Develop the skills and strategies you need to become an integral part of one of America’s fastest growing service sectors. In this course, a twelve-year veteran in the nonprofit management field will show you how to transform your good intentions into a professional plan of action. You'll understand the unique characteristics of nonprofit organizations while mastering the core knowledge necessary to become an effective leader in the nonprofit arena.

In this course, you will learn skills and develop strategies that will take your organization to new heights of prosperity and productivity. You'll gain a full understanding the role of the executive director and the board of directors, special event and meeting management, public relation strategies, and how to find a position in this fascinating and rewarding field of work.

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Internet access, e-mail, and and the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Linda Kissam.

Linda Kissam is an eighteen-year veteran in the nonprofit management field. She has managed both 501 (c)(3) and 501 (c)(6) organizations and currently owns her own consulting company. She has taught both in the public and private sectors. A seasoned wine and hospitality industry veteran, Linda consults with local wineries on media attraction and food and wine events. She conducts both private and group strategic planning workshops for nonprofit and for-profit corporations. She currently serves as the executive director of a visitors bureau for an art town in California. She writes a weekly wine article and a bimonthly tourist destination column. She is a highly regarded facilitator for strategic planning workshops, marketing seminars, and event planning.

“ I believe that the course discussion areas were very important to my understanding and learning. I also believe that the instructor answered questions in a timely manner and with great enthusiasm and encouragement. ”

“ I can't begin to tell you how timely and important your class information has been for me. Like some of my classmates, time constraints have prevented me from posting more, but that has had no bearing on how much your lessons have enriched my life. I've printed them all out in hard copy and made a notebook that is already getting dog-eared from use. Your method of teaching, your quick feedback, and your wealth of resources will make my getting the equine conservation organization off and running SO much smoother. It already made my discussions with the non-profit attorney more productive since I understood better the terminology and process. Thank you!!! ”

“ Instructor is well versed in subject matter and she makes it very easy for the student to follow her trend of thought. Great course - fantastic teacher! ”

“ I have enjoyed the class and appreciate your sharing of specific and very valuable information and insights. Thank you, Linda, for guiding us along the nonprofit pathway! ”

“ Thank you for the class and for sharing your expertise with us. The variety of topics was great, and you presented them in a lively way. I will feel better equipped to find a history job, knowing that nonprofit issues are such a vital component. I'll also be more motivated to get involved in volunteering, from looking at some of the wonderful supplemental resources you provided. Thank you again! ”

“ Thank you for this very valuable course. Though I have been working in the nonprofit world for quite some time, not only did I find it affirming, but also found wonderful ideas for consideration. I was especially impressed with the section on volunteers and the comparison between the old paradigm and new. ”

“ This class has been SO helpful and informative, I loved it! Thank you so much for your wisdom and insights, I feel like I have learned so many things in such a short period of time. This class gave me the opportunity and a reason to intiate contact with the non-profit that I focused on. ”