IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Pilot Program Application
Fundraising Development for Organizations Serving Women and Girls
Online application must be submitted by Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Program Description
IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Fundraising Development for Organizations Serving Women and Girls pilot program cohort participants will earn a Certificate in Fundraising Management through the customized fundraising certificate credentialing program. This accelerated pace is tailored to fit into the demanding schedule of working adults leading grassroots nonprofit organizations, with curriculum customized to address the unique challenges faced by women-led nonprofit organizations serving women and girls. Each cohort is presented as a condensed, targeted version of the full CFRM course work, and includes a five-part series with one full-day and four half-day in-person classroom sessions, spanning a 4-month period of time. Participants are able to earn Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credit. Following each of the half-day sessions, The Fundraising School faculty will host virtual office hours, during which they will lead a facilitated discussion and answer participant questions.
The series will cover the foundations of fundraising, raising funds from foundations, women as donors, and crafting powerful stories that resonate with donors. The Fund Raising School would work in collaboration with Women’s Fund of Central Indiana to ensure course content is tailored to the participants’ needs. The program will incorporate discussion and interactive activities to encourage co-learning, as well as foster collaboration and networking for the goal of creating community connections that continue to grow well beyond the experience of the pilot program. A digital graphic for LinkedIn and paper certificate of completion for the pilot program will be provided to strengthen visibility and build credibility.
Partnerships and/or collaborations
- Women’s Fund of Central Indiana
- The Fund Raising School
- IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Student Services team
Funding is provided by Women’s Fund of Central Indiana as well as Indiana University Foundation’s Black Philanthropy Circle and an anonymous angel donor from the Indiana University Foundation’s Women’s Philanthropy Council.
Timeline
- Application opens on Friday, September 5, 2025.
- Online application must be submitted by Friday, September 19, 2025, at 5 p.m.
- Selected cohort members will be notified via email by Monday, September 22, 2025.
Sessions will be held in person in the basement conference rooms of the English Foundation Building at 615 N. Alabama St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Sessions will take place September – November 2025, and topics covered will include:
Session 1: Leadership in Nonprofit Sector on September 30, 2025 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Defining Leadership
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- Definitions of philanthropy, fundraising, and leadership will provide grounding and guidance for the rest of the course and will shed light on the relationship between these three professional subjects.
- Transformational Leadership
- Fundraising involves a transformational relationship between the donor, the fundraiser, and the nonprofit organization. Each party benefits while achieving progress toward a shared cause. Participants will understand how this is different from the transactional relationships that typify the private sector.
- Change Agent Leadership
- The leader’s fundraising vision and strategy need to be communicated to the team, to peers, and to supervisors. This module identifies different forms of power and how power can be used to serve as an effective change agent throughout the organization.
- The Role of Empathy in Giving and Volunteering
- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening are essential skills for fundraisers. Understand how you can develop these attributes in yourself and others on your team.
Session 2: Fundraising Fundamentals on October 15, 2025, from 1-5 p.m.
This half-day session will introduce the essential strategies and skills needed to fundraise successfully. Participants will learn the six rights of fundraising, the fundraising cycle, and the importance of building a strong case for support. The research-based curriculum includes proven strategies and practical tools that participants can apply immediately.
Session 3: Engaging Women as Donors on October 29, 2025, from 1-5 p.m.
Women are changing the face of philanthropy! This session will provide key insights into women’s philanthropy, In collaboration with the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, this session will explore strategies for working with women donors to clarify their philanthropic values, vision, and voice and tips on building women’s giving programs.
Session 4: Preparing Effective Grant Proposals on November 19, 2025, from 1-5 p.m.
Grants are an important part of a fundraising plan, and effective grant management is equally crucial. In this session, you will learn how to identify the most suitable funders, thoroughly understand grant guidelines, and craft compelling proposals, whether on paper or online. Participants will gain valuable insights into writing persuasive grant proposals and managing grants once received.
Session 5: Crafting Powerful Stories on December 17, 2025, from 1-5 p.m.
Hollywood knows how to tell a good story, and so do leaders. This session will discuss a formulaic template for creating compelling stories that resonate with donors and other stakeholders. Participants will use the template to craft a story for their organization.
Questions?
Contact Channie Jones, Senior Community Leadership Officer, at channiej@womensfund.org if you have questions or concerns.