Professional Development

Learn the fundamentals.
Get certified.
Accelerate your career.

For more information on any of these development opportunities, please contact Sylvie Rubbini, Chapter Administrator.

Fundamentals of Fundraising

It’s back and in person!

Ideal for those new to the fundraising profession or working towards their CFRE designation.

Spring 2023 session is SOLD OUT. 

Please email Sylvie Rubbini to be added to the waiting list and/or to receive information about future sessions.

Highlights
  • Designed by experienced fundraising professionals to meet the real-world needs and challenges of non-profit organizations
  • Mix of individual and group work
  • Completion of the course provides 16 CFRE Education credits
Date and Time

Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30

8:00am-5:45pm each day

Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington

Breakfast, lunch, coffee/tea and snacks are all included, plus free parking!

SOLD OUT.  Registration no longer available.

Modules
  1. Overview of Fundraising
  2. Developing an Integrated Fundraising Program
  3. Marketing for Ongoing Success
  4. Building and Sustaining Relationships
  5. Securing the Gift
  6. Volunteers – Partners in Fundraising
  7. Management and Accountability
Cost

$475 for members, $575 for non-members (bursaries available, see below)

Bursaries are available to help 

Includes breakfast, lunch, coffee/tea and snacks each day, plus free parking!

Bursaries

Applications are now closed.  

Participant Feedback

“After working in fundraising as a generalist for 12 years and as a volunteer for over 20 years, I was unsure whether I would learn something from the Fundamentals of Fundraising course. In fact, the instructors and my classmates were outstanding and I learned more than I ever thought I would. I’ve taken a number of strategies away with me that I can implement – some right away and some further down the road. This course proved to be a huge asset towards enhancing my knowledge and understanding of professional fundraising as an area of expertise.”  – Tammy Northam

“As a newcomer to the fundraising world, I found the Fundamentals of Fundraising course to be a great overview of the various aspects involved with fundraising. It was lovely to meet other like-minded individuals and to hear the experiences of some of the leaders in the field. The course provided a good foundation for me to build upon moving forward.”  – Kirsty Woodhead

Course Instructors
Photo of Ed Sluga

Ed Sluga, CFRE, President and Managing Consultant is co-founder of PGgrowth Inc. Ed is one of Canada’s most experienced Planned Giving professionals. An innovator and thought leader in the sector for over 25 years, Ed has helped hundreds of organizations develop and benefit from long-term, sustainable, and proactive fundraising and Planned Giving programs. Focusing on developing organizational structures and operations so that they are positioned to experience success for the long-term, Ed’s chief motivation is helping organizations achieve the goals of their mission within their communities. Ed is the co-author of Worthy and Prepared along with Peter Barrow, host of the PGgrowth Planned Giving podcast, Professor with the Humber College Fundraising Management Program and a regular presenter of the AFP Fundraising Fundamentals Course.

Staff-Suzanne-1-640x750

Suzanne Hallsworth is an accomplished health care philanthropy professional. As Chief Development Officer at Oakville Hospital Foundation, she is responsible for the Foundation’s overall development and communications strategies and leads a team of fundraisers, event planners, and marketers who help inspire support for one of Halton Region’s most well recognized charities.

Suzanne brings more than 30 years of progressive experience in fundraising, nonprofit communications and marketing with more than 20 years in nonprofit management and close to a decade in the book publishing industry.  

Suzanne holds a CFRE and is an AFP Master Trainer. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. In addition, she is a part-time Instructor at Sheridan College teaching PR and Philanthropy in the Public Relations – Corporate Communications program.

CFRE Certification

The CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) designation is internationally recognized and shows you have the knowledge, experience, drive, commitment and ethical standards to excel at the highest levels of the fundraising profession.

Advantages of Achieving Your CFRE

  • Third party validation of your knowledge, skills and practice
  • Enhanced career opportunities – employers love a CFRE!
  • Stronger earning potential (in Canada CFREs earn about $25K more on average than their peers according to AFP’s 2019 Compensation and Benefits Report)

Certification Process

Certification is handled by CFRE International.  To become certified you must:

  1. Complete an online application.
  2. Write your CFRE exam.
  3. Recertify every three years via online application.
The best place to start is to create your online application account.  This gives you access to the detailed requirements (candidates must achieve points across the categories of education, professional practice, and professional performance) and gives you a place to track your progress.
 
Opening your account does not commit you to certifying – so you have nothing to lose!
 
Deadlines, exam dates and fees for initial applications.