Fundraising courses can help you learn how to plan campaigns, build donor relationships, and communicate an organization’s mission effectively. You can build skills in grant writing, stewardship strategies, outreach planning, and using data to guide fundraising decisions. Many courses introduce tools such as CRM systems, research databases, and communication platforms that support managing and growing fundraising efforts.

University of California, Davis
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising, Proposal Writing, Grant Writing, Philanthropy, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Proposal Development, Prospecting and Qualification, Campaign Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Marketing Planning, Direct Marketing, Advertising Mail, Business Writing, Developing Training Materials, Campaign Planning, Data-Driven Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Relationship Building, Benefits Administration, Marketing Materials
★ 4.6 (405) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of California, Davis
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising, Grant Writing, Philanthropy, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Proposal Writing, Business Writing, Relationship Management, Campaign Planning, Prospecting and Qualification
★ 4.7 (340) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

John Wiley & Sons
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising, Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Philanthropy, Advocacy, Budgeting, Prospecting and Qualification, Strategic Marketing, Brand Marketing, Campaign Planning, Campaign Management, Marketing Strategies, Organizational Strategy, Strategic Partnership, Crisis Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Social Justice, Relationship Building, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Social Sciences
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

John Wiley & Sons
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising, Philanthropy, Strategic Partnership, Relationship Building, Campaign Management, Campaign Planning
Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months

Goldman Sachs
Skills you'll gain: Grant Applications, Entrepreneurship, Financial Planning, Entrepreneurial Finance, Financial Management, Financial Analysis, Loans, Fundraising, Stakeholder Communications, Business Communication
★ 4.7 (264) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

John Wiley & Sons
Skills you'll gain: Non-Profit Accounting, Fundraising, Customer Relationship Management, Technology Strategies, Program Evaluation, Fiscal Management, Business Operations, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software, Financial Statement Analysis, Web Design and Development, Performance Measurement, Operations Management, Financial Statements, Operations, Web Analytics, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Business Relationship Management, Business, Stakeholder Engagement, Finance
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Duke University
Skills you'll gain: Financial Modeling, Entrepreneurial Finance, Due Diligence, Financial Forecasting, Social Impact, Investments, Entrepreneurship, Capital Budgeting, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Fundraising, Negotiation, Financial Data, Financial Analysis, Business Modeling, Finance, Strategic Partnership, Capital Markets, Performance Measurement, Business Strategy, Growth Strategies
★ 4.9 (72) · Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

John Wiley & Sons
Skills you'll gain: Advocacy, Newsletters, Risk Management, Lobbying, Talent Management, Governance, Non-Profit Accounting, Event Planning, Fundraising, Leadership Development, Risk Mitigation, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership and Management, Public Relations, Branding, Customer Relationship Management, Strategic Leadership, Technology Strategies, Program Evaluation, Leadership
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Anthropic
Skills you'll gain: Responsible AI, AI literacy, Prompt Engineering, AI Workflows, Artificial Intelligence, AI Integrations, Information Privacy, Data Analysis, Policy Development
★ 4.9 (15) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Creo Incubator
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurial Finance, Financial Acumen, Accounting, Financial Analysis, Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business Valuation, General Finance, General Accounting, Financial Forecasting, Investments, Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, Business Metrics
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Coursera
Skills you'll gain: Fundraising and Crowdsourcing, Fundraising, Goal Setting, Philanthropy, Campaign Management, Promotions and Campaigns, Drive Engagement, Content Creation, Personalized Campaigns
★ 4.3 (6) · Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

Creo Incubator
Skills you'll gain: Entrepreneurial Finance, Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Financial Forecasting, Business Valuation, Fundraising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Financial Acumen, Finance, Presentations, Investments, Value Propositions, Market Analysis
Advanced · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
High-quality free Fundraising courses you can start today.
Top-rated Fundraising courses offered by John Wiley & Sons on Coursera.
Earn a certificate in Fundraising from top universities and companies.
Fundraising is the process of gathering voluntary contributions of money or resources from individuals, businesses, or organizations to support a cause, project, or organization. It plays a crucial role in the nonprofit sector, enabling organizations to sustain their operations, fund programs, and achieve their missions. Effective fundraising not only secures financial support but also builds relationships with donors, fostering a community of advocates who believe in the cause.‎
To excel in fundraising, you should develop skills such as communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning. Understanding financial management and grant writing is also beneficial. Familiarity with digital marketing and social media can enhance your outreach efforts. Additionally, skills in data analysis can help you assess fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement, allowing you to refine your strategies over time.‎
Some of the best online fundraising courses include the Fundraising and Development Specialization and the Fundraising and Development Foundations. These programs provide comprehensive insights into the principles of fundraising, effective strategies, and practical tools to enhance your skills and knowledge in this vital area.‎
Yes. You can start learning fundraising on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in fundraising, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.‎
Topics typically covered in fundraising courses include donor psychology, fundraising ethics, grant writing, campaign planning, and digital fundraising strategies. Courses may also address the importance of storytelling in fundraising, how to leverage social media for outreach, and techniques for building long-term relationships with donors. Understanding these topics will equip you with the necessary tools to succeed in the fundraising landscape.‎