Enrollment now open for 2016-2017 Fundraising Academy, which is dedicated to strengthening San Diego nonprofits; Program offered through National University’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy in partnership with The San Diego Foundation
San Diego, Calif. – May 17, 2016 – The first graduating class of the Fundraising Academy through the recently-established partnership between The San Diego Foundation and National University’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy is being recognized this month at a special ceremony. The event will include a presentation of one-minute videos developed by the graduates during their certificate program, which emphasizes powerful and proven methods developed by the Institute to strengthen the fundraising abilities of the region’s nonprofits.
The graduation event takes place May 19 at National University’s Sanford Education Center, starting at 3:30 p.m. It includes one-minute video presentations by the program’s graduates – representing nonprofits including Epilepsy San Diego, Operation Samahan, Firefighter Aid – and is open to the public.
This is the first year the Fundraising Academy certificate program has been offered in partnership with the private, nonprofit National Universityand its Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, which is part of the University’s School of Business and Management. The Fundraising Academy is underwritten in large part by The San Diego Foundation and designed to enhance the fundraising skills of nonprofit leaders by increasing their fundraising capacity and donor relationship building skills.
In partnership with the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy, the program incorporates curriculum that has been developed through National University, including the Cause Sales approach. Cause Sales blends the passion of philanthropy with an emphasis on proven business principles to strengthen donor relations and fundraising skills. Elements include communication skills, prospecting strategy, basic psychology, relationship building techniques, as well as research approaches and data analysis.
Kathlyn Mead, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation noted that The San Diego Foundation has been committed to promoting philanthropy and civic engagement throughout the San Diego region, and is dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit community through the Fundraising Academy.
“Our partnership with the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University ensures access to a rich and valuable learning opportunity for San Diego’s nonprofits, which is critical to their ability to have even greater impacts in our community,” she said. “We congratulate the accomplishments of The Fundraising Academy’s graduating class and look forward to celebrating their ongoing dedication and contributions to our region.”
Fundraising, leadership skills training and education are at the core of successful nonprofit organizations, and The Fundraising Academy includes 70 hours of instruction spread over 10 days. Courses include Basics in Fundraising; Cause Selling/Social Skills; Major Gifts; and Planned Giving.
Enrollment is now open for the 2016-17 Fundraising Academy Certificate Program, which begins Sept. 13. Fundraising professionals interested in the program, or who are interested in attending the 2015-2016 graduation and video presentations, can call (844) 225-6681 or visit sanfordinstituteofphilanthropy.org/programs-overview/fundraising-academy.
About the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University
The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy at National University is dedicated to supporting the sustainability and positive contributions of nonprofits through education programs that have impacted more than 4,500 nonprofit professionals. The Sanford Institute of Philanthropy movement started in 2014 at National University, a California-based private, nonprofit university, and is being expanded nationally in coordination with educational institutions and organizations. A cornerstone of the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy movement is the Cause Sales approach toward fundraising and donor relationships that blends the passion of philanthropy with an emphasis on proven business principles. sanfordinstituteofphilanthropy.org
About The San Diego Foundation
The San Diego Foundation promotes and increases effective and responsible charitable giving to grow a more vibrant region. The Foundation manages more than $652 million in assets, more than half of which reside in permanent endowment funds that extend the impact of today’s gifts to future generations. Since 1975, The Foundation has granted more than $977 million to the nonprofit community. For more information, visit our website and consider a donation to the Fund for the Future Endowment which supports San Diego now and forever.