Training

Interested in learning about FundRaiser before buying? We offer a special live web-based Tour

Training for FundRaiser Spark, Select and Professional is provided by live webinars, by recorded Training Videos, and by phone.

Webinar Training

FundRaiser webinars are state-of-the-art live virtual meetings between you and our senior FundRaiser Training technician. These sessions are designed to help get you up to speed very quickly. They are so much better than the old methods of learning by trial-and-error or by reading manuals and help files.

Because the webinar occurs on your own computer, it also keeps your training costs down. No travel, lodgings or meals. Classes are conveniently scheduled in one-hour segments, with you sitting at whatever computer works best for you. We’ve found the one-hour length is ideal to get into a topic, yet not overload you with too much information at one time.

Webinar  Training  Schedule

Sessions are scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10am and 3pm Central time.

You will need to register at least one business day in advance of the training.

You will need a current Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) and one training credit for each session, except the Overview session which is free to all users with current AMP.

Overview Session

This is a fast, simple way to get an introduction to the program. The Overview session is free, and never uses up training credits and can be taken as many times as you like. For those who are brand new to FundRaiser, we find that it can be very beneficial to take this class twice. The first session gives you a good orientation as to where things are and how things work. The second time you take it, you will pick up lots of useful details that you missed the first time through. We also offer this session recorded in our Customer Portal.

Other Topics

Many topics are offered in Webinars. Scheduled sessions are posted monthly. The most important sessions for new users are

• Coding and Spare Fields
• Word Processor/Mail Merge
• Groupings

If you are using one of the modules, like pledges or membership, you may want to take the training on that after you have gotten a sense of the program in a larger way.

What You Need For Webinars

• Pentium-class computer (the faster the better)
• High-speed internet access -- dial-up connection is too slow
• Telephone for connecting to a live conference call
• The latest update for your web-browser program. You don't have to have FundRaiser installed. You will not be using it in the training. Instead you will be seeing the program through your internet browser, such as Internet Explorer.

Training Credits

Our Starter Training Package is included with each purchase of Spark, Select and Professional.  The Starter Package includes four training credits and one CD with a recorded Overview session. Training credits are used to "purchase" training sessions. With the exception of the live Overview, which is always free, all sessions require one credit. You can always purchase additional training credits for $50.00 each by calling your Sales Representative, or upgrade to our Premium Training Package for $250. This package includes four training credits and three recorded sessions on Video CD.

How Training Works

Here are the complete steps for participating in a training session. When you decide to take training, take a look at the schedule on the Training webpage to see the upcoming topics.

Cost

• You receive four training credits with your initial purchase of FundRaiser Software and an Annual Maintenance Plan.
• If you run out of training credits and still want more training, you can buy training credits for $50.00 by contacting your Sales Representative.
• There is no extra charge for private sessions. There are limited openings available, so please take advantage of group sessions where possible.
• The Overview topic is free and can be taken as many times as you like, as long as your Annual Maintenance Plan is current. A training credit is not used when you attend this class. This is ideal for new staff members or for those just wanting a refresher.