Build the fundraising skills, strategies and systems your organization needs to generate more reliable support for your mission.
Fundraising School is an immersive, virtual capacity-building program that helps nonprofit leaders become more confident fundraisers, strengthen board engagement and build a more strategic approach to fundraising.
Through six interactive half-day sessions and a graduation session, participants develop practical tools they can put to work in their organizations, including:
Technology plan
Case for support
Communications plan
12-month fundraising plan
Plan to raise $10,000
Board engagement plan
Two people from each organization must participate in all sessions. Participants may include:
Executive directors
Board members
Development staff with responsibility for fundraising
Communications staff
Staff with limited development experience and the potential to take on a greater fundraising role
Organizations must be physically located in one of the Foundation’s 11-county Midlands service area: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda or Sumter.
Fundraising School is designed for established nonprofits of varying sizes. The program is not recommended for organizations in their first one to three years of operation.
Organizations located outside Richland County and organizations led by underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Fundraising School tuition is $3,000 per organization. Organizations accepted into the program receive a grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation that covers the full tuition cost for two participants.
Organizations are responsible for the cost of any additional participants.
Accepted organizations must also purchase the No More Duct Tape Fundraising book, which is used as the program textbook.
November 1: Applications open
November 30: Applications close
January: Applicants notified of their status
Mid-February: Formal award notifications
March and April: Six virtual Fundraising School sessions
May: Graduation session
Sessions are generally held on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
Interested in strengthening your organization’s fundraising capacity? Review our Before You Start page for grant requirements and application guidance to make sure Fundraising School is a good fit for your organization.
When applications are open, submit your application through our online grant portal.
If your organization is selected, two participants must commit to attending all Fundraising School sessions and completing the program assignments.