Course Description

Module Coverage

1. Fundraising Strategies and Ethics

i. Principles of Ethical Fundraising:

• Importance of maintaining donor trust.
• Aligning fundraising practices with the organisation’s mission and values.
• Transparency in communicating fundraising goals and fund allocation.

ii. Strategic Fundraising Approaches:

• Diversifying funding sources: individual donors, corporations, and grants.
• Creating annual and multi-year fundraising plans.
• Tailoring approaches for major donors versus grassroots campaigns.

iii. Fundraising Challenges and Solutions:

• Addressing donor fatigue and economic challenges.
• Building resilience through innovative strategies.

iv. Case Study & Example:

• Case study: A Singapore-based charity’s approach to maintaining donor trust through transparent reporting.
• Example: Unethical fundraising practices that led to reputational damage.

2. Developing Fundraising Processes and Methods 

i. Creating a Structured Fundraising Plan:

• Setting clear goals and KPIs for fundraising campaigns.
• Identifying target donor segments (corporate vs. individual donors).
• Establishing annual vs. project-based fundraising strategies.

ii. Fundraising Methods for Charities:

• Direct donations and recurring giving programmes.
• Corporate sponsorships and matching gift programmes.
• Peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding initiatives.
• Special events and charity auctions.
• Charitable legacy donations and bequeaths.

iii. Legal and Compliance Considerations:

• Following the Fund-Raising Regulations under the Charities Act.
• Ensuring proper donor disclosure and transparency.

iv. Case Study & Example:

• Case Study: How a mid-sized charity structured a multi-year fundraising campaign.
• Example: The effectiveness of recurring giving programmes in sustaining non-profit cash flow.

3. Grant Writing and Management Best Practices 

i. Essentials of a Successful Grant Proposal:

• Understanding the funder’s mission and objectives.
• Crafting a compelling narrative: problem statement, objectives, and methodology.
• Budgeting and demonstrating value for money.
• Setting measurable outcomes for evaluation.

ii. Managing Grant Funds:

• Allocating funds according to donor restrictions and project needs.
• Monitoring progress and ensuring compliance with grant terms.
• Reporting outcomes to funders.

iii. Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

• Misalignment with grant objectives.
• Poor financial management leading to compliance issues.

iv. Case Study & Example:

• Case study: Reviewing a successful grant application, highlighting its strengths.
• Example: Challenges in managing multi-year grants and solutions adopted.

4. Donor Stewardship and Reporting 

i. Building Long-Term Relationships with Donors:

• Strategies for effective communication: newsletters, social media, and events.
• Personalising donor experiences for major donors and smaller contributors.

ii. Transparency and Impact Reporting:

• Structuring reports to show how funds are used and the impact achieved.
• Balancing quantitative data (e.g., numbers served) with qualitative stories (e.g., beneficiary testimonials).

iii. Accountability Frameworks:

• Leveraging guidelines from the Code of Governance for Charities and IPCs.
• Ensuring timely reporting to meet donor expectations and regulatory standards.

iv. Case Study & Example:

• Case study: A charity’s impactful annual report that improved donor retention.
• Example: Effective use of storytelling to highlight project outcomes.

5. Fundraising Technologies and Tools 

i. Leveraging Technology in Fundraising:

• Overview of online donation platforms (e.g., Giving.sg, JustGiving).
• Using CRM systems for donor management and engagement.
• Running effective crowdfunding campaigns.
• Efficiency and efficiency of fundraising (e.g. use of third-party fundraising providers)

ii. Innovations in Fundraising:

• Virtual fundraising events and hybrid campaigns.
• Accepting cryptocurrency donations and using blockchain for transparency.
• Social media campaigns: platforms, strategies, and metrics.

iii. Evaluating Technology:

• Cost-benefit analysis of different tools.
• Selecting platforms based on the charity’s size and needs.

iv. Case Study & Example:

• Case study: How a local charity used a crowdfunding platform to exceed its fundraising goals.
• Example: Comparing fundraising results before and after adopting a donor CRM system.