Entrepreneurship & Fundraising   

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply their learnings and appropriate concepts through a series of reports, modelling a non-profit organization and/or having direct contact with one. Students analyze existing fundraising practices and make recommendations for enhancements. Acting as members of a Board of Directors, students provide recommendations for improvement for the benefit of the organization and the future of the cause. This course has mandatory chats and mandatory group work. Prerequisites: Introduction to Fundraising, Fundraising as Management Process, Methods of Fundraising, Donor Relationships in Fundraising and Strategic Management of Campaigns.  No Textbook Required.

The funding relationship between the charitable sector, corporations and individual donors is integral to fundraising. Students explore the needs and motivations of donors (corporations or individuals) and what sustains long-term partnerships with the non-profit sector. They also learn to identify, analyze and rate potential prospects and prepare a solicitation approach accordingly. This course has mandatory chats and mandatory group work. Corequesite: Introduction to Fundraising No Textbook Required.

This course will cover a wide variety of topics for those interested in starting, or seeking employment in, a small business. The course will capture the entrepreneurial spirit, and students will get first-hand exposure to the benefits and drawbacks of starting a new business and being your own boss. Issues pervasive in small businesses such as spotting trends or taking advantage of niche business opportunities will be discussed and factored into class exercises. Students will have the opportunity to practice start-up skills through feasibility analysis, the idea pitch, defining markets, targeting customers, operations, and deciding on which type of business to start. The ability to maintain and sustain operations of a small business will be experienced with particular attention to budgeting, forecasting, and cash management. In this course, students will have an authentic opportunity to test their entrepreneurial skills through a real business venture. This course has mandatory group work. Textbook Required.

NOTE: Students will be required to invest approximately $50 into a personal business venture which will be used to complete the course assessments. This money will be invested directly by the student and will not be collected by the instructor or educational institution.

This course will cover the creation of a comprehensive business plan. The course will capture the entrepreneurial spirit, and students will get first-hand exposure to the benefits and drawbacks of starting a new business and being your own boss. Through the steps in creating the business plan, students will have the opportunity to practice start-up skills through defining markets, targeting customers, and addressing financial planning such as cash management, budgeting, and financing.  At the conclusion of the course, students will each have the opportunity to ‘pitch’ their plan to a potential investor. Prerequisite: Entrepreneurship. NOTE: This course has mandatory group work. No Textbook Required.

Accountability and transparency are key in today's society. Students develop realistic marketing, communication and financial plans that reflect the budgetary obligations of an organization, learn how to inspire general public interest and establish trust in the brand of the organization they represent. Students learn the importance and role of marketing, public relations and financial management in the world of fundraising. This course has mandatory chats. No textbook required.

This course will guide the businessperson or entrepreneurial thinker through the process of setting up a business. Content includes forms of ownership, market research, marketing and advertising, promotional planning, financing, operations, writing a business plan and personal skills. This course exposes students to the elements involved in designing a successful business. No textbook required. NOTE: This course has mandatory group work.

Students will get a great overview on all the functions of a business and how they interact. This course is designed to help the learner understand the role of business in Canada by focusing on the basics of management, and organizational theory and structure. Textbook required.

Students gain an overview of the principles, ethics and practices of professional fundraising and a systemic examination of the critical thinking strategies and preparation that is required before an organization can engage in successful fundraising. Students examine the evolution of fundraising in North America, the role the voluntary sector plays in today's society and the changing nature of the position of a fundraising professional. Students also analyze the needs of an organization and apply fundraising approaches that best suit the organization's needs. This course has mandatory chats. No textbook required.

Issues and processes involved in designing, planning and organizing special events are presented. Students examine the organization, advantages and disadvantages of special events as a fundraising technique including tasks and responsibilities, working with committees, creative development of event concepts, scheduling and budgeting and strategies for maximizing profits from the event. Corporate partnerships and grant seeking, and entrepreneurial and third-party fundraising activities are also examined. Students develop fundraising plans according to the needs and capabilities of the organization they represent, such as finances and human resources. Relationships with the corporate sector and the means to identify their interest in fundraising are explored. This course has mandatory chats. No Textbook Required.

Elements of a successful fundraising campaign are examined. Students learn how to develop a compelling case for support, attract the best leadership potential, develop donor prospects and prepare a plan of action. Management and financial strategies to effectively control the fundraising process of campaigns are explored. Practical implementation of fundraising strategies required to manage information generated during a campaign, such as processing gifts and dealing with information flow and technology are addressed. This course has mandatory chats and mandatory group work. No Textbook Required.