Course Catalogue
Marketing for Strategic Fundraising
Course overview
This self paced eLearning course explores how marketing supports strategic fundraising, with practical tools, case studies, and real world applications tailored to the nonprofit sector. Fundraising and marketing are no longer separate functions. They are strategic partners. In this course, you will learn how to align messaging with fundraising goals, build a recognisable brand, and create appeals that motivate donors to act.
You can take this eLearning module independently or as part of the full Certificate in Professional Fundraising. For more information about the certificate, click here. There are two (2) assessment tasks for this eLearning module. Both tasks need to be completed and graded as Completed-Passed in order to successfully complete the module.
What you’ll learn
- Discuss how marketing is a pivotal element in fundraising
- Discover the elements that make up a strong, recognisable brand
- Learn how to identify different types of donors and explore engagement strategies
- Discover methods for gathering and analysing data to make informed fundraising decisions
- Examine techniques for crafting compelling appeals
Who is this course for?
- Entry-level fundraisers new to the profession
- Early-career fundraisers with 1-3 years of experience
- Fundraisers wanting to consolidate their existing skills with formal training
Participant level
Entry-level fundraisers new to the profession
Prerequisite knowledge
It is suggested that students are working in fundraising roles or are connected to a charity that undertakes fundraising in order to complete assignments and gain the most out of the course
Delivery
Duration- You will have three months of access to this eLearning module, giving you plenty of time to explore and complete the content at your own pace
- The course consists of approximately 10 hours of study:
- 4 hours of eLearning
- 3 hours of reading/ self-study
- 3 hours of assessment tasks
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
Textbook
The required textbook for this course is Achieving Excellence in Fundraising (5th Edition). This textbook is a highly regarded resource in the fundraising sector. It is also one of the recommended reading options for those pursuing CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification.
You can purchase the book from any bookshop; however, FIA members can enjoy a 25% discount through Wiley.
To access the discount
- Visit Wiley’s website.
- Enter the code FIA25 at checkout when purchasing your eBook or print copy.
CFRE
If you are completing this module only, the CFRE points are tbc. However, completion of the full Certificate will align with 60 CFRE points.
FIA Code
This course relates to the following aspects of the FIA Code of Conduct:
- FIA Code 2.0 Compliance, 3.0 Ethical conduct, 4.0 Conduct towards Donors, 5.0 Conduct towards Beneficiaries and 6.0 Conduct in Supplier relationships
Mastering Project Management Frameworks
Course Overview
Waterfall. Lean. Scrum. Critical Path. These terms all have something in common: They’re types of frameworks that project managers can use to improve their team’s workflow.
In this short course, you’ll learn what project frameworks are and how they benefit project managers. You’ll also explore specific types of frameworks that are popular in the field. Finally, you’ll learn how to choose the right frameworks for your projects. By the end of the course, you’ll have a better idea of which frameworks can boost your team’s productivity.
The topics covered include:
- what is a project management framework?
- three (3) types of project management frameworks
- scheduling frameworks
- agile frameworks
- choosing the right framework
Learning Outcomes
In this module, you’ll learn
- what project frameworks are
- how they benefit project managers
- explore specific types of frameworks that are popular in the field
- how to choose the right frameworks for your projects
This course has been designed in the US for a global audience. The content is interactive with videos and opportunities to check your understanding.
Delivery
This course is available as e-Learning and will take approximately 1 (one) hour to complete. It is accessible for 3 (three) months.
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 Mastering Project Management Frameworks is applicable for up to 1.0 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Overcoming Common Challenges of Remote Managers
Course Overview
Every manager faces challenges, from motivating employees to keeping projects on track. Remote work amplifies those difficulties. If you’re not in an office setting, how do you know if your team is working? Will communication and morale suffer?
In this course, you’ll learn four common challenges remote teams face and best practices to overcome each.
Enjoy the course!
Learning Outcomes
The topics covered include:
- Trust and accountability
- Communication
- Project Management
- Connection
This course has been designed in the US for a global audience. The content is interactive with videos and opportunities to check your understanding.
Delivery
This course is available as eLearning and will take approximately 1 (one) hour to complete. It is accessible for 3 (three) months.
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 Overcoming Common Challenges of Remote Managers is applicable for up to 1.0 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Partnering with the Board: Influence, Inspire, Deliver
Course overview
This dynamic course empowers fundraising professionals to build strategic, productive relationships with their boards. Through real-world case studies, expert insights, and interactive exercises, you will learn how to influence board engagement, inspire shared vision, and deliver fundraising outcomes that align with governance and mission. Ideal for those seeking to elevate board collaboration and drive transformational impact.
You will walk away with the confidence and tools to engage their board as strategic partners in fundraising. The course enhances leadership communication, strategic alignment, and influence skills - enabling fundraisers to navigate board dynamics, foster trust, and co-create fundraising success. It will make a tangible difference in how you lead, advocate, and deliver results in their organisations.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and apply strategies to build trust and credibility with board members.
- Influence board engagement in fundraising through tailored communication and shared goals.
- Inspire board members to become active ambassadors and advocates.
- Deliver fundraising outcomes through effective board collaboration and alignment.
- Navigate common challenges in board relationships with confidence and professionalism.
Targeted skills
- Strategic influence
- Leadership communication
- Stakeholder engagement
- Governance alignment
- Conflict resolution
- Fundraising advocacy
Who is this course for?
Fundraising professionals, non-profit leaders, and development/philanthropy managers who work with or report to boards and want to strengthen board engagement in fundraising.
Delivery
2 x 3hr sessions via Zoom.
This course won’t explore
This course will not cover board governance structures in detail or legal compliance frameworks. It focuses on relationship-building and strategic influence rather than fiduciary responsibilities.
Participant level
Leadership.
Prerequisite knowledge
Participants should have experience working with boards or senior leadership teams and a foundational understanding of fundraising strategy.
Meet the facilitator
Read Gilbert Lorquet'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 Partnering with the Board: Influence, Inspire, Deliver 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:
Promoting ethical conduct in board relationships (Section 3.0)
Encouraging respectful and transparent communication with donors and stakeholders (Section 4.0)
Supporting compliance and integrity in fundraising leadership
Practical Donor Stewardship: From Principles to Action
Course overview
This full-day, practical course guides fundraisers from strategy to operation, equipping them with the knowledge and hands-on skills to deliver effective donor stewardship.
You will learn core principles, evidence-based best practice, and examine real-world, on-the-job examples, then actively translate these into stewardship frameworks and operational plans using actionable tools. All tools and plans are tailored to participants’ organisations, considering capacity and current fundraising operations.
You will also gain a foundational understanding of designing and building positive donor experiences. You will leave with ready-to-use templates, tools, and a 90-day plan you can implement immediately.
To enhance your ability to build strong, enduring relationships with donors through a practical, strategy-to-operations approach, gaining confidence in applying stewardship principles, understanding donor experiences, developing tools, and operationalising plans tailored to their organisation, leaving you with a toolkit of templates, tools, workflows, and a 90-day plan ready for immediate implementation.
What you'll learn
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Understand core donor stewardship principles and their role in building lasting donor relationships.
- Apply stewardship principles to develop strategic approaches that strengthen donor engagement and retention.
- Operationalise these strategies using practical tools and frameworks tailored to their organisation’s capacity and operations.
- Create and implement donor touchpoints and stewardship workflows using workshop tools to deliver experiences that build loyalty and drive long-term engagement.
- Create a focused, actionable 90-day stewardship plan using workshop tools that can be implemented immediately.
Targeted skills
- Donor stewardship strategy and application
- Operational planning and workflow design
- Donor experience mapping and touchpoint development
- Practical use of stewardship tools and templates
- Action planning for donor engagement and retention
Who is this course for?
Entry to intermediate fundraisers, donor relations officers, and communications or marketing staff who want to strengthen donor retention, loyalty, and engagement. Ideal for those seeking to translate stewardship principles into actionable strategies and operational plans.
Delivery
2 x 3hr sessions via Zoom.
This course won’t explore
You will focus on applying stewardship principles and designing donor experiences. The following topics are out of scope:
- Full donor journeys
- Comprehensive major gifts strategies
- Detailed data strategies
- Detailed operational donor care
Participant level
Entry to Intermediate
Prerequisite knowledge
Participants should have a basic understanding of fundraising concepts and some practical experience with donor engagement. No advanced technical knowledge is required, as the workshop builds from principles to practical application.
Meet the facilitator
Read Leanne Rayner'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 Practical Donor Stewardship: From Principles to Action 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 aligns with the FIA Code of Conduct by embedding ethical, donor-centred practices throughout. Participants will explore compliance, ethical decision-making, and transparent communication to build trust with donors, ensure beneficiary-focused outcomes, and manage supplier relationships responsibly. The course equips fundraisers to apply these principles in practice, fostering integrity, accountability, and sustainable donor engagement
Project Management for Fundraisers
Course overview
This practical course gives emerging fundraising leaders the confidence and tools to set clear goals, align teams, and deliver projects successfully. Through fundraising-specific case studies, interactive planning exercises, and peer collaboration, you will learn how to establish accountability, track milestones, problem-solve effectively, and lead teams to execute campaigns with impact.
To enhance your ability to manage fundraising initiatives by building practical skills in planning, problem-solving, decision-making, and collaborative leadership. You will leave with a structured approach to leading projects that deliver results and strengthen team effectiveness.
What you'll learn
- Set clear project goals and align teams to deliver outcomes.
- Apply decision-making frameworks to solve problems quickly and effectively.
- Establish accountability and track milestones throughout project delivery.
- Lead collaborative, cross-team groups to execute projects successfully.
- Confidently oversee the full project cycle from planning to completion.
Targeted skills
- Goal setting and alignment
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Accountability and milestone tracking
- Project execution
- Cross-team collaboration
Who is this course for?
Fundraising managers, team leaders, or coordinators responsible for planning and delivering fundraising projects and campaigns.
Delivery
2 x 3hr sessions via Zoom.
This session won’t explore
Technical IT project methodologies (Agile, Scrum, software tools), the focus is people, leadership, and delivery in a fundraising context.
Participant level
Intermediate
Prerequisite knowledge
Basic knowledge of fundraising campaigns and operations.
Meet the facilitator
Read Trudy MacDonald'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 Project Management for Fundraisers 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 supports accountability and transparency (Section 2.0), ethical conduct in managing resources (Section 3.0), and effective collaboration with stakeholders (Section 6.0).
Revive & Thrive: Conquering Stress and Burnout
Course Overview
In the demanding world of fundraising, stress and burnout can feel like unwelcome co-workers—always hanging around but never quite clocking out. Revive & Thrive is a dynamic, self-paced 6-module eLearning experience designed specifically for anyone who is juggling high expectations, tight deadlines, emotional exhaustion, and a persistent pressure to perform. Whether you're teetering on burnout or simply feeling stretched thin, this course offers the tools, insights, and actionable strategies to not just recover—but recharge and thrive.
Why It Matters:
Fundraisers are often the emotional heart of their organisations, yet many sacrifice their own well-being in the name of purpose. This course gives you permission—and the pathway—to prioritise yourself without guilt.
Learning Outcomes
The topics covered include:
- A new understanding of how stress and burnout works
- Tools to manage pressure and sharpen focus
- Clear strategies to bounce back with confidence
- A renewed sense of energy, purpose, and control
This course has been designed in the US for a global audience. The content is interactive with videos and opportunities to check your understanding.
Delivery
This course is available as e-Learning and will take approximately 2 (two) hours to complete. It is accessible for 3 (three) months.
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 Revive & Thrive: Conquering Stress and Burnout is applicable for up to 1.0 continuing education points in Category 1. B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Storytelling for Impact: Communicate your true value
Course overview
Most fundraisers have no shortage of material: impact data, program outcomes, powerful beneficiary experiences. The challenge they find is turning that material into stories donors, funders, boards and partners actually remember, understand and act on.
This workshop, led by Impact Institute's Paula Cowan, provides practical frameworks, drawing on Beliefonomics™ principles, for building two story types every fundraiser needs: stories that communicate your organisation's purpose and impact, and stories that bring beneficiary experiences to life. You'll learn how to shape raw information into narratives that establish credibility, demonstrate impact and create genuine connection.
Through a blend of teaching, coaching and practical exercises, participants will transform real information, case studies and impact examples into stories they can immediately apply in donor conversations, stewardship communications, partnership engagement and impact reporting.
Participants are encouraged to bring a real story, case study or impact example from their organisation to develop during the session. You'll leave with 2–3 practical stories and a framework you can continue to apply in your work.
What you'll learn
By the end of the session, you will:
- Recognise common storytelling challenges that reduce engagement and impact
- Apply practical storytelling frameworks to organisational and beneficiary stories
- Develop stories that communicate organisational purpose, credibility and impact
- Build compelling beneficiary stories that create connection and bring outcomes to life
- Create a practical story bank containing 2–3 stories you can immediately use in your role
Targeted skills
- Storytelling
- Impact communication
- Stakeholder engagement
- Donor and partner engagement
Who is this for?
Fundraisers, fundraising managers, philanthropy professionals, partnership managers and organisational leaders who need to communicate their organisation's impact in a compelling and memorable way.
Particularly relevant for major gifts, gifts in wills, trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, impact reporting and stakeholder communications.
Delivery
1 x 3hr session via Zoom.
Meet the facilitators
This course won't explore
- Comprehensive brand strategy
- Copywriting skills
- Technical fundraising strategy or campaign planning
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 Storytelling for Impact is applicable for up to 1.50 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 by considering how elements of digital fundraising apply to fundraising.
Thriving Under Pressure - Stress, Wellbeing, and Burnout Resilience
Course overview
Fundraising can be deeply rewarding, yet relentless targets, emotional stories, and constant deadlines place fundraisers and leaders at high risk of stress and burnout. This course equips you with practical strategies to safeguard your wellbeing, manage stress, and maintain sustainable performance. You will explore evidence-based tools from nervous system science, breathwork, and resilience psychology to regulate arousal, prevent burnout, and foster a high-functioning, innovative mindset. Through case studies, reflective exercises, and hands-on practice, you will leave with actionable techniques to maintain energy, focus, and clarity in their work, while protecting your personal wellbeing.
To help fundraisers and non-profit leaders navigate the pressures of your roles without sacrificing wellbeing; as well as leveraging performance from a stable foundation of wellbeing. You will gain the confidence, skills, and practical tools to regulate stress, prevent burnout, and create a resilient foundation for performance and innovation in your teams and yourself.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognise the early signs of stress and burnout in themselves and their teams.
- Apply practical nervous system regulation techniques to reduce stress and maintain performance.
- Protect energy and focus under high-pressure deadlines and emotionally intense situations.
- Build cognitive flexibility and emotional resilience to manage challenges with clarity and calm.
- Integrate daily routines and rituals that support long-term wellbeing and sustainable professional impact.
Targeted skills
- Stress and arousal regulation
- Burnout prevention strategies
- Emotional self-awareness and resilience
- Cognitive flexibility and adaptive thinking
- Energy management for sustainable performance
Who is this course for?
Beginner to Leadership
Delivery
1 x 3hr session via Zoom.
This course won’t explore
This course is not a mental health therapy service and does not provide financial, investment, or sector-specific compliance advice beyond ethical fundraising standards.
Participant level
Suitable for professionals with some experience in fundraising who want to strengthen their capacity and creativity under pressure.
Meet the facilitator
Read Unna Goldsworthy'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 Thriving Under Pressure - Stress, Wellbeing, and Burnout Resilience is applicable for up to 1.5 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:
Compliance: Ethical donor engagement and legal standardsEthical Conduct: Honesty, transparency, integrity
Conduct Towards Donors: Respectful, empathetic interactions
Conduct Towards Beneficiaries: Protecting dignity and wellbeing
Conduct in Supplier Relationships: Fairness and accountability
Winning Grants: From Prospecting to Reporting
Course overview
This is a practical, interactive course involving discussion, exercises and group participation throughout. Participants should come prepared to have cameras on, contribute to discussions and work through practical activities during the session.
We will cover:
- Getting grant ready – building a grant library and understanding the foundations of a strong grants program
- Designing fundable projects – defining the problem, approach, impact, aims, outputs, outcomes, evidence, budgets and timelines
- Choosing the right grants – assessing fit, using Go/No-Go approaches, finding opportunities and interpreting assessment criteria
- Writing competitive applications – writing clearly and persuasively, structuring responses and using AI appropriately in grant writing
- Grant management and reporting – turning funding agreements into operational plans, managing reporting and maintaining funder relationships
- Dealing with unsuccessful applications – reviewing feedback, learning from rejection and improving future applications
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Develop a targeted grants prospecting approach that aligns with organisational strategy.
- Break down funder guidelines and evaluation criteria to write more competitive applications.
- Implement systems for managing grant deadlines, compliance, and reporting.
- Use acquittals and reporting to build trust and long-term funder relationships.
Targeted skills
- Strategic prospecting and funder research
- Grant writing and application development
- Stakeholder management
- Reporting and compliance
The course includes work in pairs, group discussion and practical exercises where participants will apply the material to their own organisation or projects. It is not a lecture-style session, so active participation is expected.
Who is this course for?
Early to mid-career fundraising coordinators, managers, nonprofit leaders, program managers, and anyone responsible for identifying, writing, or reporting on grants.
Delivery
2 x 3hr sessions via Zoom.
This course won’t explore
- Technical budget design
- Legal advice
Participant Level
Suitable for early to mid-career professionals looking to refresh their skills on the fundamentals, as well as learn more about the strategy and techniques that help you have more success in grant applications and management.
Meet the facilitator
Read Caitlin Boucher'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 Winning Grants: From Prospecting to Reporting 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:
The course integrates the FIA Code of Conduct by highlighting compliance (2.0), ethical grant writing practices (3.0), responsible stewardship of donor funds (4.0), and respectful reporting to beneficiaries and stakeholders (5.0).