Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Fund Development for Arts Administrators (Online)

AA 6060-A70

Course: AA 6060-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30009

Course Description

Students will be able to apply the theories and practices required to successfully build capacity for arts and cultural organizations through annual and major gifts, corporate and foundation support, and capital and planned giving campaigns. Class activities will include relationship management, developing an ethical framework for fundraising, managing development staff, writing case statements, creating effective communications with donors and stakeholders, and applying digital strategies to development. Through a case study, students will analyze and report on development initiatives of an arts and cultural organization to identify best practices and recommend areas for improvement. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Arts Administration students only

Required Texts

(1) Fundraising Principles & Practice (2nd Edition) Adrian Sargeant & Jen Shang
(2) How to Write Successful Fundraising Appeals (3rd edition) Mal Warwick

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand what resources are required to implement a successful development program in an arts and nonprofit organization. 
  • Understand and apply various models and theories about philanthropy and the motives that underpin why people give. 
  • Know the history and evolution of fundraising as a process and profession and to become aware of the current trends in giving and granting in America and worldwide. 
  • Develop the skills to work effectively and ethically in the development area and to manage and provide effective leadership in fundraising. 
  • Develop the specific leadership skills needed as a fundraiser to work effectively with your staff and the board and donor community. 
  • Develop your vocabulary about the specifics of various giving programs and being able to analyze the optimal fundraising strategies to use in meeting organizational needs and the donor wishes. 
  • Apply cost-benefit analysis techniques and ROI planning to budget fundraising and development activities, as well as learn how to apply formulas to calculate the time value of money (TVM) as it relates to endowments and planned giving programs. 
  • Develop the skills to create a fundraising plan and to be a successful project and events manager in fundraising. 
  • Develop your writing and analytical skills by studying about and then applying the proven techniques needed for writing effective fundraising campaign materials, proposals, and grants.
  • Continue to develop your research, presentation, and communication skills through class projects and discussion.

Course Requirements


Grading for this course is broken down into 4 areas: Contribution/Discussions, Ethical Question of the Week, Fundraising Audit Elements, and Fundraising Appeal.  

  1. Contribution/Discussions [25%]: Students are expected to start each week prepared and to actively contribute. Each week, class will be conducted in Canvas Discussions which will focus primarily on readings and assignments, but are not limited to such. Discussions on the Readings will open at 9:00 am on the first day of the week [usually Mondays] and will close at 11:59 on the fourth day of the week [usually Thursdays]. Each discussion will include a few questions from the instructor to get the ball rolling. These discussions should be an organic, collaborative, and insightful process. Remember, participation is not necessarily about having the right answers. It is simply allowing for critical thinking, trying out new ideas and positions, and helping others consider all sides of an issue. Divergent beliefs and world-views may be shared; respect for those differences is to be maintained. Students are expected to use appropriate terms and language within all discussions and work. 
  2. Ethical Question of the Week [15%]: These mini-case studies involve various ethical dilemmas that can arise in fundraising. There is no right or wrong answer to these mini-case studies, but some solutions are better than others. My assumption is there will be some disagreement over how best to resolve the dilemmas posed.  
  3. Fundraising Audit Elements [30%]: Students will perform a partial audit in preparation for updating  an organization’s annual fund campaign. This will include analysis, market and internal research, case for support, and sample plan elements. 
  4. Fundraising Appeal: [30%]: This assignment is designed to give you the opportunity to create a fundraising appeal in either a direct mail or e-mail format using techniques and skills discussed in the course and from the various readings.

Course Outline

Module 1: The Profession of Fundraising
Module 2. Why People Give
Module 3: Fundraising Planning and Case for Support
Module 4: Types of Fundraising
Module 5: Donor Relations
Module 6: Planned Giving
Module 7: Fundraising Events

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments and readings are expected to be completed by the due date/time listed on Canvas. Students earn credit by completing the assignments in the same time frame given every other student in the class.

  • Contribution: Since the contribution grade is based on conversing with your fellow students, full points cannot be made up when absent. Students can make up some of the missed points, but must make arrangements for such with the instructor.
  • Assignments: For written assignments turned in to the instructor, ten percent (10%) will be deducted for each 24-hour period past the deadline. This means that no assignment will be eligible for points if it is more than ten (10) days beyond the due date.
In the event of circumstances preventing a student from completing an assignment on time, the student should let the Instructor know before the due date, obtaining approval for a deadline extension. Such extensions are up to the discretion of the instructor. 



Attendance Policy

Students are expected to come to class prepared and to actively contribute to discussions. This means students are taking an active role in the course: engaging in the conversation and being respectful of the other students and the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.