(Evening) Working Board – Nonprofit Certificate Program 2025 Cohort

Nonprofit Working Boards have different challenges than those who have a paid director. This Cohort focuses on  compliance and sustainability for a small nonprofit organization. I provide four sessions that will begin at 6:30 pm via zoom Mondays and Wednesdays beginning February 10th, 2025, and ending February 19th, 2025. A Pre Class Survey is required and is due back to me by February 8th, so that before our first session,  I will have a good understanding of your nonprofit and what you hope to gain from participating in this cohort. 

Nancy Heskin-Rakness, Director of Nonprofit Education, Strengthen ND nancy@strengthennd.com  

Teaching Objectives

Everything that you do should be based upon your purpose statement and knowing who you are and what will be lost if your nonprofit no longer exists. We will discuss defining your target market and how you measure success. Participants will be asked to write out and be prepared to share a thirty second case statement of how their nonprofit makes a difference in the community. We will discuss roles, essential duties, and responsibilities of leading a nonprofit with no paid staff. You will receive turnkey documents and links to pertinent information that you can incorporate for ongoing sustainability of your nonprofit organization.

SESSION 1 Monday February 10th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Introductions and Nonprofit Board Governance 

Participants will review  their basic legal documents and how they are held accountable to meet IRS 501-(c) 3  rules and regulations and also as registered nonprofits in North Dakota. 

Nonprofit Leadership

Review of the roles and responsibilities of the board chair, individual board members, the board as a corporation. Board member recruitment and new board member onboarding techniques will also be shared.

SESSION 2 Wednesday,  February 12 , 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Nonprofit Finance Basics 

We will review the Uniform Chart of Accounts that nonprofits use and review several budget templates, financial reports, budget forecasting, and standardized budget accounts to use for income analysis. We can identify key indicators on a sample balance sheet and profit/loss statement for board training.

Putting the Plan Together, Purpose, People and Desired Outcomes

We will review a working template that identifies the following:  program planning, ownership, budgeting, and define desired measurable outcomes and accountability and then create a Volunteer Organizational Chart 

SESSION 3 Monday, February 17, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Marketing, Grant Writing, Developing a Fund Raising Plan, and Friend Raising 

This session will include an in depth review of your case statement, a method to bring funds and volunteers into your nonprofit and gathering essential documents in preparation for grant writing.

Building a Development Plan – Donors Rule!

We will review the following:  different methods of raising funds, online fund raising, grant writing rules, developing relationships with foundations, IRS receipting, and ND Tax Advantages for Legacy Gifts.   

SESSION 4 Wednesday, February 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Risk Management and Crisis Communications Planning 

You spend a tremendous amount of time building your image in the community, but are you prepared for a crisis?   What will you do when the media shows up at your door when a crisis occurs?

Risk Management

We will review different areas in your nonprofit where you can set up policies and procedures to manage risk. Resources to purchase General Liability and Director’s and Officer’s Insurance coverage in North Dakota.