Common Concerns

We know that our certificate courses are a big investment – both in time and money. If you have questions about signing up for a course, please know that you are not alone! Our current and past participants have kindly shared their own experience and any questions or concerns they had with us. We have explored them here in a question-and-answer format under three core areas and hope they might be useful if you have also been wondering any of these things.   

The learning experience   

How will I fit learning around work and life?  

Each course is fully online, with no live sessions to attend. This means that anyone in any time zone can complete any course we run. This is great for building connections, as you’ll meet likeminded individuals from all over the world. Each week, you can login to the online learning platform at times to suit you. Some people choose to do a little every day, others a couple of times a week, and some save all the learning for the weekends. We just ask that you commit to around five hours of learning per week and keep up with the online discussion forums each week, so you move through the course with your group.   

What does the course structure look like?  

Each course is structured in a similar way. There are multiple lessons each week along with forum discussions, activities and tasks. Your tutor team will provide feedback on every exercise we ask you to complete, so you have the chance to edit and resubmit, cementing your learning as you go. Each course runs over a number of weeks, and to achieve your certificate you will need to complete a final assignment which is submitted after the learning finishes. There are no live sessions to attend and when you access your learning area each week is up to you.   

How much time do I need to spend on the course each week?  

You should allow approximately five hours per week for your learning during the course. Some people spend more, others slightly less. After the course has ‘finished’, you will have a period of time to prepare and submit your final assignment which you need to pass in order to achieve your certification. Typically, for a four-week course (e.g., the Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting), you will have a further four weeks to write your assignment. For an eight-weekcourse (e.g., the Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology), you will have eight-weeks within which to complete your assignment. 

How flexible is the learning experience?  

We try to make the learning experience as flexible as possible but recognise that much of the value in our courses is the peer learning and sharing that takes place as you move through the course as a group. Tackling the same tasks and activities with different experience and perspectives creates a rich learning environment that is as much of a help to many participants as the taught content. You can access your learning area at any time of the week that suits you, but we do ask that you keep up with each week’s group discussions so you can continue to move together through the course and receive the most benefit from the collaborative elements.   

I’ve not studied for a long time. How will I know if I can manage this course?  

You wouldn’t be alone, we have participants of all ages and levels of experience, some of which may not have completed any formal learning for many years and so are naturally apprehensive. Our tutor team are supportive and encouraging, they are there to help you get the most from the experience. Every participant is different and brings a unique perspective and learning style. We have deliberately positioned our courses to be adaptable to participants, so you have the option to go deeper when you want to, bring your own real-life examples to work on, or be hypothetical in your approach. This gives you an experience which best meets your needs right now. We can help with any concerns around technical support, timekeeping, language etc before the class starts, and work with you during the class as needed to make sure you feel confident to study and apply your learning.  

What other benefits are there in the learning experience?  

One of the key benefits, beside the uniqueness of our courses (all being embedded in the new science of philanthropic psychology) is the participant experience where you get to learn from each other, share, reflect, support, evaluate, suggest and grow in ways which are as open and honest and unique as the charity sector itself. Strong connections are formed during courses due to the openness of participants and the personal and professional mindset shifts that take place.   

The return on investment   

What time investment is required?  

Our courses vary in length from four to nine weeks. For each course, we ask that you commit approximately five hours per week to your study. Some participants will spend more than this on the learning resources and activities, others will spend less, but this seems to be a good guide for most.   

What financial investment is required?  

Our courses vary in price. You can find the price on the course page. Payment is due in advance of the course starting. We are able to accept payments online, or can raise an invoice. In some cases, we can offer payments in instalments. We also have a scholarship scheme (Link) – eligibility criteria applies.   

How can I make a case for this course to my leadership team. Do you have any data around return on investment?  

Organisations who have fully embedded the principles of philanthropic psychology have seen fundraising income double, triple and even quadruple. Multiple organisations have now shared the impact of this approach in terms of income, but also the benefits on fundraiser and donor wellbeing. We cannot guarantee the return on investment you will see, but we can assure you that our courses will challenge how you think about fundraising, your role as a fundraiser, and how you see your donors in a way that brings multiple positive benefits.

learning in practice

How can I implement what I learn in the course?  

Philanthropic psychology can be thought of like an onion, with various layers which can be applied in your fundraising practice. The deeper you go, the more profound the changes you will experience as a team, and your donors will experience in their communication and relationship with your organisation. As a result of any of our courses, you will walk away with various practical tools and ideas to implement, many of which you will have practiced during the course and received feedback on from our expert tutor teams.   

Are your courses accredited by a university or do they count towards university credits?  

The courses are not accredited by a university so they do not count towards university course credits. They do count towards CFRE accreditation and CPD.   

Are your courses recognised internationally?  

Yes, through the CFRE accreditation which covers 25 countries and territories.   

What is CFRE?  

CFRE stands for Certified Fund Raising Executive.  It’s a voluntary credential available to fundraisers around the world who wish to demonstrate their commitment to excellent and ethical practice. You can find out more at: https://www.cfre.org   

What happens next   

If you would like to have a call with one of the team to talk about any concerns you have, we would be happy to hear from you. Please email Kate in the first instance to book a date for a call: Kate@philanthropy-institute.org.uk.