Nonprofit Business Boot Camp

Our 10-week Summer Nonprofit Business 'Boot Camp' is an immersive, hands-on program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to launch and manage successful nonprofit organizations or social enterprises. This program empowers future leaders to identify and address critical societal challenges using innovative strategies, sophisticated tools, and system-based approaches. The curriculum covers systems thinking, organizational strategy, legal incorporation, financial management, and essential marketing practices tailored specifically for nonprofit and social purpose operations.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Identifying Societal and Complex ("Wicked") Problems

   • Develop an understanding of systems thinking to recognize root causes and connections within complex social issues.
   • Learn frameworks to deconstruct and address multifaceted problems in creative, sustainable ways.
   • Get introduced to sophisticated tools we use to streamline systemic problem analysis, helping you design targeted and impactful solutions.

2. Strategy Design and Innovation through design thinking practices

   • Use a "fourth-person knowing" approach to understand broader perspectives on social issues and organizational impact.
   • Design strategies to build innovative solutions with long-term, meaningful impact.
   • Experiment with tools and techniques for developing solution prototypes, gaining experience in iterating designs based on feedback and real-world challenges.

3. Legal and Compliance Foundations for Nonprofits

   • Gain a thorough understanding of the process to incorporate a nonprofit organization.
   • Learn about the requirements and advantages of obtaining and maintaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
   • Understand essential regulatory reporting and compliance requirements.

4. Corporate Administration Using Open-Source Resources

   • Learn to leverage open-source resources for corporate administration tasks, including documentation, reporting, and project management.
   • Explore best practices for managing nonprofit records and communications.

5. Nonprofit Marketing, Social Media, and Web Design

   • Understand the principles of nonprofit marketing and how to effectively communicate your mission and impact.
   • Learn strategies for leveraging social media platforms to engage your audience and build community support.
   • Gain practical skills in web design to create and maintain an effective online presence for your organization.

6. Budgeting and Financial Management

   • Understand key budgeting and cost-tracking principles specific to nonprofit finance.
   • Learn to design and manage a comprehensive budget, with insights into funding, grant-writing, and expense management.
   • Develop skills in business modeling and planning to assess the financial viability and sustainability of nonprofit initiatives.
   • Conduct viability analysis to ensure that projects are feasible and aligned with mission objectives.

7. Setting Up Financial Accounting and Payroll Systems

   • Gain practical skills in setting up and using financial accounting systems that suit nonprofit needs.
   • Explore the essentials of payroll accounting and other financial practices specific to nonprofit organizations.

8. Legal Essentials: Contracts and Agency

   • Learn about the legalities of contracting and agency within the nonprofit sector.
   • Understand core principles of agreements, partnerships, and compliance to protect your organization’s interests.

9. Navigating Regulatory Reporting Requirements

   • Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and local reporting obligations to maintain good standing.
   • Understand annual reporting, financial disclosures, and other compliance documentation crucial for nonprofit operations.

This program is ideal for those passionate about social impact and developing the skills needed to create and manage nonprofit organizations effectively. No prior experience in business or nonprofit management is required—just a strong commitment to making a difference!

Class Format:
Classes will be held online through Canvas, supplemented by a chat/Zoom room for live interactive sessions, and communication will also be facilitated via email. Attendance at a one-time orientation and organizing meeting held synchronously on Zoom on Tuesday, June 25, from 6–8 pm. 

Program Outcomes:
Graduates of this program will be well-prepared to lead or support nonprofit ventures with confidence, equipped with the strategic, legal, financial, administrative, and marketing skills to drive positive social change and the technical know-how to streamline problem analysis and prototype development.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

4 - Non Profit Strategic Planning 

4 - Non Profit Budgeting

4 - Principles of Financial Accounting 

4 - Non Profit Marketing