This is an online training programme brought to you by the team at Conservation Careers and is taught by multi-award-winning conservationist, and CEO of Elephants for Africa, Dr Kate Evans (more below). The course will guide you through the process of searching for, applying for, and securing funds for conservation work.
During the training you’ll learn how to:
Match your project to the right funder.
Write a funding application for a medium-sized conservation grant.
Use Logical Frameworks in grant writing.
Budget and report on finances secured.
Diversify your income streams.
Build and maintain good donor relationships.
Develop a fundraising strategy.
After completing this training you’ll understand how to secure more funding for your conservation projects. Making you more employable and impactful as an aspiring or professional conservationist.
Why Is Fundraising Important In Your Career?
To have an impact as a conservationist, you need fundraising skills in order to turn your ideas into reality. In a sector dominated by charities, the majority of conservation projects are funded by donors. These can include large grants secured from governments and foundations to smaller donations via public campaigns, appeals, events and membership drives. The more skilled you are as a fundraiser, the more money you’ll secure, and the more conservation you’ll get done. But few professional and aspiring conservationists have any formal training in fundraising.If you want to succeed as a professional conservationist, you need fundraising skills.Career Switchers
Have you always had a passion for wildlife and want to work in conservation, but don’t know where to start? You might be working in a totally unrelated field right now, and want to gain skills to increase your employability and impact. You’ll learn key fundraising skills sought after by conservation employers.
Students
Are you currently at university or college, and planning to try and find work in the conservation sector when you finish? There’s no better time to start building the key skills which employers are looking for in the sector, so you can hit the ground running on your graduation day.
Professional Conservationists
Are you working as a professional conservationist, and wanting to improve your fundraising skills, be better in your role and improve your career prospects? Through the programme, you'll learn how to secure more funds for your conservation projects.
Job Seekers
Are you currently hunting for a conservation job but struggling? The programme will help you to stand out from the crowd better, by learning key fundraising skills sought after by conservation employers.
Included in this course you will receive:
Step-by-Step Modules to attack at your own pace. You’ll learn how to secure funding for conservation projects, as part of your duties as a wildlife professional.
Support from the experts. You’ll have support from us via email, Zoom, and in our private Conservation Careers Pro community. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
Freedom to go at your own pace. With our self-paced flexibility, you’ll have access to the course for a full year. You can work entirely at your own pace and around your busy life and work commitments. You don’t need to stick to a schedule.
Become part of the Conservation Careers Pro community. You’ll be welcomed into our new private online community for three months. Get answers to burning questions, enjoy regular live events, participate in growth challenges, share your coursework, celebrate your successes and more.
Certification. Everyone who completes the course receives a certificate.
Rock-solid guarantee. Try it for 14 days. Not happy for whatever reason? We will refund 100% of your money.
There are no requirements for this course—just bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a passion for making a meaningful impact in your conservation career. Whether you're already in the field or looking to break into it, this course is designed to support your growth and success.
This fully flexible go at your own pace course is
ONLY €450
Try it for 14 days. Not happy for whatever reason? We will refund 100% of your money.
In Partnership with Conservation Careers
Additional Info
Course Structure
Module 1: Funding Avenues
Understand the funding avenues available and how to identify and approach donors that match your projects.
This module will cover:
- What types of donors are there?
- How to match donors to your project(s)?
- How best to approach identified donors?
Module 2: Preparing for a Funding Proposal
Understand how to prepare for developing a successful funding proposal. This module will cover:
- How to identify who will need to be involved?
- What information needs to be collated for the proposal?
- How to use a Logical Frameworks (Log Frames)?
- How to plan your writing timeline?
Module 3: Writing a Funding Proposal
Learn how to develop a quality funding proposal, including structure, key sections and storytelling.
This module will cover:
- What’s the typical funding proposal structure?
- How to tackle the key sections of a fundraising proposal?
- How to hook a donor through storytelling?
- How to ensure your proposal is complete?
Module 4: Budgeting
Learn how to create a well-aligned budget for a donor, matching your budget to the donor objectives.This module will cover:
- Why is a clear budget important?
- How to ensure you ask for budget items that they will fund?
- How to avoid underbudgeting?
- How to match your budget to the donor objectives?
- How to record expenses and bookkeep your accounts?
Module 5: Diversifying Funding
Understand how to secure funds from corporations and private donors. This module will cover:
- How to evaluate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding opportunities?
- How to engage private donors?
- How to fundraise online using social media, crowd-funding and campaigning?
- How to raise funds using events and membership schemes?
Module outcome: an understanding of how to secure funds from corporations and private donors.
Module 6: Donor Stewardship
Understand how to nurture and deepen relationships with donors, building relationships for continued funding.
This module will cover:
- How to meet your donor requirements?
- How to build relationships for continued funding?
- How to take donors on the project journey using clear communications?
- How to revise or amend budgets?
Module 7: Funding Strategy
Learn how to create a fundraising plan with confidence, and turn your strategy into an actionable plan.This module will cover:
- What is a fundraising strategy?
- How to develop a fundraising strategy?
- How to identify your priorities and donor mix?
- How to turn a fundraising strategy into an actionable plan?
Certificate of Completion
Included in the training is a Certificate in Fundraising for Conservation Projects (Foundation). Throughout the training, your knowledge will be tested using quizzes, to allow you to move from one module to another. At the end of the training, you’ll have the opportunity to test your knowledge and gain a certificate to showcase to employers on your CV or Resume.