Academic Year 2018/2019

  • Docente: Brett Crawford
  • Credits: 3
  • SSD: SECS-P/09
  • Language: English
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts (cod. 0902)

Learning outcomes

The student is expected to learn the strategies, tools and techniques used by cultural organizations in North America to generate contributed income from individuals, corporations, businesses and government agencies. In particular, the student is expected to learn: - the methods used in developing donor prospects - the variety of techniques used for soliciting contributions.

Course contents

This course will introduce the strategies, tools and techniques used by cultural organizations in North America (United States and Canada) to generate contributed income from individuals, corporations, small businesses, foundations, and government agencies. You will be exposed to the methods used in developing donor prospects, and the variety of techniques used for soliciting contributions. This class is an overview of the entire fundraising process.

Topics that will be covered:

  1. Fundamentals of Philanthropy: Why People Give/How People Give
  2. Types of Campaigns: Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Capital
  3. Structures: Campaigns & Appeals
  4. Cultivating Individual Giving within an Annual Campaign
  5. Special Events -- relationships and opportunities
  6. Cultivating Corporate Giving and recognizing the difference between Corporate Giving, Corporate Foundations and Corporate Sponsorships
  7. Approaches to Foundations and Public Funding: LOIs, Letter Proposals & Grants
  8. Ethics in Fundraising
  9. International Perspectives on Fundraising
  10. Technology Disruptions in the Fundraising Sphere

Readings/Bibliography

Readings required for class: Materials as assigned are located in the course Dropbox folder and linked individually through the syllabus. You should have received an invitation to both the course blog site and Dropbox on 20 April 2019. I have selected relevant articles and select chapters for each topics as the required readings for that day. These are often workbooks and “how to” articles full of practical information.

Recommended Text for additional material and theories:

Tempel, Eugene R., Timothy L. Seler, and Eva E. Adrich, eds

Achieving Excellence in Fundraising, Jossey-Bass, 2016

McCrea, Jennifer, et. Al. The Generosity Network, Jossey-Bass, 2016.

There are multiple additional texts and dedicated resources to any one of the course topics. Please contact me if you are interested in pursuing something further.

The expectation is that you will read the assigned articles or excerpts prior to each class meeting and be prepared to discuss and engage the concepts during class time. Lecture will augment the readings with information from other texts, articles and research on current topics.

Teaching methods

Participation

IN CLASS: We will be covering a great deal of material in a limited of time. This class will be a combination of lectures, activities and discussion. Your active participation in discussions or exercises as we examine various topics is expected. Our meeting time is an excellent place to clarify questions. All questions are important and legitimate. If you feel confused by a discussion or disagree with something said by me or a fellow student, then speak up! During our DISTANCE LEARNING classes we will have lecture / activities / questions and use an online chat space to enable clarifications both during and after class meetings.

Attendance:

According to University of Bologna policy, you must attend at least 70% of the classes. If you miss more than two class sessions, no grade will be given for the course. You are responsible for signing the attendance sheet for each class which will be scanned and shared with the professor for days that lectures are held online. Attendance will be taken no later than 10 minutes after the start of class.

Computers:

It is recommended (required for courses in the USA) that computers and all technology should be closed and put away during lecture. Human brains absorb more material through manual notetaking. You will, however, have opportunities to open and use your computer during in class activities. Why? Numerous scientific studies have shown that computer use during class decreases student’s ability to absorb material efficiently and furthermore distracts neighbors inhibiting their ability to focus.

Plagiarism, Cheating versus Original Work:

It is expected that all work product developed by the students will be original work. In some cases when your final project relates to an actual organization, there might be an acceptable use of a graphic or narrative element. Any references must be properly footnoted or referenced. Cheating in any form is not acceptable and will result in a zero grade for this course.

Assessment methods

Grading:

  • Fundraising Plan Preliminary Description & Analysis: 20% of final grade (group project)
  • Making the Ask: 30% of final grade (group project)
  • Final Project -Letter Proposal 30% of final grade (group project)
    • For Group Projects you will work in the same groups as your Project Management Class, if you were not in the Project Management Class you will join a group during the first class period.
  • Read/Write/Respond 20% of final grade(Individual work)

Consults: During and after class on May 22 / 23 I will consult with each group for 10-15 minutes about their project. This is an opportunity to review your preliminary fundraising analysis and consider the target for you to prepare for your “ask.” This is a good time to ask any questions about the final group project.

While I am working with the individual groups you will have time in class to work on your projects, review sample fundraising materials I will bring to class, and ask additional questions.

Office hours

See the website of Brett Crawford