Fundraising for a New Era Course
Great fundraising isn’t just about asking for money. It’s also about connecting people with causes they care about.
As communities evolve and donor expectations change, organizations need fundraisers who can build authentic relationships, communicate with confidence, and inspire action.
Fundraising for a New Era is a fully online course designed to help you do exactly that.
Through a unique blend of fundraising strategy, relationship building, and emotional intelligence, you’ll learn how to create meaningful donor experiences, advance the missions that matter most, and succeed in today’s philanthropic landscape.
Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to strengthen your skills, this course will help you lead with confidence and make a greater impact.
Program Snapshot
- Location: Online
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Continuing Education Credits (CEUs): 3.1
- Cost: $1,895
Why Study Fundraising for a New Era?
Most fundraising courses focus only on technical skills. Fundraising for a New Era goes further by combining proven fundraising techniques with emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Led by experienced fundraising professionals, this course covers the full spectrum of fundraising—from donor relations and grant writing to campaign planning, communication, and stewardship.
Throughout the course, you’ll participate in:
- 12 live, online discussions featuring expert instruction and real-world fundraising examples.
- 8 self-paced lessons that fit your schedule and provide actionable insights.
- Hands-on projects and a capstone where you’ll develop a case for support, fundraising plan, donor engagement strategy, and presentation.
When you complete this course, you’ll earn the Fundraising for a New Era digital badge from Winona State University.
You’ll also receive education credits that can be applied toward the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential and help prepare you for the CFRE exam—an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a commitment to ethical and effective fundraising.
What Will You Learn?
In this course, you’ll learn how to lead fundraising campaigns that inspire support and drive lasting results.
You’ll also:
- build meaningful relationships with donors and stakeholders.
- create compelling grant proposals and other messages that connect people to your mission.
- design annual and campaign fundraising strategies.
- create persuasive case statements and practice donor asks with greater confidence and clarity.
- apply emotional intelligence to strengthen communication and donor engagement.
Who Should Attend?
This course is for anyone who wants to help organizations across industries grow their impact through philanthropy, including:
- development or advancement professionals
- grant writers
- fundraising coordinators
- donor relations specialists
- alumni relations professionals
- non-profit leaders
- board members and volunteers
No matter your experience level, you’ll leave with an expanded professional network and a deeper understanding of how fundraising turns generosity into meaningful change for communities and causes around the world.
Enroll in This Course
Ready to elevate your fundraising career? Enroll in one of our upcoming cohorts:
Fall 2026
The Fall 2026 class is open Aug. 24–Nov. 13.
Live, online meetings will be held weekly on Thursdays from 12-1:30pm.
Register by Aug. 19.
Enroll in the Fall 2026 Cohort NowSpring 2027
The Spring 2027 class is open Feb. 8–April 30.
Live, online meetings will be held weekly on Thursdays from 12-1:30pm.
Register by Feb. 3.
Enroll in the Spring 2027 Cohort NowAbout Your Instructors
Kristi Ackley has been training individuals in fund development processes and best practices since 2013.
To date, she has trained more than 1,000 volunteers, board members, and non-profit staff in the basics of fundraising as well as advanced fund development practices such as capital campaigns, planned giving, and endowments.
She’s the founder and chair of Leave a Legacy MN’s podcast committee. In 2023, she was recognized at the Minnesota Gift Planning Association’s annual conference with the inaugural Impact Award for her work on creating the A Legacy of Generosity podcast, a professional development resource for fundraisers.
Kristi has a BS in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting.
Amy Allen is a seasoned non-profit professional and fundraiser with a background in organizational change, non-profit leadership, and development.
She has a proven track record of success spanning over 3 decades. Her key organizational roles reflect her ability to drive results, inspire teams, and foster innovation.
Amy has honed a diverse skillset over the years working in health care, higher education, and community-based non-profits. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and iPEC-trained coach, she guides non-profit organizations toward sustainable growth and impactful change.
She has an MA in Organization Design & Leadership from Fielding Graduate University and a BS in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.