Fundraising Skills for Development Projects
Course Objective:
Equip participants with practical skills to identify, approach, and secure funding for development projects, with a focus on non-profits, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
Course Overview
This 5-day course will introduce participants to the essential principles of fundraising, covering different fundraising strategies, proposal writing, donor engagement, and grant management. By the end of the course, participants will develop a fundraising plan and know how to approach potential donors to secure funds for development projects.
Day 1: Introduction to Fundraising for Development Projects
Objective: Understand the fundamentals of fundraising and its role in the sustainability of development projects.
Key Topics:
- The importance of fundraising in development
- Overview of the fundraising process
- Different types of fundraising (Grants, crowdfunding, corporate partnerships, individual donations, etc.)
- Identifying project needs and matching them with appropriate funding sources
- Fundraising ethics and best practices
Activities:
- Interactive session: Discuss examples of successful fundraising in development projects
- Case study: Analyze a successful fundraising campaign from a development organization
Day 2: Understanding Donor Types and Needs
Objective: Learn about different types of donors and their expectations, motivations, and requirements.
Key Topics:
- Types of donors (Foundations, bilateral donors, multilateral organizations, private sector, high-net-worth individuals, etc.)
- What motivates donors to give?
- Building donor personas and tailoring approaches to each type
- Identifying local vs. international donor opportunities
Activities:
- Group exercise: Develop donor personas for a specific development project
- Role play: Practice donor engagement using different scenarios (e.g., corporate vs. individual donor)
Assignment: Create a list of donor prospects that align with your project
Day 3: Writing Winning Proposals and Concept Notes
Objective: Master the art of writing compelling proposals and concept notes for development funding.
Key Topics:
- Differences between concept notes and full proposals
- Components of a strong proposal (problem statement, objectives, budget, sustainability plan)
- How to tailor proposals for different donors
Tips for clear, persuasive, and concise writing - Common mistakes in proposal writing
Activities:
Workshop: Write a proposal based on a given project
Peer review: Evaluate each other’s proposals and provide feedback
Day 4: Grant Applications and Fundraising Campaigns
Objective: Explore how to navigate the grant application process and develop effective fundraising campaigns.
Key Topics:
- Overview of grant application processes (government, multilateral organizations, foundations)
- How to align your project with donor guidelines and priorities
- Understanding fundraising campaigns: Online and offline approaches
- Using digital tools for fundraising (social media, crowdfunding platforms)
- Tracking, measuring, and reporting on campaign performance
Activities:
Simulation: Complete a grant application from a development organization
Group activity: Design a basic fundraising campaign for a hypothetical project
Day 5: Building Relationships and Long-Term Donor Engagement
Objective: Learn how to cultivate long-term relationships with donors for sustained project funding.
Key Topics:
- Developing and maintaining donor relationships
- Effective communication strategies (donor newsletters, reports, follow-ups)
- Transparency and accountability in fund management
Donor retention strategies and engaging repeat donors - Measuring success and demonstrating impact to donors
Activities:
Group discussion: How to develop a donor stewardship plan
Individual exercise: Draft a thank-you letter and follow-up email for a donor
Q&A session with a guest speaker (e.g., a fundraiser or donor)
TRAINING APPROACH
The instructor-led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprise presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials, and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professionals and trainers in these fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.
ACCREDITATION
Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a Skyrokers Training & Consultancy Institute certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
TRAINING VENUE
The training will be held at Skyrokers Training & Consultancy Institute Training Centre or virtually. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and lunch. All participants will additionally cater to their travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
- ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT PICKUP
Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Skyrokers Training & Consultancy Institute Training Officer. - We can also do this as tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: Info@skyrokersinstitute.com
- The training will be conducted at Skyrokers Training & Consultancy Institute
