10102171Introduction to Nonprofit Management
Course Information
Description
Whether you are preparing for an entry level position working for a nonprofit organization, or you are currently employed by a nonprofit and seeking to hone your skills, this course is designed to provide an overview of best practices from starting a new nonprofit organization or ensuring that your agency is meeting the highest standards of nonprofit management principles.   The course covers forming a nonprofit organization, board responsibilities and recruitment, strategic planning, fundraising and development, marketing and public relations, financial management, staff and volunteer recruitment and retention, and program development. Emphasis is placed on practical application of sound practices that uniquely apply to nonprofits.   This course serves as the foundation course to the Nonprofit Management Certificate.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Accept the role of nonprofit organizations in society
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence by participating in class discussion
    Criteria
    you summarize and articulate the role of nonprofit organizations in society
    you describe the role of nonprofits in your community
    you explain the difference between nonprofit and for-profit organizations
    you describe the various types of nonprofit organizations

  2. Accept Needs Assessment Skills
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by selecting a nonprofit organization to work with throughout the semester
    by outlining a needs assessment study for the nonprofit
    by conducting a needs assessment interview with a class partner
    by participating in class discussion
    Criteria
    you either select an existing nonprofit for practical application, or you decide to create a new nonprofit
    you can describe the role of market studies in creating and sustaining a nonprofit
    you can describe the role of environmental scanning, benchmarking, surveys, visioning, group process, interviewing, focus groups and other needs assessment techniques

  3. Accept Documentation for Starting a Nonprofit.
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing an abstract, mission statement, vision, values and “elevator speech” for your nonprofit
    by preparing Articles of Incorporation and completing a State of Wisconsin incorporation application for your nonprofit
    by preparing an IRS form 1023 seeking tax exempt status for your nonprofit
    by preparing bylaws for your nonprofit
    by preparing Conflict of Interest, Record Retention and Whistleblower policies for your organization
    by preparing other governance policies for your organization
    by participating in class discussion
    by in-class discussion with guest Attorney presenter
    Criteria
    you can describe the different types of nonprofits and their organizational structures
    you can describe the process of creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
    you can describe the role of the Board of Directors and their legal obligations
    you select the organizational structure appropriate to your organization

  4. Accept a Board of Directors for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by drafting a Board Member Job Description and Board Member Agreement
    by preparing a Board Member Recruitment Strategy
    by completing an Agency Assessment
    by participating in class discussion
    Criteria
    you describe the role of the Board, Committees and Advisory structures in a nonprofit organization
    you describe the legal responsibilities of Board members
    you can recommend sources of information to resolve issues identified in the Agency Assessment

  5. Accept Strategic Planning
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by drafting a Strategic Planning process
    by completing a Strategic Planning Questionnaire
    by conducting an in-class interview with a fellow student
    by drafting sample goals, objectives and outcomes
    by participating in class discussion
    Criteria
    you describe the purpose of strategic planning
    you can describe various planning models, including the Accelerated Planning Model
    you can clearly explain and apply outcome objectives to the planning process
    you can describe the role of the Agency Assessment in creating a strategic plan
    you can describe the roles of the Board, staff and community stakeholders in preparing and executing the plan

  6. Accept Nonprofit Administrative Functions, Especially Management and Operations
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by preparing a table of organization for your nonprofit
    by participating in class discussion
    by listing at least 5 personal management “style” principles
    Criteria
    you describe different organizational models and structures
    you describe staff delegation, reporting, accountability and evaluation
    you describe how the strategic plan is implemented
    you explain the difference between leadership and management

  7. Accept Financial Management Decisions and Plans for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by in-class discussion with guest Accounting Executive presenter
    by preparing an operating budget for your organization
    by preparing a balance sheet and profit & loss format for your organization
    Criteria
    you can describe the fiduciary responsibilities of nonprofit managers and the Board
    you recognize potential risks in managing the finances of a nonprofit

  8. Accept Insurance and Risk Management Needs for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by in-class discussion with guest Insurance presenter
    by preparing a risk assessment for your organization
    by preparing a crisis and emergency plan for your organization
    Criteria
    you can communicate potential risks and exposures of your organization
    you can articulate the forms of insurance your organization requires

  9. Accept a Human Resources Plan for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by in-class discussion with guest Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator presenters
    by preparation of a staff policies and procedures manual
    by preparation of a volunteer policy and handbook
    by preparation of a job description and performance standards for an Executive Director
    by describing your management style
    Criteria
    you can describe staffing and volunteer requirements needed to accomplish the goals and objectives of your organization
    you describe how to apply staff and volunteer policies and procedures
    you describe whistleblower requirements and complaint procedures

  10. Accept Program, Event Management, and Partnerships for Nonprofits
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by in-class discussion with guest Program and Event Coordinator presenter
    by preparing a sample project or program plan for your organization
    Criteria
    you can express the complexities of creating a project or special event
    you can describe the steps in program and event planning and management
    you can identify potential program and event partnerships

  11. Accept Fundraising and Development Opportunities for Nonprofits
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by preparing a Development Plan for your organization
    by in-class discussion with guest Development Professional presenters
    by conducting a mock “ask” interview with a classmate
    Criteria
    you visit the Grants Information Center at the University of Wisconsin Library
    you can explain the cycle of development
    you explain the uses of various development tools and resources
    you can list the items typically included in a presentation portfolio

  12. Accept a Marketing and Public Information Plan for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by preparing a Marketing and Public Information strategy for your organization
    by developing a “brand” for your organization
    by in-class discussion with a guest Marketing presenter
    Criteria
    you can explain the difference between “sales” and “marketing”
    you can identify various media and public information outlets in the community and how to relate to them

  13. Develop an Assessment/Evaluation Plan for a Nonprofit
    Assessment Strategies
    You will demonstrate your competence:
    by adapting the Agency Assessment to your organization
    by assembling an agency evaluation plan for your organization
    by in-class discussion with a guest Evaluation presenter
    Criteria
    you can describe the different forms techniques of evaluation
    you explain how to determine criteria for evaluating agency effectiveness