Course overview

Fundraising Essentials provides the basic knowledge and practical tools to help you get started as a fundraiser. The course covers key principles in ethical practice, reasons and vehicles for giving, core fundraising models to understand the donor journey and how to build a case for support, bringing theory to life with best-practice fundraising techniques so you can hit the ground running and make an impact in your fundraising role.

What you’ll learn

• how the Australian and New Zealand fundraising sectors work
• key regulations that impact fundraisers and not-for-profits
• motivations for donor generosity and charitable giving
• various fundraising channels, trends and methodologies
• the role of quality data and people to acquire and retain donors

Topics

• Scope and Rules of Fundraising: an overview of the scope of fundraising, the types of fundraising, and key regulations to be aware of.
• Donor Motives and Fundraising Strategy: basic information about why donors give and key elements to consider when fundraising and defining a case for support.
• Donor Acquisition and Development: key information on acquiring donors associated with various fundraising channels and with key methods and frameworks for donor development and stewardship.
• Major Gifts and Gifts in Wills: the importance of major gifts program as an extension of donor development and tips on how to operate a Gifts in Wills program
• Data and Resources: key issues associated with managing data in marketing and privacy along with some tips on how to recruit and manage volunteers.

Who is this for?

• people who are new to the fundraising sector with little or no knowledge of fundraising techniques and practice
• people already working in the not-for-profit sector but who are new to a fundraising role
• people who may be looking to enter the charity and not-for-profit sector in a fundraising role
• fundraisers in volunteer roles with little or no knowledge of fundraising practice

Delivery

2 x 4 hr sessions via Zoom

This course can be delivered in three ways to suit your preferred learning mode and availability.

• e-Learning is accessible over three months via our Learning Hub for strong independent learners who like a longer timeframe. The course is approximately 12 hours of study.
• Online—Facilitated is the one–day option via Zoom, led by a facilitator, for those wanting to complete it in a shorter timeframe.
• In-class is a one day in-person option, for those who learn best in a classroom environment, This option is available at a venue in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.

Meet the facilitator

Read Gilbert Lorquet's bio (PDF)

Read Alan White's bio (PDF)

Guidelines for enrolment

Note: The FIA website provides access to both the Member Portal and the Learning Hub. These have separate logins — your username and password may be different for each.

New Staff Member

Please ask your organisation’s nominated contact to add you to the Member Portal or email members@fia.org.au. Your details will sync within two hours.

To Access the Learning Hub

Once you've been added to the Member Portal, click “Reset Password / New Staff Login” to activate your Learning Hub access.

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

CFRE

Full participation in Fundraising Essentials is applicable for up to 7.5 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:

FIA Code 4.0 Conduct towards Donors, 3.0 Ethical conduct, 6.0 Conduct in Supplier relationships.