2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Aug 14, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

SSJ 30296 - Nonprofit Management

This course is focused on the fundamental components of nonprofits, as well as the best practices and skills of successful nonprofit leaders. We will explore the sector and its leaders, examine what make nonprofits unique, and the scope and impact nonprofits have on the ever-changing needs of our communities (for example, the role nonprofits play in addressing racism and other inequities that were amplified during the pandemic). In addition to course materials, instruction and group discussion, students will receive real-time “what’s happening now” straight talk from our guest speakers who are well-known nonprofit leaders with years of expertise and plenty of stories to share.

Upon completion of this course, students will gain a greater understanding of the important role nonprofits play, as well as knowledge and development of essential skills to successfully lead a nonprofit, including:

Understanding nonprofit terminology, methods and trends,
Identifying the challenges, limitations, and opportunities of nonprofits and how these conditions impact communities, the economy and workforce.
Comprehension of fundamental principles and theories, including the theory of change,
Increased development of critical thinking skills and knowledge of basic strategic planning tools,
Knowledge of ethical standards and the importance of “walking the walk” as the leader,
Advocacy and media management in a technology-driven world,
Getting donors to invest (and not just donate) in your organization,
Managing and working alongside boards and volunteers to truly become partners,
The importance of building an equitable, culturally-diverse organization that is supportive of all team members, constituents, and stakeholders,
Building meaningful collaborations that will strengthen your organization,
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, by utilizing research and other methods to develop hypotheses and action plans,
Ability to work in a group setting to complete a joint project and effectively and concisely present the project to peers and professionals in the nonprofit field, and
Produce a professional final report/paper that utilizes the experiences and learning from the course.

Formerly IDCE 30296. Students who have already passed IDCE 30296 cannot receive credit for SSJ 30296 and should not take this course. Students who took IDCE 30298 Non-Profit Managment II are not eligible to take this course.

Anticipated Terms Offered: annually