FLiP Meets: Cathy Williams

I recently had the chance to talk with Cathy Williams, Ph.D., CAE, the Vice President of Education and Research Programs at the Association of Fundraising Professionals. As we approach the end of our education issue, I thought this would be a good time to chat with an expert!

*Be sure to check out the end of the post for a list of resources to continue your education*

Future Leaders in Philanthropy: For fundraisers with only a few years of experience, who are interested in going back to school to further their career, what degree would you recommend they pursue?

Cathy Williams: There are many opportunities to learn about fundraising, for those at all levels of experience.  The “definitive” list of these opportunities is a moving target, since educational programs are constantly being developed or disbanded depending on local demand.  Many colleges and universities offer fundraising certificate programs through their Continuing Education department.  There is also a growing list of colleges and universities that offer masters degree programs in nonprofit management.  Most of these degree programs include one or more courses in fundraising.  The degrees are offered in a variety of departments, depending on the university.  Some possible degrees include Masters of Public Administration (MPA), Masters of Public Policy (MPP), Masters of Urban Planning (MUP), Masters of Social Work (MSW) and others.  The Center for Public Service, Seton Hall University has developed a list of nonprofit management degree programs: www.nonprofit-info.org/misc/acad.html.

FLiP: In your experience, what is the value of remaining in the working world vs. pursuing a graduate degree?

CW: I think the answer to this question depends on your individual goals and circumstances.  For many people, pursuing a graduate degree is not feasible, either because of geography, cost, or family issues.  Many nonprofits have excellent on-the-job training programs that allow you to learn as you earn, and many organizations provide subsidies for their employees to take specialized training related to their jobs.  There are many associations that provide networking and training opportunities related to fundraising, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Council for Resource Development, the North American YMCA Development Council, the National Committee on Planned Giving, National Catholic Development Conference, the Association of Lutheran Development Executives, the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, and others. 

In my experience, forming personal networks is just as important as formal training.  Your network can be a real asset when you have questions about how to tackle a particular problem or opportunity.  Another form of networking is selecting a mentor, a person who cares about you and your success.  Choose someone who is willing to spend time working with you to develop your professional goals and skills.

FLiP: For college students who are interested in pursuing a career in fundraising, what steps do you recommend they take to ready themselves?

CW: AFP’s collegiate chapters are a great way to get involved in professional issues at the college level.  We currently have 8 collegiate chapters on college or university campuses, and more will be forming in the near future.  The student members run the chapter with mentorship from a nearby AFP professional chapter.  One of the primary goals of the collegiate chapters is to research and raise money for a charity in their community.  Already we’ve seen members of our collegiate chapters graduate and accept jobs in the nonprofit sector through connections they’ve made through AFP. 

American Humanics, which has programs on 72 campuses, is also a good way to gain experience and credits related to the nonprofit sector.  And I recommend that you volunteer for one or more nonprofit organizations to get a feel for operational issues in nonprofits.  Many nonprofit employers consider a job candidate’s nonprofit volunteer experience when hiring for entry-level positions.

FLiP: What role does AFP play in the life of a young fundraiser?

CW: AFP has an introductory membership category that allows people new to the profession, students, volunteers and those that work for small grassroots organizations with a budget less than $250,000 to join for a reduced membership fee.  It is a tiered approach to membership with the dues increasing in year two and three.  It is hoped that this reduced dues structure will encourage those new to the profession to join and take advantage of the many career enhancing benefits of membership in a professional association.

When you become an AFP member you have access to AFP’s online Career Planner. Career Planner allows you to think about your educational needs by reviewing the list of roles and responsibilities of fundraising professionals (as identified in AFP’s Practice Analysis) and corresponding learning objectives.  You then may complete a Self-Assessment to identify specific areas where you feel you need more information to help you develop professional knowledge and skills.  In these areas, you may use the software to identify one or more learning resources, including books, articles, audiovisual materials, courses, and degree programs.  The software allows you to create a password-protected Record of Accomplishment to track progress in using the learning resources identified in the Self-Assessment and keep a record of courses and other activities for future reference.

Many AFP chapters have formal and informal mentor programs for young professionals, and some may have special learning opportunities or networking events for young professionals.  For more information, contact your local AFP chapter.

Educational Opportunities in Fundraising

There are many opportunities to learn about fundraising, for those at all levels of experience. The following is a list of ideas that may assist you in discovering educational programs in your area:

Professional Organizations for Fundraisers:

• Association of Fundraising Professionals (formerly known as the National Society of Fund Raising Executives), Professional Advancement Division, 1101 King Street, Ste. 700, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703/684-0410: www.nsfre.org
  • First Course in Fund Raising
  • Survey Course on Fund Raising
  • Executive Leadership Institute
  • Executive Management Institute
  • International Conference on Fund Raising
  • Audioconferences on a variety of fundraising topics
  • Chapter programs and conferences throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 1307 New York Ave., NW, Ste. 1000, Washington, DC 20005; 202/328-2273: www.case.org
  • Alumni relations
  • Communications
  • Fundraising
  • Advancement management
• Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, 313 Park Ave., Ste. 400, Falls Church, VA 22046; 703/532-6243: www.go-ahp.org
  • Annual International Educational Conference
  • Regional conferences
  • AHP Institute for Healthcare Philanthropy
  • Audioconferences on a variety of fundraising topics
• Council for Resource Development, 1 Dupont Circle, NW, Washington, DC410,20036; 202/822-0750: www.ppcc.cccoes.edu/crd
  • CRD National Conference
• North American YMCA Development Council, 207 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903; 719/329-7202: www.naydo.org
  • NAYDO Annual Conference
  • NAYDO Training Workshops
• National Committee on Planned Giving, 233 McCrea Street, Suite 400, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225: 317/269-6274; www.ncpg.org
  • NCPG National Conference on Planned Giving
• National Catholic Development Conference, 86 Front St., Hempstead, NY 11550; 516/481-6000: www.amm.org/ncdc.htm
  • NCDC Conference and Exposition
• Association of Lutheran Development Executives, Box 930303, Verona, WI 53593; 800/458-2363: www.alde.org
  • ALDE International Educational Conference
• Christian Stewardship Association, PO Box 070740, Milwaukee, WI 53207; fax 414/483-4844: www.stewardship.org
  • Christian Stewardship Association Summer Institute and Winter Institute
• Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, 414 Plaza Dr., #209, Westmont, IL 60559; 630/655-0177
  • Annual conference

Other Organizations that Provide Fundraising Training:

• United Way of America, 701 N Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA 22314; 703/836-7100: www.unitedway.org
• The Grantsmanship Center; 1125 W. Sixth Street, Fifth Floor, P.O. Box 17220, Los Angeles, CA 90017; 213/482-9860:  http://www.tgci.com/
• The Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003; 212/620-4230: http://www.fdncenter.org
  • Support Centers in various communities
• Donors Forum of Chicago, 208 S. LaSalle, Ste. 740, Chicago, IL 60604; 312/578-0090
• National Planned Giving Institute, training division of Robert F. Sharpe & Co., Inc., 5050 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38157; 800/238-3253
• Williamsburg Development Institute, 207 Mill Neck Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185; 804/253-0033
• Institute for Charitable Giving, 500 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 800/234-7777
• John Brown Seminars, John Brown Limited, Inc., 46 Grove St., Peterborough, NH 03458; 603/924-3834: www.jblnh.com
• Conrad Teitell’s Comprehensive Planned Giving Courses, Philanthropy Tax Institute, 13 Arcadia Rd., Old Greenwich, CT 06870; 203/637-4311: www.taxwisegiving.com
• Arts Management Services, Ltd. Online Certificate in Fund Raising, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Ste. 943, Chicago, IL 60605; 800/360-3759: www.fundwell.com

Fundraising Certificate Programs Offered by Universities:

• Development Director Certificate, College of Professional Studies, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117; 415/422-6000: www.cps.usfca.edu
• Certificate in Fund Raising, Division of Continuing Education, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605; 312/663-1600, ext. 5259
• Managing Institutional Advancement, Center for Continuing Studies, The University of Chicago, 5835 S. Kimbark Ave., Chicago, IL 60637; 312/702-1683
• The Fund Raising School, Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, 550 W. North St., Ste. 301, Indianapolis, IN 46202; 317/274-4200: www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/course.htm
• Fund Raising Management Certificate Program, Center for Graduate and Continuing Studies, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Baltimore, MD 21201; 410/337-6200
• Fundraising Certificate Program, Center for Continuing and Professional Education, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65804; 417/836-6660: http://ccpe.smsu.edu
• Fund Raising Management Course, Center for Continuing Education, Kean College, Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083
• Certificate in Fund Raising Management, School of Continuing Studies, Long Island University, CW Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville, NY 11548; 516/299-2236
• Fundamentals of Fund Raising Certificate Program, Center for Professional Development, Canisius College, 300 Corporate Parkway, Amherst, NY 14226; 716/862-4600
• Fundamentals of Fund Raising Certificate Program, Office of Continuing Studies, Villanova University, 102 Vasey Hall, Villanova, PA 19085; 610/519-4303
• Fund Raising 101: The Art of Fund Raising, Office of Continuing Studies, Rice University, Mail Stop 550, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251; 713/527-4803
• Certificate Program in Fundraising Management, University of Washington Extension, 5001 25th Ave., NE, Seattle, WA 98105; 206/543-2320

Fundraising Courses included in Nonprofit Management Degree Programs at Universities:

Because this list has become so long, check the following sources for complete a complete list:

• Periodic listings in The Chronicle of Philanthropy http://philanthropy.com/ or NonProfit Times http://www.nptimes.com
• Listing of nonprofit management programs developed by the Center for Public Service, Seton Hall University, 400 S. Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ 07079; 973/761-9510: www.nonprofit-info.org/misc/acad.html

Comments

[Richard Potter]

Thanks for providing this valuable information. American Humanics is mentioned as a resource, and I wanted to make sure readers have access to our web site which includes links to the 72 campuses that offer the AH certificate in nonprofit management to undergraduates:

www.humanics.org

[Will Schneider]

The correct link for the list of nonprofit management programs developed by the Center for Public Service, Seton Hall University should be: http://tltc.shu.edu/npo/

Sorry about the mistake!