Nonprofit training programs
The Center for Community Research & Service (CCRS) has supported Delaware nonprofits for over three decades by providing valuable and needed training to nonprofit leaders.
We offer several programs to meet your needs, namely the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program (NLCP) and the Nonprofit Management Essentials course. Keep reading for additional information below on all available offerings.
OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: WINTER 2025
Technology of Participation (ToP) Training Programs
register now
Overview and additional information
In this engaging course, you will learn the basics behind effective group facilitation alongside three simple, universally applicable approaches to help you move any group from conflict or confusion to consensus and commitment. Through demonstrations, hands-on practice, peer coaching, and real-life application opportunities, you will leave with the confidence to immediately put your new skills to use.
Your new skills will give you the ability to help you:
- Surface new ideas & innovation
- Guide difficult conversations
- Keep meetings on track and confirm actionable next steps
- Develop shared understanding and appreciation of diverse ideas
DATE/TIME: January 22-23, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Community Education Building (Wilmington, DE)
CONTACT: signe@udel.edu
COST:
- $1250 (corporate or large non-profit)
- $1050 (public or government)
- $950 (individual professional)
- $950 (mid-sized non-profit)
- $650 (student or small non-profit)
register now
Overview and additional information
Before planning for the future, groups need to understand their history, the current dilemmas they face, as well as anticipate trends and shifts in their larger environment.
In Approaches to Environmental Scanning, explore and practice TEN dynamic and creative ways to assess feedback generated through focus groups, surveys, and listening sessions, or collaboratively analyze organizational and industry trends and complete data sets.
You will leave with easily applicable skills and techniques that help groups quickly understand customer, staff, or community perceptions and needs, delve into relevant data, and move groups toward a shared appreciation and understanding on how to launch efforts toward transformative, strategic change.
DATE/TIME: January 24, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Community Education Building (Wilmington, DE)
CONTACT: signe@udel.edu
COST:
- $800 (corporate or large non-profit)
- $700 (public or government)
- $600 (individual professional)
- $600 (mid-sized non-profit)
- $500 (student or small non-profit)
OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: SPRING 2025
Register now
Overview
The 15-week Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program (NLCP) is in its 33rd year. In addition to receiving critical content from accomplished trainers in the sector, participants build on the course modules to assess their organizations and develop action plans in the strategic areas of their choice. The course's peer-to-peer sharing and networking aspect is a great benefit of the cohort model of the NLCP.
This course is designed for mid-career professionals working in the nonprofit sector in leadership roles or looking to transition into leadership roles.
Graduates of the program have gone on to lead organizations of every size and in every sector of the nonprofit industry. Graduates of the course receive a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and 10.5 CEUs.
NLCP is supported in part by the state of Delaware.
NEXT COHORT: Spring 2025
SCHEDULE: Thursdays | February 6–May 15, 2025
8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (in-person), 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (virtual)
FORMAT: Hybrid - eight full-day in-person sessions, seven half-day synchronous online sessions and asynchronous content. All classes are held during published class times. Additional small group sessions may be scheduled.
LOCATION: Community Service Building | 100 W. 10th St., Wilmington, Del. 19801
CONTACT: signe@udel.edu
COST: $2595 | Package pricing is available for organizations that send more than one person from their leadership team.
Package pricing is available for organizations that send more than one person from their leadership team.
Course curriculum
Organizational Assessment and Strategy This module focuses on the basic theories and functions of strategic planning and management, and introduces students to the planning/ monitoring/ evaluation cycle. Financial aspects of strategic planning and management are addressed.
Financial Management & Oversight This module emphasizes the communication and interpretation of financial information for decision-making by managers, governing boards, granting agencies and donors. Techniques and principles of cash flow prediction, resource allocation, financial statement analysis, and budgeting and control are presented.
Strategic Technology Planning This module focuses on strategically planning for and managing technology, to help nonprofit managers make informed and intelligent technology investments, and use technology to accomplish the organization's mission.
Leadership and Innovation in Nonprofit Organizations This module focuses on three aspects of leadership: developing and working within a multi-cultural management team, understanding management styles, and conflict resolution. Attention and focus will also be paid to working on innovative tools and strategies to manage problems and issues more creatively.
Board Governance This module will address key elements to developing and maintaining an active and engaged board for your nonprofit.
Human Resources Management This module trains managers in selected aspects of personnel management, including interviewing and selection, employment law, classification and compensation, career development, and performance management.
Volunteer Management This module covers the design and management of successful volunteer programs.
Advocacy This module enhances nonprofit managers' understanding of the importance of advocacy and government relations in serving their mission, and equips them with the skills and knowledge to be effective in influencing public policy. It also addresses the use of technology as a tool for increased advocacy.
Fundraising Approaches to developing systematic fundraising strategies are presented. Sources of nonprofit revenue, historical philanthropic patterns, and strategies to achieve a stable and diversified funding base are reviewed.
Grantwriting This module will cover the basics of grantseeking and grantwriting.
Marketing This module emphasizes effective strategies in marketing, public relations and branding.
Succession Planning This module focuses on planning for leadership succession within nonprofit organizations.
Program Evaluation This module presents basic concepts and models for determining how efficiently and effectively the organization is performing. Strategies for incorporating the results of evaluation into program planning, program implementation, and justifying resource requirements are covered.
Course Project Participants are required to complete course assignments on each of the modules. This very valuable component of the NLCP will assist managers and directors with implementing the knowledge and skills they have acquired as a result of the curriculum. Nonprofit professionals will work to identify key issue areas of their organization and/or program and develop, goals and an implementation plan for these key areas. Participants are required to present their plan as part of their final project on the final day of the course.
Stay tuned for future offering information
Overview and additional information
In these challenging times, there is no better time to change the world through a career in the nonprofit sector! Gain an understanding of nonprofit organizations and the issues that managers face in this impactful and growing field. This course is designed for early-career professionals working in the sector or mid-career professionals transitioning from other sectors or looking to move into leadership positions. Participants will be exposed to several areas of responsibility for nonprofit leaders including strategy, board governance, budgeting, fundraising, grant writing, managing employees and volunteers, and more. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and 6.7 CEUs.
NEXT COHORT: TBD
LOCATION: Online | CONTACT: signe@udel.edu
COST: $1500
Please email continuing-registration@udel.edu to register using a payment plan or third-party payment.
Contact us
For more information on available trainings, please reach out to Signe Bell, Director of Nonprofit and Community Programs.
