You have questions. We have anwers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the courses designed for?
Marquam Academy courses are built for:
- Nonprofit staff
- Volunteers
- Board members
- Benefit Auction Specialists
- Fundraising Professionals
- Vendors and Other Professionals who serve the nonprofit sector
If you support nonprofit missions in any way you’re in the right place.
Do you offer courses suitable for board members and volunteers?
Absolutely. Many of our courses are intentionally designed to be accessible, practical, and board and volunteer-friendly.
What’s the difference between à la Carte courses and a Subscription?
Great question — this is one of the most important distinctions.
- A la carte courses give you access to one specific educational module and the content housed within that module only.
- Subscriptions unlock the full Marquam Academy experience, including learning, community, live support, and ongoing resources.
If you’re looking for targeted learning, A La Carte may be perfect. If you want ongoing support, strategy, and connection, a subscription is where the magic really happens!
How long do I have access to an à la Carte course I purchase?
When you purchase an à la Carte course, you’ll have full access for one year from the date of purchase. That gives you plenty of time to move through the content at your own pace, revisit lessons, and put what you’re learning into action.
Do I have the same access to resources with both options?
No. A La Carte purchases include only the content inside the module you purchased. Subscriptions include a much broader set of tools, resources, and live experiences. If you are seeking opportunities to engage with instructors and fellow nonprofit professionals, subscription would be best for you!
What do I get with a Marquam Academy subscription?
We offer three subscription levels designed to meet you where you are:
- Do GOOD
- Do BETTER
- Do BEST
Depending on your level of membership, subscriptions provide access to:
- Educational Modules
- Discussion Boards (across all topic areas)
- Our Marquam Mindshare Resource Library
- Office Hours
- Access to Marquam Academy Impact Circles
- Special Live Trainings and Events
Higher tiers may also include one-on-one sessions and expanded live support.
👉 For a full breakdown of what’s included at each level, visit our Pricing Page.
How long does a subscription last?
Subscriptions are designed as one-year memberships.
You’ll have two payment options:
- Pay in full (commit to a full year and receive a small discount)
- Monthly billing, with the flexibility to cancel
Do I have access to resources after my subscription or course ends?
Once your subscription is canceled or one year passes for a single module purchase, you will no longer have access.
You’re always welcome back! We’re continuously adding new content, tools, and live opportunities, and you can rejoin anytime when the timing feels right.
Do I receive a certificate when I complete a course?
Yes! For our educational modules, you’ll receive a certificate of completion for each course you successfully finish.
Are there required tests or exams?
Nope. We believe in practical learning, not pressure. There are no mandatory tests or exams built into our modules.
Are there live components to the courses?
Yes. Many of our offerings include live elements, such as:
- Live presentations
- Office Hours
- Impact Circles
- One-on-One Consultation
- Special Invite Only Live Events + Trainings
Access to live elements depends on your subscription level, and availability may vary for à la Carte courses.
How do I join a live session?
It depends on the format:
Office Hours or Impact Circles: Join using the specific event link provided in the corresponding modules on the course page.
Live trainings tied to a course: Enter directly through the educational module.
If you have issues, reach out; we're here to help!
Office Hours or Impact Circles: Join using the specific event link provided in the corresponding modules on the course page.
Live trainings tied to a course: Enter directly through the educational module.
If you have issues, reach out; we're here to help!
How often is new content added?
We’re always adding new content to Marquam Academy, usually on a quarterly or bi-monthly basis. As we grow, the resources grow right along with us. This space is here for you, so if there’s a topic you want more of or something you’re wrestling with, let us know. We truly want this to be a go-to resource that supports you where you are and gives you what you actually need.
How often is new content added?
We’re always adding new content to Marquam Academy, usually on a quarterly or bi-monthly basis. As we grow, the resources grow right along with us. This space is here for you, so if there’s a topic you want more of or something you’re wrestling with, let us know. We truly want this to be a go-to resource that supports you where you are and gives you what you actually need.
Why are there courses for both nonprofits and industry professionals?
Because their needs are different and that really matters.
The day-to-day challenges nonprofit staff and volunteers face aren’t always the same as those of the professionals who support them, and we get that.
That’s why our curriculum is designed to meet each audience where they are, with practical, relevant training that helps everyone show up stronger and more prepared.
And for industry professionals, we go a step further, offering guidance, perspective, and mentorship to help you grow your skills, sharpen your approach, and continue building a meaningful, values-aligned career in the nonprofit space.
That’s why our curriculum is designed to meet each audience where they are, with practical, relevant training that helps everyone show up stronger and more prepared.
And for industry professionals, we go a step further, offering guidance, perspective, and mentorship to help you grow your skills, sharpen your approach, and continue building a meaningful, values-aligned career in the nonprofit space.
Who is behind Marquam Academy?
Marquam Academy is the brainchild of Marquam Agency. Launching a learning platform has always been a dream of ours — a place where everything we’ve learned over more than a decade of working with nonprofits and helping them raise meaningful dollars could be shared in a way that’s practical, real, and actually useful.
But we’re not just here to support nonprofits — we’re here to serve fundraising professionals, volunteers, and nonprofit leaders too. Our courses are built by Benefit Auction Specialists (BAS®) and seasoned fundraising pros who have been in the trenches — celebrating wins, navigating challenges, and learning what truly works. We share our best practices, provide guidance, and mentor others so that everyone can succeed together.
We’re not about theory; we’re about giving you proven strategies, tools, and insights you can put to work immediately. Every recommendation and approach is backed by real-world data from the events and campaigns we’ve run, so you know what works — and why. The goal? To help you walk into your next event or campaign feeling prepared, confident, and empowered — ready to make an impact, support your mission, and maybe even have a little fun along the way.
I’ve seen the acronym BAS® — what does it mean?
BAS® stands for Benefit Auction Specialist, a professional designation awarded by the National Auction Association (NAA). It recognizes auction professionals who have completed specialized training in nonprofit fundraising auctions, including event strategy, procurement, donor engagement, and ethics and best practices.
And yes — every one of our Benefit Auctioneers holds this designation.
A BAS® signals deep, real-world expertise in running mission-aligned auctions that not only maximize revenue, but also create meaningful, well-run experiences for donors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners.
Is everything online?
Currently, yes. As the platform grows, we may introduce local or in-person opportunities, but all core content is online for maximum accessibility.
Do I need to be technical to use the platform?
Not at all. We use a widely trusted, user-friendly learning platform. If you’re comfortable using a web browser and hopping on Zoom, you’ll be just fine.
And if you do run into an issue? We’re here to help.
And if you do run into an issue? We’re here to help.
Is there a team subscription available?
Team subscriptions are available and customizable.
Reach out to us to talk through the size of your team and what level of access makes the most sense.
What size nonprofits is this content designed for?
All sizes. Whether you’re a small, volunteer-led organization or a large, established nonprofit, the strategies and tools inside Marquam Academy are designed to scale with you.
What size nonprofits is this content designed for?
All sizes. Whether you’re a small, volunteer-led organization or a large, established nonprofit, the strategies and tools inside Marquam Academy are designed to scale with you.
What is your cancellation policy?
Here’s the scoop on our cancellation policies:
- A La Carte courses are non-refundable.
- Monthly subscriptions can be canceled at any time — just give us 30 days’ notice.
- Full-year subscriptions with a discount applied are non-refundable.
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