Certificate in Nonprofit Management

A collaborative project offered by Champlain College & Marlboro College

This intensive four-month series offers nonprofit leaders and staff the opportunity to gain and refine the essential skills needed to strengthen their organizations and achieve their missions. The program combines the best of face-to-face learning with ongoing discussion with colleagues and faculty via online learning portals. This program was originally designed by Woodbury College, in partnership with Marlboro College.

Topics Include:

Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector
Financial Management
Strategic Planning
Marketing
Fundraising
Conflict Resolution
Human Resources
Boards and Governance

I found the certificate course enormously helpful. I'm a newcomer to the nonprofit world, and every class brought immediately applicable information. I can't recommend it highly enough.
-- Rebecca Harris, Executive Director, Contoocook Valley Transportation Co.

Click here for more testimonials
Click here for workshop descriptions
Download brochure (PDF)

Program Details:

Marlboro College

Dates: March 19, 26; April 9, 23, 30, May 14, 21; June 4, 11,18
Location: The Howard Dean Center in Springfield, VT
Duration: 9am-4pm, 10 days of face-to-face training
Registration: $1,250

For more information, contact Betsy Gentile, 802-257-4888 or nonprofit@marlboro.edu.

Limited scholarships are available.

Burlington

Dates: March 12, 19; April 2, 16, 23; May 7, 14, 28; June 4, 11
Location: Champlain College campus, downtown Burlington sites
Duration: 9am-4 pm, 10 days of face-to-face training
Registration: $1,250

Class size is limited to 24 participants at each location.

Instructor Bios

Alice Estey has been a mediator in private practice since 1991, a mediation instructor at Woodbury College since 1994, and has served as director of the undergraduate Mediation & Conflict Management Certificate Program. She has a passion for teaching, especially teaching adults. In addition to the academic setting, Alice has designed numerous intensive trainings in conflict resolution, negotiation and communications skills for agencies and organizations, and she has been one of the lead trainers for the popular Basic Mediation Skills training offered by Woodbury College for the past 12 years. http://www.masteringmediation.net/about/alice-estey/

Christine Graham is a consultant with a wide range of nonprofit clients, with specialization in fund-raising and management issues. She is also the editor and publisher of Nonprofit Vermont Newsletter, established in 1986; and the Vermont Directory of Foundations 1986-2006; and the New Hampshire Directory of Foundations, since 2001. Additionally, she is the author of several booklets and books on fund-raising techniques and planning, and is a trainer and presenter of fund-raising and management workshops for nonprofits. http://www.cpgfundraising.com

Churchill Hindes applies the experience of years spent in health care and public administration to his job as president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden and Grand isle Counties. http://www.vermontguides.com/2004/03-mar/vna.html

Jim LeFevre is an organizational consultant who has worked for more than 20 years with clients from many sectors of the nonprofit spectrum. These clients include statewide land trusts and humanities councils, museums, health care organizations, international family planning organizations, and Planned Parenthood affiliates throughout the United States. http://www.lefevreassociates.com

Karen Saudek is a human resources consultant. She has served as vice president of human resources at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and Cabot Farmers Cooperative Creamery. Karen has spent the last two seasons managing the Vermont Mozart Festival.

Rebecca Brookes (Upstream Social Marketing, LLC) has over 25 years marketing experience. She now consults for nonprofit organizations domestically and internationally, working with clients like Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the New York State Tobacco Control Program, and Cicatelli Inc. She has taught marketing at the college level, peer reviewed marketing text books, and has written guides on applying social marketing to public health issues.

Workshop Descriptions

Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector

March 19 -Instructor Jim LeFevre

Overview of the Certificate Program
Receive skills to use online tool
Identify participant expectations, share with faculty
Explore unique characteristics of nonprofits
What makes for excellence in a nonprofit organization

Financial Management

May 21 & June 4 -Instructor Church Hindes

Becoming a more effective leader by understanding money and mission and reducing fears with math, money, finance, and budgets
Acquire clear understanding of the following financial tool - financial statements, indicators, internal reporting, cost allocations, audits, ethics, and budgets
Utilizing the interplay between finance, strategy, planning, budgets, and policy

Strategic Planning

May 14 - Instructor Jim LeFevre

Components that make a plan strategic
Crafting mission statements that matter
Digging deep into the present to build a strong foundation to leap into the future
Radical changes in strategic planning - focusing on ends not means
Discovering your organization's critical issues and imperatives to move forward

Marketing

March 26 - Instructor Rebecca Brookes

Key elements of marketing
Defining and describing target audience
Segmenting audiences
Understanding the value exchange
Designing a core marketing plan

Fundraising

April 9 & April 23 - Instructor Christine Graham

Understanding fundraising, including planning and implementation
Prioritizing methods, timing, and prospects
The essentials of writing grants, individual solicitations, planning giving
Understanding donor motivation
Why fundraising matters beyond the money

Conflict Resolution

June 11 - Instructor Alice Estey

Identify hurdles to good listening
Learn tools for better listening
Learn some tools to manage conflict well
Learn how to say "no" without damaging relationships
Understanding your own personal challenges to good communication

Human Resources

April 30 - Instructor Karen Saudek

Understanding the elements of a great workplace
Recruiting, interviewing, hiring new staff
Motivation and retention strategies
Importance of organizational communications
Performance management
Crucial employment laws

Boards and Governance

June 18 - Instructor Jim LeFevre

What have you already put into action?
The board of directors - the leadership partner
Pitfalls in the board function and how to keep them relevant
Dialoging with a true leader in our field
How do we make the certificate program better next time

Cancellation Policy: Certificate for Nonprofit Management

In the event there is insufficient enrollment in the seminar, you will be notified by mail and refunded your full registration fee.

Cancellations must be made by August 14, 2009 and are subject to a fee of 20% of the total registration cost.

After August 14, 2009, there will be no refunds for cancellations or no-shows of any kind.

When canceling, please provide written notification via email, including all attendee names, to graham@champlain.edu.

For more information, contact Betsy Gentile, 802-257-4888 or nonprofit@marlboro.edu.

Download brochure (PDF)

Student Testimonials

In order to be successful, a not-for-profit needs to be equipped, ready and competitive as any for-profit business. Understanding your resources, not only your profit/loss statements, but the importance of the complexion
of your board of directors, creating an effective database and investing significant time in fund raising and initiating a strategic long-term development plan help to secure this success.
-- Robert McBride, Director Rockingham Arts and Museum Project (RAMP)

This course was an incredible resource for me. The Lecturers were in the trenches thinkers , active practitioners of their subjects. The day was just long enough to really delve into the subject, allowed for assessment and some questioning. I would have appreciated more Q&A time, but felt assured I could email with more questions. I came away with a clearer recognition of my own specific abilities and strengths. I was encouraged to venture into those fields and envision more boldly. And, as a bonus, the course participants have maintained a strong network!
-- Kate Anderson, New England Youth Theater

First and foremost, the certificate course allowed me to become a better board member for my own organization. The academic background and credentials of the professors was truly first class. While the adjunct professors were absolutely wonderful, some of the real learning took place in and amongst the members of the class. The cross-leveling of information, networking and ideas was wonderful. This course is extremely worthwhile to attend and comes highly recommended for any nonprofit organization. It is especially tailored for executive directors and board members to attend together.
-- Frank Wetherby, Rescue, Inc.

I highly recommend it. I participated in 2008 and found it very helpful and networking with community partners was priceless.
-- Sandra L. Clark, Brattleboro Housing Authority

Marlboro College Graduate School