Most nonprofit organizations earn at least half of their total annual revenue from contributed sources, including individuals, foundations, governments, and corporations. This course will provide a comprehensive survey of the fundraising process for nonprofit organizations, with an emphasis on arts & cultural organizations, and will introduce students to the philanthropic landscape writ large. Students will become familiar with the various types of charitable giving, key funding sources and how to solicit funds, the donor life cycle, and key trends and critical issues facing today's philanthropic landscape. Students will learn practical development techniques such as crafting a case for support, the basics of planned giving, donor research and solicitation plans, and carrying out both fundraising and stewardship events. The philosophies and theories that underlie the concept of charitable giving will also be examined, as will the ethical considerations inherent in the development process. During this course, students will identify, work closely with, and write a complete strategic development plan for a nonprofit organization of their choice. Through assignments and discussion posts, students will also gain exposure in numerous fundraising procedures and practices.

Most nonprofit organizations earn more than half of their total annual revenue from contributed sources, including funds from businesses, foundations, government, and individuals. This course will examine how each of these entities are identified, researched, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded, in context of the organization's fundraising cycle. Students will learn practical development techniques such as crafting a case for support, how to identify government and foundation grant programs, the basics of planned giving, donor research and solicitation plans, and carrying out both fundraising and stewardship events. The philosophies and theories that underlie the concept of charitable giving will also be examined, as will the ethical considerations inherent in the development process. During this course, students will identify, work closely with, and write a complete strategic development plan for a nonprofit organization of their choice.