Ethical and Community-Centered Fundraising

This hybrid course (with synchronous and asynchronous components) introduces religious and nonprofit leaders to ethical, community-centric, and evidence-based fundraising. Participants will explore key fundraising strategies — such as donor cultivation, grant writing, and digital appeals — while centering justice, equity, and community well-being. The course will provide a philosophical framework for devising fundraising strategies, emphasizing ethical considerations while empowering leaders with the practical skills necessary to build confidence in this area of their work.

Assignments include reading, reflection essays, discussion, Case for Giving Document and preparing an Annual Fundraising Plan for real or fictional organizations.

Required synchronous sessions on: Fridays and Saturdays from 1-5pm PT on these dates: 7/18-19, 7/25-26, 8/1-8/2, and 8/22-8/23

Thresholds: 3. Prophetic Witness and Work, 7. Thea/ology in Culture and Context and MFC Competency 5. Administration. This course is intended for UU MDiv students and helpful to MASC students and could also be helpful to special students who are working in the field and need continuing education or congregational volunteers or board members. Fulfills the requirements for a 3-credit workload.

Enrollment max: 20. Auditors excluded.