Diploma in Fundraising Online (Starting 9th October 2024)

The course is delivered 100% online with a mixture of content including interactive activities (including an online student discussion forum), readings and case studies. Assessment is based on completion of four formal written assignments. The deadlines for your Assignments are set in advanced to help you plan your studies.

The course consists of four modules which are broken down into weekly ‘Study Guides’ designed to help you to consolidate your knowledge. These guides are essential and have been designed to ensure you put your learning into practice. Each course module includes a Case Study which your tutor will provide feedback on, helping you prepare for each module's Assignment.

• Students Area where you can manage your details, access your calendar and review your progress and feedback for submitted assignments and activities.
• Study Guides where you will find each course Unit’s:

i) Learning outcomes which are documents available to download.

ii) Weekly readings and activities enabling you to consolidate your knowledge and put your learning into practice. 

• The Resources area contains materials relevant to your course including the required readings, relevant articles, videos, links to relevant websites and study guides.
• The Assignments area is where formal assignments are submitted and marked.
• The student discussion forum will enable you to post comments and feedback in response to tutors’ and your fellow students’ postings. Student participation and engagement is essential throughout the qualification.

This qualification focuses on developing in-depth knowledge of fundraising practice and contains some elements of leadership and strategy. It is designed for those whose roles are concerned with developing practice, leadership, and strategic approaches in fundraising. As a guide you have a minimum of three years fundraising experience with a minimum of eighteen months in a paid position. You will also be actively engaged in a managerial or leadership role that includes fundraising. You will be employed in an organisation at present who will support you to complete the assessments for the course. 

The Diploma course is equivalent to a Level 5 programme and is similar in level and assessment to the second year of a traditional full-time degree. 

Please be aware that we will ask for your supporting organisations details and we may contact them.

You will become a more successful, confident and strategic fundraising manager and leader. In addition to consolidating your existing fundraising knowledge you will learn and understand how to apply proven techniques to enhance your own and your team's performance and development. These skills will enable you to manage the sustainable development and growth of your organisation's fundraising income streams.

Successful online learning demands that students actively engage with their online course, their tutor and student group. From experience we have found that those students who regularly engage, by applying and testing their knowledge using the activities, resources and the student discussion forum to connect with their peers, find the course more rewarding and are better prepared to complete their Assignments. Course participation will form part of your overall grade assessment.

You are required to complete four written assignments and an open book exam as the final assessment which are based on every-day work experiences and expectations. They are designed to support your development in your role and in the growth and success of fundraising in your workplace.

To help you plan your studies the four assignment deadlines, the date for the open book exam for this course are above. Information on the assignment requirements can be found in the course handbook.

On average the length of time needed to complete this qualification is approximately an academic year.

To ensure you are not placed at a disadvantage when studying for a CIOF qualification you should have a good command of written and spoken English to complete assignments to the required standard.

You will need Internet access to participate in this course and enable you to register for the file sharing service which provides essential online course materials.

This module examines the definition, evolution and role of direct response, individual giving behaviour, direct response planning, testing, fundraising media, e-fundraising, the online communications mix, best practice and cost structures and the characteristics of effective fundraising websites

This module looks at forms of major gifts, the principles of prospect research, the institutional readiness, systems and processes to support major gift fundraising. In addition to this the categories and characteristics of capital campaigns will also be studied. This will include use and content of feasibility studies and monitoring and evaluation as well as the current trends of legacy giving, legacy solicitation methods, joint promotions and the role of third party partners

This module explores the forms and motives of support, CSR, organisational giving behaviour and relationship development. It will look at the management of payroll giving in the overall fundraising mix, identification of needs appropriate for grant support and the difference between restricted and unrestricted funds. It will also examine reporting requirements and organisational behaviour

This module analyses motivation at work, leadership and performance appraisal. It will look at reasons, methods and characteristics of a legally defensible appraisal system and volunteer recruitment and retention. It will also examine volunteer induction and training, key volunteer legislation, reasons for volunteer attrition and strategies to prevent this