42508 - Fund Raising and People Raising Strategies

Learning outcomes

Course is designed to teach the specific skills that constitute the complete fundraiser's toolkit – a fundraiser is a highly qualified professional who is well aware of just how complex it is to raise funds. Here are various meanings of this activity:

• Fund raising is about knowing how to look for donors and prospects.
• Fund raising is about knowing how to secure gifts.
• Fund raising is about knowing how to build relationships.
• Fund raising is about knowing how to involve and manage volunteers.
• Fund raising is about knowing how to manage the program.
• Finally, fundraisers must be aware of the issues of accountability, transparency, corporate ethics and social responsibility

Course contents

This course tackles the problem of finding economic resources and how it relates with managing and leading a modern nonprofit organization.

Structure of the course:

Philosophy and context of fund raising

• Fund raising in Italy
• The philosophy of fund raising

Fundamental elements for fund raising success

• The fund raising cycle
• Strengths and weaknesses of nonprofit organizations
• Developing constituencies for fund raising
• Developing and writing your case for support
• The overall fund raising development plan

Articulating strategies for fund raising success

• Annual fund
• Major gifts
• Endowment
• Capital campaign
• Planned gifts: testamentary gifts, wills, bequests.

Fund raising sources

• People
• Businesses
• Foundations in Italy: fund raising opportunities
• Women donors
• Trends in major donor behaviour and innovative approaches to fund raising

Methodologies and fund raising vehicles

• Direct mail
• Internet fund raising
• Cultivation events
• Fundraising for grassroots organizations

Successful fund raising management

• Management of a fund raising programme
• Fund raising leadership
• Role of the board of directors
• Thinking information strategically
• Fund raising and new technology
• Accountability and budgeting: evaluating costs, results and benefits
• Selection and role of consultants

Readings/Bibliography

V. MELANDRI, Materiali per un corso di Fund Raising, Philanhropy Edizioni, Forlì, 2006.

T. SEILER, Sviluppare il caso per la raccolta fondi, Philanthropy Edizioni, Forlì, 2007

Supplementary readings in Italian:

S. WELLS, Chiedere e ottenere grandi donazioni, Philanthropy Edizioni, Forlì, 2007

H. ROSSO, E. R. TEMPEL, V. MELANDRI. Il libro del fund raising, Etas, Milano 2004.

V. MELANDRI, G. VITTADINI. Fundraiser: professionista o missionario?, Guerini e Associati, Milano 2004

PHILANTHROPY CENTRO STUDI. Viaggio nel fund raising, Monti Editore, Saronno 2003.

Teaching methods

The teaching methodology is based on classroom sessions and case studies.

Assessment methods

Oral exam

Teaching tools

The teaching methodology is based on classroom sessions and case studies.

Links to further information

http://www.valeriomelandri.it

Office hours

See the website of Valerio Melandri