Professional Persuasion: Writing Strategies for Fundraising and Beyond

Catalog description

Fundraising is one of the most demanding and revealing forms of persuasive writing. It requires clarity of purpose, audience awareness, ethical persuasion, emotional intelligence, and strategic framing—often all at once. In learning how to write effectively for fundraising, students also develop transferable communication skills applicable to leadership, advocacy, policy, consulting, marketing, nonprofit and corporate strategy, and any professional context in which ideas, initiatives, or resources must be advanced through writing. This course treats fundraising as a practical laboratory for learning persuasive writing: students practice tailoring messages to specific audiences, aligning arguments with values, building credibility and trust, and motivating action without coercion. These skills extend well beyond philanthropy and form the foundation of effective professional communication across sectors.