# First Fundraising Academy graduates ready for jobs market

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/08/05/first-fundraising-academy-graduates-ready-jobs-market/
- Published: 2007-08-05T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The first 20 graduates have made it through the Fundraising Academy after completing
the 15 modules of the Foundation in Fundraising Certificate. They will qualify for
the certificate when they have finished the Academy’s summer school on 17 August.

The course is designed for fundraisers before they start work as a fundraiser at
a charity, unlike existing qualifications that are all aimed at existing fundraisers.

The Certificate will be between NVQ and the Institute of Fundraising’s Certificate
in Fundraising Management levels. The IoF has been keeping a watching brief on the
course to see how it performs in its first year and to assess its content and quality
of teaching. Now that the first course has been completed, the Academy will be approaching
accreditation boards such as Edexcel to have the course assessed for accreditation.

Gill Astarita, ceo of Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) and who chaired the FFC’s syllabus
working group said: This first intake has thrown up some genuinely exceptional candidates
and I think that we will see these first graduates of the Fundraising Academy leaving
their mark on this sector for years to come.

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Each module is taught by a charity practitioner who is a recognised specialist in
the subject area to be taught. Astarita has been a significant contributor as a 
trainer and others include Paul Marvell, head of events and major donors at the 
British Red Cross, Allan Thompson, head of individual giving at National Deaf Children’s
Society, and Charlotte Goodman, former assistant director of fundraising at Barnardo’s,
now director of services at VRH.

Founder of the Academy Rupert Tappin said he was already in discussion with three
major charities over jobs for candidates. A Graduation reception will be taking 
place on 17 August.

The Academy will accept two new intakes in 2008, the first running from February
to April and the second from June to August.

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