Nonprofit Certificate Program Registration (2023)

Strengthen ND’s Nonprofit Certificate Program was established to meet the capacity-building needs of nonprofit professionals and volunteers. The intent of the Nonprofit Certificate Program is to provide an opportunity for nonprofit professionals and volunteers to learn the basics of nonprofit management through seven structured, online sessions.

Strengthen ND leverages the expertise of experienced nonprofit professionals to facilitate program sessions featuring topics of nonprofit management as follows:  

Session 1, Thursday, September 14, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Introductions and Board Governance 

Intro to Strengthen ND, roles, and responsibilities on all levels, navigating the relationship of board and staff; how to build a better board; why good board members leave; and ethical requirements of board members.  Determining competitive executive compensation and meeting IRS Rules and taking deliberate steps to attract leadership needed to move the nonprofit forward.  

Session 2, Thursday, September 21, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Shared Leadership, Board Chair and Executive Director

Building the leadership team to increase board member engagement, clear definition of governance compared to operations, recognizing overlap, and creating a supportive environment by clearly defining individual accountability.  

Session 3, Thursday, September 28, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Nonprofit Finance Basics – Understanding Financial Reports

Determining the financial health of your nonprofit, managing risk by learning how to understand your organization’s balance sheet and financial indicators, using a nonprofit standard chart of accounts,  developing internal controls, creating a financial history, and developing reasonable projections.  

Session 4, Thursday, October 5, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Human Resources, Managing Volunteers and Staff,  Salary Administration 

Principles of HR management, recruiting well, hiring the best, onboarding checklists, setting measurable performance objectives, performance/behavior competencies, on and off boarding volunteers and employees.  Allocation of staff and volunteer time to fulfill your purpose and meet your mission.  Recognizing the value of volunteers.

Session 5, Thursday October 12, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Strategic Planning, Board Leadership and Staff/Volunteer Accountability, Action Planning 

Learning how to grow your stakeholders to include people outside of your organization for long-term and short-term visioning; the process of writing a strategic plan, understanding the terminology,  the importance of incorporating a three year plan,  executing annual plans, writing actionable cost centers, budgeting time and resources to support the plan, time allocation of staff and volunteers. 

Session 6, Thursday OCTOBER 19, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Building a Comprehensive Development Plan 101

See how to build a proposal using a case statement template and reviewing resources from area grant makers.  Discussion on donor relations and making the ask, hosting fundraising dinners versus friendraising events. Using digital giving resources  and embarking on capital campaigns.  Discussion on locating local, regional, and national grant makers – Strengthen ND Resources

Session 7, Thursday, October 26, 2023: 10 am to 12 pm

Proactive Risk Management and Crisis Planning 

Learn the difference between Risk Management and Crisis Planning.  How to take steps to put in place a clear crisis communications plan to protect your image in the community when a crisis occurs.  Discussion on Marketing your Mission on your website.  Our closing class will make time for open discussion.

*Session descriptions are tentative and subject to change based on the availability of speakers, and feedback from accepted cohort members.  The cost to attend is $300, which includes all materials.  All sessions are presented via ZOOM online opening at 9:45 and class begins at 10:00 am and concludes at 12:00 pm.