Nonprofit Management Certificate for Practitioners

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Our 2024 program is complete! The application process for 2025 will open on May 1st! If you would like more information on the Certificate program or other offerings through MWNN, please contact [email protected].

Feedback from our past graduates

“I have now participated in a number of professional development opportunities that covered a wide range of aspects of nonprofit management. They have been valuable and have served me well. This course went more in-depth into some of those areas than others and reinforced for me what I have known for some time: I am a nonprofit generalist. I know enough about many things, but am not really an expert in any one thing. Particularly as the ED of a small org, you have to know (or you learn quickly!) a bit about all aspects of organizational management.”

“This class has provided me with so many opportunities and has opened my eyes and mind to possibilities.”

“I loved it! I had no idea how deep the topics would go and the entire course provoked a lot of thought – especially around using the logic model and talking about diversity.”

“One of the best professional development courses I’ve taken so far! I would recommend it to anyone working in the nonprofit sector.”

General Information for 2025

Thank you for your interest in applying for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management for Practitioners course.

Application opens: May 1, 2025

July 11, 2025: Our applicant review will begin and we will continue to accept submissions as program capacity allows. Please note, we encourage you to submit as soon as possible if you are requesting scholarship consideration as we will allocate scholarships in our initial review.

August 1, 2025: Applicants will be notified (on or before via email)

August 31, 2025: Tuition is due

September 12, 2025: First class

The class will be capped at thirty (30) participants. In-person sessions will be held at the Open Spirit Center on the grounds of Edwards Church at 39 Edwards St. Framingham, MA 01701.

Participants must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted upon prior approval. This course is designed for individuals who are interested in furthering their knowledge and skills as leaders in the nonprofit sector. MWNN is committed to supporting the professional development of next-generation leaders, those with diverse life experiences and intersectional identities, mid-level nonprofit managers aspiring to leadership positions, and those seeking to change careers and enter the nonprofit sector.

2025 tuition for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management for Practitioners is $1,925.00. Partial or full scholarships may be available for qualified candidates. The course consists of twelve (12) sessions and forty-five (45) classroom hours.

Technical requirements: This course will use Zoom (please be sure to update your version if necessary) and participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone to participate. This course will also use Google drive and course materials will be uploaded to a shared drive for participant access. If you do not currently have a gmail account (or if your current account is restricted by work security settings) you may need to create a new gmail account to access the class content.

The instructors are expert practitioners who bring both deep expertise and lived experience in the nonprofit sector. Their exceptional knowledge and skillset ensure that participants gain practical, real-world insights into nonprofit management. Sessions will focus on Nonprofit Fundamentals, Managing Organizations and People, Diversity and Equity, Finances, Fundraising, Communication, Marketing, Data, Evaluation, and more. The class format will include lectures, interactive group work, panel presentations, and class discussions. The course syllabus is available upon request.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Please contact [email protected] or call 508-377-3998. Thank you. We look forward to connecting about your interest in this program!

This Course is Designed For

Individuals with diverse identities and lived experience who are interested in furthering their knowledge and skills as nonprofit leaders, aspiring and emerging leaders, mid-level nonprofit managers, and individuals seeking to change careers and enter the nonprofit sector. MWNN is committed to supporting the professional development of next-generation leaders and is particularly interested in providing pathways for emerging leaders of color, mid-level nonprofit managers, and those who are seeking to change careers and enter the nonprofit sector. Faculty members are practitioners in the field who bring lived experience as well as expertise. Syllabus is available upon request.

Program Details

Course Information

Session Topics

Tuition

Application

Sponsorship

Please consider supporting the MetroWest Nonprofit Network Certificate Sponsorship program. MWNN is committed to encouraging applications from those whose identities and lived experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Your contribution will make it possible for MWNN to offer full and partial sponsorships to candidates who may experience tuition as a barrier to participation. Thank you!

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Program Graduates

2024

2023

2022

2021

PRIOR YEAR Sept 6	Leadership Fundamentals
Sept 13	Legal Fundamentals and Volunteer Fundamentals
Sept 20	Mission, Vision and Strategic Planning
Sept 27	Creating Equitable and Inclusive Organizations
Oct 11	Governance Fundamentals and Leadership Roles
Oct 18	Community Engagement, Program Development and Mediation
Oct 25	Nonprofit Budget and Finance
Nov 1	Fundraising and Development
Nov 8	Data and Evaluation
Nov 15	Marketing and Communications
Nov 22	Self Management and Leadership Styles
Dec 6	Final Project Presentation and Graduation