A note on accessibility: If you're using a screen reader to access our Responsive Fundraising Academy courses, we recommend you use the all-text versions. 

You can enroll in Level 1 using this link: Text-Based Responsive Fundraising: Level 1. 

If you want to enroll in Level 2 , follow this link: Text-Based Responsive Fundraising: Level 2.

Today's donors expect a personal relationship with the organizations they support. Building relationships with all of your donors at scale requires a new fundraising methodology, one that is designed to help you build better, lasting relationships and increase support for your mission.

That's Responsive Fundraising.

Click below to start learning how you can take your fundraising to the next level and become a Certified Responsive Fundraiser.

Earn CFRE Continuing Education Credits

Responsive Fundraising: Levels 1 and 2 are CFRE-approved continuing education courses! Complete either course and its accompanying certification exam to earn 2 points, at your own pace and at no cost, through the Virtuous Academy. Your certificate upon completion will display the credit hours you have earned through the course.


Full participation in Responsive Fundraising: Level I is applicable for 2 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Full participation in Responsive Fundraising: Level 2 is applicable for 2 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Virtuous is an Approved CFRE Education Provider.

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Meet Your Course Instructors

Instructional Design Team Lead Carolyn Carrier

Carolyn Carrier is the Instructional Design Team Lead for Virtuous. Based in Philadelphia, she has a PhD in music history and professional experience as a nonprofit fundraiser. Drawing on her diverse interests and skills as a self-described professional nerd, she designs educational resources for the Virtuous Academy. Always keeping the learner at the center of everything she does, she strives to make sure the Academy gives nonprofit organizations the tools they need to reach their fundraising goals.

Manager of Customer Training Rachel Specht

Rachel is Virtuous's Manager of Customer Training and a former user herself. She is uniquely placed to understand the forward-thinking, problem-solving, and world-changing work of the nonprofit world through her previous roles, and her nerdiness for marketing and psychology has always been her guide. A scientist at heart, she's all about experimenting with new ways of engaging supporters to further drive an organization's mission and emboldening others to do the same. Rachel is also a yoga teacher, so don't be surprised if she occasionally reminds you to take a deep breath.

Director of User Experience & Research Scott Richards

Scott is the Director of User Experience & Research at Virtuous, though he's been involved in nearly all facets of Virtuous over the years. Previously the head of training at WealthEngine, Scott has spent over a decade teaching a variety of nonprofits how to make the best use of technology solutions. Prior to becoming a trainer, he has spent time working with and for a number of nonprofit organizations over the years, stuffing envelopes for mailings, telefundraising, assisting with live events, and connecting with donors of all sorts.

CEO Gabe Cooper

Gabe Cooper is the Founder and CEO of Virtuous, a Responsive Nonprofit CRM & Marketing Platform helping nonprofits build lasting relationships with their donors. He is also the author of the top-selling book Responsive Fundraising. After serving in a leadership role at a large nonprofit, Gabe went on to help build a series of successful software products in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. His team's products have been featured in Wired, USA Today, NY Times, and Apple's WWDC. His drive stems from a passion to create market-defining software and help charities reimagine generosity.

VP of Brand + Community Stephen Boudreau

Stephen Boudreau serves as VP of Brand and Community at Virtuous. For over two decades, he has helped nonprofits leverage the digital space to grow their impact. To that end, Stephen co-founded RaiseDonors, a platform that provides nonprofits with technology and experiences that remove barriers to successful online fundraising. He is an avid (but aging) soccer player, audiobook enthusiast, and the heavily-disputed UNO champion of his household.

Chief Revenue Officer David Cady

David is the Chief Revenue Officer at Virtuous, a cloud software company focused on re-imagining generosity in the nonprofit space. David has worked in the software world for over 15 years, specifically for some of the world's best CRM companies. He has lived in Phoenix, AZ for over 30 years, along with his wife and 3 kids. While hobbies have eluded him since having kids, most of his days are spent playing with them, hiking and exploring the mountains up north, and experiencing all the good food in AZ.