Certificate for Nonprofit Leadership Development
Viterbo University’s Certificate for Nonprofit Leadership Development (CNLD) prepares you to become a better nonprofit partner as well as a more valuable contributor to the broader La Crosse community.
Through real-world case studies, small group discussions and interactive presentations, CNLD will help you approach your nonprofit duties with a better understanding of how nonprofits function and the issues they face in today’s complex environment. You will gain a deeper understanding of how effective nonprofits and their boards function, and will be able to incorporate broader strategic considerations into your nonprofit work. CNLD provides the tools and insight you will need to contribute at a higher level and spend your time providing forward-thinking leadership.
Who should attend?
- Nonprofit staff and administrators (most appropriate for those with 1-5 years of service)
- People interested in volunteering for nonprofit board service
- Newer board members looking to develop a broader understanding of board functions and responsibilities
- Church board members, staff, and administrators
- Experienced board members looking to sharpen their skills, recharge their commitment to board service, and connect with like-minded individuals who face common issues
Learning Outcomes
Participants who complete the full Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Development program will be armed with the knowledge they need to make well-reasoned decisions, comfortably navigate ever-complex legal and regulatory issues, and effectively carry out the duties of a fiduciary or trustee. Those who complete the program will be better suited for leadership roles. Click here to review the learning outcomes for each individual session.
Logistics
The CNLD is comprised of nine workshops and meets on the second Thursday of each month, September through May, from 8:00 am-12:00 pm on the Viterbo University Campus. Light refreshments are served from 8:00-8:30 am.
Curriculum & Facilitators
Sessions are led by nonprofit community experts and Viterbo faculty members. Each participant is also matched with a local nonprofit expert mentor who they will meet with periodically throughout the program to assist them with completion of a self-guided capstone project.
- Session 1: Legal Issues, Ethics and Values in the NPO Sector
- Session2: Leadership is Who You Are
- Session 3: NPO Boards and Governance
- Session 4: Financial Management
- Session 5: Fundraising and Revenue Development
- Session 6: Inclusion Strategies for NPOs
- Session 7: Organizational Development, Program Performance Measurement and Evaluation
- Session 8: Human Resources
- Session 9: Capstone Presentations & Celebration Banquet
In order to receive a Certificate of Completion, participants need to attend no less than seven of the first eight sessions, participate in a pre-program self-assessment exercise, and select and complete a self-guided capstone project under the guidance of a mentor.
Cost & Scholarships
Total cost for the full Certificate is $1,400, and can be paid one session at a time at $155/each. Some of the sessions will be available a la carte for $175/each. Recognizing nonprofit budgets and volunteers often don’t have room to support the costs of professional development, we are happy to announce partial to full scholarships will be available.
Scholarship applications are released each Spring. Recipients are notified of awards by the end of July. Preference for awards is given to people seeking the full Certificate who serve or are interested in serving nonprofit organizations serving historically excluded communities and can demonstrate financial need. Scholarships awarded for the 2023/2024 cohort totaled $16,850.
Registration
Registration for the 2023/2024 cohort is now closed, however individuals can still elect to participate in courses on an a la carte basis. Cohort participation is limited to 25 individuals; there is no limit for individual session registrations.
You can also find more information about the program on the Viterbo University website, including how to register.
Questions? Contact Alycia Larson at Viterbo at aclarson@viterbo.edu or by calling 608-796-3029.
