TACKLING FINANCE
IN THE SOCIAL SECTOR:
FROM FUNDRAISING TO IMPACT INVESTMENT
In these uncertain times, the financial viability of your project or organization is more important than ever.
This course will teach you how to get the funds you need to
start, sustain, and create a bigger impact with your work.
TACKLING FINANCE
IN THE SOCIAL SECTOR:
FROM FUNDRAISING TO IMPACT INVESTMENT
In these uncertain times, the financial viability of your project or organization is more important than ever.
This course will teach you how to get the funds you need to start, sustain, and create a bigger impact with your work.
TACKLING FINANCE
IN THE SOCIAL SECTOR:
FROM FUNDRAISING TO IMPACT INVESTMENT
In these uncertain times, the financial viability of your project or organization is more important than ever.
This course will teach you how to get the funds you need to
start, sustain, and create a bigger impact with your work.
May 7 - May 28, 2026
4-week online course
(4-10 hours/week)
Live Sessions on Thursdays
9:00 AM EST
A certificate from the University for Peace, established by the UN General Assembly
ONLY 15 SPOTS AVAILABLE
Register now!
Course Description:
Raising funds for social impact work is both an art and a science. This course guides you step-by-step through crafting compelling proposals and building the relationships that turn ideas into funded, sustainable projects. We’ll focus on practical tools, frameworks, and mindsets used by successful fundraisers and social entrepreneurs, so you can approach funding with confidence and clarity.
Over four weeks, you’ll learn to tell your story, make the case for your project, identify the right funders, and steward relationships for long-term impact. Each session balances crafting a compelling proposal with finding and connecting to the right funders, giving you actionable skills you can apply immediately.
Course Description:
Raising funds for social impact work is both an art and a science. This course guides you step-by-step through crafting compelling proposals and building the relationships that turn ideas into funded, sustainable projects. We’ll focus on practical tools, frameworks, and mindsets used by successful fundraisers and social entrepreneurs, so you can approach funding with confidence and clarity.
Over four weeks, you’ll learn to tell your story, make the case for your project, identify the right funders, and steward relationships for long-term impact. Each session balances crafting a compelling proposal with finding and connecting to the right funders, giving you actionable skills you can apply immediately.
What skills will you get?
What skills will you get?
A financial plan and budget projection for your new or growing organization.
The skills and mindset to cultivate, grow, and retain strong relationships with funders, investors and partners.
Marketing materials to sell your ideas to social good purchasers.
What benefits will you get?
What benefits will you get?
Close communication with your course facilitator to gain crucial, personalized feedback.
Deep relationships with a tight-knit, international network of alumni.
A certificate from the Centre for Executive Education within the United Nations established University for Peace.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Craft proposals that clearly articulate impact, assets, and potential.
- Identify, approach, and build relationships with funders who align with your mission.
- Develop financial and project planning skills that underpin strong funding requests.
- Build mindsets and strategies for long-term stewardship, reporting, and relationship growth.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Craft proposals that clearly articulate impact, assets, and potential.
- Identify, approach, and build relationships with funders who align with your mission.
- Develop financial and project planning skills that underpin strong funding requests.
- Build mindsets and strategies for long-term stewardship, reporting, and relationship growth.
This course is designed with a flexible schedule to accommodate working professionals and includes personalized feedback from your instructor.
Target Audience:
This course is designed for innovators, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and professionals who want to fund impactful projects, programs, or products. Prior fundraising experience is not required, but curiosity and commitment to creating change are essential. We also invite you to think of a specific project that you want to fundraise for as you join this course.
Target Audience:
This course is designed for innovators, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and professionals who want to fund impactful projects, programs, or products. Prior fundraising experience is not required, but curiosity and commitment to creating change are essential. We also invite you to think of a specific project that you want to fundraise for as you join this course.
This course is designed with a flexible schedule to accommodate working professionals and includes personalized feedback from your instructor.
Target Audience:
This course is designed for innovators, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and professionals who want to fund impactful projects, programs, or products. Prior fundraising experience is not required, but curiosity and commitment to creating change are essential. We also invite you to think of a specific project that you want to fundraise for as you join this course.
This course is designed with a flexible schedule to accommodate working professionals and includes personalized feedback from your instructor.
Flexible schedule and compelling content
With an average of 4-10 hours of work per week, this online course is made for your busy schedule. It includes videos, live webinars, articles, and forums for discussions.
Course Format:
- Fully online with a mix of readings, video presentations, assignments, and discussion forums.
- Each week includes a hands-on assignment aligned with the learning objectives.
- Live webinars for Q&A, peer discussion, and “hot seat” practice sessions.
week 01 Setting the Stage
Crafting the Intro – Story, Mission, and Assets/Traction
How to Find Funders
week 02 Framing the Case
Problem Statement – Why Your Work Matters
Building Funder Relationships
week 03 Making the Ask
Project Request and Budget
Making the Ask
week 04 Closing the Loop
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Reporting and Stewardship
Final Project: Deliverable
3-5 page executive summary / case for support of your project, serving as your fundraising pitch. Include mission, problem, solution, budget, and impact.
Practical Exercise (Optional):
Hot seat interview to practice a 1:1 funder meeting. Receive peer and facilitator feedback. This will be held after the final session and is optional for you to practice a 1:1 funder meeting.
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
We offer flexible payment plans should it be helpful. Get in touch!
The course cost is
$650
Enroll with a friend a receive a 10% discount!
The facts
The facts
98% of participants found the course inspiring
95% of participants would recommend this course to a friend
92.3% of participants love the online learning platform
97% of participants have returned to participate in another course
Who's done it, and loved it?
Who's done it, and loved it?
Meet the Facilitators!
Shelly Galvin is the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Engagement at the technology learning company CBT Nuggets. She is a pioneer of modern corporate philanthropy. She has worked as a fundraiser and consultant globally with nonprofit organizations, NGOs, and social entrepreneurs. She also worked on proposal and business development teams with small companies in Africa and the Middle East competing for USAID project funding.
Shelly has won funding for projects large and small, from a $5,000 campaign for diversity in education training for local teachers to a $300M infrastructure project for USAID West Bank/Gaza. Most recently, she helped NGO Drop in the Bucket win $100,000 from Coca Cola to aid South Sudanese refugees, the first time Coca Cola’s philanthropic arm has supported disaster relief efforts. Shelly holds a diploma in Social Innovation from the University for Peace's Centre for Executive Education.
Abhinav Khanal is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Bean Voyage, a non-profit social enterprise that provides training and market access to smallholder women coffee producers in Costa Rica and Nepal.
He is also the Co-Founder & Chief Thought Officer at Little Big Fund, which provides knowledge, networks, and micro-grants to early-stage non-profit leaders around the world. He is a Cordes Fellow, Resolution Fellow, Trust Scholar, Watson Scholar, and a One Young World Ambassador. Abhinav has a B.A in Political Science from Earlham College.
Andrea Parra Nuñez is the Head of Operations at Little Big Fund. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s of Science in Management and Leadership from Edhec Business School in France. She currently serves as Head of Operations and Partnerships at Little Big Fund, an organization that supports early-stage social entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and microgrants.
At Little Big Fund, Andrea manages operations and logistics for the fellowship program, co-facilitates workshops for over 50 social impact leaders each year, and leads communications efforts including social media growth, newsletters, and public outreach. She also serves as a Mentor with The Resolution Project, guiding young changemakers as they design and launch their ventures. Andrea has lived and worked in six countries, bringing an international perspective, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to her work.
Abhinav Khanal is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Bean Voyage, a non-profit social enterprise that provides training and market access to smallholder women coffee producers in Costa Rica and Nepal.
He is also the Co-Founder & Chief Thought Officer at Little Big Fund, which provides knowledge, networks, and micro-grants to early-stage non-profit leaders around the world. He is a Cordes Fellow, Resolution Fellow, Trust Scholar, Watson Scholar, and a One Young World Ambassador. Abhinav has a B.A in Political Science from Earlham College.
Andrea Parra Nuñez is the Head of Operations at Little Big Fund. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s of Science in Management and Leadership from Edhec Business School in France. She currently serves as Head of Operations and Partnerships at Little Big Fund, an organization that supports early-stage social entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and microgrants.
At Little Big Fund, Andrea manages operations and logistics for the fellowship program, co-facilitates workshops for over 50 social impact leaders each year, and leads communications efforts including social media growth, newsletters, and public outreach. She also serves as a Mentor with The Resolution Project, guiding young changemakers as they design and launch their ventures. Andrea has lived and worked in six countries, bringing an international perspective, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills to her work.
The University for Peace, an institution established by the UN General Assembly
The world looks to the United Nations for solutions to complex problems everywhere; from ending conflict and alleviating poverty to combating climate change and defending human rights. As a UN-established institution, the University for Peace works tirelessly to contribute to world peace and progress. Our professional development programs give you the skills to have a positive impact on this world, contributing directly to this mission.
We've run courses with:
