The 2025 Course in Exponential Fundraising

June 9, 10, 11 | September 15, 16, 17

From 12 PM to 5 PM EST

An Interactive and Powerful Online Intensive

Incubated for over a decade at Harvard University, the Course in Exponential Fundraising is a virtual, intensive experience for seasoned non-profit leaders.

Why the Course in Exponential Fundraising?

It’s time to look at fundraising through a new lens. The Course in Exponential Fundraising offers a total rethinking of the traditional fundraising dynamic – moving from transactional relationships to truly transformational ones. The Course is designed to give you an entirely new framework that gets you out of the ultra-competitive, “hustle culture” fundraising world and into a new paradigm that is informed by the wisdom of building interconnected networks of partners in a way that is aligned with the latest in neuroscience, catalytic change, and contemplative practices.

Its effect is revolutionary for nonprofit leaders, their partners, and their entire organizations. This Course recasts fundraising as a collaborative relationship between organizations and their philanthropic partners, one that is designed from the start to be co-creative and generative.

The Course offers a new strategy built on growth and continuous resource flow, not just a one-time transaction. Collaboration and mutual accountability break down walls between donors and organizations, creating a path for natural growth.

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Core Features of the Course

The iconic community organizer Marshall Ganz will lead the cohort in an extraordinary, two-day workshop focused on the critical, foundational skills of Public Narrative.

Learn how to align your fundraising theory of change with your organizational theory of change with Abel Cano.

Infusing the course with contemplative questions, conversations, and practices, Sharon Salzberg, who is a pioneer in the field of meditation and world-renowned teacher, will work with you to develop mindfulness practices to support your leadership work and share in conversations with the cohort on such topics as non-violent action, change and fierce compassion.

Deep-dive on collective impact with philanthropist, board member and activist Jeff Walker and discover how to design and create generative metrics to evaluate your fundraising program with Aviva Argote.

Learn how to design your fundraising strategy aligned with the latest advances in neuroscience and neuropsychology with Dr. Joseph Loizzo.

Additional world-class faculty from Harvard and elsewhere will lead key sessions on your organization’s leadership challenges

Virtual Classroom Learning

Plus:

1:1 Coaching

One-on-one introductory call and one-hour coaching session at the conclusion of the Course with Jennifer.

Session Recordings

Receive recordings from all sessions to revisit the content and share it with your community in an evergreen way.

Workbooks & Decks

Practical, usable workbooks and decks to be used and shared as you customize implementation of the teachings.

Peer Learnings

Intensive learning and peer support with your cohort.

Additional Content

Receive bonus content from experts in the field and critical resources based on trends and cohort needs.

Faculty Members and Philanthropic Leaders Include

Abel Cano

Leadership Trainer, and Coach; Executive Director, Arc Leadership, Coaching
Aviva Luz Argote

Executive Consultant: Adaptive Strategy and Inclusive Leadership
Course Co-Founder
Joseph Loizzo, MD, PhD,

Founder, Nalanda Institute
Weill Cornell Medical College
Jennifer McCrea

Faculty Lead, Course in Exponential Fundraising
Jeff Walker

Philanthropist and Activist
Marshall Ganz

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School, Organizing and Public Narrative
Rahshaana Green

Director of Equity & Contemplative Psychotherapy at the Nalanda Institute
Sharon Salzberg

Meditation Teacher and Co-Founder Insight Meditation Society

Selection is Competitive

Because of the breakthrough nature of the course material, the cohort will be limited to a highly curated group of 25 extraordinary leaders who are interested in not just improving their organization’s fundraising results, but in reshaping the entire field of fundraising.
This Course is for board members, executive directors, senior staff members of nonprofit organizations, anyone who is looking to dramatically increase resources flowing to their work and significantly scaling impact.

CEF Alum

Past participants have included Charles Best, CEO and Founder, Donorschoose.org, Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, Executive Director, Witness, Jocelyn Wyatt, CEO, Alight, Jill Vialet, CEO and Founder, PlayWorks, Yordanos Eyoel, Partner, New Profit, Amy Zganjar, Senior Vice President of Development, No Kid Hungry, Jordan Kassalow, Founder and CEO, VisionSpring, David Bornstein, Co-founder and CEO, Solutions Journalism Network, Michael Murphy, Co-founder, and Executive Director, MASS Design Group, Meighan Stone, President, Malala Fund, Alexander Busansky, President, Impact Justice, among more than 300 other leaders from across the sector and globe.