Impact Academy

Fund Development & Organizational Sustainability

New Cohort begins Spring 2026

Impact Academy eligible for up to 12 CFRE credits.

Impact Academy: Fund Development & Organizational Sustainability is an in-person professional development program that builds nonprofit capacity for lasting impact. Through applied learning, the program equips nonprofit leaders with the strategy, structure, and tools needed to strengthen organizations, develop sustainable funding models, and lead with clarity and purpose.

Grounded in SHEIKH/Impact’s decades of nonprofit consulting experience, Impact Academy integrates fund development, organizational strategy, and leadership alignment for a comprehensive learning journey. Each session moves beyond isolated initiatives, helping organizations replace fragmented approaches with systemized strategies that support long-term sustainability.

Led by SHEIKH/Impact associates, courses reflect perspectives informed by nonprofit and funder experiences, ensuring learning is practical, ethical, and aligned with current philanthropic environments.

Earn your CFRE Credits with Impact Academy

Participants attend six engaging and interactive CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) approved workshops, over the course of three months, with dedicated time built in to develop their fundraising toolkit.

The workshop series provides six instructor-led sessions (12 instructional hours) and 6 additional hours of guided coaching, with individualized strategic feedback and real-world application for your organization. Participants will exit the program with the skills to implement what they have learned. 

They will be equipped to:

  • Critique and evaluate their organization’s budgets from a donor/funder perspective

  • Create a master proposal blueprint

  • Identify funding opportunities that align to their organization’s mission and needs

  • Build a plan for the growth and sustainability of their organization

Upon completion of the program, participants will have earned an Impact Academy Certification and up to 12 CFRE continuing education points.

Program Investment: $10,000 per organization (includes two participants)

CFRE credit eligibility is subject to CFRE International approval. Participants are responsible for reporting completed educational hours.

Impact Academy Sessions

    • Deep dive into the frameworks that guide effective fund development planning and execution.

    • Refine organization’s fundraising pitch  to ensure it is clear, persuasive and aligned with organizational strategy, impact, and financial priorities.

    • Apply budget-led planning to guide fundraising strategy and decision-making. 

    • Assess and refine fundraising budgets that advance revenue goals and organizational priorities.

    • Develop a compelling case for support across that is outcomes based across programmatic, operational and capital needs. 

    • Ensure the case includes funder-ready narratives that integrate mission, impact, and financial priorities.

    • Learn techniques for effective approaches to researching prospective funders.

    • Translate prospect research into a clear, actionable funding pipeline using SHEIKH/Impact’s proprietary research-to-pipeline tool, aligned with organizational goals.

    • Developing a clear strategy for cultivating and managing a donor pipeline that supports long-term relationships and sustainable giving.

    • Learn how to identify and engage mission-aligned individual donors.

      • Explore advanced fundraising approaches, including capital and planned giving.

      • Assess organizational readiness and clarify the strategic considerations required to implement and manage complex fundraising initiatives.

Interest in Impact Academy? Begin the registration process by filling out our interest form.

A member of our staff will contact you regarding participation.

Interest Form

Christi Daniels of Do Good Daniels Family Foundation speaks on her experience completing Impact Academy.