Category: Careers

Demystifying Nonprofit Jargon: The Ultimate Glossary for Board Members & Staff

Nonprofit jargon. If you’re new to nonprofit work, it’s confusing. If you’re a veteran of the sector, you’ve seen it evolve. Either way, nonprofit jargon is here to stay, so learn (or brush up) below.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • The article outlines 10 critical”nonprofit jargon” terms for board members and staff, including 501(c)(3), fiduciary duty, and restricted funds.
  • It provides a full glossary divided into sections like fundraising, grants, finance, governance, and program evaluation.
  • Key definitions include ‘annual fund’ as essential for operations and ‘logic model’ as a visual roadmap of organizational activities.
  • Commonly misused nonprofit jargon terms are clarified, such as distinguishing impact from output and social enterprise from fee-for-service.
  • Understanding these terms helps board members and staff effectively manage their nonprofit organizations.

Table of contents

The 10 Most Critical Nonprofit Jargon Terms for Board Members & Staff

  1. 501(c)(3): The specific section of the US Tax Code that grants an organization tax-exempt status and allows donors to receive tax deductions for their gifts.
  2. Fiduciary Duty: The legal and ethical obligation of board members to act in the best interest of the organization, ensuring its assets are managed responsibly.
  3. Restricted Funds: Donations that are legally “locked” to a specific purpose or timeline set by the donor. They cannot be used for general operations without donor consent.
  4. Annual Fund: The “lifeblood” of an organization—fundraising dedicated to supporting the everyday operating budget (salaries, rent, utilities).
  5. Logic Model: A visual roadmap that connects what you have (Inputs) to what you do (Activities) and the results you achieve (Outputs/Outcomes).
  6. Stewardship: The ongoing process of thanking, informing, and engaging a donor after they have given, which is key to donor retention.
  7. Overhead: The administrative and fundraising costs necessary to run the organization. While often scrutinized, it is essential infrastructure for impact.
  8. Form 990: The annual “tax return” for nonprofits. It is a public document that provides transparency on the organization’s finances, mission, and executive pay.
  9. Mission Drift: A danger zone where an organization strays from its core purpose to chase grant money or popular trends.
  10. Theory of Change: The big-picture “Why” behind your work. It explains the underlying logic of how your specific interventions lead to the desired social change.

Full Nonprofit Jargon Glossary by Subject Area

I. Fundraising & Development

Advancement

  • Definition: Often used in hospitals and higher education to define an office including fundraising, marketing, and admissions.
  • Usage: “We’ll have to pass it by the Advancement Office to see if he is on their radar.”

Annual Fund

  • Definition: A program soliciting gifts to support the annual operating budget.
  • Usage: “Please consider a contribution to our annual fund to keep the lights on.”

Bequest (Planned Giving)

  • Definition: A donation made through a person’s will or estate plan.
  • Usage: “We need to market our planned giving program to encourage more bequests.”

Capital Campaign

  • Definition: A targeted fundraising effort for a major project, usually a building or massive endowment boost.
  • Usage: “We are launching a $5 million capital campaign to build the new center.”

Case for Support

  • Definition: The core document outlining why a nonprofit needs funding and what the money will accomplish.
  • Usage: “We need to tighten up our case for support before the big gala.”

Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF)

  • Definition: A model that prioritizes the entire community over individual donor appeasement.
  • Usage: “Moving toward CCF, we stopped hosting exclusive galas for potlucks.”

Cultivation

  • Definition: The process of building a relationship with a prospect before asking for a gift.
  • Usage: “After months of cultivation, we finally invited him for a site visit.”

Donor Retention Rate

  • Definition: The percentage of donors from a previous year who give again in the current year.
  • Usage: “Our retention rate dropped to 40%, so we need to improve our stewardship.”

LYBUNT / SYBUNT

  • Definition: Acronyms for “Last Year But Unfortunately Not This” and “Some Years But Unfortunately Not This.”
  • Usage: “We are running a special campaign targeting our LYBUNT donors.”

Major Gifts

  • Definition: The largest donations an organization receives, requiring personalized cultivation.
  • Usage: “The campaign relies on securing three major gifts of $1 million or more.”

Moves Management

  • Definition: A system for “moving” a prospect into a deeper relationship with a nonprofit.
  • Usage: “Our officer uses moves management to track each prospect in the cycle.”

Stewardship

  • Definition: Relationship building after a gift is made (thanking and reporting).
  • Usage: “Good stewardship means the donor feels appreciated long after the check is cashed.”

II. Grants & Philanthropy

Community Foundation

  • Definition: A philanthropic institution that manages funds for a specific geographic area.
  • Usage: “We applied for a grant from the local community foundation for the cleanup.”

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)

  • Definition: A vehicle where donors receive a tax benefit and recommend grants over time.
  • Usage: “We received a grant recommended by a family through their DAF.”

Letter of Inquiry (LOI) / RFP

  • Definition: An LOI is a brief introductory letter; an RFP (Request for Proposals) is a formal invitation to apply for a grant.
  • Usage: “The foundation requires an LOI before you can submit a full proposal.”

Program Officer

  • Definition: The person at a foundation who manages a specific mission area and works with applicants.
  • Usage: “Our program officer advocated for our proposal to be approved.”

Program-related investment (PRI)

  • Definition: A low-interest loan made by a foundation that must be repaid but counts as a charitable gift.
  • Usage: “The foundation provided a $1 million PRI to help us build affordable housing.”

Trust-Based Philanthropy

  • Definition: An approach focusing on unrestricted funding and streamlined reporting to address power imbalances.
  • Usage: “The foundation adopted trust-based philanthropy, so we no longer submit detailed expense reports.”

Articles of Incorporation / By-laws

  • Definition: Legal documents that establish the organization and its governing rules.
  • Usage: “According to our by-laws, we must have at least three officers on the board.”

Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance

  • Definition: Liability insurance protecting board members from personal losses due to legal action.
  • Usage: “She made sure the nonprofit carried D&O insurance before joining the board.”

Fiscal Sponsorship

  • Definition: An arrangement where a 501(c)(3) provides tax-exempt status to a project lacking its own.
  • Usage: “The project operates under the fiscal sponsorship of an arts nonprofit.”

Form 990

  • Definition: The annual nonprofit tax form in the USA.
  • Usage: “You can look up any nonprofit’s Form 990 on GuideStar.”

Restricted Fund

  • Definition: A donation that must be used for a specific purpose or timeframe.
  • Usage: “We cannot use the restricted fund for the electric bill; it is for scholarships.”

Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT)

  • Definition: Taxes on income from activities not directly related to the charitable mission.
  • Usage: “Because we sell ad space in our magazine, we have to calculate our UBIT.”

IV. Governance, Strategy & Leadership

Ex Officio

  • Definition: A member of a board who is there by virtue of holding another office (usually non-voting).
  • Usage: “The Executive Director serves on the board ex officio.”

Founder’s Syndrome

  • Definition: When a founder resists growth or change, maintaining disproportionate power.
  • Usage: “The organization is suffering from Founder’s Syndrome.”

Mission Statement / Vision Statement

  • Definition: The mission is the purpose; the vision is the ideal world resulting from that purpose.
  • Usage: “Our vision is ‘A world where every child has access to clean drinking water.'”

Strategic Plan

  • Definition: A 3-5 year document outlining goals and strategies.
  • Usage: “Our new strategic plan says we will expand into three new counties.”

V. Program, Impact & Evaluation

Beneficiary

  • Definition: The individuals or groups directly served by the mission.
  • Usage: “The primary beneficiaries of this grant will be single mothers.”

Logic Model

  • Definition: A visual roadmap showing how resources lead to activities and results.
  • Usage: “We attached a logic model mapping out our inputs and expected outcomes.”

Outputs vs. Outcomes

  • Definition: Outputs are the work done (meals served); outcomes are the change achieved (reduced hunger).
  • Usage: “While outcomes are more important, our reported outputs included 10,000 meals.”

Theory of Change (ToC)

  • Definition: A description of how and why a desired change is expected to happen.
  • Usage: “Our ToC argues that housing first is the key to solving unemployment.”

VI. Operations, Management & HR

Capacity-building

  • Definition: Building systems and financial strength so the nonprofit can better serve its mission.
  • Usage: “We received a grant to upgrade our donor database.”

Infrastructure

  • Definition: The internal systems, technology, and staff required to keep the nonprofit functioning.
  • Usage: “We need funding to improve our IT infrastructure.”

Overhead

  • Definition: Admin and fundraising costs not tied to a specific program.
  • Usage: “Our goal is to keep our overhead expenses under 15%.”

Nonprofit Lingo 101: Commonly Misused Nonprofit Jargon Terms

Impact vs. Output

  • Impact is the long-term, systemic change (e.g., lower poverty rates).
  • Output is the immediate quantity (e.g., number of brochures printed).
  • Don’t say “Our brochure had a huge impact.” Say “Our brochure reached 1,000 people (output).”

Social Enterprise vs. Fee-for-Service

  • Social Enterprise is a business venture (like a thrift store) that funds the mission.
  • Fee-for-Service is charging the client a small fee for the mission activity itself (like a $10 clinic visit).

Hard Credit vs. Soft Credit

  • Hard Credit goes to the entity that signed the check (e.g., The Smith Family Foundation).
  • Soft Credit goes to the individual who made the gift happen (e.g., Mr. Smith).

Underserved vs. Underrepresented

  • Underserved means a community lacks resources (e.g., no health clinics).
  • Underrepresented means a group lacks a voice in leadership (e.g., no women on the board).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Instead or nonprofit jargon why can’t we just use standard business terms like “customer,” “investor,” or “profit” in a nonprofit?

A: While some business terms are crossing over, using them exclusively can cause “mission drift” or legal confusion. Referring to a donor as an “investor” implies they will get a financial return, which is legally untrue in a nonprofit. Calling a beneficiary a “customer” can minimize the complex vulnerabilities they might face. And while nonprofits can make a financial surplus, legally they cannot distribute that “profit” to individuals; it must be reinvested back into the mission. Using precise nonprofit terminology protects the organization’s legal status and core values.

Q: Why is the concept of “overhead” treated differently in nonprofits than in businesses?

A: In the business world, administrative costs and infrastructure (like good software or HR teams) are viewed as necessary investments for growth. In the nonprofit sector, there is a historical, and sometimes problematic, expectation from donors that 100% of their money will go directly to the “cause.” As a result, nonprofits have to strictly categorize and defend their “overhead” (management and fundraising costs) in ways that businesses simply do not, leading to a heavy reliance on specialized accounting jargon.

Q: Are nonprofits completely separate from the business and government sectors?

A: Not at all! The most effective social change usually happens when all three sectors overlap. Governments often provide massive grants to nonprofits to execute social services on the ground. Businesses partner with nonprofits through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives or employee matching programs. Nonprofits essentially sit in the middle, leveraging private wealth and government support to create public good.

Beyond the Mission: 5 Surprising Truths About the Jobs That Power Nonprofits

Beyond the Mission: 5 Surprising Truths About the Jobs That Power Nonprofits

More Than Just Heart

When you think of a nonprofit, what comes to mind? For many, it’s the image of dedicated individuals on the front lines—mentoring children, serving meals, or organizing community events. This passion is the sector's lifeblood, but it's often mistaken for the entire story, painting a picture of work that is more heart than structure.

But have you ever stopped to wonder what that structure truly looks like? What does the org chart look like for an entity that must simultaneously function as a sophisticated fundraising enterprise, a multi-channel marketing agency, a human resources firm, and a public policy advocate?

If you're new to the sector or considering a career change, you might be surprised to find that your professional skills are not just welcome—they're mission-critical. So, let's pull back the curtain on the complex and surprisingly corporate-like roles that are essential for any nonprofit's success.

Nonprofit Infrastructure
Needs Executive Level Talent


1. Fundraising Isn't a Bake Sale, It's a Sophisticated Business Operation

Modern nonprofit fundraising is far more than simply asking for money. It is a highly specialized field that functions much like the sales and business development department of a major corporation, requiring a diverse team with distinct, professional skills.

At the top, a Chief Development Officer (CDO) or VP of Development sets the strategy, supported by a Director of Philanthropy or Director of Development who guides major donor initiatives and a Campaign Manager who runs large-scale fundraising drives. The team is segmented to focus on specific revenue streams: a Corporate Relations Director builds partnerships with businesses, a Foundation Relations Manager cultivates grant-making foundations, and a Major Gifts Officer works to secure large donations from individuals.

Other specialists focus on long-term giving, like the Planned Giving Director, or build broad support through an Annual Giving Director. In member-based organizations, a Membership Manager or Alumni Relations Director is key.

This frontline effort is powered by a robust back office. A Grant Writer crafts compelling proposals while a Prospect Researcher identifies potential new donors. Once a gift is made, a Donor Relations Manager ensures donors feel appreciated, a Gift Processing Manager handles the transaction, and a Database Manager maintains the crucial CRM data. Even large-scale galas and charity runs require the expertise of a Special Events Director. This structure isn't bureaucratic bloat; it’s a required framework for building donor trust, ensuring a high return on investment for fundraising efforts, and diversifying revenue to weather economic shifts.

Tools of the Trade: Fundraising

  • For the Database Manager: Bloomerang, Keela and Donorbox are a top-tier CRMs designed to manage donor retention and complex relationships.
  • For the Grant Writer: Teresa Huff offers specialized training to turn grant writing into a strategic revenue stream.
  • For the Prospect Researcher: The Prospect Research Institute is the go-to resource for learning how to identify major funding opportunities.

2. Your Corporate Skills Have a Direct Counterpart Here

Many professionals believe that moving to the nonprofit sector means leaving their corporate expertise behind. The reality is the opposite. The core business functions that drive a for-profit company are not just present in nonprofits—they are absolutely critical for strategic growth and responsible stewardship. Individuals transitioning from business or government will find their skills in high demand.

A modern nonprofit often has a full C-suite, with a Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief People Officer (CPO) / CHRO guiding the organization alongside a General Counsel. These leaders typically report to an Executive Director or Chief Association Executive. This leadership structure enables the organization to operate at scale, manage complex risks, and compete for funding and talent in a crowded marketplace.

This corporate structure extends throughout the organization. The need for rigorous financial and legal oversight requires a complete, top-to-bottom finance team, from a strategic Controller or Director of Finance to an Accountant and internal Auditor. On the operational side, a Bookkeeper records daily transactions, a Payroll Specialist ensures everyone gets paid correctly, and a specialized Grant Accountant meticulously tracks restricted project funds. Likewise, the legal team may include a Staff Attorney, Paralegal, Risk Manager, and Compliance Officer to navigate complex contracts and regulations.

  • For the Finance Team: Aplos provides fund accounting software specifically designed for nonprofit compliance, while FreshBooks serves smaller organizations well.
  • For the Legal/Compliance Team: Terms Feed is essential for generating compliant privacy policies, and Box offers secure, compliant document storage.

3. Influencing Policy is a Professional Pursuit

For many nonprofits, fulfilling their mission means going beyond direct service to influence the laws and regulations that shape society. This advocacy work is not an afterthought handled by volunteers; it is a core strategy executed by a team of dedicated professionals.

This team works to advance the organization's agenda at local, state, and federal levels. A Government Relations Director manages relationships with elected officials, while an Advocacy Director leads public campaigns to build support for policy change. Behind the scenes, a Policy Analyst conducts in-depth research on legislation, and in many cases, a registered Lobbyist is employed to directly persuade lawmakers. This surprises many newcomers, who often hold a narrow view of charities as purely service-based and apolitical, rather than as key actors in shaping systemic change.

4. People, Data, and Technology are the Engine Room

While programs and fundraising are the most visible parts of a nonprofit, a complex internal infrastructure—an engine room of operations—keeps everything running smoothly. These teams, focused on people, data, technology, and communications, provide the foundational support that allows the mission to move forward.

The technology group ensures the entire organization has the tools to succeed. Led by an IT Director, this team includes a Systems Administrator who maintains networks, a Database Administrator who manages critical data, a Webmaster who runs the website, and a Technical Support Specialist who helps staff with day-to-day needs. A Data Analyst turns raw numbers into actionable insights, while a Member Records Administrator maintains clean data for associations.

The people and culture functions are equally vital. A Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Director works to create a more just workplace, while a Training & Development Manager fosters professional growth. The talent pipeline is managed by a Talent Acquisition Manager and Recruiter, with an HR Generalist, Employee Relations Specialist, Benefits Administrator, and HRIS Analyst supporting the employee lifecycle. For organizations that rely on unpaid staff, a Volunteer Director and Volunteer Coordinator build and manage that critical workforce.

To build a powerful public presence, a full-service marketing and communications department is essential. A Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) or Marketing Director guides the strategy, with a Brand Manager ensuring consistency. The team executes this vision through specialists like a Digital Marketing Manager, Content Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, and Email Marketing Specialist.

This department's work is made visible through a Graphic Designer who creates visual assets and a Public Relations Manager who engages the media. A Community Relations Director builds local partnerships, ensuring the organization’s message resonates on the ground. This entire operation is guided by the strategic oversight of a Planning Manager, who ensure all functions align with the mission.

Tools of the Trade: Operations & Facilities

For the Office Manager: Bulk Office Supply is the go-to for keeping the "central nervous system" stocked and running within budget.

For the Facilities Director: Best of Signs is a great resource for safety signage, event banners, and building navigation.

For the Admin Assistant: Fax.Plus helps modernize old-school administrative tasks.

5. The Organization Has a Physical Footprint to Manage

Just like any other business, many nonprofits own or lease property, manage vehicle fleets, and run complex facilities. This physical footprint requires a dedicated and professional operations team to ensure everything is safe, efficient, and well-maintained.

The day-to-day administration is the central nervous system of the office. An Office Manager keeps things running, an Executive Assistant provides high-level support to leadership, and an Administrative Assistant or Receptionist / Front Desk Coordinator handles essential clerical duties. The logistics of running programs and offices often require a Purchasing Agent to procure supplies and a Logistics Coordinator to manage distribution, with a Data Entry Clerk ensuring all information is captured accurately.

When an organization owns a building or manages program sites, the facilities team is indispensable. A Facilities Director oversees all building operations, a Building Superintendent or Maintenance Technician / Worker handles repairs, and a Custodian / Janitor or Groundskeeper maintains the space. For safety, a Security Guard / Officer may be on-site, and if the organization uses vehicles for its programs, a Fleet Manager is needed to keep them operational.

Finding Your Place in the Mission

The nonprofit sector is a vast, professionalized field powered by a diverse array of skills, many of which are identical to those found in the corporate world. From finance and technology to human resources and logistics, there is a critical role for nearly every type of expertise. Now that you see the full picture, where does your expertise fit into the mission?

Learn more at NonprofitCareerCourses.com.

Affiliate disclaimer: This content includes affiliate links. That means when you buy it, Nonprofit.Courses earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. It’s a win/win. You get some great content, and we keep the lights on!

FAQs: Beyond the Mission

5 Surprising Truths About Nonprofit Careers

1. Is nonprofit fundraising just about organizing bake sales and asking for donations?

Far from it. Modern nonprofit fundraising is a sophisticated business operation similar to corporate sales and business development. It requires specialized roles like Chief Development Officers, Prospect Researchers, and Planned Giving Directors. These teams manage complex revenue streams, build corporate partnerships, and utilize high-end CRM data to maintain donor relationships.

2. Can I transition from a corporate career to a nonprofit without losing my professional edge?

Absolutely. In fact, your skills are likely "mission-critical." Modern nonprofits often feature a full C-suite (COO, CFO, CHRO, etc.) and require the same rigorous financial, legal, and operational oversight as for-profit companies. Roles such as Accountants, Internal Auditors, Risk Managers, and Staff Attorneys are essential for navigating regulations and ensuring responsible stewardship.

3. Do nonprofits actually participate in political advocacy and lobbying?

Yes. For many organizations, fulfilling their mission requires changing the systemic laws and regulations that affect their cause. This is handled by a professional team including Government Relations Directors, Policy Analysts, and even registered Lobbyists. It is a strategic, professional pursuit rather than an afterthought handled by volunteers.

4. What kind of "behind-the-scenes" technology and people roles exist in nonprofits?

The "engine room" of a nonprofit is powered by robust IT, Data, and HR departments. You will find positions for:

  • Technology: IT Directors, Systems Administrators, Webmasters, and Data Analysts.
  • Human Resources: Talent Acquisition Managers, DEI Directors, and Training & Development Managers.
  • Marketing: Chief Marketing Officers, Brand Managers, and Social Media Specialists who manage the organization’s public presence just like a marketing agency.

5. Do nonprofits have a physical footprint like traditional businesses?

Many do. Organizations that own or lease property require a dedicated facilities team. This includes Facilities Directors, Fleet Managers (for vehicle fleets), Logistics Coordinators, and Security Officers. Managing the physical infrastructure is vital to ensuring that programs are delivered safely and efficiently.

6. Where can I learn more about specific nonprofit roles for career changers?

The article recommends resources like NonprofitCareerCourses.com and highlights specific tools of the trade—such as Bloomerang for database management or Aplos for fund accounting—to help professionals understand the specialized software used in the sector.

6 Ideas for Empowering Members with Career Development

Think back to when you got your first job. Maybe it was at your local pizza shop, ice cream parlor, or neighborhood pool. Odds are, you didn’t just apply for the role out of the blue. You probably spent some time perfecting your resume, reaching out to potential references, and practicing for the interview.

Your members have joined your association for the same reason—to gain access to valuable career development opportunities and guidance on how to advance their careers. But, are you doing all you can when it comes to facilitating your members’ professional growth?

When you provide members with opportunities to advance in your industry, you’re creating a better member experience for them, which could boost your renewals. Ultimately, what’s good for your members is good for your organization as a whole! But how do you ensure that your career development offerings are what your members are really looking for?

Here are 6 ideas for empowering your members to advance professionally:

1. Enhance your educational offerings and certifications.

Your industry probably offers certifications your members can obtain to prove their skills. For example, nonprofit certificates alone run the gamut of skillsets, from grant writing to leadership, marketing, and fundraising. Other industries might require skilled trade or software certifications.

If your organization doesn’t offer a way for members to achieve these certifications or training opportunities, members might start looking elsewhere—and take their membership dues with them.

To give your members educational opportunities that they see value in, use a learning management system (LMS). You can offer courses and lessons that your members need to achieve the certifications that are important to them.

A quality LMS can offer the following features to help facilitate members’ continuing education:

  • Content storage to keep track of documents, lesson plans, and other learning materials in a centralized location. Members can return to the content at any time to prepare for assessments or brush up on their knowledge.
  • Assessment tools to test members on what they’ve learned and measure their progress. You can adjust your learning strategy based on members’ test results.
  • Certification issuing so members have physical proof of their educational accomplishments. Once members pass all necessary assessments, your LMS can issue them the certificate or educational credits they need.

Sometimes a certificate is all that stands between a member and a potential raise or promotion. Your continued education opportunities could transform your members’ lives—and make you a crucial part of their career.

2. Offer a membership directory.

An online member directory can be a great way to grow your community as well as provide networking and career opportunities. They can help advance your members’ careers in many ways, such as providing the information they need for entering a mentor-mentee relationship.

To provide the most value with your membership directory, include each member’s:

  • Name
  • Contact information
  • Photo
  • Join date
  • Relevant social media handles
  • Business address
  • Industry/sector
  • Specialty
  • Alma mater

But your directory is more than just a database of information. It can also create relationships and opportunities for people outside of your organization, which can also lead to new members. By making your directory accessible to the general public, external people will be able to browse it and get in touch with an individual or company they’d like to connect with.

For example, MemberClicks’ guide to membership directories explains that a chamber directory can point prospective customers, business partners, and employees to your members’ businesses. This can also bring direct traffic to your members’ businesses and grow their customer bases.

3. Create a mentorship program.

Creating a mentorship program is a great way to help members gain access to expert tips and advice for advancing their careers.

Use your membership database within your association management system to identify members who you think would make great mentors. These may be longtime members, respected experts in the field, or those who’ve taken on leadership roles within your organization.

Then, once you have a few mentors on board, reach out to prospective mentees. New members, younger members, and those who are looking to advance in their careers could all benefit from your mentor program.

Give your mentors and mentees more structure to their mentoring sessions by creating specific training resources or learning materials they can work through together. Encourage them to meet up a couple of times each month for a defined time period to work through the materials, as well as any other conversations that would benefit mentees.

4. Host events and networking opportunities.

Give your members a more engaging way to learn and grow professionally by hosting an educational event or networking opportunity.

Educational events and networking opportunities allow members to interact with each other, form relationships, and learn about industry trends and developments.

For instance, let’s say your organization is an association for sports psychologists. By hosting a conference, you can bring members together to hear talks from industry leaders on topics like reducing anxiety or treating concussions. They can bring these tips back to their own practices or teams to ensure they’re offering the best care possible.

Depending on your budget and goals, your event could be a conference, webinar, or night out at a local restaurant. These experiences can be either in-person or online. You can even offer a hybrid conference so members can choose how they feel comfortable participating.

Check out Re:Charity’s guide to livestreaming to review the top strategies and tools for hosting virtual and hybrid events. From Facebook Live to Zoom chat rooms, there are plenty of ways to engage members in events and networking opportunities, even if you can’t meet in person.

5. Provide access to industry publications.

Trade publications are invaluable resources for the latest trends and developments in your field. Consider offering free or highly-discounted subscriptions to members so they can stay up-to-date.

For example, if you’re an association for professional dog trainers, giving access to your industry’s leading magazine can be a great asset. It can provide members with the latest tips and best practices for topics like online training, working with puppies, teaching agility, and more.

You can even make it easy for your members to access industry information by transforming your association’s website into an important source of industry information. Write high-quality blog posts and news articles highlighting different trends or interviewing well-known leaders.

6. Ask your members for feedback.

The best way to know if you’re on track with providing career development opportunities that are valuable and relevant to your members is to ask them!

You can request member feedback using a short survey that asks about career development needs, or you can include it as part of your longer member needs assessment. Either way, be sure to ask members:

  • How would you rate our career development opportunities on a scale of 1-10?
  • What opportunities have you taken advantage of?
  • What opportunities are you planning to take advantage of in the future?
  • Are there any career development opportunities we don’t offer that you think we should?

Make sure you sample a wide range of members, including both new and long-time members, younger and older ones, and those in different sectors of your industry. This way, you can accurately assess if you’re meeting all their needs.

Offering career development opportunities that speak to the needs of your members is a powerful part of your association’s membership benefits. It can establish your association’s reputation as a valuable organization within your industry and engage with your members in a meaningful way. Most importantly, it can help your members bring their careers to the next level by helping them achieve professional goals and aspirations. Overall, by offering these valuable opportunities to members, you prioritize their needs and ensure you’re advancing your mission effectively.

This guest post was contributed by Kerry McCreadie of MemberClicks.This guest post was contributed by Kerry McCreadie of MemberClicks. 

What matters most to membership organizations? As the Senior Content Marketing Manager for Personify’s Wild Apricot and MemberClicks products, this is the question always on Kerry’s mind. Their goal is to help nonprofits, associations, and clubs discover the solutions that solve their most frustrating pain points—while growing and retaining their member base. As he CEO and Founder of their own nonprofit organization, Kerry is passionate about nonprofit and charitable work—especially in the arts.

 

Major Gifts Officer Training: 8 Resources for Success

Major Gifts Officer Training: 8 Resources for Success

Nearly everyone at a nonprofit, or at least its leadership, has the same dream… a person of means walks through the door, pulls out a checkbook, and makes a gift so big that the organization never needs to worry about money again. 

Major gift officers are in the business of making that dream come true. 

While the donation described in the aforementioned scenario is hardly likely, transformational gifts are certainly possible. Significant gifts like these, that make a major difference in your mission, are worth pursuing. That's why a major gifts fundraiser’s job is to identify, cultivate, and steward potential major donors so that when asked, the prospect sees your cause as meeting their goals—and writes the check to make it all happen.

So how exactly do you get this done? Sure, asking is a major component of the strategy, and not asking is a big reason why major gifts don’t happen. Still, the actual asking is a brief, albeit important part of a proven process. In fact, to prove how brief it is, get out your stopwatch and time how long it takes to say “will you make a gift of [any amount here].” Probably less than three seconds. 

So, if asking is so important and so easy, why aren’t major gifts flying in your door? 

Because getting major gifts is a process. The good news is that the process is pretty well proven. If you're a major gifts officer or a major gifts officer in training, you just need to learn it. If you learn it and still aren’t getting results—go back and review it. Because the process works. 

But understanding the major gifts offer training process is for more than major gifts officers. 

Why? Perhaps the best comparison to use is with ice hockey. Every time a player scores a goal, that player gets a “point” on their record. Points add up, and clearly, the more goals you score, the more points you get and the more valuable you are to the team.

But unlike a lot of other sports, hockey recognizes that the player who touches the puck directly before it goes into the goal isn’t the whole story. Let’s say a buddy drives the puck toward the goal with a slapshot. You’re there next to the net, and just tip it with your stick, leaving the goalie way out of position—and you score! You get the point, but your teammate gets a point, too. Which is called an “assist.” 

Like in hockey, fundraising is a team sport. The person making the ask isn’t solely responsible for the gift. Your assist is just as valuable as your major gift officer’s goal. So if you know how major gifts work, you can be a major player in making goals—and getting gifts. Just like a hockey player with a lot of assists, your career benefits as well.

How do you learn to score the goals and make the assists in major gift fundraising?

That’s where strategic major gifts officer training resources come in.

As a nonprofit leader, you want your team to be well-equipped to raise money and meet their fundraising goals. When it comes to major gifts officer training, having the right tools in your toolkit is more important than ever.

Our suggestion? Train your team with on-demand, low-cost virtual resources like from Nonprofit.Courses. As an online, open-access platform for nonprofit content, including major gift development, Nonprofit.Courses lets you find exactly what you need from a voice that resonates with you and your nonprofit’s mission.

It's a great resource for anyone interested in the process of soliciting major gifts—whether you’re a full-time major gifts officer, a professional who supports the effort, or a volunteer who loves the cause. And if you're not sure where to start, we've picked out eight favorite resources to inform any fundraising professional about the multi-faceted approach to major gifts development. Let's jump in!

1. Basic Fundraising Concepts for Nearly All Nonprofits

Before you conduct any fundraising activities, it's important to have a solid understanding of the process involved. Regardless of whether you write an email asking for a small donation or sit in front of someone to request a major gift, the basic concepts are the same. 

Getting this big picture view from the beginning helps anyone seeking major gifts see fundraising from the donor’s point-of-view. You may be asking for something big that your research says is important to the donor, so why is your donor making a bequest to a cause they only hear about through the mail? Knowing how each component of fundraising works together by effectively grasping the basics can answer this question and more.

While we’re talking about basics, wouldn’t it be great if you, your colleagues, and your volunteers could learn about fundraising without all of the jargon and complications? Wouldn’t you like to see philanthropy from the joy of abundance, rather than a fear of scarcity? 

Fundraising consultant Larry Johnson hates it when someone calls fundraising a “necessary evil” that people avoid to the point that asking rarely occurs. To this nonprofit expert, fundraising is a joy—and his goal is to make it your joy, too. That's why he created an effective, proven method of raising significant money for your charity that’s approachable for everyone, and long-lasting in your nonprofit’s culture. 

This is huge, especially if you’re just starting out or wouldn't consider major gifts your full-time job, or if fundraising never “took” before in your organization. However, even if you are an experienced professional fundraiser, this major gifts officer training course gives a perspective that you rarely find to volunteers and colleagues alike. 

3. Build Donor Relationships that Lead to Major Gifts

Major gift fundraising is built on one foundation: the relationship. The connection between your donor and your cause—the people you serve and the staff, volunteers, and contributors who make it happen—leads to major gifts. But how do you become more than just friends? How do you build a relationship where your donor meets their goal of helping a cause they love with a major gift, and you meet your goal of getting significant support for those you serve?

That’s what Linda Lysakowski’s course, Build Donor Relationships that Lead to Major Gifts is all about. Linda knows that you need to have a genuine relationship with your donor based on mutual trust and interests. As one of the few in the world with the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) designation, Lysakowski has the experience you can trust to get the straight scoop on the most important part of major gift fundraising.

4. Become a Prospect Research Connector

Wouldn’t it be great if you could figure out whether someone had the capacity for a major gift, how to connect to them, and whether they are interested in your cause all before you visited them? That’s what prospect research is all about!

Prospect research can go deep into the details of a single person or review a broad list of people for indicators of who you should look at more closely. It’s a great tool to use before and after a connection with your prospect. 

Luckily, the Prospect Research Institute’s Research Connector program gives you access to a variety of tools and courses so you can focus your time on the people who can make the greatest impact on your mission.

5. The Storytelling Non-Profit Master Class

What if the classic television show “The Brady Bunch” started with a chart of the children’s names, ages, and parents, along with how many friends they had at school. Would you remember? Would you even care? Probably not.

Instead, the first words are “it's a story…” The show’s producers knew one simple fact: humans learn by storytelling. It's how we retain information. 

That's why Vanessa Chase Lockshin focuses so much on storytelling in nonprofit fundraising. She knows, and you’ll learn, how stories can make your case for a major gift much better than dry numbers, charts, or even facts and figures.

It’s not that she’s against numbers. This course just encourages you to bring your numbers, and your donors, alive through the best means possible: attention-grabbing, powerful stories. 

6. The Asking Conversation: Exactly What to Say in a Major Gift Solicitation and When to Say It

You've likely heard the objection, “what do I say?”  when it comes to practicing and making the fundraising ask. It's also the most frequently asked question when anyone inquires about how to get major gifts. 

It would be patronizing to tell you “it's easy,” when for so many people, it's not. Internationally recognized nonprofit expert Marc Pitman knows this, which is why he added “The Asking Conversation: Exactly What to Say in a Major Gift Solicitation and When to Say It,” to his Nonprofit Academy series of webinars.

So relax. Marc has the answers and is eager to share with his audience of fundraising professionals like yourself in this powerful major gifts officer training resource.

7. The Four Decisions: How to Lead Your Donor to Each

Those who benefit from your mission deserve everything you can do for them. So why are you leaving gifts on the table that can make a major difference in their lives? 

To start, you need to understand that your donor isn’t just a major gift, and their major gift isn’t the entirety of their philanthropy. You need the whole picture. 

In The Four Decisions, fundraising veteran Dan Shephard leads you through four choices that will help you see the whole donor instead of just their major gift. That’s a huge step toward a long-term relationship that will benefit your mission, and your donor, for years to come.

8. Impact Method™, by PivotGround

The Impact Method™ is a system of tools and processes that helps you get an organized strategy, optimize your capacity, and thrive with a process of continual improvement. It gives you the framework and methods to build the context that makes sense for you, your nonprofit, and those you serve.

This is critical in your ability to seek major gifts. 

A strategic plan tells you and your donors that you know exactly why you need major gifts. While you could ask someone for any amount of money, the first thing they’ll likely ask is why. A strategic plan puts the answer in the context of your mission. 

For example, if you offer after-school programs for children, you could say “we need a basketball court.” The donor might get it since they know your nonprofit works with kids. Yet you’d be much more successful if you said, “Our mission is to help children of our impoverished neighborhood to complete school and find a brighter future. When a child walks home from school, they have a choice: hang out and get in trouble or come to our rec center. We need to give them an incentive to come here so they’ll be in a safe, fun environment, and meet role models who can help them to succeed in life. A basketball court can be a great magnet for these kids and a tool for positive life lessons.” 

Just by comparing these two statements, you can surely see the difference and understand the power that is offered in the latter. A strategic plan shows your donors you have direction. It gives them confidence that you have the expertise to carry out your mission—and that their money will be well spent.

Seeking major gifts isn’t easy, but it's not impossible, either. Just a few years ago, most people learned by trial and error, making lots of mistakes and even losing their jobs because of it. 

That’s not true today. The eight programs above, and so many more available on Nonprofit.Courses, give you exactly what you need to solicit major gifts for the most important cause in the world: yours.

So, dive in! Define a major gift. Begin training your fundraising team. Start identifying people who love your mission—and have the means to make a transformational difference. Find out who knows them and forge an introduction. Make them insiders by showing them your great work and amazing results. Then make your ask!

If you don’t, you’ll both be disappointed—you for not doing the most for those you serve, and your donor for not fulfilling their dream of impacting a cause that makes a difference to them and the world.

To learn more about effective nonprofit fundraising operations and major gifts officer training, be sure to check out our other educational resources: 

Get started with Nonprofit Courses for your major gifts officer training.

On Demand Nonprofit Staff Training makes a Major Difference

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

On Demand Nonprofit Staff Training makes a Major Difference

Key Takeaways

  • Nonprofit staff training can’t happen quickly enough, but Nonprofit.Courses offers thousands of resources for urgent learning.
  • The platform provides skills-based content, as well as videos and podcasts for career advancement at any stage.
  • Users can find training tailored to their specific roles, fostering collaboration and understanding across disciplines.
  • Nonprofit.Courses also offers board training resources to educate board members about important topics like planned giving.
  • Finally, staff can benefit from a variety of training opportunities, including themed Tracks to enhance their learning experience.

Table of contents

Nonprofit staff training can’t happen fast enough.

Your executive director is on the phone.

She’s just been to a board meeting and she sounds tired. Really tired.

“I need you to give me a marketing plan by week’s end,” she demands. You can hear the stress in her voice. “I need to give something to the board by next week!”

“Ahh, okay,” you reply tentatively. You think to yourself, “where am I going to learn about marketing in a week?”

Then you remember…. Nonprofit.Courses.

Then the hesitation melts away. “Sure thing! How’s Thursday?”

That’s one of the perfect uses of Nonprofit.Courses. Thousands of videos, podcasts and documents ready for you to catch up quickly on nearly every nonprofit subject you can think of.

But there’s more.

How’s your career?

In addition to the comprehensive collection of skills-based content, Nonprofit.Courses has videos and podcasts specifically on how to move your career ahead, at whatever stage you’re in.

Not just your own discipline, but other’s.

And speaking of skills, Nonprofit.Courses is where you can drill deep into your current discipline, and learn about other disciplines son you can serve your mission better. For example, let’s say you’re the organization’s accountant. Of course, there’s accounting content on Nonprofit.Courses and you also found fundraising content. Since you work so closely with the fundraisers, educating yourself in their world could be helpful – and it was. In fact, you got a good laugh when you say your development officer’s face when you started to talk about CRUTS, CRATS and CGAs over lunch.

Even more important, by easily getting out of your discipline’s silo, now your development officer feels comfortable bringing up new ways of giving, so your discussions can move your mission ahead in ways you never imagined.

See content expressly for your career, right here.

Board Training

While we’re at it, when you bring up planned giving to your board, you get blank stares, until one of them says “I get things about that from my university. I didn’t know we could do that, too.”

You find a video on Nonprofit.Courses that explains the basics and share it with the development committee. Its just what you need to get everyone up to speed and start a discussion. And you know that the chances of them watching are a lot better than giving them a lot of paper.

That went so well, you came up with an idea. You found a number of videos on board governance and created your own a custom training for your board. Each month you sent a new video to them. And some months you made your own using the video creation tips you found on Nonprofit.Courses.

See content for Board Training right here.

Staff Training

You took the same idea to your staff. Every one of your staff found something they could use on Nonprofit.Courses. Everyone benefitted from the tech tips they found in the Teacher’s Tech videos. Guila Muir’s presentation videos were a great help to the people meeting with the community. When they scanned the list of content experts, they found nonprofit staff training opportunities that they never would have considered.

Then one of your staff pointed out Tracks. Tracks are sets of videos around a theme that can be viewed individually, or as a group. They’re great for diving deep into a subject since they allow the absorption of information over time.

See all of the Tracks on Nonprofit.Courses

Nonprofit Humor

Whether you’re on the line serving your mission, or behind the scenes funding it, promoting it or leading it, working at a nonprofit is a high stress job. That’s why we all need a laugh once in a while – so why not laugh at ourselves?

See our Nonprofit Humor page by clicking here.

What’s your next step?

When it comes to staff training, there simply isn’t enough. what you found on Nonprofit.Courses is plenty to last for a long, long while. But just so you don’t miss anything, you sign up for New Course Alerts to get the latest content to move you, and your staff ahead.

Looking at a Nonprofit Career?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Looking at a Nonprofit Career?

Transitioning to a Nonprofit Career won’t be easy, but it could be worth it.

Key Takeaways

  • Transitioning to a nonprofit career requires hard work and finding a mission that resonates with you.
  • Inventory your skills, focusing on program skills, business equivalents, and unique nonprofit skills.
  • Utilize resources like Nonprofit.Courses for career and technical content to aid your transition.
  • Building a network is essential; consider organizations like Great Careers/BENG for support and job hunting skills.
  • Expect differences in culture and pay, and prepare for a learning curve as you enter the nonprofit sector.

 It’s time for something different. It’s time for a job that has meaning. It’s time for using your skills for good! It’s time to look at a nonprofit career.

You’ve always been generous. Anytime you’ve seen a need, especially in an area that connects to who you are, you’re there, ready to help.

Plus, you’re willing to work hard, maybe in less-than-ideal conditions.

  • Maybe it was when you walked in the rain to raise money for cancer research after your best friend went through chemotherapy?
  • Or were you at the town meeting when your favorite tract of land, the one that you hike with your kids, was threatened with development?
  • Are you there to help your school because you got so much from it, and you see even greater need in the kids, today?

Its time to look at making a full-time job of it. But where do you start?

This is a perfect time to explore Nonprofit.Courses.

Table of contents

Find a Mission

First and foremost, nonprofits are mission driven organizations. You’ll find that a lot of people hired by nonprofits are extremely dedicated to the missions they serve.

So, your first step is to identify missions that resonate with you. (Get your free Nonprofit.Courses List of Missions.)

It won’t include absolutely everything (what list can?) but it will give you a solid start on eliminating what mission you can’t imagine working with, which you’ll consider, and the ones you love.

Inventory Your Skills

Nonprofit Career for Everyone Square with woman casual

Skills you need to work in a nonprofit can be classified into three categories.

Program Skills. These are the skills or professions that directly serve the mission of the organization. For example, if you work at a homeless shelter, you will find rehabilitation counselors. If you work at a private school, you’ll find teachers. If you work at a health clinic, you’ll find nurses.

While some people who come from the business sector have the education and certifications in areas that are mission related, most don’t. That doesn’t mean you can’t get an education and certification in these areas. It’s just that it will take more time, and usually some amount of money. (though subscription platforms like Lorman Education can make this much more affordable)

But you may not be out of luck. Some skills don’t require certifications, or better yet, will train you on the job. They tend to be lower level positions, or because the barrier of entry is lower, less well paid.

Skills that have equivalents in business. Accounting, human resources, marketing, information technology and others you can find in business and nonprofits. Yet as similar as they are, they’re different, too. As someone new to nonprofits, you need to get versed how they compare, and begin to educate yourself.

Skills that are unique to nonprofits. There are a few things that you simply won’t find in business. Top among them are fundraising, grant proposal writing, program evaluation, volunteer management and if you’re in education, student recruiting. If you’re coming from the business sector, especially sales, you may find that you have a lot of transferable skills in these and other areas. Just know that you’ll face a bit of a learning curve.

See the Content

If you’re breaking into the nonprofit sector, there are two kinds of Content you want to consider on Nonprofit.Courses.

Career Content. This is content created by professionals in nonprofits that targets career issues. These are great “words of wisdom” videos that give you insider perspective on the work, and discuss advancing your career once you have a position.

Technical Content. If you know which skill you want to bring to your nonprofit job, or want to explore which skills are right for you, then start binge watching the content related to that (or take specific certificate courses from MindEdge Learning).

This can be very important if the top level title has a lot of sub-specialties which require different skill sets. Take fundraising as an example. Yes, there are generalist fundraisers, but most people gravitate to the sub-specialty that’s comfortable for them, like direct mail, planned giving (wills and trusts) or major gifts (personal solicitation for significant gifts).

Get started finding that Nonprofit Career!

Successful transition from business or the government sector to a nonprofit job won’t always be smooth. We didn’t talk about pay (sometimes lower, but not always), cultural differences (which can be frustrating) and building a network that will lead to an offer.

For these and other job hunting skills, check out a great networking/job transition organization, like Great Careers/BENG, and its Nonprofit Career Network. Its a great way to meet others, create collateral like resumes and bios, and explore your options.

Good luck!

Matt Hugg Online Nonprofit Courses

Matt Hugg, President and Founder, Nonprofit.Courses

(One more thing! Make sure you sign up for New Course Alerts so you get notice of current content on Nonprofit.Courses to move your career ahead.)

Frequently Asked Questions: Transitioning to a Nonprofit Career

1. What is the first step I should take if I want a nonprofit career?

The first and most critical step is to Find a Mission (or several). Nonprofits are mission-driven organizations, and most employees are hired because they are deeply dedicated to the cause. You should identify which missions (e.g., environmental, educational, healthcare) resonate with you and eliminate those you cannot imagine working for.

2. Can I “test drive” a nonprofit career before committing full-time?

Yes. The guide suggests using platforms like Upwork to find remote, part-time, or freelance opportunities. This allows you to explore different missions and organizational cultures without the risk of a full-time career change immediately. You can also volunteer, but know that volunteer experiences can differ greatly from professional ones at many nonprofits.

3. What kind of background do I need to have to work in a nonprofit?

Skills in a nonprofit are generally classified into three categories:
Program Skills: Direct mission service (teachers, nurses, counselors).
Business Equivalents: Roles common in both sectors, such as Accounting, HR, Marketing, and IT.
Unique Nonprofit Skills: Roles specific to the sector, like Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Volunteer Management.

4. Which business skills translate most easily to the nonprofit sector?

Many roles in the business sector have direct equivalents in nonprofits, specifically Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, and Information Technology. While the core functions are similar, the guide notes that there are sector-specific nuances you will need to learn through education and training. Of course, the bigger the nonprofit, the more likely they will have these “in-house.” Smaller nonprofits may outsource these skills.

5. What are some skills that are entirely unique to nonprofits?

If you are coming from the business or government sectors, you may face a learning curve in areas such as:
Fundraising (AKA: Development or Advancement)
Grant Proposal Writing
Program Evaluation
Volunteer Management
Student Recruiting (for educational institutions)

6. Do I need special certifications to work in programs?

It depends. While roles like nursing, counseling or teaching require specific certifications, many entry-level program positions offer on-the-job training. However, keep in mind that positions with lower barriers to entry may also have lower starting pay.

7. Will I have to take a pay cut to work for a nonprofit?

Not necessarily, but it is a common factor. The guide notes that pay can be lower in the nonprofit sector, though this isn’t a universal rule. Other challenges include cultural differences and a potentially different pace of work compared to the corporate world.

8. How can I bridge the knowledge gap if I lack specific nonprofit skills?

You can use learning platforms to educate yourself on the nuances of the sector. The guide mentions Nonprofit.Courses for video content, as well as, Lorman, Coursera Plus and MindEdge Learning for more formal certificate courses.

21 Free Nonprofit Webinars to Further Your Career Today

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Great nonprofit volunteers are worth the cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Growth in nonprofit jobs is vital for motivation, and many employees seek challenges due to boredom or burnout.
  • Effective communication with your boss about your interests can lead to new responsibilities and opportunities.
  • You can develop skills through free resources like webinars on Nonprofit.Courses without a budget for professional development.
  • Selecting the right Nonprofit webinars involves finding relevant subjects and mixing different voices and formats for a richer learning experience.
  • Explore various categories of nonprofit webinars, including fundraising, marketing, and nonprofit board training to enhance your skills.

Table of contents

How long do you plan to be at your current job? 

Not too long, I hope. 

It’s not that I’m encouraging you to leave… in fact, far from it. I want you to grow! That’s because growth in our jobs, and growing out of our jobs so we can take on another, more challenging assignment, keeps us motivated. 

Free nonprofit webinars can be a helpful resource for any organization.

Along with pay, lack of growth potential, having a boring job, or worse yet, burning out on doing the same things day-in and day-out, are some of the top-cited reasons for people moving on – especially in the nonprofit sector. 

But how do you grow? I’m not going to say, “it’s easy,” but I am going to say that it’s totally possible, even in the low-budget environment at most nonprofits.

First, take a step back. What really interests you? Are you an annual fund fundraiser who really wants to work in major gifts? Are you the director of Human Resources who wants to dig deeper into why you have so many staff changes? Do you work with clients all day, and want to address the bigger picture? 

Second, communicate. This could be the hardest step of all. You need to talk to your boss about your interests, and if you have a mentor, even better. Remember, there are dozens of problems each day at any nonprofit, and certainly not enough resources to address them all. Showing interest in one of those issues can be refreshing to any boss. However, this won’t mean that you’re going to be any less responsible for your current assignments – but if you take on something new that excites you, that and your current work won’t feel as burdensome.

We love these free nonprofit webinars.

Next, get skills. No budget for professional development? Not enough time for a conference? No problem. Sites like Nonprofit.Courses have thousands of free, accessible videos and podcasts from less than five minutes to more than five hours.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite free nonprofit webinars that we encourage you to explore. These 21 courses are divided by category for your convenience.

Feel free to jump around to the sections that interest you most, or read along with us from the top. Ready to get started? Let’s jump in!

What makes a great nonprofit webinar for you? 

Remember, this isn’t Netflix or network television. You’re there for the content, not the production value. Still, some presenters do a great job in what is clearly a professional environment. Others do desktop videos in their kitchen. Should you care? Yes, but not why you might think. It’s really a matter of how you relate to the person, or voice on the screen. You might really connect with that desktop/kitchen webinar host. That means you’ll listen more. But there are limits. For example, robo-voices are just bad.

Here’s three steps to find to the right nonprofit webinar for you:

Free nonprofit webinars can provide powerful training resources for any team.
  1. Find your subject. There are lots to pick from, so you can be pretty specific. Let’s take major gift fundraising. There are webinars on how to identify the donor, how to get the appointment, how to ask for the gift, and lots more. 
  2. Think about when and where. Are you watching or hearing this at your desk, at lunch, to/from work, while washing the dishes? Remember, a lot of good content that’s primarily video can play like a podcast. 
  3. Get a mix. One of the strengths of Nonprofit.Courses is that you hear from a variety of voices – some well-established veterans and other up-and-coming experts. Hear from them both.

Our Favorite Free Nonprofit Webinars 

We love these free nonprofit webinars.

It’s hard not to say “they’re all my favorites.” But here are a few that I really like, for some special reasons:

• Why I Love Metrics and You will Too!

Let’s face it, measurement isn’t always our favorite word, especially when it comes to our work. I love this video because content expert Ellen Bristol does a great job taking the teeth out of what scares us. 

• The ABC’s of FORMING YOUR 501(C)(3)

“How do you start a nonprofit?” is one of the most frequent questions I get. I love this video because the experts at Harbor Compliance do a great job laying out what’s needed. 

• More than Parties & Grants, 10 Revenue Sources for Nonprofits 

This isn’t one of my favorites because of the presenter (spoiler alert – it’s me!), but because so many nonprofits are stuck in revenue ruts. Everyone who works in or with a nonprofit needs to know their funding options. 

Free Webinars for Nonprofit Board Members

Board members can feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. Ultimately, they’re responsible for everything your nonprofit does, or doesn’t, do for their cause. Check out these great videos to get them prepared to serve, and fund your mission.

• Building Your Nonprofit Board: Don’t Get Discouraged! 

A nonprofit board is no place for your friends and family. You need the right people. Shalita O’Neal, the Nonprofitista, gives you encouragement, and great advice, so you get the best people for the job.

• The Non-Profit Board’s Guide to Successful Fundraising: 8 Core Principles 

By the end of this course, board members will understand why many commonly held and well-intentioned assumptions about fundraising may actually lead to raising less money – rather than more, all courtesy of legendary expert fundraiser Henry Freeman.

• Being a Connected Leader

Dr. Victoria Boyd, president of The Philantrepreneur Foundation, reminds us that “being a board member is more than just taking a seat at the table.” Watch this thought-provoking video to see what she means. 

Webinars for All Nonprofit Professionals

Free nonprofit webinars offer powerful educational resources.

There are some things that everyone in the nonprofit sector should know. Check out some of these essential courses.

• The Seven Recruiting Principles of Highly Effective Nonprofit Boards, by Nonprofit Utopia

Learn about seven recruiting principles of highly effective nonprofit boards, including culture, character, competence, connections, composition continuity and collaboration.

• The Logic Behind the Logic Model.

Every nonprofit staff and board member should grasp logic models, even if they never write a grant proposal. They’re fundamental to how your work will be evaluated by funders, and so many more. Brought to you by GrantsMagic U founder Maryn Boess.

• Who owns a nonprofit?

Nonprofit attorney Jess Birken clarifies an essential, and often confused point. Watch this so you can explain it to others!

3 Excellent Fundraising Webinars

These free nonprofit webinars are dedicated to top fundraising strategies.

No money, no mission, right? Here are some great videos to get that money part solved so you can make that mission part thrive!

• 10 Shocking Reasons Why Board Members Would Give More

Not sure why board members aren’t giving bigger gifts to your nonprofit? Amy Eisenstein gives us the top 10 reasons your board members would give bigger gifts to support your organization’s cause. Many of these reasons are truly shocking!

• 2 Areas to NOT assume in nonprofit fundraising

Internationally known fundraising expert Marc Pitman brings you a quick 5-minute video on what you should never assume when you’re raising money for your mission.

• 10 Steps to a Successful Planned Giving Program

If you’re ready to launch a Planned Giving program, the experts at Stelter break it all down for you here. Even experienced shops will benefit from this straightforward checklist.

3 Engaging Grantwriting Webinars

Free nonprofit webinars offer powerful educational resources.

Grantwriting is a nonprofit essential skill. There’s plenty of expert resources on the subject at Nonprofit.Courses. Here’s some to get you started.

• Grant Writing – Tips for the New and Occasional Writer

Nationally known author and consultant Michael Wyland talks on the grant writing basics (and not so basics).

• What is the Most Important Part of Grant Writing?

Are you trying to figure out where you should focus your energy as you begin the grant writing process? Check out this video from Funding For Good to learn where professional grant writers start.

• What Funders Want

This session is a deep dive into tracking outcomes and best practices to prepare for mission success by outlining what funders want. It’s an important question answered by 501(c)Services

5 Ongoing, Live Nonprofit Webinars

Where are some other helpful sites with lots of nonprofit educational content? Check out these: 

Free nonprofit webinars can be a helpful resource for any organization.

• DonorPerfect 

• Bloomerang 

• National Council of Nonprofits

• Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

• Volunteer Match

Nonprofit Webinars on Annual Funds

Free nonprofit webinars offer powerful educational resources.

According to the 2018 Fundraising Effectiveness Survey Report, less than half of nonprofit gifts were repeated each year. Do better with these and other videos on Nonprofit.Courses. 

• Success with Recurring Donations

Imagine if your nonprofit could count on a steady stream of recurring donations, month after month. This is what a recurring donation program is all about. In this video, you’ll learn more about this three-step process for getting recurring donors – by iMission Institute.

• How Does Your Direct Mail Program Stack Up to the Rest?

Many fundraisers may believe that mail is a thing of the past; however, the data shows that running effective multichannel fundraising creates donors that are 3 times more valuable than online only donors – from our friends at NextAfter

• Squeeze the Most Fundraising from Your Website

The days of the static, billboard website are gone. It’s not enough for your clients and constituents to know what you do. You need them to support you! See this presentation by Elevation Web.

Nonprofit Webinars on Marketing and Branding

We love these free nonprofit webinars.

It’s all about marketing. Everything your nonprofit does, from its hiring to service delivery to financial audits, impacts how the world sees you and your mission. Learn how the right tools can make all of the difference.

• Inclusive Branding

Our friends at BC/DC Ideas offer a challenge. Sure, brand standards should always include your marks, margins, and colors. But what if they included more to guide your organization to be more inclusive and diverse?

• Marketing on a Budget

Tracy Vanderneck knows that your budget is stretched. That’s why she helps with nonprofit Marketing on a Budget by bringing you a demo on how to make a quick video for your nonprofit organization using VideoMakerFX.

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Nonprofit Professional Development: Top Resources and Ideas

Estimated reading time: 18 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Nonprofit professional development is crucial for retaining talent and aligning staff goals with mission objectives.
  • Various training options exist, including online courses, live seminars, academic instruction, podcasts, and books.
  • Encourage professional growth through mentorship, group training, staff book clubs, and internal presentations.
  • Employ emotional engagement to promote participation in development opportunities among staff.
  • Leaders should model lifelong learning to foster a culture of continuous professional development.

Nonprofit Professional Development: Top Resources and Ideas

“Our greatest asset is our people!”

That’s just a vacuous, corporate platitude, proffered by Sunday morning political talk-show sponsors who want to show us they “care,” right? 

Not so fast. Assets cost money. Even if your business is “lean,” “flat,” automated, and super-high-tech, the cost of the people you need to make it all happen could well be one of, if not the top expense. 

Those Sunday morning talk show sponsors know that if they can’t keep great talent, all the other assets won’t produce enough money for a quick commercial on the late-late-late night movie, let alone a full minute on a high-profile Washington-based, investor-watching public affairs program.

They also know that it’s much more cost-effective to retain an employee than it is to hire someone new. And if they can keep the right people for a longer time, the more efficient they become and the more money they make.

But what does that mean to you, a nonprofit leader? Whether you’re an all-volunteer, grass-roots charity, or a major national institution, it means the same thing as it does to that Fortune-whatever corporate CEO—your greatest asset is your people.Nonprofit professional development can bring your nonprofit staff to the next level.

So how do you get the most out of those assets – the ones that literally breathe life into your nonprofit mission? The answer is professional development.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to nonprofit professional development to help organizations like yours get the training they need to succeed. Let’s take a closer look at the resources, ideas, and best practices involved in effective nonprofit training:

  1. Nonprofit Professional Development and Training Resources
  2. Nonprofit Professional Development Ideas
  3. Nonprofit Professional Development FAQ

Read along from the top to find out everything you need to know to get started with nonprofit professional development or feel free to skip around to the sections that interest you most. Now let’s jump in!

This man is taking a nonprofit professional development course at his desk.What is nonprofit professional development?

To start, like everything you do, nonprofit training is about your mission. 

Sure, you can be “well-intended” and carry out your mission with “what seems right” methods backed by intuition. Too many nonprofits do. But the best and biggest funders want expertise – current expertise. They want to see numbers that justify your programs, and programs carried out by professionals following today’s best practices. And today’s best practices aren’t yesterday’s. 

Your staff needs to keep up.

Professional development, especially in a nonprofit context, is all about aligning your mission goals with your staff’s personal and professional goals. That can take all sorts of forms, from an annual nonprofit training conference to a nonprofit course at your local community college, mentor/mentee relationships, and so much more. 

For someone to grow – and therefore become a greater asset to your organization – they need to own their growth. You have to give them the choice – autonomy – to explore what’s right for them. 

For you, as a nonprofit leader, there’s a risk in that autonomy. What if they get so good that they become attractive to other employers and get offered more money? Yeah, it’s going to happen. If you were their biggest supporter and encouraged their professional development, you’ll have an advocate in the community. 

But remember, just like it’s better for you to keep staff, changing jobs is a major hassle. It’s easier for staff to stay with you. Therefore, if you encourage their professional development, they’ll probably stay because they want to.

So now that you understand the importance of ongoing professional training, what are your options in the nonprofit sector?

Nonprofit Professional Development and Training Resources

Lucky for you, there are many different types of nonprofit professional development, and no two resources will look the same. Let’s walk through some of the most popular training options for nonprofit teams, and you can decide what’s best for your organization!

This man is at his desk taking an nonprofit professional development course online.Online Nonprofit Courses

Once considered the “only if you have to” nonprofit training choice, recent events have highlighted some significant advantages to online nonprofit courses. You have some great options.

Free Courses

You’ve heard that “free is good.” When you’re talking about nonprofit courses, free can be excellent. 

But why would anyone offer a course, or even a webinar for free? Top among a lot of great reasons is the motivation of the instructor proving their expertise. The calculation is pretty simple. 

Let’s say you’re a fundraising consultant to nonprofits. By offering an excellent free course on “Top Major Gifts Asking Techniques for Your Nonprofit,” you develop a reputation for being an expert. The nonprofits who can’t afford your services will be grateful for the content and sing your praises to others. The ones who can afford your services see that you know what you’re talking about. 

Some of either group may take what you said and apply it on their own. However, a significant portion of those who take the course won’t have the time or skills to match your expertise. Those are the ones who will engage your services for pay. Clearly, there’s a real incentive to offer a solid course. It’s a win/win for everyone.

Conversely, a lot of free nonprofit training isn’t related to the company’s core product at all. For example, a computer software vendor will offer a webinar from a nonprofit marketing expert because they associate their brand with that expert, and that expert brings their audience to their business. Again, it’s solid content, and free.

You can check out some of our free nonprofit training courses here.

Paid Courses

Paid courses offer great value for nonprofit professional development.If free options are so good, why would you ever pay? Here are some top perks offered by paid nonprofit training courses that you can’t always get from their free counterparts:

  • Production quality. The quality of a paid course is probably going to be higher, which is going to better keep the learner’s attention, and thus more learning will take place.
  • Depth of learning. Paid courses tend to go more in-depth, even if it’s the same length as a free course. 
  • Organized for better learning. Paid nonprofit courses tend to be better organized for learning. The modules will be short enough for you to absorb the information. They may also offer supplemental material, like workbooks or resource sheets.
  • Veteran instructors. Most people offering nonprofit courses, free or paid, come to you with nonprofit experience or very relevant business or government experience. It’s’ the ones who combine this with the ability to convey that information to you in an easily absorbed fashion that are worth paying for.    
  • Professional credits. Free courses rarely come with the credits needed to maintain professional accreditation, like the CFRE for fundraisers, or CPA for accountants. Even if you don’t need “the hours,” consider that if a course can offer credits, it’s an assurance that it’s quality instruction. 

Take a look at our top paid offerings for online nonprofit training here.

Live SeminarsA woman in front of an easel during a nonprofit professional development seminar.

Live seminars and conferences were the cash cow of the association world. As a board member for a local chapter of a professional association for seven years, I was surprised at how much the organization depended on live event revenue, especially when it was clear that online training was gaining in popularity. In fact, these seminars and conferences generated so much money that private companies were getting into the game, hopping from city to city with many of the same offerings using local talent.

Clearly, things have changed. 

With online courses and webinars increasing in abundance, it will be interesting to see if live seminars become as robust a component of the nonprofit professional development landscape as before. Their primary advantage, however, is networking. Just running into interesting people in your same discipline is a major benefit. You can find sounding boards (or whining partners) for new ideas and life in your profession, often from people you would never otherwise meet from places you would never otherwise go. There’s also the emotional/mental break from being at your home or office. 

Will these and other key advantages outweigh the costs? Maybe. 

Even if the conference or seminar is local, you still have to travel to and from, and probably have meal costs either built into the event or on your own. If it’s far away, there’s transportation and even more time away from your organization’s work. That’s why these experiences may become less regular for you and their sponsors.

A man running to a nonprofit professional development academic class.Academic Instruction

Academic degrees in the mission disciplines of nonprofits have been around for a while. You can get Bachelor’s, Master’s or even Doctorate degrees in social work, environmental studies, history, art therapy and so much more. Academic specialties like nonprofit management, or even sub-specialties in fundraising, are much more recent, and not nearly as common. 

Still, since so many are offered online, it’s worth considering as a step on the path to nonprofit leadership.

I can tell you from experience that unless you have super great discipline, you probably won’t be as focused on your own as you would in an academic program. Getting graded really helps with this! 

Most will give you a well-rounded set of nonprofit courses in a variety of essential disciplines, like marketing, fundraising, finance, legal issues, and more. Many top off your experience with a capstone project that brings together parts of several classes, focused on some aspect of your current organization. 

You can also go for a more general degree, like an MBA or a Master’s in organizational leadership. Many of these programs offer formal or informal concentrations in nonprofit management and are more portable if you decide to leave the sector. 

Nonprofit PodcastsA man walking while listening to a nonprofit professional development podcast.

Podcasts are an excellent way to enhance your nonprofit professional expertise. 

First of all, your ears may be the only thing you can lend during a lot of your day. Your eyes may be occupied with washing dishes, cleaning the house, or commuting to work. 

Second, and just as important, many podcasts use an interview format that offers you a nice variety of content over time. Chances are you’ll get exposed to topics that you never would have if you weren’t a daily/weekly/monthly listener to your favorite audio source. Here are some excellent nonprofit podcasts to start you off. 

Books about Nonprofit Leadership and Management

A couple on a couch reading nonprofit professional development books.The definition of “book” is more fluid than ever before. Whether it’s a “traditional” paper from a known publisher, a self-published eBook from a new voice in the field, or a free download from a consultant’s website, they can all contain meaningful, career-changing information.

Therefore, the question really isn’t “should books be part of my professional development?” The better question, (in my opinion) is “how do I find the right books?”

Of course, you should be well-read in the specific field in which you aspire to, or profess expertise. If you call yourself a nonprofit human resource professional, you need to know the past and current literature related to nonprofit human resources. That’s a given. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can find some of the best nonprofit-driven books in our online bookstore!

Plus, over the years I’ve found the real gems of information are in the books that aren’t directed to nonprofits, but rather the books outside my field. For example, while I will argue all day that fundraising is not sales, there’s a lot that a fundraiser can learn from books on sales that aren’t covered in most books on nonprofit development. One of my favorite books is “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business,” by Charles Duhigg. It has nothing directly to do with nonprofits but explains so much about donors and staff. 

Professional Publications

Man reading Professional Publications for his nonprofit professional development.The difference between a book and a periodical is simple. Books should be (relatively) timeless and in-depth. Periodicals offer shorter content that’s more focused on the “here and now.” To be taken seriously in your profession, you need to keep up with the most recent developments and updates. 

Each nonprofit subdiscipline has its publications, from commercial vendors to professional associations. For example, if you’re a higher education or private school development, alumni, or admission officer, you’ll want to subscribe to Currents, the publication of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). 

In addition, anyone in the nonprofit world, staff or volunteer, would also benefit from the broader perspectives offered by non-discipline specific periodicals, like the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Nonprofit Times, Nonprofit Quarterly, or NonprofitPro. 

Nonprofit Professional Development Ideas

Don’t worry. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the thought of incorporating all of the above into your already overburdened nonprofit life. You’re not alone. That’s one of the top reasons people throw up their hands and say “maybe later,” when it comes to nonprofit professional development. 

It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some ways you can integrate professional development into your nonprofit life:

Organize mentorship/buddy programs.

Consider having “buddies” or “mentors” do some of the training. Having a person who is more experienced, but not an individual’s supervisor is a great way to accomplish ongoing nonprofit training. That person need not be in their discipline, either. It will be a great learning experience for both.

Host a staff book club.

How about a book club? While reading a book is great, a gathering of people who read the same book and discuss it is even better. This way, team members can share thoughts and ideas that come up while diving deeper into a new subject.

Get greater value from group training.

One way to make learning more exciting is by organizing it as a group experience. A lot of paid (or free!) nonprofit courses are the same price whether you watch the content by yourself, or as a group. This way, it’s a better value and team members can learn from each other at the same time.

Incorporate a social aspect to training.A man on a couch using social media as nonprofit professional development tool.

Create a social media group among co-learners. This can be within your organization or across nonprofits. Discuss the latest articles read, nonprofit courses attended, recommend podcasts, and more.

Bring in sector leaders to share valuable knowledge.

Hosting external speakers is a great way to engage with your staff and encourage learning. Whether you do this online or in-person, getting an outside speaker to give your staff a new perspective is very useful. You may already be paying a consultant who can do this, or you can enlist a board member or bring in someone from a similar organization that doesn’t compete in your area. 

Encourage team members to share their own experiences.

Be sure to recruit internal speakers as well! You probably have expertise right in your own organization that everyone can benefit from, whether it’s in their discipline or not. This is also great training for up and coming staff who should go on to making presentations at professional conferences. 

Make the most out of your staff meetings.

Your staff meetings can be a valuable training tool. I worked with a nonprofit museum that held an all-staff meeting daily in their center hall. About 50 people stood in a circle to hear announcements and updates for 15 minutes every morning. A fun feature each day was a three-minute presentation from a section of the museum about the latest findings in their area. Plus, each day the gift shop demonstrated a new toy, book, or another item. Nobody looked bored!

These questions can help you prepare for your nonprofit professional development.Nonprofit Professional Development FAQ

So you understand the importance of nonprofit professional development, and you’re looking to implement these practices within your own organization. We’ve put together a list of some top questions concerning the establishment of nonprofit training. Let’s walk through each one to become better prepared for your own training experiences!

1. How do I get started with nonprofit professional development?

If you’re new to professional development, or your program is just perfunctory, getting started (or getting the most of your nonprofit training) can be daunting. However, like your mission programming, client marketing, revenue generation and so much more in your organization, you need goals. 

Let’s start with what isn’t a goal? “Go to one conference of your choice,” at the bottom of a list that includes more “serious” goals, like the number of client visits or revenue projections. It reinforces that professional development is one extra thing that you should squeeze in if you have time. 

Instead, take a page from grant writing. Think of it in terms of inputs, outputs, and outcomes. 

  • Inputs: The free and paid training, podcasts, books and periodicals and more are all inputs – and like any good program, you should have multiple inputs. 
  • Outputs: The output is what you want your staff person to do with all of these: for example, increase staff retention rate by 10% without increasing costs. 
  • Outcomes: The outcome is something like “create a happier workforce that is more dedicated to our mission.” (And don’t forget to evaluate your outcome, like with a survey.)

There are no “ta-da” moments (imagine a magician unveiling the cut-in-half assistant as a whole) in this process. Professional development is ongoing, supported by your nonprofit’s leadership, and among staff themselves. 

2. Is staff training expensive?

All this is good, but you must be worried about the cost. I know I would be.

There’s some good news here. The costs aren’t bad, and even better when you consider your return on investment.

Obviously, free nonprofit courses are free, and most podcasts are, too. Paid courses can drop substantially on a per-person basis if you engage them as a group; same with bringing in an outside speaker. 

If you decide on online education, remember that it’s saving you hotel, food, and transportation costs that would otherwise go to a live seminar or conference. Books may not be free, (although many are) but they can be passed around the office, as can periodicals. Assigning a staff person to speak on a topic to the rest of the staff won’t cost you anything, although it would be nice to provide something like a gift card to a local restaurant for their effort.  

The return for all of this? Huge. Better engaged staff who will be up to date on the latest methods, and more likely to stay longer – which saves you money!

3. How do I get my staff to participate in development opportunities?

That’s the biggest question when it comes to nonprofit professional development. A woman at her desk taking advantage of nonprofit professional development opportunities.

One of the biggest obstacles is that a lot of staff think of their careers as “extra” when it comes to working for your mission. To a point, that’s good. You want dedicated staff. However, there can be a downside when they don’t make the connection between their personal improvement and their ability to carry out your mission as best as possible. As much as you can, encourage staff and volunteers to see taking a nonprofit course, for example, as an exciting way to improve their part of your enterprise.

Yet on a deeply personal level, that may not be enough. As they say in sales, people buy emotionally and justify logically. The best way to encourage attendance is with positive emotion – like fun! Who says a nonprofit course can’t be fun?

It can be hard to be fun for a lot of disciplines – at least for an outsider. I can’t imagine having fun learning accounting, but there are lots of people who do (God bless them). And if the nonprofit course isn’t fun enough on its own, it’s definitely on you to be engaging. That way, more people will attend with greater enthusiasm. 

Conclusion

The most powerful way to build professional development into your nonprofit‘s culture is to start with yourself. Be the role model. 

However, being the role model isn’t about announcing that you’re jetting off to some exotic location for a three-day professional retreat, leaving behind resentful staff toiling in the trenches. 

Being a role model is about being seen learning. Have a book with you and talk about it with your staff. Ask about what they’re reading. Attend a group online nonprofit course with your staff, then engage them about it later. Recommend a podcast that you listen to. Show that you make time for learning as a prompt for them to do the same. 

Your taking these and similar steps is a powerful statement of the importance of ongoing education. Because if your greatest asset is your people, then professional development is a great way to protect your assets – and it starts with you.

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