Pivot Your Skills: Nonprofit Management

The Nonprofit Management Pathway in Alverno College’s Pivot Your Skills Pathways Program offers a highly relevant and flexible learning track to equip professionals with the skills needed to be effective contributors and leaders in nonprofit organizations.

This pathway is designed to be completed in nine months or less, and those who successfully complete the program will earn a professional certificate.

HOW IT WORKS

Developed and taught by Alverno faculty and industry professionals, the Nonprofit Management Pathway blends face-to-face instruction and online learning. Professionals will benefit from Alverno’s well-regarded model of experiential learning and highly sought interpersonal skills, developing knowledge and abilities that are immediately applicable to the workplace.

Professionals can enroll in the entire pathway or individual units, based on career interest. Professionals who complete the entire pathway will earn a professional certificate.

REGISTER TODAY

Upcoming sessions start in April 2021 and September 2021.

Click here to register.

LEARNING CONTENT

Each learning unit is six weeks long. Listed below are dates for sessions starting in April 2021 and again in September 2021 (both of which meet Wednesday evenings).

Unit I: The Business of Nonprofits

April 7-May 12, 2021 / Sept. 8-Oct. 13, 2021

In this unit, you will learn what it means to be a nonprofit, how nonprofits differ from businesses, why they exist and the many community needs they serve. You will understand what nonprofits focus on and how they remain viable and stable. You will learn who leads and operates nonprofits by exploring the nonprofit structure and its governance. Finally, you will learn and apply the current resources and tools available to assist nonprofits in the external assessment process, including meeting government requirements.

Unit II: Delivering on Mission Through Strategy

May 19-June 23, 2021 / Oct. 20-Nov. 24, 2021

In this unit, you will understand how strategy helps lead organizational mission, vision and values. You will analyze the different types of nonprofits and use strategic planning tools to help develop strategy that is aligned with mission. You will understand the importance of leadership in cultivating a strong culture of communication and collaboration in order to achieve alignment of strategy across the organization. Finally, you will learn how effective governance can successfully advance strategy.

Unit III: Financial Resources and Management

June 30-Aug. 4, 2021 / Dec. 1, 2021-Jan. 19, 2022

In this unit, you will understand how to successfully manage and measure financial performance in nonprofit organizations. You will understand the concept of a break-even budget as well as how organizations adjust for changes in income and expenses. You will learn about different sources of income to obtain diversified funding as well as how to manage expenses to align with income projections. Finally, you will learn how to analyze nonprofit financial statements and ratios, and understand basic accounting for internal and external reporting necessary to achieve operational efficiency and financial accountability.

Unit IV: Development – Building Brand and Relationships

Aug. 11-Sept. 15, 2021 / Jan. 26-March 2, 2022

In this unit, you will learn how to build a reputable brand that fosters strong community relationships. You will understand various fundraising techniques and learn about the different kinds of donors. You will understand the purpose, benefits and challenges of different outreach methods, such as special events, campaigns and fundraising programs. Finally, you will learn the critical integration of communication and marketing strategy with brand messaging for nonprofits to successfully tell their story and increase their impact.

Unit V: Programs, Operations and Project Management

Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 2021 / March 9-April 13, 2022

In this unit, you will understand the operations of a nonprofit. You will explore the important role of human resources in developing an organizational culture of engagement. You will learn the role of technology necessary for functional efficiency and strategic growth. You will explore the different types of nonprofit programs and services, how to develop and perform program evaluations and how to define meaningful measures of performance. Finally, you will learn key project management principles necessary for effective program implementation.

Unit VI: Growing Partnerships with Lasting Impact

Nov. 3-Dec. 8, 2021 / April 20-May 25, 2022

In this unit, you will learn how a nonprofit measures success for meaningful impact. With change constantly occurring, you will learn and apply change management methods to understand and manage change effectively for continued success. You will explore how to cultivate community partnerships and learn how to engage all stakeholders within a collaborative framework. Finally, you will explore your professional role in a nonprofit and how to effectively balance the investment of your time and commitment with your personal well-being to achieve continual growth.

PRICING

The Pivot Your Skills Pathways Program costs $3,000 for the entire pathway, while individual learning units cost $500 each.

Click here to register

For information about a group rate, please contact Linda Olszewski, director, at 414-382-6292 or linda.olszewski@alverno.edu

Cancellation policy: A 50% refund will be issued upon withdrawal during the first unit. A 25% refund will be issued upon withdrawal during the second unit. There is no refund issued upon withdrawal during the third or later units.