College of Professional Studies

Fundraising and Development

Certificate: Boston
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Certificate : Online
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The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Development offers a foundation in the techniques, tools, and skill sets necessary for nonprofit fundraising and development efforts.

Boston
Location
Full-Time
Part-Time
Commitment
6-12 months
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Entry Terms
No
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
Overview

In today’s nonprofit sector, fundraising and development have seen continual growth and increased career opportunities. The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising and Development prepares students for roles or advancement in these increasingly strategic areas and provides students with the expert-level skills, techniques, and practicalities of raising funds. 

In the program, students will produce professional-level work to add to their personal portfolio, utilize current industry tools, and have the opportunity to participate in experiential projects. Skills graduates learn in donor research management, grant writing, building effective partnerships, and measuring social impact are increasingly valuable to nonprofit organizations as they are depending on fundraising and grant management to achieve their mission. 

Additionally, the certificate may be applied toward the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management.

More Details

Unique Features

  • Opportunity to engage in an experiential project with an organization of your choice or another institution suggested by the faculty/XN team 
  • Skills-focused curriculum taught by industry experts 
  • Earn your certificate quickly – the program is six 6-week-long classes 
  • Credits earned completing this certificate can be applied to Northeastern’s Master of Science in Nonprofit Management 
  • Unique specialization in fundraising and development
  • Solid foundation in data analysis and performance management for the nonprofit sector

Career Outlook

Graduates from the Certificate in Fundraising and Development will be prepared to enter into or advance within the following types of professional roles:

  • Development Coordinator
  • Fundraiser
  • Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
  • Senior Gifts Officer
  • Grant/Proposal Writer
  • Manager/Director, Donor Impact
  • Manager/Director, Fund Development
  • Manager/Director, Growth and Strategic Partnerships
  • Major Gifts Associate
  • Manager/Director, Development and Annual Giving
  • Development Officer
  • Institutional Giving Manager

 

Testimonials

"I was able to secure a grant for my organization by using experience from the grant writing course."

Raymond Heath, CPS‘20

"In order to thrive, today's nonprofit organization needs leaders who are collaborative and think innovatively. Northeastern's program empowers students to leverage networks to become the industry's strong leaders."

Lori Ashline, Faculty

"After multiple conversations with nonprofit professionals, we decided to take the CPS Nonprofit Management program to the next level of connection with the current trends in this sector. We developed new courses aimed to empower our NPM students with the right skills required by the increasing role of fundraising activities, grant writing, and data analytics skills for nonprofit organizations. Students will have the opportunity to learn the methods for identifying new donors, develop strategic thinking, and learn best practices on donor engagement toward repeat and increased gifts."

Monica Borgida, Program Director

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-50 university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$13.1K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Online application
  • Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
  • Professional resumé
  • Official undergraduate transcripts
  • Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL score of 79, including a 20 or more on the writing section)
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or above

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

 

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.

Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern's signature experiential learning model combines academics with professional practice to help students acquire relevant, real-world skills they can apply to their desired industry. Each program offers its own unique experiential learning opportunities, and for this program they include:

Experiential Network (XN) — Students work virtually or on the ground once a week with a sponsoring organization on a short-term project over six weeks.

 

 

Faculty

Our Faculty

Our faculty represents a wide cross-section of professional practices and fields ranging from finance to education to biomedical science to management to the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside students to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 282,000+ alumni, and 3,000+ employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally, while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our management alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

 

  • Where They Work

    • State Street
    • Fidelity Investments
    • Dell EMC
    • IBM
    • Liberty Mutual Insurance

  • What They Do

    • Business Development
    • Sales
    • Operations
    • Finance
    • Entrepreneurship

  • What They're Skilled At

    • Management
    • Leadership
    • Customer Service
    • Microsoft Office
    • Project Management

 

Learn more about Northeastern alumni on Linkedin.

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