Fundamentals of Nonprofits and Nonprofit Management

3 Credits.

Nonprofit organizations occupy a distinct place in contemporary society. While they deliver services and programming that have a public character across various fields including social and community services, educational programming, and health and environmental services, they also fulfill core political functions including advocacy and awareness, representation, and civic engagement. Over time, nonprofit organizations have been expected to operate in a business-like manner as they fulfill these purposes, yet they must still maintain their primary governance structures and mechanisms for resource generation. Considering these organizational realities, this course provides an overview of the role and breadth of the nonprofit sector, including the historical development of nonprofits in the U.S. and abroad, theoretical explanations for the purpose of the sector, and the relationship of the sector with government, the economy, and communities. The goal of this course is to convey the history, size, and impact of the nonprofit sector while also providing fundamental considerations for nonprofit formation and management. Today, successful nonprofits require strong management systems that cover finances, human resources, information technology, marketing, performance measurement, and communication. This course will help students understand the current thinking on managing and improving nonprofit organizations and appreciate the interplay of societal and organizational factors that influence practical and ethical decision-making. Please note that this is the first course for the MA in Nonprofit Management.