Nonprofit Management Certificate

Nonprofit Leadership (Core Class)*
In the Leadership in a Nonprofit Organization course, you will be introduced to current models of leadership and key leadership competencies. Learn methods for building internal and external relationships and applying those skills to a networked nonprofit ecosystem.

• Define and distinguish key differences between leadership and management.
• Describe current models of leadership, including characteristics of a good leader within each model.  Know when and how to apply situational leadership strategies.
• Evaluate your own leadership strengths and core values to understand how to best build an organizational team.
• Craft and share your personal mission statement.
• Develop an understanding of the various roles a nonprofit leader might be engaged in and the implications of each.
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  Schedule: Tuesdays, 6/4 & 6/11/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: CP 103
  Instructor: Kristina Mayer
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs
  
   

Leadership Electives

• Leadership and Board Governance*

  This course explores how the concepts of governance today are changing with an increased emphasis on leadership in the face of rapid social and economic change. Learn to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of a nonprofit board as you establish board roles and responsibilities, governance structures, board recruitment, orientation and retention.
  
  • Identify generally accepted roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards.
  • Describe and discuss new and emerging concepts of nonprofit governance and what they might mean for a specific organization.
  • Exercise critical thinking about a nonprofit boards compliance with legal requirements, internal policies and bylaws.
  • Develop a plan to recruit, orient and retain new board members in the context of a specific organization’s needs.
  • Discuss strategies and techniques to increase board members' commitment to the mission and purpose of the organization and to fulfill their legal and governance duties.
  • Identify and employ strategies to increase board effectiveness and board engagement.
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  Schedule: Tuesdays, 05/07 & 05/14/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm (Class on 2/19 has been moved to May.)
  Textbook (Required): The New Work of the Nonprofit Board a HBR article
  Textbook (Recommended): Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards
  Location: CP 103
  Instructor: Kristina Mayer
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Strategic Management*

  A nonprofit’s strategy constitutes its decisions about what it will do and how it will do it. Strategic planning outlines an organization’s mission, vision, values, programs and resources to assure alignment and coherence.  Learn the skills needed to develop these key aspects of a useful strategic plan and manage its successful implementation.
  
  • Define and develop vision, mission and values in the context of leading an organization.
  • Differentiate between strategic management and strategic planning and how to identify issues, participants and essential components of the planning process.
  • Examine a variety of tools used for internal planning and metrics that guide implementation and benchmark outcomes.  Select one and complete a prototype.
  • Identify, assess and implement elements of an effective plan for a nonprofit organization.
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  Schedule: Tuesdays, 4/09 & 4/16/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: CP 103
  Instructor: Kristina Mayer
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Situational Decision Making*

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  Schedule: TBA
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: TBA
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Ethics in Nonprofit Leadership*

  Ethical dilemmas are inherent in managing a nonprofit organization.  Explore how personal values and the authority of one’s position impacts ethical decision making.  Gain insight into current ethics issues and the systemic challenges of managing ethically in any organization.
  
  • Discuss common ethical dilemmas within nonprofit organizations.
  • Identify how personal values and position authority impacts ethical decision making.
  • Demonstrate the ability to cultivate a culture of accountability and transparency.
  • Discuss conflict of interest policies and procedures for staff, volunteers and board members. _______________________________________________
  Schedule: Thursdays, 05/23 & 05/30/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm (DATE CHANGE)
  Textbook (Recommended): Moral Courage
  Reading (Required): Boards Behaving Badly: Observations from the field
  Reading (Required): The Wisdom of Crowds? Groupthink and Nonprofit Governance (exert)
  Reading (Required): Preventing Fraud: From Fiduciary Duty to Practical Strategies
  Location: CP 206c
  Instructor: Jan Brazzell
  Syllabus 
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Financial Management I (Core Class)

Learn strategies to efficiently manage the financial resources of a nonprofit organization.  Participants will identify key financial terms, review and analyze financial statements and develop financial policies and procedures to effectively manage resources.  Course is designed for professionals who work for or with nonprofit organizations.  A background in Finance is not required.

• Review nonprofit financial models.
• Identify the elements of a Nonprofit Financial System.
• Identify key financial terms and concepts as they relate to the effective operation of a nonprofit organization.
• Review financial statements and how they describe the organization.
• Review the components of a 990 and how they can be used as a public relations tool.
• Develop financial policies and procedures to effectively manage resources.

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Schedule: Wednesdays, 1/16 & 1/23/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: CP 331
Instructor: Alan Strand
Fee: $195
Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Financial Management Electives

• Financial Mangement II*

  A skillful understanding of transactions, financial statements and reports as well as internal controls are essential to operating a successful nonprofit. This course will offer participants the level of accounting expertise appropriate for an executive director or program manager in a nonprofit organization.
  
  • Track income and expenses to specific programs to fulfill expectations of various stakeholders and analyzed cost/benefit.
  • Distinguish between accrual versus cash based accounting and know when to employ each method.
  • Discuss and understand different classes of net assets.
  • Differentiate between contribution and exchange transactions.
  • Know what common internal controls are used to protect the assets of an organization.
  • Discuss effective techniques to present a budget to a variety of audiences.
  • Make effective decisions based on financial reports and evaluate results.
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  Schedule: Wednesdays, 2/13 & 2/20/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: CP 331
  Instructor: Alan Strand
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Financial Reporting and Analysis*

  Course covers the essentials of financial reporting and analysis for individuals who lack an extensive background in financial management.  Practice preparing reports that tell readers what is important.  Discuss the key ratios used for monitoring an organization's financial health and fiscal stability. This course is ideal for board and staff members who would like a deeper understanding of the financials to make more effective decisions.  Prerequisite: "Basic Accounting for Nonprofit Managers" or equivalent training and accounting experience.
  
  • Review the major nonprofit financial statements including the Statement of Financial Position, the Statement of Activities and the Statement of Functional Expenses; understand the key components of each and how they are important tools to manage an organization.
  • Analyze a set of basic financial statements and describe different types of business transactions and their relationship to the organization’s mission.
  • Review the reporting requirements of the IRS (Form 990), including new questionnaires and requirements for boards.
  • Analyze the components of a 990; examine new IRS rulings on the 990 and how they can be used as a public relations tool.
  • Demonstrate how to allocate resources to manage a nonprofit organization.
  • Determine how to budget for and manage appropriate reserves.
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  Schedule: *NEW DATES* Wednesdays, 5/22 & 5/29/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: CP 331
  Instructor: Alan Strand
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Cost Allocation and QuickBooks for Nonprofits*

  Learn how to develop a cost allocation system using only QuickBooks and Excel.  Determine what portion of shared costs should be allocated to each function and how to document these allocation calculations.  Develop a cost allocation system to facilitate grant reporting, Form 990 and financial statements preparation as well as decision-making about program cost-effectiveness.
  QuickBooks is the most commonly used accounting software for nonprofits. In additional to learning how to allocate costs, learn how to set up accounts, activities, funders and vendors the right way to be able to quickly get the reports you need to manage your organization.
  
  • Review time and effort reporting techniques for program activities.
  • Calculate shared costs to each function.
  • Document allocation calculations accurately.
  • Use cost allocation to measure program efficiencies.
  • Review system set up for nonprofits using QuickBooks.
  • Learn how to set up a Chart of Accounts, Customers and Classes to track activities.
  • Creating custom reports in QuickBooks.
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  Schedule: Wednesdays, 4/3 & 4/17/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: TLB 115
  Instructor: Alan Strand
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

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Fundraising and Resource Development (Core Class)
Fundraising is about more than money – it is relationship building, communication and well-executed strategy. Learn the basics of the fund development process and how to create a plan that will result in effective fundraising strategies for board, staff and volunteers. Together we will review current trends in donor-centered fundraising and examine ways to balance fund development strategies.Participants will learn to prospect new donors, retain current donors and the importance of managing a donor base. Participants will be guided from cultivation to engagement to “the ask” to “the thank you” and will find that fundraising is a relationship-based process

• Describe the key concepts related to nonprofit fundraising such as prospecting, cultivating, engaging, asking, receiving, thanking, and acknowledging on an on-going basis.
• Compare and contrast fundraising through various sources such as corporate donations, foundation grants, individual gifts, and donor advised funds and sponsorships.
• Describe methods for evaluating fund development performance.
• Discuss how ethics applies to nonprofit fundraising and what donors expect.
• Explain the importance of donor relations and how to turn a one-time donor into a loyal on-going donor.
• Create a balanced fund development plan based on an evaluation of previous performance.
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  Schedule: Tuesdays, 4/23 & 4/30/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Textbook (Required): The Nonprofit Development Companion: A Workbook for Fundraising Success
  Location: CP 103
  Instructor: Kristina Mayer
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Fundraising and Resource Development Electives*

• Grant Writing Basics*

  If you have limited experience as a grant writer, this course will provide you with the essential tools needed to write a successful grant proposal, from start to finish. Learn about the grantsmanship process - from research and cultivation to the development and writing of a winning proposal. You will learn about the typical questions funders ask when considering a proposal and the criteria they used. Class participants will have an opportunity to write, review and critique proposals. Tips for ensuring grant compliance and relationship building to improve your chances of future grant success will be discussed throughout.
  
  • Discuss the role relationship plays in improving your chances for securing funding of all types.
  • Discuss the importance of aligning mission, programming and evaluation when identifying prospects and writing proposals.
  • Review the components of a grant proposal including executive summary, needs statements, goals, objectives, sustainability, budget and evaluation.
  • Write a proposal or letter of inquiry and participate in peer review/editing.
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  Schedule: Tuesdays, 3/19 & 4/2/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Textbook (Required): Getting Funded: The Complete Guide to Writing Grant Proposals 5th Ed.
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: Kristina Mayer
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Major Gifts*

  Major gift programs are a critical component of nonprofit development programs of all sizes. Funding for special projects, seed money for new projects, research, capital needs, and sometimes even support for current programs and services can be provided through a major gift program.
  
  • Understand the role of major gifts in a successful nonprofit organization.
  • Become familiar with the concepts of relationship building, solicitation and stewardship for major gift donors.
  • Learn how to identify the best potential major donors for your organization.
  • Learn how to cultivate current donors for greater giving opportunities.
  • Understand how to maximize using volunteers and staff in major gift work.
  • Learn how to develop (or strengthen) a sustainable major giving program for your organization.
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  Schedule:DATE CHANGE TBD Fall 2013
  Location: GWP 215
  Instructor: Laura Edman
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Planned Giving*

  “Planned giving” refers collectively to a variety of techniques used to make some kinds of charitable gifts. Such techniques are called “planned” because they often involve a consideration of donors’ entire financial and family situation and are planned within that context. This planning usually is done with the assistance of one or more of the donors’ advisors, such as attorneys, accountants, financial planners, etc. Compared to other kinds of fundraising programs employed during a given year, planned giving generates fewer gifts; however, they are typically very large. Many not-for-profit organizations view planned giving as essential to their long-term success. Regardless of the fact that planned giving can be complicated, even small charities can establish basic programs that can help insure their futures.
  
  • Develop a general understanding of planned giving, its techniques, and its advantages and disadvantages.
  • Become equipped to begin a basic planned giving program.
  • Develop a foundation upon which to build your knowledge of planned giving.
  • Develop an appreciation of the importance of planned giving.
  
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  Schedule: TBA from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Textbook (Required): Craig C. Wruck, Planned Giving in a Nutshell, 2011, 3rd Edition
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: Eric Quist
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Communicating Funding Needs*

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  Schedule: TBA
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: TBA
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Human Resource Development (Core Class)
Learn practical and lawful approaches to develop human resource policies and job descriptions, recruitment, selection, and retention strategies, performance planning and evaluation, and appropriate staffing structures. Strategically respond to issues related to individual employee motivation, delegation, and coaching.

• Design effective staff recruitment, selection, and retention programs and processes to fulfill the organization’s mission.
• Create the framework for an employee handbook to guide an organization’s policies and procedures.
• Learn how to delegate tasks and assignments effectively to increase employee commitment, satisfaction and morale.
• Develop appropriate coaching strategies for promoting and rewarding performance and for applying consequences of nonperformance.
• Establish a system of performance, planning, evaluation, and coaching for employee growth to capitalize on employee talent.
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  Schedule: Thursdays, 4/18 & 5/02/2013, from 5:30 - 8:30pm
  Location: WCG 116
  Instructor: Les Wiletzky
  Spring 2013 Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

   

  
   
  

  Human Resource Development Electives

  • Employment Law*

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    Schedule: TBA
    Location: TBA
    Instructor: TBA
    Fee: $195
    Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

  • Volunteer Management and Engagement*

    This course is designed to assist nonprofit professionals with building a culture of volunteer engagement to increase organizational capacity and to help fulfill your organization’s mission. We will discuss best practices of skill-based volunteering and other volunteer management strategies, with an emphasis on building volunteer corps to support your organization as well as special events, including auctions, and fitness-based events such as walks and runs. Upon completion of this course, each participant will know to how to recruit, manage, motivate, recognize and reward volunteers in order to effectively utilize their strengths. This course is designed for professionals who work for or with nonprofit organizations and would like to gain immediate knowledge, skills and techniques in the area of volunteer management.
    
    • Develop orientation and training policies and procedures for new volunteers based on interest and skill assessments and personal/professional goals.
    • Communicate project goals and community impact with volunteers to achieve outstanding performance.
    • Review legal and safety considerations to include confidentiality and conflict of interest policies that are important to the nonprofit organization.
    • Develop strategies for motivating, rewarding, and retaining volunteers through meaningful assignments to ensure volunteers meet their highest potential from their volunteer activities.
    
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    Schedule: Tuesdays, 3/5 & 3/12/13 from 5:30 to 8:30pm
    Location: GWP 215
    Instructor: Mendy Lowe
    Syllabus
    Fee: $195
    Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Performance Measurement for Nonprofit Organizations (Core Class)
This course is designed to assist nonprofit professionals with thinking about the process of measuring success relative to stated missions/visions and defining metrics respective to their organization. Upon completion of this course, each participant will leave with the metrics they begin to use as a determinant of organization success along with this comes a more clear understanding of metric development and measurement overall.

• Align your organizations’ mission, strategy and internal performance.
• Strategically apply organizational performance tools.
• Assess and respond to external demands for accountability and transparency.
• Implement approaches to measure organizational performance.
• Develop an understanding of how to sustain organizational performance and measure the right things.
  
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  Schedule: (DATE CHANGE) Mondays, 2/25 & 3/18/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30pm
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: Jeanne Harmon
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

Performance Measurement Electives

• Planning and Performance Evaluation*

  What does it take to incorporate an effective and comprehensive program evaluation into your strategic planning? Why does program evaluation have an impact on services and sustainability? How does effective program evaluation impact potential funding, organizational sustainability and credibility? Participants will walk away with a basic sample of a program evaluation to personalize for their organization.
  
  • Explore strategies for creating a culture of evaluation.
  • Discuss common approaches to program evaluation.
  • Develop a program model and evaluation that detail strategies to achieve the desired results of your organization.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of program evaluation designs.
  • Identify local expertise to support your program evaluation efforts.
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  Schedule: (DATE CHANGE) Mondays, 5/20 & 6/10/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Location: GWP 215
  Instructor: Jeanne Harmon
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Designing Data Collection Methodologies*

  Increasingly, nonprofit agencies are being asked to collect information about their activities and results as well as those of projects and agencies they fund. Evaluations can identify program strengths and weaknesses and inform ways to improve their program. This course will introduce you to the basics of developing data collection methodologies that provide measurable evidence of intended outcomes and/or impact. Discover how to develop, align, collect and use meaningful measurement data to improve performance and make informed decisions.
  
  • Align mission, strategy and data collection.
  • Review variety of data collection methods and ways to turn data into information.
  • Identify formative and summative measures aligned with desired results.
  • Develop or identify data sources for specified evaluation measures.
  • Describe how to analyze, prepare and use program evaluation findings to make decisions.
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  Schedule: TBA
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: Jeanne Harmon
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

General Electives are additional courses you may take to either fulfill your requirements for obtaining the Nonprofit Management Certificate or to further enhance your knowledge and skills as a Nonprofit leader.

• Essentials for Effective Board Governance*

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  Schedule: TBA
  Location: TBA
  Instructor: TBA
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs

• Marketing Communication for Your Nonprofit*

  This course is designed to assist nonprofit professionals in creating awareness and building a loyal fan base for your organization. The basics of marketing will be covered along with an overview of the brand communication approach known as Integrated Marketing Communications, in which the different media for communicating your message are integrated into a seamless experience for your donors, and other supporters. The course will also cover incorporating social media and special events into your marketing plan. Upon completion of this course, each participant will know to how to create a basic framework for communicating your organization’s mission. This course is designed for professionals who work for or with nonprofit organizations and would like to gain immediate knowledge, skills and techniques in the area of marketing communications.
  
  • Understand the basics of marketing, starting with the “4 P’s”: product, place, price, and promotion and how this model has evolved into a more consumer-focused orientation.
  • Understand the intangible qualities that define your brand in the community, i.e. what do potential customers (donors) think and feel about your brand, and how your organization’s logo and tagline help communicate your brand.
  • Learn how to create a basic integrated marketing communications plan that builds on your organization’s brand, and helps identify a communication path appropriate to your nonprofit.
  • Develop an understanding of the importance of incorporating social media into your communication plans.
  • Learn how to engage new donors with your organization through special events such as auctions, walks/runs, and other types of events.
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  Schedule: (DATE CHANGE) Wednesdays, 5/1 & 5/08/2013 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
  Textbook (Recommended): IMC: The Next Generation: Five Steps for Delivering Value and Measuring Financial Returns.
  Location: CP 331
  Instructor: Mendy Lowe
  Syllabus
  Fee: $195
  Credit/Contact hours: 6 Clock or Contact Hours or 0.6 CEUs