Dates/Times: Tuesdays, February 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
Location: Online Session
Instructor: Maura Smith
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 21st

Course Description:

In a world yearning for justice and transformation, building relationships, inspiring generosity, and funding a mission with integrity has never been more critical. Through every phone call, grant application, and thank-you note, fundraising becomes the act of turning donors’ resources into meaningful change that reflects the world we seek to create.

Led by Union’s Development team and guest experts, this course, designed specifically for faith and nonprofit leaders, will teach the fundamentals of fundraising—an essential skill for turning passion into action. We will explore both the art and science of aligning donors’ interests with impactful projects, covering the essentials of annual funds, major gifts, donor stewardship, and grant writing, while offering advanced techniques to foster sustainability and growth.

Fundraising is a moral and ethical practice—a way to build communities of shared purpose and a powerful tool for bridging the gap between privilege and need, between empowerment and those seeking to empower others.

Join us.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to craft compelling fundraising strategies tailored to your mission and community
• The power of relationship-building in cultivating donor trust and engagement
• Tools to develop a donor pipeline and execute successful campaigns
• Tips for writing persuasive grant proposals that resonate with funders
• Creative approaches to stewarding donors and ensuring their ongoing support
• Strategies for leveraging fundraising to advance equity and justice

Interactive Features:

• Case studies and group exercises to deepen your learning
• Insights from accomplished fundraising professionals

Resources & Follow-Up:

You’ll receive handouts, templates, and resource guides for every session, plus access to a private online community to build connections and refine your skills long after the course ends.

Course Dates:

Tuesdays, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
February 4, 11, 18, 25

Transform your approach to fundraising. Join us and discover how to cultivate generosity, build community, and fund the change you wish to see in the world.

Note: This course is an “online-by-design” course which includes both live class sessions and required assignments/activities outside of class.

Register

Maura Smith

Maura Smith serves as the Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations at Union Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Union, Maura served in development roles at the University of California Berkeley, as a frontline fundraising positions at the Graduate School of Journalism and most recently, as Assistant Dean for External Relations and Development at the highly ranked Goldman School of Public Policy. At the Goldman School, Maura managed the team responsible for development, alumni relations, communications, grant writing, special events, Board relations, and campaign strategy.

A native of Massachusetts, Maura Smith earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wellesley College and her M.A. in City and Regional Planning at the University of California Berkeley. Maura began her career working in government, first as staff for the late U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA), followed by stints as a Project Director for the City Managers of Cambridge, MA and Oakland, CA. in 1999, Maura decided to turn her volunteer fundraising activities into a full-time job and started her career in Development, working for a variety of social service organizations including the Lowell Community Health Center where she successfully managed a $40 million fundraising campaign.