Certificate in Fundraising Leadership

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The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Leadership equips students to conquer the challenges of generating support in an increasingly complex nonprofit environment. The 12-credit program is designed for working professionals and builds on leadership while providing essential skills. Emphasis on reflective practice, leadership, and promoting social justice provides the essential difference between a good fundraiser and a great one.

Students in the certificate program can look forward to gaining essential skills:

• Instilling and leading a culture of philanthropy;
• Executing successful campaigns that provide resources while engaging stakeholders;
• Building and diversifying fundraising teams;
• Generating momentum and inspiring others to action on behalf of an organization’s mission;
• Learning to think critically, take action based on values, and provide leadership in applying classroom theory to real-world problems.

The certificate program’s specialized curriculum, the first of its kind in Washington State, meets the growing demand for effective fundraisers and makes high quality fundraising education accessible across the region.

Admission Requirements

Minimum grade point average of 3.00 (GPA) calculated from transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. In special cases, those with a GPA less than a 3.00 will be admitted on a probationary basis.

Required documents:

• Completed application for Graduate Admission and a nonrefundable $55 application fee (Note: fee waived through fall 2022)  
• Evidence of a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants earning a bachelor’s degree from a non-graded institution must submit official GRE scores in lieu of GPA.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.00 (GPA) calculated from transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. In special cases, those with a GPA less than a 3.00 will be admitted on a probationary basis.
• Current résumé reflecting one year of relevant professional experience in a nonprofit organization preferred.
• List of two recommenders with name, title, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address who can comment on your professional abilities and potential for fundraising leadership.
• If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements must be submitted. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.