Certificate Courses

Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting

 

Prof. Jen Shang provides an overview of the Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting course

 

Prof. Jen Shang & Our Expert Tutor Team

Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting

Grounded in the latest research from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy and the pioneering field of Philanthropic Psychology developed by Drs. Jen Shang and Adrian Sargeant, this highly practical boot camp shows you why certain fundraising messages work and how to apply those insights immediately to your own communications.   

Feeling like your copy needs some extra inspiration? Noticing the your content is no longer having the same impact and donations are declining? Feel like something is missing but you aren’t quite sure what? This course is for you! 

What you’ll gain

  • A practical, research-informed approach to fundraising copywriting grounded in the best and latest Philanthropic Psychology research and insights from Drs. Jen Shang and Adrian Sargeant  

  • Personal critiques and feedback on your donor communications from experienced fundraising copywriting experts  

  • Real-world examples of high-performing fundraising communications you can learn from and apply to your own work  

  • Practical techniques to improve donor response, retention and lifetime value  

  • Greater confidence writing emails, appeals, websites, campaigns and stewardship communications  

  • A stronger understanding of why donors respond emotionally and psychologically to certain messages  

  • Opportunities to learn alongside peers in a supportive, collaborative environment  

How it works

  • This is a focused 4-module, 4-week online boot camp

  • The course is delivered entirely online through our learning platform  

  • Study is fully flexible and self-paced, allowing you to complete the modules at times that suit you  

  • There are no live sessions, so you can learn around work and personal commitments  

  • We recommend allowing approximately 5 hours per week/per module

  • Each module includes reading, audio/video content, practical exercises and assignments  

  • The small cohort and limited enrolment model ensures a more personalised learning experience  

Ready to become a stronger fundraising communicator?

If you want to write fundraising communications that connect more deeply, inspire more giving and strengthen donor loyalty, this course will give you the tools, insight and confidence to do it. Whether you are starting out as a fundraiser or looking to refresh your skills this course is for you, join us for our next course! 

Train your team

If you wish to train 3 or more people from the same organisation on any of our 4-8 week Certificate Courses, we offer a 10% discount on the total booking price. We also offer customised training for teams of more than 10 people. Please email Kate for more information: kate@philanthropy-institute.org.uk .

*Full participation in the Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting is applicable for 20 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification. 

**If you wish to pay via invoice, please email Kate directly: kate@philanthropy-institute.org.uk

Any questions we haven’t answered above? Take a look at our FAQs for more information! 

“It changed the way I think about fundraising by shifting my focus more toward the donor’s experience and the importance of clarity, empathy, and connection in communication.”
— Valérie Vulcain
“Okay. Guys. I am just absolutely blown away.
You’re giving us so much of your time and talents. It’s got to be taxing. But I can see how we’re all learning in leaps and bounds, and I’m so grateful for that.”
— Christine Gilliland
“I’m really enjoying the course, it’s pushing me out of my comfort zone, stretching my mind and broadening my knowledge. Thank you for enabling this and sharing your findings with the philanthropic world. It’s a huge gift.”
— Gemma Francis
 
 
 

Your ROI:

Your charity’s return on this educational investment is likely to multiply many times … likely within a year. Commonly, charities that embrace this training double their donations within 12-18 months. (1,000%? We can’t promise that kind of ROI … but it did happen for one major children’s hospital.)

The Perfect Follow-Up

  • If you already have a certificate from The Fundraising Standard, an 8-week online certificate program for newbie fundraisers just starting their careers.

  • If you hold a CFRE - this class is worth 20 continuing education points!*

This course will be available four times a year.

Courses Available Starting:

8th September 2026 from£1,747 plus VAT

8th February 2027 from £ 1,835 plus VAT

Plus discounts available for groups. Please contact hereforyou@philanthropy-institute.org.uk for more information.

Terms and Conditions

View the Terms and Conditions (pdf).