Continuing Education

This course is designed for any participant seeking to develop the skills that bring clarity to the process of planning and executing the goals and objectives of the organization

Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.

No prerequisites required.

• ★ Expert Supported
• ★ Accessible
• ★ Games & Flashcards
• ★ Real-world case studies
• ★ Mobile-friendly
• ★ Badge and credit-awarding
• ★ Video content
• ★ Audio-enabled in-app

This course has an "Ask the Expert" feature, which submits your questions directly to an expert in the field you are studying. Questions are answered as quickly as possible and usually within 24 hours.

Learners must achieve an average test score of at least 70% to meet the minimum successful completion requirement and qualify to receive IACET CEU credit. Learners will have three attempts at all graded assessments.

Nonprofit Skills®: Measuring Results addresses how to construct and implement an evaluation framework to measure the results of a nonprofit's strategic plan. It also includes important metrics for measuring programs and organizational efficiency outside the strategic plan framework. The course includes how to choose KPIs, when to hire an outside evaluator, sources of data, measurement techniques, and how small nonprofits can benefit from measurement.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explain how to develop and implement an evaluation framework
• Choose appropriate outcomes and indicators to measure the impact of your nonprofit's programming
• Choose appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of your organization's strategy
• Explain how a theory of change informs a nonprofit's measurements
• Describe how a small nonprofit can use measurement to improve
• Describe the Common Outcomes Framework in relation to your organization's programming
• List different data collection tools used to measure results, and describe best practices for analyzing and interpreting data
• Decide whether your nonprofit should use an external evaluator

This course, aimed at nonprofit executive directors, leaders, and aspiring leaders, is designed to help them apply basic strategic-planning skills to their nonprofit organizations. In this course, leaders will learn the difference between long-term planning and real-time strategy, and why their nonprofit needs to practice both. They will become familiar with the different types of strategic assessments, including SWOT analysis, and learn how to ask the Big Questions that will guide their strategic planning efforts. They will figure out the differences between strategic goals, SMART objectives, and organizational tactics. And they will come to understand the different roles that leaders and board members play in the strategic planning process.

Learning Outcomes:
• Describe the key elements of a nonprofit strategic plan
• Explain the roles and tasks associated with strategic planning and how the process varies by organization size and type
• Conduct a stakeholder analysis
• Conduct a SWOT analysis and use it to guide strategic decision-making
• Formulate strategic goals and align them with appropriate SMART objectives and tactics
• Apply a strategy screen to address unforeseen situations in the strategic plan

Nonprofit Skills®: Implementing the Strategy provides learners with an understanding of the resources and skills required to effectively implement a nonprofit strategic plan. They will learn how to break strategic goals and objectives into milestones with clear deliverables and how to use project management tools to outline timelines, tasks, roles, and responsibilities. This course also covers best practices for leading an implementation team, monitoring and reporting progress, identifying risks, and responding to some common challenges nonprofit leaders face when implementing the strategy.

Learning Outcomes:
• Make decisions about who should lead and monitor the implementation of a strategic plan
• Develop milestones based on strategic goals and objectives
• Identify the resources and skills necessary for implementing the strategic plan
• Use project management tools to create documents outlining tasks, roles, and responsibilities
• Create a schedule that details the sequence and duration of activities along with key milestones
• Identify potential risks and develop plans to address challenges
• Describe best practices for leading the implementation team
• Explain methods for monitoring progress and providing updates
• List best practices for managing resistance to change

Nonprofit Skills®: Establishing Mission and Vision guides nonprofit leaders through the process of identifying purpose and applying that to organizational goals. The course includes discussions on what makes a mission and a vision and how purpose drives leadership. 3 case studies dissect the ways in which mission statements should be followed, reviewed, and refined. It discusses diversifying audiences and turning purpose into impact. After completing this course, nonprofit leaders will be able to move forward confident that their actions and objectives will align with both organizational goals and the ultimate purpose of the organization.

Learning Outcomes:
• Identify the key components of mission and vision statements and explain their importance in the nonprofit context
• Explain how to align mission and vision with organizational culture, goals, and values
• Define purpose-driven leadership and describe its connection to organizational mission and vision
• Outline strategies for engaging stakeholders in the development and refinement of mission and vision statements
• List methods to ensure mission and vision statements resonate with diverse audiences
• Evaluate and draft effective mission and vision statements
• Adapt mission and vision statements to meet changing organizational needs and circumstances

Nonprofit Skills®: Communicating the Strategy provides tools and best practices for effectively communicating a nonprofit strategic plan. The course describes how to identify target audiences and how to adapt strategic plan communication to their interests and preferences. Learners will also explore popular channels and methods for distributing the strategic plan and find out how to craft clear and compelling messages for effective communication. Best practices for leading meetings, presenting data, and gathering feedback will also be discussed, along with tips for responding to resistance and concerns.

Learning Outcomes:
• Explain the importance of communicating the strategy in nonprofits
• Identify target audiences and adapt strategic plan communication to their interests and preferences
• List channels and methods for distributing the strategic plan
• Describe how to craft clear and compelling messages for effectively communicating the strategy
• Outline how to lead effective meetings and deliver presentations to convey the strategic direction to stakeholders
• List strategies for facilitating two-way communication that allows stakeholders to provide feedback and ask questions
• Provide tips for addressing resistance and responding to concerns