Nonprofit Management Certificate - Political Science

With the increased demand for sustainable funding streams, program metrics verifying outcomes, and new technical skills surrounding nonprofit management, community leaders have requested our help. Oakland University’s NPMC requires completion of 6 courses listed below. All six will be offered in rotation and students can begin the certificate instruction with the next available course. These are non-credit courses offered as 10 person minimum cohorts.

If you would like to receive information about this certificate program, including updates about schedules and registration, please complete our NPMC Interest Form.

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Pontiac Impact Scholarship is available for those whose work benefits the citizens of Pontiac. If you are interested, complete the Student Assessment Survey and scholarship application.

Course Descriptions

Management Best Practices in the Nonprofit Sector

Course provides an overview of the nonprofit sector, its diversity and impact on the economy, legal and ethical frameworks in which nonprofits exist, and basics of the nonprofit system of governance and trends in nonprofit governance. Weekly topics:

Nonprofit sector: history, diversity and impact
Legal frameworks and Governance
Ethical issues (what are the ethical issues and boundaries of nonprofits in the U.S.)
Leadership Models and Challenges
Advocacy, Lobbying, and Collaborations
Nonprofit challenges and how to cope with it
Summary of the best management practices in the nonprofit sector

Performance Metrics in Nonprofit Management

Course addresses issues in performance evaluation in nonprofit organizations, setting program goals and metrics, and managing evaluation with limited resources. Weekly topics:

Measuring, assessing and evaluating impact at organizational level
Measuring, assessing and evaluating impact at programmatic level
Developing measurable and feasible ways of success
Quantitative & qualitative data
Sustainable strategic planning
How to report performance
Trends and challenges in social impact measurement

Entrepreneurship & Fund Development

Course provides knowledge about innovative solutions to social problems, as well as about traditional and new forms of organized fundraising, such as individual giving, special events, understanding grant writing, managing annual giving campaigns, and developing planned giving initiatives. Weekly topics:

Fundraising and accountability
Innovations and entrepreneurial ideas in the sector
Understanding grant writing
Relationship building
Planned giving
Managing annual campaigns
Summary of innovative activities and fundraising in the nonprofit field

Communication, Marketing & Outreach for NP Managers

Course introduces the application of marketing theories in nonprofits, strategies in organizational communication and public relations, use of social media and other means of communications, stakeholder and donor management. Weekly topics:

Marketing/advertisement
Ethical use of communications and PR
Donor management
Community outreach
Effective Information/communication technology
“Big data” in advancing the causes of nonprofits
Trends, challenges and best practices in communication, marketing & outreach

Leadership & Human Resource Management in NPOs

Course addresses board’s roles and responsibilities, board structure and recruitment, ways to better lead nonprofit staff, such as attracting, recruiting, retaining, motivating, supervising employees and volunteers, and personnel regulation related to nonprofits at the state and federal level. Weekly topics:

Leadership within a nonprofit organization (BOD and CEO) and their roles and responsibilities
Employment Law
Staff management and development (attracting, recruiting, retaining, motivating, supervising)
Volunteer management and development (attracting, recruiting, retaining, motivating, supervising)
Cultural competency and diversity
Leadership challenges and moral expectations
Summary of the best personnel management practices in the nonprofit sector

Financial Management & Accountability for NP Managers

Course covers financial, fiscal and budgeting management topics integral to nonprofit management, transparency and stewardship of proper financial management, application of accounting principles, and proper reporting. Weekly topics:

Strategic financial planning
Financial reporting for nonprofits
Accounting for nonprofit managers
Budget development
Financial investment and savings
Managing of restricted and unrestricted funds, cash-flow problems
Overview of principles of proper financial management in nonprofits

Program Schedule & Pricing

Cost per course: $695
Course frequency: One 3-hour instructor-led "meeting session" per week, email communications and assignments.
Total course length: 7 weeks
Total contact hours: 21 hours

25% Prepayment discount on purchase of entire certificate for Michigan Nonprofit Association Members. Login to this page at MNA for discount code.

25% Prepayment discount of purchase of entire certificate for Association of Fundraising Professionals. CFRE education points approved for these courses.

Minimum 10 person cohort. (Class will begin as scheduled if 10 students have registered.)

Program Schedule:

Course Title: Management Best Practices in Nonprofit Sector
Instructor: Susan Harding
Course Dates: Sep 12, 2023 to Oct 24, 2023
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous

Course Title: Performance Metrics in Nonprofit Management
Instructor: Dr. Truman Hudson, Jr.
Course Dates: October 31 to December 12, 2023
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous

Course Title: Entrepreneurship and Fund Development
Instructor: Aimee Argel
Course Dates: January 10 - February 21, 2023
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous

Course Title: Communications, Marketing and Outreach for Nonprofit Managers
Instructor: Christian Marcillo
Course Dates: February 28 - April 11, 2023
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous

Course Title: Leadership & Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations
Instructor: Maureen Rovas
Course Dates: April 18 - June 6, 2023 (no class May 30)
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous

Course Title: Financial Management & Accountability for Nonprofit Managers
Instructor: David McGhee
Course Dates: June 13 - August 1, 2023 (One extra week as July 4th falls on a Tuesday)
Class Times: Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.
Class Format: 100% online synchronous