General

Boston University’s Professional Fundraising Certificate Program is a fully online, twelve-week program designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to succeed in fundraising. The program covers key topics such as major gifts, planned giving, grant writing, and digital fundraising.

The program is ideal for fundraising professionals at all levels, whether you’re new to the field, transitioning from another career, or looking to deepen your expertise in specific areas of fundraising like capital campaigns or planned giving.

The program is approved for 84 CFRE continuing education credits, which fulfills the educational requirements for the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) application. Completing the program will also provide important baseline knowledge that you’ll need to pass the CFRE exam.

If you are currently a CFRE, the Professional Fundraising Certificate exceeds the education requirements needed for recertification.

You’ll gain an understanding of comprehensive fundraising strategies, donor cultivation techniques, approaches to planned and annual giving, and grant writing and donor communications. By the end of the twelve weeks, you’ll be ready to lead successful fundraising campaigns and build long-term donor relationships.

Program Experience

The program is delivered entirely online, with a mix of asynchronous learning, live webinars, peer collaboration, and hands-on projects. You can anticipate interactive assignments, recorded lectures, and discussions with instructors and fellow students.

The program typically requires seven to ten hours per week, making it manageable for working professionals to balance.

Yes, instructors provide personalized feedback on your assignments and projects, helping you refine your strategies and approaches to fundraising.

No prior experience is required to enroll. The program is designed to support both newcomers to the field and experienced professionals looking to enhance specific skills.

Registration and Tuition

To register, simply fill out the registration form and submit payment. Once registered, you’ll receive a welcome email with course access details.

Yes, the program offers three start dates per year in January, May, and August. Be sure to check the registration and tuition page for the next available start date.

After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the online learning platform. You’ll also receive information about orientation and the schedule of the live sessions.

No, students take one course at a time. This approach allows you to fully engage with each topic before moving on to the next course.

Learn about our tuition costs by visiting our registration and tuition page.

No, the tuition covers all course materials and access to the online learning platform. There are no additional textbook costs or resource fees.

While traditional financial aid isn’t available for this certificate program, Boston University offers interest-free payment plans. Contact an enrollment advisor for details on payment options.

Yes, members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and certain service organization participants (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps) receive a 10% tuition reduction. Be sure to check if you’re eligible before enrolling.

Refunds are available if you withdraw from the course within a specified period after registration. Specific deadlines and refund amounts are outlined on the program policies page.

Request Information

To download a program brochure and learn more about the Online Professional Fundraising Certificate offered by Boston University, please fill out the form. You can also contact an enrollment advisor directly by calling (857) 971-4728.

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