Nonprofit Management Certificate for Practitioners

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Join us on May 13th to learn more about the 2026 program!

MWNN’s Nonprofit Management Certificate Program is an intensive 12 week, hybrid, tuition-based program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and lead mission-driven organizations. This is a practitioner-taught course that includes lectures, interactive work and panel discussions. MWNN is committed to strengthening and diversifying the leadership of our region. We welcome applicants who reflect the rich diversity of our communities, including aspiring and emerging leaders, mid-level nonprofit professionals, and individuals seeking to transition into the nonprofit sector.

General Information for 2026

Thank you for your interest in the Certificate in Nonprofit Management for Practitioners course! General information is below, but please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

May 1	Applications open
July 10	Our applicant review will begin (we will continue to accept submissions as program capacity allows).
August 1	Applicants will be notified (on or before via email)
August 31	Tuition is due
September 18	First Class (full schedule to be finalized by 5/1)

EXPERT INSTRUCTION: You will learn from 20+ local nonprofit and community leaders. They bring both deep expertise and lived experience in the nonprofit sector. Participants gain practical, real-world insights into nonprofit management.

COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM: Sessions cover Nonprofit Fundamentals, Managing Organizations and People, Diversity and Equity, Finances, Fundraising, Communication, Marketing, Data, Evaluation, and more. The course syllabus is available upon request.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: This course is designed for individuals who want to further their knowledge and skills as leaders in the nonprofit sector. It is ideal for emerging leaders, mid-level managers, career changers, and experienced leaders who want to learn more, including those with varied professional and cultural experiences seeking to grow their impact in the sector.

PREREQUISITES: Ideally participants should hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education but we take into account work and life experience as part of the review process.

COURSE FORMAT: Twelve classes: eight virtual sessions via Zoom and four in-person sessions. All course materials available through a shared drive. In-person sessions are typically held at the Open Spirit Conference Center at 39 Edwards St., Framingham, MA 01701.

2025 TUITION: $1,925 | Scholarship support may be available for qualified candidates.

FALL DATES: Program meets on Fridays. Virtual sessions go from approximately 8:30am to 12:30pm and the in-person classes are from 9am to 1pm. Fall 2026 classes are schedule to start Friday, September 18 and conclude Friday, December 11 (please note these dates will be finalized by May 1st).

APPLY SOON (applications on 5/1) —Class size is limited to 30 participants, large enough to expand your network but small enough to receive personalized support and guidance. While applications submitted after 7/10 may be considered if space allows, we strongly encourage early submissions, and scholarship support will be prioritized for applications received by 7/10.

We’d love to tell you more. Please reach out to our MWNN staff with questions or to discuss how the program aligns with your professional goals. Contact us at [email protected] or call 508-377-3998.

Program Details

Course Information

Session Schedule

Tuition

Application

Sponsorship

We welcome the opportunity to connect and explore ways your organization can partner with MWNN. Your support is essential to the success of the MetroWest Nonprofit Network Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. Sponsors help ensure that talented nonprofit leaders—especially those whose identities and experiences reflect the diversity of the communities we serve—can participate, even if tuition would otherwise be a barrier. By contributing, you directly strengthen the region’s nonprofit sector and help build a more equitable and resilient leadership pipeline.

Please reach out to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and the impact your support can make — you can email [email protected] or call 508-377-3998.

Learn More about Sponsorship

Make a Donation

Program Graduates

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

Learn More

To learn more about the program, please reach out or email with any questions.

Sept 12	Welcome and Leadership Fundamentals (in-person)
Sept 19	Legal Fundamentals and Volunteer Fundamentals
Sept 26	Mission, Vision and Strategic Planning
Oct 3	Creating Equitable and Inclusive Organizations (in-person)
Oct 10	Data and Evaluation
Oct 17	Community Engagement, Program Development, and Mediation
Oct 24	Governance Fundamentals and Leadership Roles
Oct 31	Fundraising and Development
Nov 7	Nonprofit Budget and Finance (in-person)
Nov 14	Marketing and Communications
Nov 21	Self Management and Leadership
Dec 5	Final Project Presentation and Graduation (in-person)