Intro to Nonprofits: Sector, Leadership & Governance
Learn fundamental concepts of nonprofit leadership, governance, and board effectiveness in this 11-hour course from The State University of New York.
Learn fundamental concepts of nonprofit leadership, governance, and board effectiveness in this 11-hour course from The State University of New York.
This course cannot be purchased separately - to access the complete learning experience, graded assignments, and earn certificates, you'll need to enroll in the full Improving Leadership & Governance in Nonprofit Organizations Specialization program. You can audit this specific course for free to explore the content, which includes access to course materials and lectures. This allows you to learn at your own pace without any financial commitment.
English
پښتو, বাংলা, اردو, 3 more
Powered by
What you'll learn
Understand the nonprofit sector's unique characteristics and why it exists
Distinguish between leadership at the governance level and management
Identify good governance practices and why they matter for nonprofit organizations
Recognize board member roles and responsibilities in nonprofit organizations
Analyze issues that challenge a board's ability to do its work effectively
Apply assessment tools to evaluate board effectiveness
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
11 Hours PreRecorded video
7 assignments
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
Shareable certificate
Closed caption
Get a Completion Certificate
Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.
Created by
Provided by
Top companies offer this course to their employees
Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.
There are 5 modules in this course
This comprehensive course introduces students to the nonprofit sector, nonprofit organizations, and the concepts of leadership and governance. Designed with North American culture in mind but valuable globally, the curriculum explores what makes the nonprofit sector unique, the characteristics of nonprofit organizations, and emerging trends in the field. Students learn about governance-level leadership and its distinction from management, board member roles and responsibilities, and factors affecting board effectiveness. Through video lectures, guest interviews, case studies, and interactive assessments, participants develop practical knowledge applicable to real-world nonprofit governance challenges. The course culminates with Board Effectiveness Assessment Reflections and Readiness Assurance Tests to solidify understanding of key concepts.
The Nonprofit Sector, Nonprofit Organizations, Leadership and Governance
Module 1 · 3 Hours to complete
Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Organizational Governance and Boards of Directors
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
The Board's Role and Responsibilities
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Concept Testing and Application
Module 4 · 3 Hours to complete
Assessment of Learning: BEAR Peer Review and RAT Discussion Forums
Module 5 · 1 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Instructors
Expert in Nonprofit Leadership and Governance at the University at Buffalo
Dr. Yvonne Cafik Harrison is a distinguished social scientist and professor at the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo, part of the State University of New York. With a focus on the leadership and governance of nonprofit and voluntary sector organizations, she has developed significant expertise in the adoption and use of modern information and communications technology within these contexts. Alongside co-investigator Professor Vic Murray from the University of Victoria, Dr. Cafik Harrison created Board Check-Up, a tool designed to enhance board technical capacity and address governance challenges faced by boards of directors. This longitudinal research initiative assesses the impact of board performance self-assessment from both output (changes in governance practices) and outcome (board performance) perspectives. She is also a co-author of the book Guidelines for Improving the Effectiveness of Nonprofit Boards of Directors and has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and research reports. Dr. Cafik Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Victoria, BC, Canada. Through her teaching and research, she continues to influence the field of nonprofit governance significantly.
Leading Authority in Nonprofit Governance and Organizational Behavior
Dr. Vic Murray is an esteemed Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria, with a rich background in nonprofit management and organizational behavior. From 1983 to 1995, he directed the Voluntary Sector Management Program at York University's Schulich School of Business, where he pioneered Canada’s first certificate and master’s level programs in nonprofit leadership. An accomplished author, Dr. Murray has contributed extensively to the literature on nonprofit governance, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness. His current research focuses on board performance self-assessment and its impact on governance practices within nonprofit organizations. Through his commitment to education and research, Dr. Murray has significantly influenced the field, earning recognition for his contributions to nonprofit leadership and philanthropy. His work continues to shape best practices in governance and organizational effectiveness in the voluntary sector.
Testimonials
Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.