The Center for Community Research & Service (CCRS) has been
supporting Delaware nonprofits for over two decades by providing valuable and
needed training to nonprofit leaders so they may manage their organizations
efficiently and effectively. The 16-week Nonprofit Leadership
Certificate Program (NPLCP), which runs February through
May each year, is in its 30th year. In addition to receiving critical
content from accomplished trainers in the sector, participants build
on the course modules to assess their organizations and develop action
plans in the five strategic areas of their choice. The peer-to-peer
sharing and networking aspect of the course is a great benefit of the
face-to-face instruction model of the NPLCP.
Graduates of the program have gone on to lead organizations of every size
and in every sector of the nonprofit industry. Graduates of the course receive
a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, as well as 13.6 CEUs. This course
meets in Wilmington, Delaware, at the Community Service Building (100 West
10th Street).
February 11, 2021 through May 27, 2021
Meets every Thursday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Contact Signe Bell at (302) 573-4475 with questions
about the program or registration
Cost: $2595. Package pricing is available for organizations that send more than one person from their leadership team. To inquire about package pricing or to register multiple participants from your organization, please e-mail continuing-ed@udel.edu. Registration will be available in Fall 2020.
Course Curriculum
Organizational Assessment and Strategy (1 Day) This session focuses on the basic theories and functions of strategic planning and management, and introduces students to the planning/ monitoring/ evaluation cycle. Financial aspects of strategic planning and management are addressed.
Financial Management (1 Day) This session emphasizes the communication and interpretation of financial information for decision-making by managers, governing boards, granting agencies and donors. Techniques and principles of cash flow prediction, resource allocation, financial statement analysis, and budgeting and control are presented.
Strategic Technology Planning (1/2 Day) This session focuses on strategically planning for and managing technology, to help nonprofit managers make informed and intelligent technology investments, and use technology to accomplish the organization's mission.
Leadership and Innovation in Nonprofit Organizations (1 Day) This session focuses on three aspects of leadership: developing and working within a multi-cultural management team, understanding management styles, and conflict resolution. Attention and focus will also be paid to working on innovative tools and strategies to manage problems and issues more creatively.
Board Governance (1 Day) This module will address key elements to developing and maintaining an active and engaged board for your nonprofit.
Human Resources Management (2 Days) This session trains managers in selected aspects of personnel management, including interviewing and selection, employment law, classification and compensation, career development, and performance assessment.
Program Management and Decision-Making (1 Day) This session covers the dual requirements of nonprofit organization and their importance for decision making, planning and management.
Volunteer Management (1 Day) This session covers the design and management of successful volunteer programs.
Advocacy (1/2 Day) This session enhances nonprofit managers' understanding of the importance of advocacy and government relations in serving their mission, and equips them with the skills and knowledge to be effective in influencing public policy. It also addresses the use of technology as a tool for increased advocacy.
Marketing and Fundraising (2 Days) This session emphasizes marketing, public relations and fund raising. Approaches to developing systematic marketing and fund raising strategies are presented. Sources of nonprofit revenue, historical philanthropic patterns, and strategies to achieve a stable and diversified funding base are reviewed. Participants will also discuss the use of social networking as a marketing and fund development tool.
Communication (1/2 Day) This session teaches managers to recognize the personal and practical needs of both staff and clients and the importance of responding to those needs. Enhanced communication and effective communication with team members and others is emphasized.
Succession Planning (1/2 day) This session focuses on planning for leadership succession within nonprofit organizations.
Performance Measurement (1 Day) This session presents basic concepts and models for determining how efficiently and effectively the organization is performing. Strategies for incorporating the results of evaluation into program planning, program implementation, and justifying resource requirements are covered.
Course Project Participants are required to complete course assignments on each of the modules. This very valuable component of the NPLCP will assist managers and directors with implementing the knowledge and skills they have acquired as a result of the curriculum. Nonprofit professionals will work to identify key issue areas of their organization and/or program and develop, over the course of the 16 weeks, goals and an implementation plan for these key areas. Participants are required to present their plan as part of their final project on the final day of the course. The Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program is supported in part by the state of Delaware.
