Build the fundraising skills, strategies and systems your organization needs to generate more reliable support for your mission.
Fundraising School is an immersive, virtual capacity-building program that helps nonprofit leaders become more confident fundraisers, strengthen board engagement and build a more strategic approach to fundraising.
Through six interactive half-day sessions and a graduation session, participants develop practical tools they can put to work in their organizations, including:
Technology plan
Case for support
Communications plan
12-month fundraising plan
Plan to raise $10,000
Board engagement plan
Two people from each organization must participate in all sessions. Participants may include:
Executive directors
Board members
Development staff with responsibility for fundraising
Communications staff
Staff with limited development experience and the potential to take on a greater fundraising role
Organizations must be physically located in one of the Foundation’s 11-county Midlands service area: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda or Sumter.
Fundraising School is designed for established nonprofits of varying sizes. The program is not recommended for organizations in their first one to three years of operation.
Organizations located outside Richland County and organizations led by underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Fundraising School tuition is $3,500 per organization. Organizations accepted into the program receive a grant from Central Carolina Community Foundation that covers the full tuition cost for two participants.
Organizations are responsible for the cost of any additional participants.
Accepted organizations must also purchase No More Duct Tape Fundraising, which is used as the program textbook.
October 29, 2026, 10–11 a.m. — Fundraising School Information Session
November 1, 2026 — Applications open
November 30, 2026 — Applications close
January 2027 — Applicants notified of their status
Mid-February 2027 — Formal award notifications
February 28, 2027 — Deadline for accepted organizations to register for Midlands Gives
March 2, 2027 — Session 1: Get Right-Sized Tech
March 9, 2027 — Session 2: Inspire People to Give
March 16, 2027 — Session 3: Earn Predictable Money
March 23, 2027 — Session 4: Raise $10,000 Now
April 6, 2027 — Session 5: Get Your Board on Board
April 13, 2027 — Session 6: Create a Fundraising Plan
May 18, 2027 — Session 7: Graduation
Sessions are generally held virtually on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and complete program assignments.
Interested in strengthening your organization’s fundraising capacity? Review our Before You Start page for grant requirements and application guidance to make sure Fundraising School is a good fit for your organization.
Applicants must attend the October 29 Fundraising School Information Session and submit an application through the Foundation’s online grant portal by November 30.
Organizations selected for Fundraising School must register for Midlands Gives by February 28, 2027, before the program begins.
Register for the Fundraising School Information Session
If your organization is selected, two participants must commit to attending all Fundraising School sessions and completing the program assignments.