Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations, Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies

Program Overview:

Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations

The program is designed for those seeking to advance their careers in nonprofit fundraising or administration; career-changers currently in the for-profit sector who are considering nonprofit sector employment; recent graduates of public policy or business administration degree programs; and institution board members and volunteers seeking a foundational understanding of fundraising and philanthropy.

Program Goals

Students who complete the program will be able to:

Identify the importance and development of the nonprofit vision and mission
Understand legal frameworks specific to nonprofits
Discuss the current issues and trends facing the management teams of non-profit organizations
Utilize strategic and procedural methods used by nonprofit institutions to raise major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations
Use enhanced skills associated with effective grant opportunity identification, preparation, writing and submission

Certificate Requirements

To be awarded a certificate of completion for the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations program, students must complete five courses.

Required Courses

The Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy
Nonprofit Management

Electives (choose 3)

Major Gift Fundraising from Individuals, Corporations & Foundations
Financial Management of Nonprofits
Legal Issues in Philanthropy
Grantsmanship for the Research Professional
Grantsmanship and Program Development

Core Courses:

PHIL_NP 301-0 Nonprofit Sector and Phil.
This course will examine the role of the nonprofit sector in the US and globally. Topics to be discussed include: 1) the importance and development of the nonprofit vision and mission; 2) programs that speak to the mission; 3) legal frameworks; 4) board and staff responsibilities; 5) effective board governance and; 6) fundraising and resource development. We will also examine the history of philanthropy and its role in the development of the nonprofit sector.

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PHIL_NP 310-0 Nonprofit Management

This course examines the current issues and trends facing the management teams of non-profit organizations. Specifically, K-12, institutions of higher education, community-based and charitable organizations will be used to discuss and explores these topics. Management topics will range from competition for limited fiscal resources, to articulating mission to diverse audiences, to managing talent. In this course we utilize Jim Collins "Good to Great" monograph as well as some recent case study research on various types of non-profits as the foundation for exploring these issues. By exploring organization frameworks, the distinctive attributes of nonprofit cultures, and an array of leadership styles, students will learn how nonprofit leaders can continue to address their ever-changing environments. Documentary footage, video clips, in class exercises, and panel discussions will support this learning.

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Elective Courses:

PHIL_NP 320-0 Financial Management
As an elective in the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations certificate program, this course is designed to provide specific and relevant information about the various aspects of financial management and reporting for a nonprofit organization. Participants will be exposed to the complexities of nonprofit organization financial statements, including the impacts of fund accounting, donor restrictions and other unique reporting issues. The internal control environment and its role in financial management and reporting will also be discussed, along with specific tax and audit issues affecting nonprofit organizations.

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PHIL_NP 330-0 Legal Issues in Philanthropy

This course on the law of not-for-profit corporations will take a detailed look at the organizational and operational aspects of a tax-exempt charitable organization in Illinois. Students will engage in the legal analysis of a hypothetical nonprofit corporation. State and federal tax laws and reporting requirements, revenue generating strategies (that will not jeopardize tax-exempt status), and management of human resources will be explored.

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PHIL_NP 378-0 Major Gift Fundraising

This course investigates the strategic and procedural methods used by nonprofit institutions to raise major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It also examines planned giving and capital campaigns.

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PHIL_NP 380-0 Grants for the Research Prof.

This executive education-style workshop course teaches and enhances skills associated with effective grant opportunity identification, preparation, writing, and submission to Researchers engaged in research as well as Research Administrators responsible for pursuing grant opportunities. Strategies for developing grant proposals that support both hypothesis-driven and need-based empirical research activities will be presented, with a focus on opportunities from government, corporate, and foundation sectors. The course is appropriate for Researchers at all levels (trainees through early/mid-career faculty) and Research Administrators conducting or supporting research in the biological, clinical, life sciences, medical and natural sciences; physical sciences and mathematics; social and behavioral sciences; engineering; law; and education. Topics covered in this two-day workshop course include: Grant Resources; Funding Agencies; Funding Opportunity Identification; Research Program Development; Pre- and Post-Award Compliance Primer; Proposal Planning; Proposal Components; Writing the Specific Aims and Narrative Sections; Budget Development; Review Process; Proposal Submission; and, Team Science.

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PHIL_NP 381-0 Grantsmanship & Program Dev

This course teaches and enhances skills associated with effective grant opportunity identification, preparation, writing, and submission to professionals and volunteers involved in program development and fundraising activities at nonprofit organizations. Individuals new to grant writing and those seeking to hone their skills, as well as grantmakers looking to improve their grantmaking, will benefit from this course. Strategies for developing a program and proposal that meet an agency's mission will be presented, with a focus on grant opportunities from foundation, corporate, and government sectors. Topics covered in this two-day workshop include: Program Development, Funding Agencies, Funding Opportunity Identification, Grant Resources, Proposal Planning, and Proposal Components, including Evaluation, Review Process, and proposal submission.

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Northwestern University SCHOOL OF CONTINUING STUDIES

Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations

Program Goals

Students who complete the program will be able to:

Certificate Requirements

Core Courses:

Elective Courses:

Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations

Professional Development Certificate Options