Fundraising Certificate
Intensive Online Training
January 13 to June 23
2026
Gain the confidence, knowledge, and skills necessary
to strengthen your organization’s
development program.
This course is approved for 19 CFRE credits.
This course is for...
nonprofit leaders, development staff, and key volunteers representing small to mid-sized development teams
It is a practical course...
You will work with the latest tools to develop your own, customized development plan. The creation of your plan will occur over the five months of training (January to May). You will receive personalized feedback on your plan from our instructor, Jenn Hayslett, prior to the last session, when you will present your plan to your working group. We will then celebrate your learning and support your launch!
Your schedule will include...
-6 Days of Interactive Online Training (5 hours each)
-5 Peer-Learning Sessions with your small working group (as part of training day)
-5 Conversation Circles to dive more deeply into key learnings for development of your strategic plan
-Independent Reading and Assignments (5-6 hours/month) plus time for creation of yourplan
You will leave with...
-your own customized development plan
-a peer network of nonprofit professionals
-templates, checklists, and samples to guide your continued work
-Jenn Hayslett's guide - Strategic Fundraising: An Interactive Workbook - to help streamline your work throughout the training and peer group sessions
-and the tools, skills and confidence to put your plan into action!
Testimonials
France Neff
President & CEO
Family Independence Inc
Before this course, I had no idea how to start a development plan or what to focus on in fundraising. Now I understand the process of creating a plan, I am more comfortable with fundraising and I have a written document to guide our efforts.
Robert Hendricks
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
He Is Me
I appreciate how applicable the course was. After every session, I was able to plan or do something better. I feel much more confident in our development plan and process after this course. Thanks, Jenn!
Stasia Powers
Community Engagement & Development Director
Community Nurse Home Care, Inc
This course helped me understand where we were doing well and where I needed to focus my attention in the coming year. It was well run and very informational. Jenn is an amazing instructor and coach!
What will you learn?
The course will be conducted over six months of online instruction interspersed with peer learning groups and an individualized coaching session with the instructor.
Below are the dates of the training sessions. The order of the topics may change.
January 13
Orientation and Overview
In this first session we will examine the fundraising landscape and set the stage for goal setting and the creation of your customized development plan.
February 10
Institutional Funders
What makes a good proposal? We will learn time tested tools of the trade to learn to write proposals that get funded.
March 10
Communications and Appeals
How can you use storytelling in your print and e-appeals? We will learn best practices for personalization of your appeals that speak directly to your donors.
April 14
Donor Relations & Stewardship
How can you include your donors in the important work of your organization? We will work together to learn to communicate effectively to engage your donors and will explore multiple points of engagement.
May 12
Asking/Solicitation
What is the process involved in asking face-to-face for contributions and how do board members fit into this practice? Together we will practice an intentional gift conversation using the Connecting Conversations model.
June 23
Kick-Off Fundraising Season Event!
Join together with the cohort team to share your development plan and celebrate the start of the fundraising season.
Training Day Schedule
9 am to 2 pm
9:00 am to 12:00 pm - Online Instruction with a 15 minute break
12:00 to 12:30 pm - Lunch Break
12:30 to 1:00 pm Online Instruction
1:00 to 1:45 pm - Peer Working Groups (these times will vary)
1:45 to 2:00 pm - Wrap Up
Jenn Hayslett
Certified Trainer, Coach & Facilitator
Jenn brings 25 years of leadership experience as a successful fundraiser, manager, facilitator and trainer to her work as a coach and nonprofit consultant. Her engaging presentation style makes her a highly-rated trainer and presenter.
Jenn has direct experience in all areas of fundraising and marketing for small to mid-sized nonprofits including annual funds, major gift solicitation and stewardship, capital campaigns, grant writing, community organizing, and volunteer management. Her specialty is in building and improving relationship-based fundraising programs.
She is a certified trainer and facilitator and received her coach training through Coaches Training Institute (CTI). She has a consulting certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging from the Institute of Nonprofit Practice.
You are welcome to visit Jenn Hayslett Coaching & Consulting for more information about Jenn and her work.
Applications
The application deadline is Monday, December 1, 2025.
The deadline for the 10% Early Bird Discount is November 14, 2025.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis, and will be capped at 35 participants.
Fees
Tuition, which is due by December 14, 2025 is:
$2,200 for Philanthropy MA Partners
$2,500 for Non Partners
If you would like to arrange a payment plan, please contact Phyllis Corkum at [email protected] or 617.426.2606 x139.
Financial Assistance
Philanthropy MA is pleased to be able to offer financial assistance through our Cummings Scholarship Fund.
Professional development grants are also available from these charitable organizations:
TD Bank Nonprofit Resource Training Fund
Philanthropy Partners of the Cape Cod Islands
Harold Grinspoon Foundation Professional Development Grants
