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Nonprofit Management
Certificate for Practitioners

a partnership of

Our 2024 program is underway! Information about the fall 2025 program will be updated in the spring.

If you would like more information about the program or other offerings through MWNN, please contact [email protected].

Scroll to the bottom to open the application.

News Article by Leighah Beausoleil – read more here

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 2024

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

Application opens: April 1, 2024

Updated deadline for submission:  Our applicant review will begin on 7/11 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.

Participants will be notified: August 1, 2024 (or before) (via e-mail)  

Tuition is due:  August 31, 2024

The first class:  September 6, 2024

The class will be capped at thirty (30) participants.  In-person sessions will be held at Edwards Church Education Center (Open Spirit), 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 of the instructor. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to discuss this further.

This application intends to learn about your background and goals as well as to have an understanding of the nonprofit you represent or one you hope to represent. All questions in this application are required.  Please answer each to the best of your ability.

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. Faculty members are practitioners in the field who bring lived experience as well as expertise.  

2024 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.

This program has been approved for three (3) graduate credits (for purchase) upon successful completion of the program and all assignments through Framingham State University. To learn more about how to apply for graduate-level credits, contact [email protected] (FSU Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education). Students wishing to access FSU credits must register with FSU within the first week of classes.  

Skill-based, practitioner-taught 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. In-person classes will be held in Framingham. 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.

Upon Completion

You will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities needed to progress in nonprofit leadership development.  You will be awarded a Certificate in Nonprofit Management for Practitioners through MetroWest Nonprofit Network (MWNN) and Framingham State University (FSU).

Program Details

Schedule Will Include

Twelve (12) half-days of interactive online and in-person training including instructor-led discussion on practical applications, panel discussions, independent work, and project group work. The confirmed 2024 dates for the twelve (12) sessions are:

Sep 6 In-person 9:00AM-1:00PM
Sep 13 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Sep 20 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Sep 27 In-person 9:00AM-1:00PM
Oct 4 NO CLASS
Oct 11 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Oct 18 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Oct 25 In-person 9:00AM-1:00PM
Nov 1 Zoom  8:30AM-12:30PM
Nov 8 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Nov 15 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Nov 22 Zoom 8:30AM-12:30PM
Nov 29 NO CLASS
Dec 6 In-person 9:00AM-1:00PM

  • In-person sessions will be held at Edwards Church Education Center (Open Spirit), 39 Edwards Street Framingham, Ma.

Classes will be conducted via ZOOM Video Conferencing and a laptop or computer (with a camera and microphone) will be required.

2024 Session Topics

Our 2024 planned schedule is below. Please note, a more detailed syllabus is available upon request.

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

Full syllabus available upon request

Tuition

2024 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. Full and partial scholarships will be prioritized for applicants from underrepresented communities and from small nonprofits (generally evaluated by budget and staff size). 2024 scholarship availability will be based on the final applicant pool and this year’s overall funding.

Applications for the 2024 certificate course will open April 1, 2024 and are requested by Monday, July 1, 2024. 

Our applicant review will begin on 7/10 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.

The class will be capped at 30 participants. Applicants will be notified by or on August 1, 2024.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to discuss your interest in the program.

If you have any difficulty accessing the application, please contact [email protected]

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!

Program Graduates

Marissa Carty, Mental Health Collaborative, Program Development & Marketing Manager

Catherine Maloy, Founder and Executive Director, Cocotree Kids

Jennifer E. Ollington, MetroWest Legal Services, Deputy Director 

Alana Mahoney, Consultant for the Massachusetts Animal Coalition

Lily Pearl, OUT MetroWest, Program and Education Manager

Alyndra Baham Canty, SPARK Kindness, Co-Leader MetroWest AntiBullying Coalition

Rebecca Slisz, Network for Social Justice, Program Co-Chair

Michele Adams, Executive Director, Performing Arts Center of MetroWest

Avigail Deking, SEIU Education and Support Fund, Operations Assistant

Monica Alexandra Nino, Resident Services Coordinator 

Sandra Montesino, Daniel’s Table, Inc.,  Executive Director

Carlos Vivar Wong, Job & Financial Clinic Director, Watch CDC 

Cecilia Reyes Alarcon, Asst Director of International Programs, Framingham State University

James B. Tresner, Bethany Hill Place, Executive Director

Jessalyn Dutra, Resident Service Manager, Pelham Learning Center

Kelly Drescher Johnson, Veterinary Chaplaincy Services, Founder/Executive Director

Elizabeth Nolan Greer, SPARK Kindness

Verona Pointdujour, Wayside youth & Family Network, Program Director 

Laurie Engdahl, Art For All, Inc.

Regina Wolf Fritz, Better Day Adult Social Day Program Inc., Executive Director

Lizzy O’Connor, South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), Manager of Institutional Giving

Doreen Kwakumey, CEO and Founder, Wings of Healing, Inc.

Sophia Bishop-Rice, Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries

Paula Spies, Manager, Annual Fund Giving & Development Operations, Epiphany School

Esther Rogers, Jane Doe Inc.

Sarah Kirby, Turning Point Recovery Center, Volunteer

Samantha Storey, Special Needs Advocacy Network

Crizzaly Avila, South Middlesex Opportunity Council

Scott Berman, Think Give

Dara Berry, Open Spirit: A Place of Hope, Health & Harmony

Sharon Bryant, Foster Care Essentials

Kimberly Cochran, Minute Man Arc.

Emily Coelho, Mass Chapter of The TEARS Foundation

Ryan Hand, Crossroads Continuum

Paola Justiniano, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network

Amy leone, Chris’ Corner Recovery Resource Center

Amanda Luft, Advocates

Rachele Manning, Recycle Health

Patricia McCarthy, The Learning Center for the Deaf

Cynthia Moore, Special Needs Advocacy Network

Bruna Moraes Leite, Wayside Youth and Family Support Network

Glory Mukendi, Victory Women of Vision

Brianna Owen, Rise Above Foundation

Brianna Polanco, WATCH CDC

Whitney Retallic, OUT MetroWest

Nathalya Samaniego Mendieta, Discovering Hidden Gems

Genilce Santa, MetroWest Care Connection

Al Spittler, First UU Church/DBA Creative Community Childcare

Jessica Stagg, Advocates

Rachel Vingsness, Natick Service Council

Susan Ferrero, Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham

Tamang Bishnu, Women Thriving

Cathleen Dinsmore, Hopkinton Freedom Team

Christian Espana, A Place to Turn

Christopher Chagnon, Minute Man Arc for Human Services

Daniela Thermora, Wayside Equity Center

Francesca Cerutti-Harris, Independent Association of Framingham State University

Jannelle Codianni, ATAC: Downtown Arts & Music

Jessica Apsler, Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc.

Jordy Melendez, Nativity School of Worcester

Kathryn Roy, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Kevin Lopez, Hoops and Homework

Kimberly Charles, Discovering Hidden Gems

Laura Mattei, Sudbury Valley Trustees

Leah Parker-Moldover, SPARK Kindness

Margie Rosario, Voices of the Community

Meghan Burke, MassHire

Raquel Riberti-Bill, ProGente Connections

Shantae Holmes, Multicultural Books Initiative

Sonia Shah, Sudbury Foundation

Stephanie Di Dio, Family Promise of Natick

Tina Powderly, Franklin Food Pantry

Jennifer Wiles, HEARTplay Program