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GENESIS Rising Leaders Fellowship
Your Partner in Nonprofit Fundraising, Integrated Philanthropy & Talent Development
The Problem
Nonprofits struggle to find qualified development staff.
Positions stay open for months.
Good candidates don't have practical experience.
People burn out and leave within 18 months.
The sector needs more people who understand that fundraising is about building relationships and creating meaningful partnerships—it's so much more than asking for money.
What GENESIS Does
GENESIS is a 4-month fellowship program that trains development professionals through expert instruction, hands-on practice, and direct connections to hiring organizations.
Fellows graduate ready to contribute immediately. Organizations get staff who already understand the fundamentals.
Foundational Skills:
Understanding donor motivation, building authentic relationships, ethical storytelling
Systems Thinking:
Creating sustainable revenue streams, designing donor journeys, planning strategically
Core Practices:
Making effective asks, stewarding donors, handling setbacks, building loyalty
Current Trends:
Using tools effectively, staying current with sector changes, building sustainable careers
Who Succeeds in GENESIS
Career changers bringing existing skills into mission-driven work. Recent graduates wanting practical tools.
Professionals from other fields with transferable experience or people little to no fundraising experience.
Understanding that fundraising is about helping people invest in work that matters to them.
The Investment
That Pays Back
For United Ways and Economic Development:
Perfect For:
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United Ways
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Economic development organizations
Partnership Perks:
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Founding cohort of pre-trained professionals in your market
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Priority hiring access (first introductions to top candidates)
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Recognition as the visionary who brought this to your community
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Partnership in customizing program for local needs
This is what it looks like to invest in a community's capacity to take care of itself.
GENESIS cohorts launch market by market. ACCESS lets you start right now. Learn the foundations of nonprofit fundraising available to anyone ready to begin.
Exercises, case studies, and tools you can apply immediately to actual situations.
No cohort schedule.
No deadlines. Work through the material when it fits your life.
Built as a curated slice of the curriculum that's produced 200+ graduates with 70% long-term retention in the field.
Trusted By:
Build Your Fundraising Blueprint