Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising

Learn to apply fundraising methods and theory so your organization (and your career!) can thrive.

The Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising is the only comprehensive fundraising certification program in Oregon. If you’re seeking a holistic understanding of philanthropy and the core functions of a development professional, you’re in the right place.

Who it’s for: Current nonprofit staff looking to level up. Mid-career professionals looking to enter the nonprofit sector. Anyone looking to hone their fundraising skills.

The Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising accelerates the fundraising learning curve, compressing knowledge you would normally gather over many years on the job into a mix of classroom and practicum learning that is complete in less than one year.

Over ten months, you’ll gain a deep understanding of each phase of the fundraising process: from identifying and qualifying donors, through “the ask,” and onto stewardship for long-term support.

You’ll leave the program well prepared to level up fundraising at your organization or launch a successful career in the nonprofit sector.

More than 100 professionals have graduated from this program and gone on to leadership positions at Oregon Community Foundation, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO), Community Warehouse, and many other nonprofits.

The course covered more than you learn through research and workshops; we dove into deep topics like our relationships with money, self-care at work, and how our society values (and misinterprets) fundraising. Having a small class with knowledgeable instructors was a huge benefit. I was promoted to Development Director within the same month of my graduation from the program. I’m still in touch with many of my classmates, and we support each other personally and professionally. The confidence I gained from this program helps me love and appreciate my work even more!

Anna Kurnizki

Executive Director, Community Warehouse

Class Schedule

Classes begin on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and graduation is on Wednesday, June 16, 2027.

Meeting Frequency: Classes meet weekly on Wednesday* mornings via Zoom from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (noon) PST.

Location: Classes meet virtually via Zoom.

*Dates may change to accommodate instructor availability

** There are breaks to observe federal holidays and Spring Break (as listed by Portland Public Schools).

Class Topics

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in fundraising
Nonprofit finance
Making the ask (i.e., how to ask for money)
Understanding nonprofit revenue streams and budgeting
Development planning + assessment
Formulating case statements
Storytelling and writing
Grant writing and reporting
Donor stewardship
Gift processing
Data systems and practice
Understanding donor behavior and mindset
Moves management
Prospect research
Donor cultivation
Nonprofit financial management
Budget and forecasting
Reporting and dashboards

Instructors

Our instructors are professionals currently working across the nonprofit sector. They offer lessons on best practices as well as real-world expertise on the challenges and opportunities of today’s fundraising landscape. You can learn more about our instructors here.

CFRE-Approved

Our courses and programs can provide continuing education points for the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). The Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising provides 105.5 points.

The People’s Nonprofit Accelerator is an Approved Provider for the CFRE credential program. Approved Providers are organizations that submitted their programs to CFRE International to review to verify that the programs meet CFRE International’s continuing education standards.

Only those Providers who have registered with CFRE International may advertise that the programs have been pre-approved by CFRE International for Continuing Education Points on the CFRE application for both Initial Certification and Recertification.

Tuition

We offer an accessible sliding-scale admission fee structure. For those who are able, the Community Builder admission fee helps cover the costs The People’s Nonprofit incurs to host and develop the training. If you are able to contribute more, please consider the Equity Builder admission fee, which will increase attendance accessibility to our programming. If you have questions about the sliding-scale, please contact courses@thepeoplesnonprofit.org.

Your tuition fee includes the classes in the Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising, an annual membership and individual support from the People’s Nonprofit staff.

Tuition levels are based on organizational budget size.

Equity Builder: For organizations with annual budgets greater than $1,000,001.
Capacity Builder: For organizations with annual budget sizes between $500,001 and $1,000,000, and for individuals sponsoring themselves or unaffiliated with an organization.
Solidarity Builder: For organizations with annual budgets under $500,000 and for individuals who are self-financing and identify as BIPOC, queer, low-income, with disabilities, and other marginalized identities.

	Equity Builder	Capacity Builder	Solidarity Builder
Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising	$4,370	$3,220	$2,070

Payments are due upon receipt or through a payment plan. Payment plans are done in 2 or 3 installments. If you need an alternative payment plan, reach out to courses@thepeoplesnonprofit.org.

Cancellations and Postponement

The People’s Nonprofit Accelerator reserves the right to cancel or postpone programs or classes with low enrollment. If classes are cancelled, any deposits collected will be refunded.

Refunds

Students must make a written request to courses@thepeoplesnonprofit.org in order to withdraw.

Students withdrawing by 5 pm 48 hours BEFORE the program begins, are eligible for a full refund of all fees.

Missed this last cohort?

We offer this cohort once a year, and the program runs from September through June! Each cohort usually begins 1-2 weeks after Labor Day and ends in June. Breaks are given to honor federal holidays.

JOIN THE WAITLIST