Introduction to Advancement

This course is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the essentials of advancement, helping you develop a broader perspective of its role in your organisation. You'll also walk away with practical tips and strategies you can implement immediately.

At its core, advancement is about aligning purpose with peopleā€”building community, partnerships, and philanthropy to enhance engagement and increase funding.

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35 Minutes

AU $49

Course Level

This is a beginner-level course, and no prerequisites are required.
A Certificate of Completion is issued once you have completed the course at 100%.

What to Expect

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Here's how the course is structured:

  • Module One: What is Advancement, and why does it matter in educational institutions?
  • Module Two: The Core Disciplines of an Effective Advancement Program
  • Module Three: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Advancement
  • Module Four: Quick Wins, Strategies, and Practical Steps to Get Started

Throughout this course, weā€™ll also emphasise the importance of collaboration and integration, ensuring different advancement disciplines and portfolio holders work together for greater impact.

LearningĀ Outcomes


By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Define Advancement and understand its role in supporting organisational mission and sustainability.

  2. Identify the core components of an integrated advancement program, including philanthropy and fundraising, stakeholder and alumni relations, marketing and communications, partnerships, and enrolments (or equivalent engagement strategies).

  3. Recognise the importance of strategic alignment between advancement and institutional goals.

  4. Understand the concept of the Virtuous Lifecycle and how it fosters long-term relationships and support.

  5. Appreciate the interconnected nature of advancement disciplines and the value of cross-functional collaboration.

  6. Reflect on the skills, structures, and mindsets necessary to build or enhance an effective advancement program.

About Course Authors & Facilitators

Heather Hamilton

Founder, Advfinity

Heather is a senior executive with 30+ years of international experience in the for-purpose sector, including education advancement. She brings deep expertise in integrated advancement, having led strategic initiatives across stakeholder engagement, alumni strategy, partnerships, philanthropy, and institutional marketing and communications in Australia, Asia, and Canada.

As the founder of Advfinity, she partners with purpose-driven organisations to develop strategies and frameworks that increase engagement and support sustainable funding models.

Mark Sollis

Strategist & Creative, D3 Advancement Studio

Mark is a recognised leader in alumni and stakeholder engagement, with global experience across higher education systems in Australia, Asia, North America, and the UK. He specialises in strategy development, performance measurement, and business planning, and has led and supported transformative projects for a number of major education institutions and organisations.

As the founder of D3 Advancement Studio, he brings a data-informed, culturally aware, and creative approach to advancing engagement and strategic outcomes.