Fundraising Courses

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? In addition to our professional qualifications and leadership programs the Cii Academy offers a range of short training courses - to help you become a more effective fundraiser.

How are the Fundraising Courses structured and delivered?

Each course is delivered 100% online with a mixture of content including interactive activities (including an online student discussion forum), readings and case studies.
Up to 120 minutes of interactive on-demand course content plus three eTutorials with Ireland’s top fundraising professionals.
The short courses are delivered over a one week period.
First you start with an introductory eTutorial where you will meet your tutor and be supplied with a recommended timetable to guide you through the material.
Then a mid-week session and then one at the end of the week with your class and tutor. These are typically 30-60 minutes long.
The rest of the course work is in your own time and at your own pace throughout the week!
You can expect to spend 6-8 hours on the course during the week, including the content, meetings and any extra material you may be given.
Finally the course assessment is based on completion of an online exam, comprising 25 multiple choice questions. Pass your exam and we’ll send on your certificate.
The online course is housed in a Learning Management System where you can manage your details, access your calendar and review your progress and any tutor feedback.
You will have access to each short courses’ learning outcomes, readings and activities enabling you to consolidate your knowledge and put your learning into practice. Other resources may include, relevant articles, videos, and links to useful websites.
The student discussion forum will enable you to post comments and feedback in response to tutors’ and your fellow students’ postings.

While these courses can be taken individually, when they are combined with each other, they form the professional qualification Certificate in Fundraising, which is accredited by the European Fundraising Association!

Learn More About the Certificate in Fundraising

Legacy & In Memory Giving (July)

The Legacy & In Memory Giving course is designed to give students an understanding of trends in legacy giving in Ireland, an overview of the reasons why donors leave bequests, the barriers to legacy giving and a framework for developing a legacy fundraising strategy.

Learning Outcomes:

Be familiar with trends in legacy giving in Ireland
Know the reasons why people leave bequests
Understand the barriers to people leaving bequests
Be familiar with a framework for developing a legacy fundraising strategy
Have an understanding of In Memoriam and Tribute giving

Start Date: 6th July 2026

Tutor: Niall O'Sullivan

Course Dates - eTutorials with your tutor):
Monday, Wednesday, Friday (times TBC)

The course includes 120 minutes of interactive on-demand content plus three eTutorials with one of Ireland’s top fundraising professionals.

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Corporate Partnerships

The Corporate Partnerships course is designed to give participants an introduction to the nature of corporate support (how and why corporates support charities), an overview of the essentials of an effective Corporate Fundraising Strategy and key techniques that can be used to increase success in securing corporate support.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand why corporates give
Understand the various forms corporate support takes
Be aware of key trends in corporate partnerships
Understand the concept of fit
Understand how small charities can leverage corporate support
Understand the essentials of a corporate fundraising strategy
Be aware of key techniques to increase success in securing corporate support

Start Date: 10th August 2026

Tutor: Julie McDonald

Course Days eTutorials with your tutor:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (times TBC)

The course includes 120 minutes of interactive on-demand content plus three eTutorials with one of Irelands top fundraising professionals.

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Direct Marketing

The Direct Marketing Campaigns module is designed to give students an understanding of why people donate and why they stop, an understanding of the key stages in the donor recruitment process, and an overview of the essentials of creative briefing.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand why people donate and why they stop donating
Know the key stages in donor recruitment planning
Understand the importance of segmentation, profiling, and targeting
Understand the key factors in media selection and planning
Understand the importance of fulfilment
Know how to calculate key performance metrics
Understand the key issues in writing a creative brief
Know what should be included in the creative brief

This course will provide the essentials of how to create a winning direct marketing campaign and include a wide range of formal learning opportunities designed to engage, educate and connect potential or active donors.

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Tutor: Kevin Delaney

Course Dates- eTutorials with your tutor):
Monday, Wednesday and Friday (times TBC)

The course includes 120 minutes of interactive on-demand content plus three eTutorials with one of Ireland’s top fundraising professionals.

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Fundraising from Trusts, Foundations and Government

The Fundraising from Trusts, Grants and Foundations course is designed to give students an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of grant making trusts and foundations as a source of fundraising, an overview of best practice in researching and building relationships with trusts and foundations, an understanding of the grant cycle and an understanding of the reasons why grant applications fail

Learning outcomes:

Be familiar with trends in Trust and Foundation Giving
Understand how to research Trusts and Foundations
Be familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of trust and foundations as a fundraising source
How to design a suitable stewardship process for trusts and foundations
Be familiar with grant cycles
Have an understanding of why grant applications fail
Have an understanding of what can be done to improve likely success rates of grant applications

Start Date: 2nd November 2026

Tutor: Julie McDonald

Course Dates - eTutorials with your tutor):
Monday, Wednesday and Friday (times TBC)

The course includes 120 minutes of interactive on-demand content plus eTutorials with one of Ireland’s top fundraising professionals.

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Managing a Team & Group Dynamics

The Managing a Team & Group Dynamics course is designed to give students an introduction to group dynamics, teams and teamwork, an overview of key leadership skills, and an understanding of how to manage and motivate teams.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the main stages in group development
Understand the threats to group effectiveness
Be familiar with different roles within teams
Be aware of the characteristics of effective teams
Be aware of the key skills needed for effective leadership
Understand the importance of team building
Be aware of needs and goal-based motivation theories

Start Date: 30th November 2026

Tutor: Fergal O'Sullivan

Course Dates- eTutorials with your tutor):
Monday, Wednesday and Friday (times TBC)

The course includes 120 minutes of interactive on-demand content plus three eTutorials with one of Irelands top fundraising professionals.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Follow the links below if you'd like to contact us, or check our Cii Academy qualification course booking Terms & Conditions.

CONTACT US

COURSE T&Cs