Achieve Better Outcomes
through Smarter Fundraising
Effective fundraising empowers organizations to amplify their missions and extend their services. From front-line fundraisers to behind-the-scenes specialists, all charitable giving operations rely on intentional relationships, effective strategies, and a strong understanding of the donor ecosystem.
Are you ready to raise more money to do more good? Boston University’s online Professional Fundraising Program shows you how. You’ll learn best practices and practical approaches to every aspect of fundraising, including:
- Prospect Research
- Annual Giving
- Development Communications
- Major Gifts
- Planned Giving
- Foundations and Corporations
- Capital Campaigns
- Support Services
- Volunteer Leadership
- Management and Accountability
If you are looking to earn the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, our program fulfills the education requirement and provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills to sit for for the certification exam.
Our program welcomes everyone interested in fundraising: those new to the field, fundraising professionals seeking career growth, and leaders who want to better understand and support their fundraising teams.
Quick Facts
- Format: 100% online
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Cost: $2,495
- Start dates: Three start dates each year in January, May, and September.
- Course structure: 12 modules with weekly assignments
Add Career-Changing Skills and Make Connections That Last
Roberto Ramirez,
Professional Fundraising Program, '24EXPAND YOUR EXPERTISE WITH OUR NETWORK. START NOW.The Professional Fundraising Program transformed my approach to fundraising and philanthropy. The teachers struck a perfect balance between concepts and practical examples, helping me strengthen my skills while giving me tools I could immediately put to work at my company. Beyond my coursework, I also built relationships with classmates and the broader program community. Now I have a professional network that I will lean on for years to come.
Thank you, Boston University, for an unforgettable and enriching twelve weeks!
Prepare for Your CFRE Certification with Confidence
Matthew Fellers,
Fellers Consulting Group LLCBUILD YOUR SKILLS & PREP FOR CFRE SUCCESS. REGISTER NOW.This was a wonderful course. The instructors were engaging and informative, and the coursework definitely prepared me to work on my CFRE. I’m excited to take on that professional challenge.
Build a Strong Foundation in Fundraising
Melissa Cooke,
Professional Fundraising Program, '24MAKE YOUR MARK IN FUNDRAISING. START NOW.The Professional Fundraising program helped me learn the essentials of the field quickly. During the course, I had enlightening conversations with my peers, applied concepts in real time, and deepened my understanding through philanthropy literature.
This program gave me the knowledge and confidence to pivot my career from communications to development, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Request Information
To download a program brochure and learn more about the Online Professional Fundraising Program offered by Boston University, please fill out the form. You can also contact an enrollment specialist directly by calling (857) 971-4728.
It’s inspiring to see people committed to a field that creates such an impact in the world. Nonprofits, colleges, hospitals, and arts and culture organizations can’t fulfill their missions without fundraising, and I love that I get to help people provide those resources.
Jonathan Schaffrath, Program Director
How BU’s Program Supports Your Professional Fundraising Career
Gain expertise from our experience. BU’s instructors have decades of experience in major gifts, planned giving, digital campaigns, and so much more. They will impart vital insights on current best practices and emerging trends, as well as their on-the-job experiences.
Turn every lesson into action at your organization. Transform module concepts into practical fundraising solutions from day one. Use cases from your organization’s real-world needs on assignments, or learn from carefully selected nonprofit case studies.
Join a supportive network of fundraising professionals. Fundraising is about building relationships, and we emphasize this skill in the program. Engage with weekly live sessions that align with each week’s topic and assignment—participate in real-time to ask questions or catch up later to stay on track with your coursework.
Gain an education from a renowned institution on your schedule. Advance your career with a certificate from a top-fifty university (U.S. News & World Report). Complete your coursework and assignments on a structured schedule, supported by expert instruction through live sessions or class recordings.
Rising Salaries and Growing Opportunities in the Fundraising Field
Fundraising is the engine behind every successful nonprofit, and skilled fundraisers are always in demand. The need for knowledgeable professionals in this field continues to rise in sectors such as healthcare, education, social services, the arts, and beyond.
Fundraising managers make a median annual salary of $86,400, with the top 15% of earners making $135,000 or more, according to the labor database Lightcast. Wages have grown nearly 30% in the past three years.
Top job titles include:
- Advancement coordinator
- Annual giving specialist
- Community relations manager
- Development officer
- Digital engagement officer
- Fundraising manager
- Grant writer
- Major gifts officer
- Market development specialist
- Philanthropy officer
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to advance your career, the curriculum is designed to accommodate all skill levels.
Expect to dedicate about seven to ten hours per week to complete the readings, assignments, and webinars. The program lasts twelve weeks in total.
The program is CFRE-approved and fulfills the education requirement of the CFRE application. For those who need to recertify, the program provides 84 continuing education points.
Absolutely! The program is flexible and designed for working professionals, allowing you to balance your studies with your current job.
Learn more: visit our full FAQ page or download our brochure.