Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Foundations of Fundraising (Online)

INDS 6413-70I

Course: INDS 6413-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: INDS
CRN: 12342

Course Description

In this fast-paced course, students will be equipped with critical and ethical skills to successfully fundraise efficiently and effectively. Students will learn how to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward private funding for annual funds, major gifts, and planned gifts. Specific strategies and tools will be highlighted to secure constituent loyalty with external and internal stakeholders. The focus will be on applying these strategies and tools within a non-profit organization to create a positive impact. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Master of Interdisciplinary Studies students only

Required Texts

Fundraising Principles & Practice (2nd Edition) by Adrian Sargeant, Jen Sang, & Associates (ISBN 978-1119196495)

Learning Outcomes


  1. Engage in discussion about fundraising using the language, tools, and techniques of fundraisers.
  2. Describe the importance of ethical fundraising. 
  3. Explain individual giving behavior and external influences on giving.
  4. Create a fundraising strategy and plan.
  5. Develop a case for support.
  6. Identify how direct response, digital, and social media can acquire, retain, and upgrade donors.
  7. Compare the difference between major donors and annual donors.
  8. Demonstrate how to manage fundraising events, volunteers, and teams.
  9. Engage in a discussion about the importance of public trust and confidence.
  10. Identify how to augment your career with fundraising while exploring the fundraising profession.

Course Requirements

To successfully complete this graduate-level online course, students are expected to meet the following requirements:
  • Timely Completion of Assignments:
    All assignments must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time) on the dates listed in the course outline. Students are responsible for managing their time effectively in an online learning environment.

  • Active Participation and Attendance:
    Regular participation is required and will be assessed through quizzes, written assignments, discussion posts, and discussion responses. Consistent engagement in course activities serves as a measure of attendance in this online course.

  • Professional Communication:
    Graduate students are expected to communicate professionally and proactively with the instructor and classmates. If additional time is needed to submit a quality assignment, students should contact the instructor as early as possible.

  • Group Collaboration:
    This course includes a required group project due at the end of the semester. Students are expected to communicate and collaborate with their group members outside of designated course time and to begin group communication early in the term.

  • APA Style and Academic Writing:
    All written assignments must follow APA Style (7th edition) unless otherwise specified. Students are expected to demonstrate graduate-level writing, critical thinking, and scholarly engagement, including:

    • Proper APA formatting (e.g., title page, headings, margins, font, spacing, and page numbers)
    • Accurate APA in-text citations and reference lists
          ***Failure to adhere to APA guidelines or academic writing standards may result in point deductions.

  • Academic Integrity:
    Students are expected to adhere to university academic integrity policies. All work submitted must be original, and sources must be properly cited using APA style.

Course Outline

Quizzes
You will have 10 quizzes (30 points each) in this course. Each quiz will consist of 15 multiple-choice questions that focuses on the assigned reading. You will have 60 minutes and one attempt to complete each quiz. Quizzes must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your textbook or notes to complete the quiz.

Discussions
You will have 5 discussion/contribution posts (20 points each) in this course. Please post 1 substantive "original" posting (per prompt). Please make each post at least 200 words. And, make a minimum of  2 substantive replies to classmates, at least 100 words each. Post AND responses are due on the date indicated on the discussion deadlines.

Papers
You will have 3 papers (100 points each) in this course. Each of the three papers will be five to six-pages, double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, APA guidelines, and submit as a pdf. Please don’t forget to use the Writing Center (even online). I highly recommend utilizing this resource.

Exams
You will have 2 exams in this course. Each exam will consist of 30 multiple-choice (2 points each), 5 short answer (10 points each) , and 1  essay question (40 points). You will have 180 minutes and one attempt to complete each exam. Exams must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your notes but NOT use your textbook during the exams.

 Within this course, you are not allowed to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) applications to create, draft, or complete the exams, quizzes, or papers. However, there are a few discussions that indicate AI is allowed. Within the instructions of those assignments (specifically the discussions) you will find directions on how and why AI is allowed as part of that specific assignment. If you are unsure if you can use AI applications as part of the assignment, please reach out to me through email.

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

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time) on the date listed in the course outline. Assignments submitted after the due date and time are considered late and may receive a 10% penalty of the total possible points. For each additional week beyond the initial late submission, an additional 10% penalty will be applied.

Extra Credit
Additional points or extra credit are awarded only when work goes above and beyond the expected requirements of the assignment. Please do not be surprised if extra points are awarded on select assignments when exceptional effort or quality is demonstrated.

Group Project Communication
This course includes a group project due at the end of the semester. You are required to communicate with your group members outside of designated course time. It is highly recommended that you begin communicating with your group as early as possible to ensure success.

Attendance Policy

Participation and attendance are required for this course. Attendance will be monitored through quizzes, papers, discussion posts, and discussion comments. If you anticipate needing additional time to submit a quality assignment, please contact me as soon as possible. My goal is for you to succeed in this course, and open communication and feedback are strongly encouraged.

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.