Public-Private Partnerships: Leveraging Success

This course prepares nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and social impact professionals to navigate and shape effective cross-sector collaborations that strengthen organizational sustainability and resilience in uncertain economic and funding environments.
 
As public resources become increasingly scarce and philanthropic priorities shift, today's most impactful social initiatives are increasingly relying on strategic public-private partnerships (P3s) that leverage the strengths of government agencies, private industry, and philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Rather than focusing solely on transactional contracts, the course explores how modern P3s can build durable infrastructure for mission-driven work that mobilizes diversified resources to address complex societal challenges that no single organization can tackle alone.
 
Through a practical framework, students will learn to evaluate, structure, and manage P3s that advance long-term impact and deepen mission alignment. The course examines how different partners share risk, leverage assets, and co-create value to deliver public benefit services, highlighting innovative financing mechanisms that support sustainable growth.
 
Participants will gain skills to assess P3 models critically, articulate the value and risks of collaboration for their organizations, and engage effectively with public, private, and philanthropic stakeholders. By understanding how to align partner incentives and build authentic cross-sector relationships, students will be better equipped to lead initiatives that endure beyond short-term funding cycles and adapt to evolving external conditions - an essential capability for advancing nonprofit fundraising and strategic development in today's dynamic landscape.
 
This course is an elective in the Certificate in Fundraising, equipping professionals with the strategic insight and practical tools to strengthen their organization and expand its impact through resilient partnerships.
 
COURSE TOPICS
 

• The evolution of P3s from infrastructure contracts to complex, multi-faceted platforms to improve social problems
• The P3 structure in terms of benefits and risks for each P3 partner, with special focus on the value of engagement for philanthropies and nonprofits
• The role/function of various funding and innovative financing mechanisms to achieve P3 goals

 
This course is eligible towards the completion of the Certificate in Fundraising. Bundle your coursework and earn a professional credential that communicates knowledge and skills gained. Declared Certificate students receive 10% off of courses within the program.
 
Note: Full participation in this course is applicable for 15 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 2.5

You'll walk away with

• The ability to assess and articulate the effectiveness of various P3 models and the innovative funding/financing mechanisms they employ.
• Knowledge on how to apply and assess the effectiveness of nonprofit leadership and management in cross-sector partnerships and to the provision of public services.
• The ability to analyze the contributions, benefits, and risks of participation by different organizations from different sectors to the provision of public benefit services.
• An understanding of evaluating partnerships in terms of each member’s role toward P3 collective impact and success in the fulfillment of shared societal goals.

Ideal for

• Those working within or seeking to work in Partnership Management or Strategic Development roles
• Leaders and program managers in organizations who want to more effectively leverage these relationships