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Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership and Strategy

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Foundations of Nonprofit Leadership and Strategy

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

8 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Analyze core nonprofit leadership strategies and organizational management practices.

  • Develop strategic plans and partnership approaches for nonprofit growth and sustainability.

  • Evaluate nonprofit legal, staffing, diversity, and risk management considerations.

Details to know

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Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

11 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Nonprofit Management 101 Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 11 modules in this course

Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in driving social impact, community development, and advocacy efforts across diverse sectors. This course explores the foundational principles of nonprofit leadership and strategy, helping learners understand how effective organizations are built, managed, and sustained in today’s evolving nonprofit landscape.

Learners will develop practical knowledge in strategic planning, leadership development, partnership building, talent management, risk management, and nonprofit governance. Through real-world examples and actionable frameworks, the course equips participants with the skills needed to strengthen organizational effectiveness and support long-term mission success. What sets this course apart is its balance of strategic theory and practical nonprofit applications. Learners will engage with realistic scenarios and industry best practices that demonstrate how nonprofit leaders navigate operational, legal, and organizational challenges while creating meaningful social impact. This course is ideal for aspiring nonprofit leaders, nonprofit professionals, program managers, social impact practitioners, and individuals interested in mission-driven organizations. No prior nonprofit management experience is required, although a general interest in leadership and organizational development will be beneficial. This course is part one of a three-course Specialization designed to provide a comprehensive learning pathway in this subject area. While it delivers standalone value and practical skills, learners seeking a more integrated and in-depth progression may benefit from completing the full Specialization. From Nonprofit Management 101 Copyright Β© 2019 by Darian Rodriguez Heyman. All rights reserved. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. Published simultaneously in Canada. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This module explores the origins, values, and economic significance of the nonprofit sector in the United States, highlighting its evolution and current trends. Learners will gain insight into the sector's societal impact, its role in public policy, and its global context. The module also examines key historical movements and compares the US nonprofit landscape to those in other countries.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
6 readingsβ€’Total 35 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • Nonprofits in the United States Todayβ€’5 minutes
  • Economic Impactβ€’6 minutes
  • Progressives and Philanthropistsβ€’6 minutes
  • Not Just a US Phenomenonβ€’8 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Nonprofit Sector in the United Statesβ€’16 minutes

This module guides learners through the process of self-assessment, skill development, and strategic networking to advance their careers in the nonprofit sector. Participants will explore how to align personal strengths with professional opportunities and build connections that foster long-term growth. Practical strategies and resources are provided to support meaningful leadership development.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 29 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • Part I: Know Who You Areβ€’7 minutes
  • Part II: Know Others (AKA "The Power of Networks")β€’13 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Navigating Professional Growth in Nonprofit Workβ€’16 minutes

This module guides learners through the essentials of building effective social movements, focusing on balancing visionary goals with practical strategies for sustainable growth. Learners will explore the importance of strategic planning, resource allocation, and team development, as well as the critical roles of credibility, authenticity, and collaboration in movement success.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
3 readingsβ€’Total 14 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • Build the Right Teamβ€’4 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Strategies for Effective Social Movement Developmentβ€’16 minutes

This module explores the unique demands of nonprofit leadership, focusing on the essential skills and competencies required to navigate financial and organizational challenges. Learners will discover actionable strategies for building effective teams and leading with impact in mission-driven organizations.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
3 readingsβ€’Total 22 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • Critical Skills and Competenciesβ€’14 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Executive Leadership in Nonprofit Organizationsβ€’16 minutes

This module guides learners through the essentials of strategic planning for nonprofits, emphasizing the importance of external input, measurable outcomes, and financial discipline. Participants will discover how to assess their environment, align resources, and use organizational dashboards to track progress toward their mission.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 22 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’5 minutes
  • Critical Skills and Competencies: Rigorously Seek External Input to Understand Your Environmentβ€’6 minutes
  • Make the Numbers Workβ€’4 minutes
  • The Nonprofit Dashboardβ€’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizationsβ€’16 minutes

This module explores various models of nonprofit collaboration, guiding learners through assessing organizational readiness and developing effective partnership strategies. Participants will gain insights into the skills required for successful alliances and the complexities of strategic restructuring to maximize impact.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 27 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’5 minutes
  • Are You Ready for a Partnership?β€’8 minutes
  • Five Things We Wish We Had Knownβ€’8 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’6 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Nonprofit Collaboration and Strategic Alliancesβ€’16 minutes

This module explores the unique risks faced by nonprofit organizations and introduces effective strategies for risk mitigation, including the selection and management of insurance coverages. Learners will gain practical knowledge on evaluating insurance needs, working with brokers, and establishing ongoing risk review processes to support organizational resilience.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 21 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • Insurance Coverages and Limitsβ€’4 minutes
  • Purchasing Insuranceβ€’6 minutes
  • Periodically Review Risks, Risk Control Techniques, and Insurance Coveragesβ€’5 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Risk Management and Insurance Fundamentalsβ€’16 minutes

This module explores strategic approaches to human capital management in the nonprofit sector, including competency modeling, effective hiring processes, and equitable compensation strategies. Learners will discover how to attract, evaluate, and retain top talent to maximize organizational impact.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 27 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • Planning the Hiring Processβ€’4 minutes
  • Attracting and Selecting Great Peopleβ€’10 minutes
  • Compensating Staff Appropriatelyβ€’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Strategic Approaches to Hiring and Talent Managementβ€’16 minutes

This module examines how nonprofits can effectively integrate diversity and inclusion into their strategies, with a focus on race, generational differences, and disabilities. Learners will explore demographic trends, assess volunteer diversity, and discover actionable steps for creating sustainable diversity plans. By understanding these concepts, participants will be better equipped to foster equitable and impactful service delivery.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
6 readingsβ€’Total 28 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’6 minutes
  • Who Are Your Volunteers?β€’4 minutes
  • What I Wish I Knewβ€’4 minutes
  • A Guide to Making Your Diversity Plan Succeedβ€’3 minutes
  • Definitions and Background: Race and Ethnicityβ€’7 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’4 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Promoting Inclusive Practices in Nonprofitsβ€’16 minutes

This module introduces the essential legal frameworks governing nonprofit organizations, including federal tax requirements, compliance obligations, and distinctions between public charities and private foundations. Learners will gain foundational knowledge of operational tests, governance structures, and annual reporting duties critical to nonprofit success.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 25 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’4 minutes
  • Operational Testβ€’7 minutes
  • Other Tax-Exempt Legal Basicsβ€’7 minutes
  • Nonprofit Governance and the Lawβ€’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Nonprofit Law Fundamentalsβ€’16 minutes

This module examines how nonprofits can influence public policy through effective advocacy, civic engagement, and coalition-building. Learners will discover legal frameworks for lobbying, strategies for nonpartisan action, and the importance of uniting for systemic change. Practical approaches to grassroots organizing and media engagement are also explored.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

1 videoβ€’Total 1 minute
  • Overviewβ€’1 minute
4 readingsβ€’Total 29 minutes
  • Introductionβ€’8 minutes
  • Don't Do It Alone!β€’6 minutes
  • Civic Engagement: Nonpartisan Electoral Activityβ€’8 minutes
  • Conclusionβ€’7 minutes
1 assignmentβ€’Total 16 minutes
  • Nonprofit Advocacy and Lobbying Fundamentalsβ€’16 minutes

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Instructor

John Wiley & Sons
130 Coursesβ€’8,498 learners

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To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

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