Acquiring a certificate in nonprofit management can be very helpful in your career, service to your people, and the relationship you build. In fact, you can even earn a living serving in a nonprofit organization, I’m talking about earning $70,000 and above.
There is a high need for nonprofit management careers, especially in the United States. Walden University reported that “Nonprofit employees are the country’s third-largest workforce sector. In 2017, the nonprofit sector employed 12,488,563 individuals—with more jobs than manufacturing, construction, finance, and insurance. Only the retail trade and accommodation and food service sectors employed more.”
You see how the number has increased over the years and it’ll continue to increase. Another report from EXPLORE NORTHEASTERN said that “it often comes as a surprise that the sector has the third-largest payroll in the United States economy. In the U.S., more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations fuel 12.3 million jobs.”
A certificate in nonprofit management won’t just help you to serve your country and the world at large but you can also get constant cash doing so.
Do you also know another certificate worth getting, and that can bring in that money? Business Certificates. In fact, research shows that those that have business experience will do a lot better in nonprofit management.
Also, most of us have received some benefits from amazing people serving in a nonprofit organization.
Whether it’s those serving in the hospital, red cross, church, museum, public charities, public schools, local events, etc. Sometimes, these people are not paid, especially if it’s a small organization. Hospitality management courses have even made some of these volunteers serve better, and love what they are doing the most.
You and I would agree that their service to humanity, to us, has been helpful, sometimes their service has made us believe in humanity again or more. Before we show you how to obtain a certificate in nonprofit management, let’s explain what Nonprofit Management is.
What is nonprofit management?
Nonprofit management is the process of making sure the organization you’re serving meets necessary responsibilities, and you can raise and manage funds for these responsibilities. For Instance, if the core value of the organization is to help and improve the environment, it is the responsibility of the manager to make sure this core value is carried out by everyone, especially those under his/her care.
Managing a nonprofit organization means you have to restructure to a new set of rules just like a CEO in a for-profit organization that has to think about how to grow his business. If something or an update is needed in the organization, it’s the responsibility of the nonprofit manager to change it.
A certificate in nonprofit management teaches you to structure a successful board meeting, and even create a good way to raise funds. He will decide together with the brainstorming of his team if hire a copywriter to create persuasive writing to request funds.
Or if to use a letterhead website to create a good letterhead that can be sent to their recipient. A certificate in nonprofit management is designed to help you learn how to manage the funds received and how to use them beneficially for the organization.
A nonprofit manager has to make sure that whatever they do meets the government’s regulations. And he and his team have to inspire volunteers and workers to maintain the core value of the organization and be inspired to perform activities for this organization.
Why do I need a certificate in nonprofit management?
Here are some of the reasons you need a certificate in nonprofit management.
Future Job Growth
According to Norwich University, “The BLS projects a 9% job growth rate from 2019 to 2029 in these related fields. This is higher than the projected 4% average growth rate for overall U.S. employment during the same time.”
From this statistic, you’ll see that there is a need for people holding a certificate in nonprofit management, or at best, a degree. So you need to start now to start volunteering for nonprofit organizations where you can be able to do something you love and also be paid for doing it.
So there is no better way to pursue this nonprofit organization career if not by getting a certificate in nonprofit management.
Successful Nonprofit
By acquiring a certificate in nonprofit management you’ll be able to run a nonprofit organization. Because the courses will teach you and also give you some experience that will be needed to run a nonprofit whether as a volunteer or as a worker.
Even though the major aim of nonprofit organizations is not to make money, the structure is similar to business structure. So, there is the CEO, the Advocacy Director, the COO, and the rest of them, just like in a business setting.
When you’re a certified nonprofit manager, you’ll be considered to be given a higher role in nonprofit organizations.
Networking
Networking is one of the core skills taught in any leadership course, whether online or offline. Networking is one of the major reasons behind “serving humanity” that most people choose to get a certificate in nonprofit management.
By networking with so many people in the organization and those you’re serving. You stand a chance of being referred to a bigger organization whether in the nonprofit or for-profit world.
Further, through the certificate in nonprofit management, you are opportune to meet some great students and alumni that you can network with. And, these students and alumni are likely to refer you for a higher position in an organization that they are aware of.
Improve your Career
Even if you don’t want to work in a non-profit organization, with a certificate in nonprofit management you can increase your salary. Forbes showed that those that received a certificate in nonprofit management had an estimated 23% – 21% increase in salary.
Improve Your Knowledge & Skill
If you’re already working in a nonprofit organization you get a certificate in nonprofit management to improve in a particular area. And, you can participate in these courses from your office or home or even in the toilet, most of them are at your convenience.
Requirements to gain a certificate in nonprofit management
To earn a certificate in nonprofit management you have to observe the following.
Complete your Course
There are several courses each school provides, some programs provide as few as 4 courses while some other schools require you to finish 15 credit hours courses.
Perform well
You might be required to write an assessment whenever any course finishes and then you’ll be given the final exam where your overall performance will be accessed. Or you’ll be given only one exam in the whole program, it all depends on the school and program you chose.
Either way, a certificate in nonprofit management will require you to meet a minimum grade.
Experiential Requirement
You’ll also be required to run some team projects in this certificate in nonprofit management course, where your teamwork, and experience are tested. You might even be sent to a reputable nonprofit organization to work and gather experience, or you’ll be sent for an offline or online internship.
Top schools offering certificates in nonprofit management
Here is the list of top schools that offer certificates in nonprofit management.
- American University
- Texas A&M University of Government and Public Service
- USC Price
- The University of Redlands
- University of Pacific
- Temple University
- Cal State East Bay
1. American University
AU has a special faculty for certificates in nonprofit management, known as the School of Public Affairs. They are very meticulous to impact quality academics for their students.
Even if you want to have a master’s degree in nonprofit management, AU also got your back. Your learning will be coming from various fields including public affairs, business, and communication fields.
Because these are the most essential classes you need to become a successful nonprofit manager. You can also take optional classes in international service, arts, and science.
To be awarded a certificate in nonprofit management by the American University you have to have;
- 15 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 9 credit hours at or above the 600-level.
- 12 Credit hours in finance and accounting, management and leadership, and strategic communication
- 6 more credits were chosen in consultation with their advisor
- At least a C grade in each certificate course
- Grades lower than C are not accepted for the fulfillment of requirements, although they will be included in the GPA calculation.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 in certificate courses to be awarded the certificate.
- International students are required to enroll in 9 credit hours each semester, except for summer.
2. Texas A&M University of Government and Public Service
This University offers both online and on-campus certificates in nonprofit management. U.S. NEWS listed them as one of the best public affairs: nonprofit management schools in 2022.
You’ll be learning about fundraising, philanthropy, fiscal management, performance management, leadership, health, human services, and many more.
Their online certificate in nonprofit management course runs for 15 weeks and it’s not a self-paced class. You need to download their school calendar to know when their next semester will begin.
You can also go through their scholarship or financial aid platform to know if you’re eligible, for financial help or scholarship.
3. USC Price
USC Price will equip you with the skill you need to become a better nonprofit manager. Their certificate in nonprofit management consists of 16 units and you have to choose an extra 4 elective units.
Whichever elective course you choose must be approved by the faculty advisor for a certificate in nonprofit management.
4. The University of Redlands
This certificate in nonprofit management has 5 courses with 15 units and the University of Redlands has produced lots of reputable graduates that have gone ahead to lead the nonprofit organization.
You’ll be focusing on major disciplines to lead proficiently in these 5 courses. Such as; financial management, personnel, and team management, leadership styles, fundraising and development, communication, and program analysis.
This certificate in nonprofit management is an online course that runs from 6 to 8 weeks and it costs $425 per credit.
5. University of Pacific
This is another certificate in nonprofit management that is offered online. You’ll be introduced to major nonprofit management issues such as; fundraising, how to develop the board and volunteer and to successfully draft a budget.
Further, you’ll learn to read financial statements and to effectively lead your team, workers, and volunteers. You’ll be getting exercises that you can interact with other students, you’ll also have access to videos, materials, and assessments.
The certificate in nonprofit management course runs for 6 months and you can start anytime.
6. Temple University
This certificate in nonprofit management is a 12-credit hour program that completely takes place online. You’ll be learning the best ways to raise funds even how to consider donor types.
Also, you’ll learn to manage finances and to use some assessment tools to measure outcomes and evaluate effectiveness.
7. Cal State East Bay
Cal State East Bay will be teaching you how to use some important tools for nonprofit management. You’ll also learn board development, financial management, fundraising, etc.
Cal State East Bay is one of the Universities that was listed on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL). And was selected as Best in the West” college selection by The Princeton Review.
Best nonprofit management certificate programs
Here is the list of nonprofit management certificate programs
- University of Maryland Nonprofit Management Certification
- The Impact Foundry – Certificate in Nonprofit Management
- United Way of Smith County Certificate in Nonprofit Management
- Lagos Business School Nonprofit Management Certification
- Molly College – Nonprofit Management Certificate Program
- Graduate Certificate Programs in Nonprofit Management – Online and Campus
1. University of Maryland Nonprofit Management Certification
This certificate in nonprofit management is a great program if you don’t have the time or maybe the finances to complete a master’s degree in nonprofit management. It is a 4-course program that focuses on preparing students for fundraising, management, strategy, and finances.
Their approach is experimental, whereby you can be able to take whatever you learn today and apply it exactly tomorrow which will be effective in your nonprofit sector. The program can either be taken from the campus or the comfort of your home and it runs for approximately one year.
2. The Impact Foundry – Certificate in Nonprofit Management
This online certificate in nonprofit management will teach you about reading financial statements, raising funds, marketing, leadership, etc. The course has lots of academic credits and runs for a whole year, it’s also self-paced and there are lots of videos and selected readings to help you become proficient in nonprofit management.
The program cost $699, and you don’t need to purchase any additional material to participate in this program.
3. United Way of Smith County Certificate in Nonprofit Management
This certificate in nonprofit management takes 56 hours of learning to complete. And, the cause is for professionals that are already in a non-profit organization field.
You will need to pay $100 per session or $700 for the whole 7 sessions. Further, you need to submit it as soon as possible because the class size is limited to 20 people.
4. Lagos Business School Nonprofit Management Certification
This certificate in nonprofit management program runs for 8 weeks, they are very interactive and practical in their teaching. The program will be bringing some guest instructors that will come and emphasize some specific fields in nonprofit management.
The course will be teaching you how to define strong mission statements and manage operational and financial controls. You will also learn to raise funds and improve your company’s revenue, which will, of course, help them to continue to improve their products and services to the community.
5. Molly College – Nonprofit Management Certificate Program
The certificate in nonprofit management program is a 6-course management program that will enable you to become a better professional in the nonprofit sector. This course is for professionals working in the nonprofit sector or professionals who would love to volunteer or work in a nonprofit organization.
Also, students with no experience in non-profit organizations are welcomed as long as they have a passion for nonprofit careers.
6. Graduate Certificate Programs in Nonprofit Management – Online and Campus
This certificate in nonprofit management program is for those college students that don’t want to enroll in a full master’s program. It allows you to earn master’s level in nonprofit management credits from a reliable College.
This course can be completed within a year or less. And, it will be teaching you the management of nonprofit organizations, leadership and communication engagement, and how to raise funds.
There are also many other sections in this certificate in nonprofit management.
Now let’s get down to the main business of the day, how to obtain this certificate in nonprofit management.
Steps to Obtain a certificate in nonprofit management
I’ll be showing you 5 simple steps to get any certificate in nonprofit management of your choice.
Step 1: Choose a Nonprofit Management Certification
It doesn’t get simpler than that, because we’ve listed the best certifications offered in colleges and certificates in nonprofit management programs. You can select one that suits you and your manner of learning.
If you have the time and have completed a college degree, you can select the top schools that offer a certificate in nonprofit management and enroll in it, as long as you can pay for the fees. Even if you haven’t completed your degree, or you’re already working in a nonprofit organization, and don’t have time to go back to do your master’s.
You can enroll in one of the online certificates in nonprofit management programs which are mostly self-paced, it all depends on you.
Step 2: Access the Course
When you’ve chosen a program or school that meets your needs, you can go ahead and review the courses to make sure what you want to learn is what they are teaching. “No two programs are the same,” which means, that what is not in “A” might be in “B.”
So if what you need is not in a particular school or certificate in a nonprofit management program, feel free to consider another option from this list. Moreover, you should look out for deadlines and resumption dates, because some courses run on a certain academic calendar.
Step 3: Pay
Once you’re done going through the course and it meets all or most of your needs, if it also meets your budget, you should go ahead and pay for it, no need to procrastinate.
Step 4: Start your Class
Ok, now is the time to start your certificate in nonprofit management class. If you enrolled in an in-college program you will need to visit the university physically to start the class.
If you choose the online certificate program, then you can start as soon as possible.
Step 5: Complete the Courses and Units
Some courses will require you to spend some months or even a year to finish while other programs might require you to complete them within a few weeks. Either way, you will need to follow through by watching some videos and reading some materials.
Finally, you need to take the course assessments which will determine your grade and you will be awarded your certificate.
Certificate in Nonprofit Management – FAQs
Can I obtain a nonprofit management certificate online?
Yes, you can obtain a nonprofit management certificate online and we listed some of the programs that can help you with that. Even some colleges offer 100% online classes in nonprofit management.
Is a certificate in nonprofit management worth it?
It is worth it. As we mentioned earlier, about the demand for nonprofit management, and the mouth-watering salary they earn.
Is there any free nonprofit management certificate?
Yes, there are some free certificates in nonprofit management offered by;
- Coursera.org
- Classcentral.com
- Nonprofitready.org
- Courses.philanthropyu.org
- Managementhelp.org