The Development Resource Center is committed to keeping our courses affordable to a broad range of the public. Below each course description you will find the tuition cost and a web link that will allow you to pay via credit card. We accept all major cards. We also accept payment by check, money order and cash. Checks and money orders payable to 'Development Resource Center' may be mailed to:
Development Resource Center, 137 Franklin St., Arlington, MA 02472.
Please indicate in the memo field which course and term you are registering for. You will be registered for the course upon our receipt of your mailed payment.
Tuition is due in full prior to the start of the first class session. Registration cancellations can be credited toward future courses or receive a tuition refund according to the instructions that follow. Tuition will be refunded in full if a student cancels his or her registration in writing at least one week prior to the start of the first class session. Cancellations less than one week prior to the start of the first class session will receive a refund of one-half of the tuition fee. Cancellations after the start of the first class are not eligible for a refund, but can be credited towards future courses.
Any student is eligible for a 20% tuition discount by bringing other students to the DRC. If someone registers for and completes one of our courses and they indicate in writing that you brought them to us, DRC will provide you with a 20% discount which can be applied against current or future tuition. The discount can only be applied once by you to any particular course, though there is no limit on the number of times that you may use this program. Tuition discounts are valid for up to two years. DRC may modify the discount program as needed in the future.
Express Seminar: Intro to Nonprofit Fundraising
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This intro seminar covers the philosophy and practice of basic nonprofit fundraising. It is geared toward building a base of individual donors that can be tapped on an ongoing basis to expand budgets, hire staff, and increase programs. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
3:00 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Wednesday Afternoon Session: 4/1
Express Seminar: Grant Seeking
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This intro seminar will teach the basics of nonprofit grant seeking. Participants will learn how to define the need for funding within an organization, to research grant-making agencies, to draft letters of inquiry, to understand the parts of a typical grant application, and to engage in foundation relations. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
1:00 P.M. - 2:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Saturday Afternoon Session: 4/4
Forging the Board of Your Dreams
An effective board of directors is essential to a healthy organization. Executive Directors and Boards must work together, share a clear vision, and understand the keys to achieving shared success. This course will teach participants:
- The roles and responsibilities of the board
- The role of board committees
- Roles and expectations for individual board members
- The role of the board versus that of paid staff
- Efficient board structure and management
- How to develop leaders and an ongoing leadership succession
We will also cover the do's and don'ts of effective board operations. This course will provide board members and executive staff with the tools and knowledge necessary to build the effective board that you all desire. Limited to twenty participants.
Tuition: $125.00
9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
One Thursday Session: 4/23
How to Start a Planned Giving Program
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE.
Many nonprofit fundraisers have heard of planned giving, but few understand it or how to incorporate it into their development program. Planned giving is exactly what it sounds like – a donor includes your organization in her or his financial planning. This can mean that your organization is included in the donor’s will and/or that your group becomes the beneficiary of various types of financial investment instruments which the donor creates. This course will demystify planned giving and allow fundraisers from organizations of any size to learn straightforward, easy-to-implement ways of incorporating this powerful development tool into your work. No prior experience with planned giving is required, though familiarity with the basics of fundraising is recommended. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $125.00
6:30 P.M. - 8:15 P.M. (Eastern Time)
Four Tuesday Sessions: 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28
Building a Donor Base
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING CLASS.
Eighty-five percent of funding for nonprofit organizations, overall, comes from individual donor support. Students will learn to build a strong base of donors that can support a nonprofit organization or a political campaign. We will engage with the full range of strategies, including annual funds and direct mail, events-based fundraising, telemarketing, internet and web-based strategies, and major donor campaigns. Prior fundraising experience is not required. Limited to fifteen students.
Tuition: $125.00
6:30 P.M. - 8:15 P.M. (Eastern Time)
Four Wednesday Evening Sessions: 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27
Introduction to Grant Writing
This course will teach the basics of nonprofit grant writing. Participants will learn how to define the need for funding within an organization, to research grant-making agencies, to draft letters of inquiry, to understand and craft the parts of a typical grant application, and to engage in pre- and post-grant foundation relations. The class will examine a model grant step by step, and students will have the opportunity for in-class and out-of-class practice. We will discuss both project funding and "bricks and mortar" operating funding, and students will learn to craft language that is reusable in subsequent grant applications. No prior experience with grants or grant writing is required. Limited to twenty participants.
Tuition: $125.00
9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
One Tuesday Session: 5/12
How to Start a Nonprofit Organization
Many of us have a passion for the arts, activism, community service, education, and other dreams which we would like to bring forth into the world as a nonprofit organization. This course will help you to explore your dream and learn how you could bring it to reality! Students will learn about different types of nonprofits, the roles which make them up, how to start the process, recruit a board of directors, create a start-up plan, etc. No prior experience is required. Limited to twenty students.
Tuition: $125.00
9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
One Thursday Session: 6/4
Express Seminar: Intro to Nonprofit Fundraising
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This intro seminar covers the philosophy and practice of basic nonprofit fundraising. It is geared toward building a base of individual donors that can be tapped on an ongoing basis to expand budgets, hire staff, and increase programs. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
7:00 P.M. - 8:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Tuesday Afternoon Session: 5/19
Express Seminar: Building a Strong Board of Directors
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This seminar explains nonprofit board operations and responsibilities. It covers all of the fundamental responsibilities of trustees as well as the life cycle of nonprofit boards. The session also teaches boards to design and implement an effective trustee recruitment and training strategy. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
3:00 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Thursday Afternoon Session: 5/23
Major Donor Fundraising
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE.
The largest revenue category in most nonprofit budgets comes from those most dedicated and prized stakeholders – major donors. These donors make large individual contributions, in the hundreds, thousands, and even millions of dollars to support the work of groups about which they are passionate. We will learn how to find these crucial supporters, develop your group’s relationship with them, and to work with them to expand the reach of your work and your budget. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $125.00
6:30 P.M. - 8:15 P.M.
Four Tuesday Evening Sessions: 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23
Express Seminar: Grant Seeking
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This intro seminar will teach the basics of nonprofit grant seeking. Participants will learn how to define the need for funding within an organization, to research grant-making agencies, to draft letters of inquiry, to understand the parts of a typical grant application, and to engage in foundation relations. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
7:00 P.M. - 8:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Wednesday Evening Session: 6/10
Express Seminar: Building a Strong Board of Directors
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING SEMINAR.
This seminar explains nonprofit board operations and responsibilities. It covers all of the fundamental responsibilities of trustees as well as the life cycle of nonprofit boards. The session also teaches boards to design and implement an effective trustee recruitment and training strategy. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $39.99
7:00 P.M. - 8:45 P.M. (Eastern Time)
One Wednesday Evening Session: 6/17
How to Start a Nonprofit Organization
THIS IS A WEB-BASED DISTANCE LEARNING CLASS.
Many of us have a passion for the arts, activism, community service, education, and other dreams which we would like to bring forth into the world as a nonprofit organization. This course will help you to explore your dream and learn how you could bring it to reality! Students will learn about different types of nonprofits, the roles which make them up, how to start the process, recruit a board of directors, create a start-up plan, etc. No prior experience is required. Limited to fifteen participants.
Tuition: $125.00
6:30 P.M. - 8:15 P.M. (Eastern Time)
Four Wednesday Evening Sessions: 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15