Civic Space Park and the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus
Professional development

Nonprofit Management Institute

NMI course descriptions

The Nonprofit Management Institute provides the knowledge and tools for you to become a skilled nonprofit professional, volunteer or board member and to help your organization grow. Sessions are offered throughout the year, and many NMI courses count for multiple certificate programs.

Course/certificate matrix


 

NMI 102: Maximizing Human Potential in Nonprofits

If you are a nonprofit leader or human asset manager, you are probably navigating a changed and challenging future for your organization and your employees!  You will benefit by understanding how to invest in your employees as one of the most solid strategies for sustained organizational growth and resilience.

This course explores the foundations of human resource management, including federal and state employment laws, compensation, benefits and human resource policies. Additionally, you will examine strategies related to employee engagement and retention, performance management, staffing structures, sourcing, recruitment and hiring.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate

NMI 103: Effective Financial Management Principles

In this course, participants will learn basic accounting principles and how to interpret and manage financial statements for a nonprofit organization. In addition, you will also learn the difference between accrual and cash basis accounting, and the importance of internal controls to protect the assets of your organization. Finally, you will learn how to analyze and use tax form 990, along with your organization’s annual report, as public relations tools.

This course is required for:

Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate

Nonprofit Management Certificate

NMI 104: Engaging and Developing Volunteers

Volunteer programs require the same managerial effort as other organizational operation efforts. There are many factors to consider in ensuring that the experience is positive for both the volunteer and the organization. In this course, you are taught the basics of recruiting, managing, motivating, recognizing and rewarding staff and volunteers to effectively utilize and retain their strengths and skills.

Special attention is placed within this course to respond to the impact COVID-19 has had on this area of nonprofit resource development and management.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate

NMI 105: High Impact Leadership

In this course, participants will be introduced to current models of leadership and seven core leadership competencies. By using a self-analysis tool, you will be able to identify your leadership strengths and core values. In addition, you will also learn methods for building internal and external relationships and applying those skills to a business setting. Finally, you will also develop a leadership action plan for achieving personal and organizational impact.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate

Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate


Register for upcoming sessions


NMI 106: Optimizing Nonprofit Resource Fund Development

Ask any nonprofit leader what one of their greatest organizational challenges is and they will resoundingly answer, “Fundraising!” Recent changes in the global economy have created scarcer financial resources and focused even greater attention on the need for philanthropic giving and funding development for nonprofit organizations.

This course teaches you the basics of the fund development process, how to cultivate charitable giving resources and create a plan that will result in effective fundraising strategies for your organization – even in the toughest of economic times.

This course is required for:

Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate

Nonprofit Management Certificate

NMI 108: Analyzing for Program Impact

Doing good works is no longer enough. In today’s environment of growing demand, competing priorities and shrinking resources, a leader needs to ensure that the organization is having the desired impact.

Decisions about where and how to focus resources so that the desired impact is created must be grounded in evaluation of the organization’s strategies and programs. This course covers the design and implementation of an evaluation system that produces valid, credible and useful information that can be used to assess an organization’s impact.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate

NMI 111: Impactful Board Governance

This course provides a comprehensive overview of board governance, which includes the core roles and responsibilities of board members, as well as the board’s relationship to the CEO and staff.

Participants will learn how to develop effective, motivated board members who are accountable for the organization’s assets, committed to develop a diversified resource base and motivated to champion the organization among various stakeholders.

This course is required for:

Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate

Nonprofit Management Certificate

NMI 112: Emerging Marketing and Social Media Strategies

This course will provide 21st century principles and practices for successfully marketing your nonprofit organization. You will learn how to effectively use social media and marketing trends and techniques to successfully promote and highlight your organization. Participants will learn how to develop a marketing plan that includes all current media marketing strategies.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate

NMI 142: Communicating with Purpose

In this course, participants examine the topic of communication and its influence on the recipient. Participants review foundational communication concepts and explore additional topics, including verbal vs. nonverbal communication, communication style, self-awareness and listening, to advance their knowledge and ability to engage in purposeful communication.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate

Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate

NMI 144: Becoming a Champion of Change

In this course, participants evaluate the topic of change to advance their capacity to overcome obstacles and effectively champion and implement moments of change within their organization. Study and discuss the underlying motivations for change and the role it has in organizational structure and function. Participants will examine established models and methodologies designed to implement change management strategies within their organization.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate

Optimizing Human Resource Strategies in Nonprofits Certificate

NMI 203: Financial Management for Executives

This session integrates financial management into executive decision making and addresses the struggle to match mission with financial resources. Topics include understanding the components of nonprofit financial statements, accounting for contributions, grants and federal awards, financial accountability, executive processes, and continuous budgeting.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 205: Nonprofit Executive Leadership

In this highly interactive course, participants will explore the role, traits and competencies of the executive. The goal of the course is to help senior-level professionals align their leadership skills and competencies with top exemplars. Participants will use a variety of resources and techniques to identify and begin close the gaps between their skills and abilities and those of great nonprofit leaders.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 210: Public Trust and Influence

This course will discuss the role nonprofits play in influencing public policy, leading social movements, building coalition and organizing issue campaigns. This course highlights successful advocacy strategies used by nonprofit leaders to advance their organization’s mission for the public good. It delineates what nonprofits can and cannot do and engages participants in developing an advocacy strategy plan. Participants will also explore some of the challenging ethical and moral issues common in the nonprofit sector.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 211: Strategic Governance and the CEO

In this course, participants discuss matters of governance to expand their capacity as executive leaders in the nonprofit sector. Topics of significance underscore complimentary modes of governance; the distinct and shared responsibilities of the executive leader and board of directors; and best practices in nonprofit governance.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 221: Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation and New Business Models

In this course, you will assess your organization’s readiness for social entrepreneurship. You will also learn what it takes to develop a social enterprise and an enterprising mind. Participants will walk away with the key components of a business plan for social entrepreneurship and will have begun the process of identifying possible sources of funding for their organization.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 226: Advanced Resource Development

This course delves into annual funds, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, grants and special events. This course will give participants the foundation and tools needed to implement these fundraising methods in their organizations. By the end of the course, participants will have developed at least one major fundraising plan, focusing on one area.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate


NMI 227: Strategic Planning Boot Camp

The landscape for today’s nonprofit organizations is filled with new and uncharted territory. This boot camp provides participants with an intensive, hands-on experience using the current best practices for effective strategic planning in nonprofit governance.

You will learn:

  • how to assess internal and external factors influencing the success of your programs
  • how your organization creates value for your clients
  • how to envision alternative, future scenarios with strategic responses for optimal organizational planning

You'll start thinking strategically, approach your strategic planning creatively within your organization and create an action plan for implementing what you have learned.

Example tools you will learn during the course:

  • PESTEL (for scanning the external environment)
  • SWOT (for scanning the internal environment)
  • Value Disciplines for a client-focused approach to planning
  • Scenario Planning
  • Steps for Change Leadership

This course is required for:

Fundraising and Sustainable Financial Management Certificate

Nonprofit Operations and Program Impact Certificate

NMI 230: Tell Your Story Boot Camp

In this course, you will learn how to identify, develop and deliver your nonprofit organization’s story with skill, power and assurance. You’ll gain experience using the creative expression and emotional engagement techniques professional speakers and performers use to give you the greatest opportunity to connect with your audience and inspire action.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Marketing and Strategic Communications Certificate


Register for upcoming sessions


NMI 260: Nonprofit Executive Leadership Capstone

This is the final aspect of the Executive Leadership Certificate. Participants will deliver a short presentation about their course projects and receive completion certificates.

This course is required for:

Nonprofit Executive Leadership Certificate