The Curriculum
7 modules • 30 video lessons
4 Lessons
Introduction to Funding Landscape
In this module, participants will gain an understanding of the various funding sources available to individuals and organisations. They will explore the differences between grants, loans, equity investment, and donations.
Overview of Fundraising Process
Participants will begin by grasping the fundamental concept of fundraising, including the divergence between funding required for non-profits, social enterprises or small businesses.
Types of Funding Sources
Explore the differences between grants, loans, equity investment, and donations.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Examine the benefits and drawbacks of each method of fundraising.
Choosing the Right Funding Source
We will guide participants through the critical process of assessing their specific needs and objectives. This section helps participants pinpoint their financial requirements and to align their funding choice with their venture's nature.
4 Lessons
Understanding Your Funding Needs
This module delves into the process of accurately assessing financial requirements. Participants will learn how to calculate the funding needed for different stages, whether it's for starting up a new venture, sustaining daily operations, or expanding an existing project.
Assessing Financial Requirements
In this lesson, participants will learn to define financial stages, estimate costs, and analyse cash flow to effectively manage an organisation's financial journey, including startup, sustainability, and expansion, covering expenses like personnel, equipment, marketing, and income/expenditure timing.
Identifying Funding Gaps
Participants will learn to identify funding gaps and their implications, evaluate current resources for potential self-funding, and proactively manage financial risks, including contingency planning, to ensure successful fundraising and project/business sustainability.
Defining Clear Funding Objectives
Participants will learn to set SMART goals for transparent fundraising, focusing on specific funding needs and explaining why they're essential, while also emphasizing the strategic allocation of funds for maximum impact.
Crafting Appropriate Fundraising Strategies
Participants will learn to customize fundraising strategies, use financial data effectively, and stay flexible in response to changing needs, boosting their fundraising success.
6 Lessons
Identifying Potential Funders and Investors
Participants will learn strategies for identifying potential sources of funding, including government grants, venture capitalists, angel investors, and philanthropic organisations.
Understanding Why Funders Fund
We will emphasise the importance of understanding the motivations and goals of different types of funders
Market Research and Opportunity Identification
Participants will learn effective market research techniques to identify funding opportunities.
Tailoring Approaches to Funders
Participants will gain expertise in tailoring outreach to diverse funders and using storytelling to align their pitches with funders' preferences and values.
Alignment with Funders' Goals
Participants will learn to strategically align their projects or businesses with potential funders' goals, along with techniques for quantifying and communicating measurable impact to enhance their funding proposals and pitches.
Building Relationships with Funders
Participants will be introduced to effective networking strategies for identifying potential funders through professional organizations, conferences, and online platforms, as well as learning how to nurture long-term relationships by communicating project progress and impact to build trust and lasting partnerships.
What Not to Go for
We will discuss the labour involved in writing proposals and pitching, and how to identify whether an opportunity is worth pursuing or not.
5 Lessons
Preparing Compelling Funding Proposals
This module will provide participants with a comprehensive guide to crafting compelling funding proposals.
Key Elements of a Funding Proposal
We will cover the essential components, such as the executive summary, project description, goals and objectives, budget, and timeline. Important to review and use the proposal format of the funder.
Effective Writing Tips
Participants will learn to write clearly and concisely, avoiding jargon and crafting engaging narratives, while also emphasizing the importance of impeccable grammar and providing tips for effective proofreading to produce error-free and compelling proposals.
Showcasing Impact
Participants will gain insights into selecting relevant outcome and impact metrics to quantify project benefits and learn the art of impactful storytelling to emotionally connect with funders and convey the potential impact of their projects or businesses.
Elevator Pitch for Investors
Participants will master the art of crafting a succinct and attention-grabbing elevator pitch that encapsulates their project or business's essence, followed by practical pitch practice sessions, enabling them to refine and perfect their pitches for maximum impact.
Budgeting and Demonstrating Fund Utilisation
Participants will be led through the development of a well-rounded project or business budget, including strategic fund allocation and expense justification.
5 Lessons
Building Relationships with Funders
In this module, participants will learn the importance of long-term relationship building with diverse funding stakeholders, gaining networking skills, tailoring communication, and nurturing techniques while emphasizing transparent and regular updates to showcase project progress and impact.
Networking Strategies
Participants will start with the basics of networking, understanding its significance in fundraising as a means to foster mutually beneficial relationships, and they will also learn strategies for locating potential funders through industry events, organizations, and online networking platforms.
Tailoring Communication
Participants will learn how to adapt their communication styles to suit different funders' preferences and master effective initial outreach by crafting personalized messages that highlight alignment with the funder's goals.
Nurturing Techniques
Participants will understand the vital role of trust-building with funders through reliability, credibility, and integrity, as well as the significance of transparent and regular communication, including progress updates and proactive handling of challenges through newsletters and social media.
Demonstrating Impact
Participants will grasp the significance of measuring and reporting project or business impact, exploring diverse metrics and reporting techniques to demonstrate their initiatives' value while also being encouraged to collect and share impactful stories that resonate with funders and stakeholders.
Long-Term Relationship Building
Discuss strategies for sustaining long-term relationships with funders. This includes ongoing engagement, showing appreciation, and finding ways to collaborate beyond initial funding.
Lessons
Classes ready when you are
Welcome to the course
5:02
Intro to Funding Landscape
2:22
Overview of Fundraising Process
8:03
Types of Funding Sources
6:45
Advantages and Disadvantages
8:02
The Teachers
Hi, I'm Neema
I'm an artist, maker and coach as well as the founder of Pollicy and Women are Building.
I'm passionate about creating joyful and resilient digital products and companies.
The Teachers
Hi, I'm Vari
I'm a pan-African feminist lawyer and leader with experience in human rights and development work.
I'm well-versed in non-profit corporate governance and sustainable development practice.
Course Info
What to expect
Skill Level
Beginner
Time to Complete
3 Hours
Certification
After Completion
Prerequisites
None Needed
ABOUT
Is this course right for you?
This course is a comprehensive guide to fundraising, designed for civil society leaders, non-profit managers, and small business owners. It provides essential knowledge and practical skills for navigating the complex funding landscape, including grants, loans, equity investment, and donations. Participants will learn to craft compelling funding proposals, build fruitful relationships with potential funders, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
This course is tailor-made for civil society leaders, non-profit managers, aspiring entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are passionate about achieving their goals and are seeking the financial support to make it happen. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the world of fundraising, this course is your comprehensive guide to mastering the art and science of securing funds.
By the end of this course, individuals and organisations will be equipped with the expertise and confidence needed to secure the financial support required to turn their visions into realities, drive positive change, and achieve lasting impact.
Fundraising can be a daunting exercise, especially when you urgently need the funds to keep the lights on. We’ve been there and we want to share what we have learned through our journey growing within civil society and supporting other organisations and businesses.
This course offers self-paced learning through video tutorials as well as learning materials such as fundraising templates, tool recommendations and a funding source directory. You can also opt for additional coaching sessions from the course instructors.
SKILLS
Skills you'll walk away with
Effective Proposal Writing
Basics of Budgeting
Relationship Building
Compliance and Governance
Confidence in Fundraising
What You'll Gain
Acquire all the essential skills to develop funding strategy proficiency
A Deeper Understanding
You'll gain a profound understanding of the diverse funding landscape, including grants, loans, equity investment, and donations, allowing you to make informed decisions about which source best suits your needs.
Effective Fundraising Techniques
Learn the art of crafting compelling funding proposals, building fruitful relationships with funders, and staying compliant with reporting requirements.
Real-World Application
Our course provides real-world examples and practical advice that you can immediately apply to your projects or ventures.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and expand your professional network through our course discussions and Q&A sessions.
REVIEWS
What students are saying
Chipo Mwamba
From Zambia
"I had the privilege of being part of the pre-launch trial for this course, and I must say it exceeded all my expectations. The depth of knowledge shared on fundraising strategies, along with practical skills and templates, is simply outstanding. It's a game-changer for anyone looking to secure funding for their projects. Highly recommended!"
Dawit Alemayehu
From Canada
"As a non-profit manager, I've been struggling with fundraising for years. This course was a revelation! The modules are well-structured, and the emphasis on relationship building and effective communication with funders is invaluable. I feel much more confident now. This course is a must for anyone in civil society."
Lauren Scott
From South Africa
“I can't thank the creators of this course enough. Happy to have had a sneak peek! It was a fantastic learning experience. The content is not just informative but also highly engaging. The bonus materials like proposal templates and the funding source directory are incredibly helpful. I'm already seeing positive results in my fundraising efforts after implementing what I learned in this course!”
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Tips and Resources
This beginner friendly course teaches you everything you need to know to start fundraising and growing.
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