Our online learning programmes
E-learning modules
E-LEARNING MODULES
The FSI is always looking for ways to support our members and ensure that small charities can access the learning they need. We know it can be challenging to take time out of the office to attend live training, so have developed a growing suite of e-learning courses that are equivalent to our full day training sessions.
Online courses of this quality have a market value of between £195 and £215. As ever, in our mission to make learning as accessible as possible for small charities, the e-learning modules will be heavily subsidised for our Small Charity (annual turnover under £1 million) and Associate (annual turnover £1 to 5 million) Members.
If you are not an FSI Member, you can still access these sessions (unlike our live webinars and face-to-face training) - get in touch on development@thefsi.org to discuss access.
From an international development charity? Check out or new *free* modules tailored just for you. Funded with UK aid from the UK government, along with FSI matched funding.
Format
Courses take place online. They include a series of modules, each explained through audio clips and written sections. There are a number of exercises - some are interactive, and some will require you to download and complete separately.
Each course is designed to take approximately 5-7 hours to complete in full*, including exercises. You can use the modules at your own pace within your access period (90 days), and can pause at any point and come back to where you left-off. Please note: the access period begins on date of purchase.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course participants will be able to:
-
Describe the purpose and key elements of a fundraising strategy and where it fits with other organisational strategies and plans.
-
Use strategic planning tools to contextualise the fundraising strategy, taking into account both organisational factors and the external environment.
-
Appraise fundraising options and opportunities to determine which methodologies will be a best fit for their cause, organisation and both short-term and long-term needs.
-
Prepare an annual plan which sets out, for each fundraising area, targets, activities, timescales, performance indicators and resource requirements.
-
Implement the fundraising strategy taking into account potential risks.
-
Plan for regular review and monitoring of the fundraising strategy
DEVELOPING YOUR FUNDRAISING STRATEGY
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation
Developing a comprehensive and effective fundraising strategy is vital to the sustainability of your charity. Taking a strategy approach to your fundraising will help you diversify and strengthen your income streams and enable you to focus resources on areas with the highest return.
This e-learning course will give you the tools and understanding to build a sustainable fundraising strategy for your organisation. It will provide a structured road map and activities to link together your organisational objectives with your fundraising targets and methods, and to develop an action plan to put the strategy into practice. This course will benefit the most senior fundraiser within your charity, such as the CEO, Fundraising Manager or person leading/with responsibility for the fundraising function.
Topics Available
Course Objectives
At the end of this course participants will be able to:
-
Explain the unique characteristics of legacy fundraising and the benefits and challenge to your charity.
-
Developing a legacy fundraising strategy that complements other types of fundraising in the charity and evaluate its success.
-
Identify, prioritise and engage legacy prospects.
-
Develop appropriate and effective communications related to legacy giving including written materials.
-
Comply with relevant legislation and best practice in relation to legacy fundraising
LEGACY FUNDRAISING
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation
Legacies provide around £2 billion income for charities every year, and an increasing proportion of this is going to small and local organisations. The legacy market is experiencing strong growth and all charities should consider how they can build a legacy income stream.
This e-learning course will give you the tools and understanding to build a Legacy Programme appropriate for your organisation.
This course will benefit all fundraisers wanting to expand their knowledge and develop Legacy Fundraising Campaigns as part of their overall fundraising mix.
PRICING
The FSI's e-learning modules, equivalent to a full day of training, are available to all FSI members for £55.
Shorter international development topics are free to access.
NCVO's e-learning is available at tiered prices starting at £30, depending on your organisation's size & NCVO membership.
Charities not eligible for FSI membership, please contact
development@thefsi.org
How do I access this?
FSI members
Simply log in using the Member Login button at the top of this page, and purchase access to our e-learning courses using the booking links on this page.
Not a member yet?
If your organisation's annual income is under £1m, you are eligible to become a free Small Charity Member of the FSI - Associate Membership is also now free for those with an income £1m - £5m, giving you access to e-learning, webinars, face-to-face training, conferences, discounts on consultancy and more. Click here to find out more and sign up.
Charity with an annual income of £5m+ or don’t want to become a member?
You can purchase one-off access for 90 days to an e-learning course by contacting the development team at development@thefsi.org.
* NEW TOPICS *
Stewarding Donors:
Retaining & Maintaining Donors and Supporters
Major Donors
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Define what stewardship is, and why it is so important
• Appreciate the value of loyalty and how effective stewardship can build trust and loyalty
• Identify who, how and when to steward
• Develop a stewardship plan for your charity/organisation
• Go beyond the 'expected' to develop creative and exciting approaches to stewardship
STEWARDING DONORS
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation
Stewardship is an often overlooked process but is critical to your charity. Stewardship is a mindset, a philosophical commitment to the way you value your donors and supporters – your tool to build and maintain their ‘life long’ relationships with your charity. This e-learning course is a chance for participants to identify who they should be thanking, which relationships to nurture and how best to go about it. On completion of the course learners will have an understanding the vital role of Stewardship in increasing long term support and with a lot of ideas as teams fight it out for the prize awarded for the most creative stewardship idea!
This course will be particularly beneficial for those who have either attended fundraising courses with the FSI, or completed other FSI e-learning courses, who would like to build on their skills and experience by learning more about this important stage in any fundraising process.
NEW
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
-
Have understood the background to Major Donor Fundraising
-
Know how to identify major donor prospects currently warm to your charity and those who are not yet known to you
-
Understand what research is required and how to carry this out ethically
-
Develop plans for securing gifts based on assessment of donors' capacity and propensity
-
Understand the cultivation process
-
Be informed of how and when to ask for a gift
-
Know how to thank and recognise major donors who have invested in your charity
MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISING
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation
Major Donor fundraising is the fastest growing area of new income for charities in the UK and internationally. Major Donor fundraising is all about building and nurturing relationships with individuals, so that they want to invest in your organisation and the outcomes that you achieve. Participants will be introduced to an eight-step process in identifying and securing major individual donors: Identify – Research – Plan – Engage – Ask – Close – Thank – Steward. The course is intended to provide an overview of major donor fundraising and provide participants with the tools to start a major donor programme in their small charity.
This course will benefit those with a responsibility for major donor fundraising, as well as senior development professionals, chief executives and trustees who are looking to set up a major donor programme in their small charity.
MAJOR DONOR FUNDRAISING
Supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation
NEW
International development topics
Building strong foundations is so important to ensure your small charity is as effective and efficient as possible. It also makes your role as a small charity Trustee, volunteer or staff member easier and more enjoyable. This FREE course will cover the fundamental elements of building strong foundations for your small charity. We’ll cover:
DOING GOOD DEVELOPMENT
Funded with UK aid from the UK government
There are distinctive factors to consider when operating as an international development charity. This FREE course will take you through some of the key considerations your organisation should be keeping in mind as you carry out your work. We’ll cover:
- The importance of evidence
- Unconscious bias and working across cultures
- Sustainability
- Reflecting & learning
- Ethical representation
*Our international development e-learning modules are shorter than core FSI topics, and are expected to take 2-3 hours to complete in full
NEW
e-Learning by NCVO
ROLES AND DUTIES OF TRUSTEES
Trustees play an important role in making sure charities are well managed and can achieve their aims. Understanding your duties as a trustee will help you run your charity effectively, keep to the law and make a bigger difference.
The FSI's sector partner NCVO host their Roles and Duties of Trustees e-Learning via our booking system. Click the NCVO link below to read more about content and pricing tiers - you can book via your FSI login using the Book Now button.
P.S. Did you know NCVO have extended their free membership offer to FSI members with annual incomes up to £50k? Usually available to organisations with an income up to £30k only. Claim your free NCVO membership on this page, with the code NCVOFSI.