers of success. The session draws on analysis of the drivers of fundraising success from surveys with over 700 fundraisers, more than 25 years of developing strategies for 100 organisations and acclaimed sessions run at IFC in Asia and Europe.

What you'll learn

By the end of the course, you will:

• Understand the strategic planning process and be ready to apply it within your organisation
• Have created an outline plan and identified key issues to address in your fundraising program
• Understand the trends and influences on fundraising in Australia and what that might mean for your organisation
• Have applied key benchmarks to your fundraising program to see where future returns can come from
• Have access to a suite of tools to assist with strategic planning.

Who is this course for?

Fundraisers either at entry or intermediate level.

• Designed for fundraisers wanting to take their approach to the “next level” this course is designed for anyone with responsibility or interest in developing overall or program specific fundraising strategies.
• Ambitious fundraisers aiming to step up to leadership roles.
• Those new to the fundraising sector are looking for valuable context and insights from CEOs or board members of organisations with emerging fundraising programs or strategies that need refreshing.

Key topics

• Understanding the market: political, economic, social, and technological factors influencing fundraising; fundraising trends; and how to assess competitors.
• Understand your organisation – fundraising culture (including survey results); ambitions and internal enablers.
• Understand your audiences – your need, brand, proposition, and donor motivations for giving to you.
• Manage your portfolio – review key drivers and the associated effort and reward for each type of fundraising, including key financial benchmarks and trends.
• Influence donor behaviour – the importance of research, nudges and journeys.
• Enabling success means creating a culture of innovation, making a case for investment, managing and mitigating risks, knowing what to measure, and understanding how to create synergy.

Delivery

3 x 5hr sessions via Zoom.

Course materials

Pre-work: Top-line benchmarking report. A fundraising success survey will be used to ascertain your fundraising readiness.

Take away: Business canvass with an outline plan and issues.

Content: Evidence-based benchmarks, case studies, examples, and research outcomes.

Meet the facilitator

Read Martin Paul's bio (PDF).

Guidelines for enrollment

Make sure you have a login for the FIA Learning Hub. Click "Sign In" or "Forgot Password" if needed.

You can enrol a staff member if they already have a login.

If you require assistance, please email training@fia.org.au.

CFRE

Full participation in Strategic Planning for Fundraising is applicable for up to 14 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

FIA Code

This course relates to the following aspects of the FIA Code of Conduct:

FIA Code 4.10 and 4.11 Conduct towards Donors.

Course overview

This course is designed to equip you with the tools and insights needed to develop a collaborative and evidence-based fundraising plan for success. Drawing on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle theory, the framework helps you start with why - ensuring your strategy is anchored in purpose and values - before moving to how and what in practical, actionable terms. Building a strategy isn’t just about short-term gains – it’s about cultivating a vision that stands the test of time. This course will guide you in crafting strategies that are both effective and flexible, enabling you to adapt confidently to inevitable changes in the micro and macro environment.

The course is designed to directly enhance participants’ knowledge, skills, and confidence in developing and delivering long-term fundraising success.

Through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, participants will walk away with a clear, practical framework for building and implementing a values-driven fundraising strategy. They will gain the skills to translate theory into action, the confidence to make evidence-based decisions, and the tools to monitor and adapt their strategies as circumstances change.

By the end of the program, participants will be equipped with:

• · A clear, practical framework for developing effective fundraising strategies
• · An understanding of why collaboration is best measured by team impact rather than individual effort
• · Insights into the critical connection between organisational culture and strategic success.

Most importantly, they will leave with a usable plan they can apply immediately in their day-to-day role, making a tangible difference to their fundraising effectiveness and organisational impact.

What you'll learn

A fundraising strategy is a focused, evidence-based plan to increase net revenue by retaining existing donors through exceptional supporter care, while inspiring a larger community of new supporters to invest in making a lasting impact for beneficiaries.

By the end of this masterclass, participants will be able to:

• · Develop a long-term, values-driven fundraising strategy tailored to their organisation’s goals and context.
• · Translate strategic principles into practical, actionable plans that drive measurable growth.
• · Apply evidence-based decision-making to design and refine fundraising activities.
• · Harness data insights to guide strategy, deepen donor engagement, and strengthen organisational learning.
• · Monitor, evaluate, and adapt strategies to respond effectively to changing internal and external environments.
• · Foster a culture of philanthropy that actively engages staff, board members, and stakeholders in advancing the mission.

Targeted skills

This course will build participants’ capabilities in:

• · Strategic Planning: Designing and implementing sustainable fundraising strategies.
• · Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Using data and research to guide fundraising priorities.
• · Practical Application: Turning strategy into day-to-day fundraising activities that resonate with donors.
• · Collaboration: Harnessing team and stakeholder insights for more effective outcomes.
• · Adaptive Thinking: Monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting strategies in dynamic environments.
• · Leadership & Influence: Inspiring a culture of philanthropy across the organisation.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for fundraising leaders, managers, and practitioners who want to develop a long-term, evidence-based fundraising strategy - whether at a departmental level or across an entire fundraising program. The framework is designed to be adaptable and practical, making it relevant for organisations of all sizes, from small teams to large, complex charities.

Delivery

1 x 8hr session.

In-person — Brisbane (venue to be advised)

This course is delivered in person in Brisbane only. It is not offered in other cities

This session won’t explore

Technical training on specific fundraising channels (e.g., direct mail, digital advertising, events, or major gifts)

Participant level

Intermediate/Advanced

Prerequisite Knowledge

This session is designed for individuals who are currently responsible for, or are developing the capability to, design and implement strategy at the program, department, or organisational level.

Meet the facilitator

Read Jim Green's bio (PDF).

Guidelines for enrollment

Make sure you have a login for the FIA Learning Hub. Click "Sign In" or "Forgot Password" if needed.

You can enrol a staff member if they already have a login.

If you require assistance, please email training@fia.org.au.

CFRE

Full participation in From Plan to Impact: A Fundraising Strategy Framework is applicable for up to 2.75 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

FIA Code

The course would be grounded in the principles of the FIA Code of Conduct and would demonstrate how ethical practice underpins effective, sustainable fundraising strategy.

Compliance (Section 2.0): Design strategies that reflect legal and regulatory requirements while embedding accountability and transparency. ·
Ethical Conduct (Section 3.0): Ensure decision-making is guided by organisational values and professional integrity, drawing on frameworks like Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle to anchor fundraising in why.
Conduct Towards Donors (Section 4.0): Build donor engagement strategies that respect donor intent, prioritise trust, and cultivate long-term relationships. ·
Conduct Towards Beneficiaries (Section 5.0): Keep the interests of beneficiaries at the heart of fundraising by aligning strategies with mission and impact.
Conduct in Supplier Relationships (Section 6.0): Apply collaborative and evidence-based approaches to supplier partnerships, ensuring they reflect both value for money and shared ethical standards.

Course Overview

The world in which Fundraising exists is evolving rapidly. This course explores how to harness innovation, emerging trends, and fresh models of engagement to future-proof fundraising strategies and maximise impact for your cause.

Participants will gain the confidence to identify and apply innovative approaches to fundraising, balance risk and reward, and shape strategies that deliver long-term donor engagement and organisational resilience.

What you'll learn

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the forces reshaping fundraising locally and globally.
• Apply tools to foster innovation in fundraising campaigns.
• Design donor experiences that stand out in a competitive environment.
• Assess and manage risks when testing new ideas.

Targeted skills

Innovation, strategic thinking, trend analysis, risk management.

Who is this course for?

Fundraising managers, team leaders, and professionals seeking to expand their strategic toolkit.

Participant level

Fundraising managers, team leaders, and professionals seeking to expand their strategic toolkit.

This course won’t explore

Detailed technical skills include database management, grant applications, and tax regulations.

Delivery

1 x 6hr session via Zoom.

Meet the facilitator

Read Rod Matthew's bio (PDF).

Guidelines for enrollment

Make sure you have a login for the FIA Learning Hub. Click "Sign In" or "Forgot Password" if needed.

You can enrol a staff member if they already have a login.

If you require assistance, please email training@fia.org.au.

CFRE

Full participation in Fundraising Forward – Innovating for Impact is applicable for up to 2.25 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.