Community-Based Non-Profit Leadership Certificate

Online Graduate Certificate in Community-Based Nonprofit Leadership

In our nonprofit management program, you’ll gain the ability to transform good intentions into impactful results.

Benefit from the flexibility of our Online Graduate Certificate program.

Photography for Merrimack College.

Community Engagement Virtual Information Session - Lifelong Learning in Community Engagement

Monday, December 16, 2024 
from 2:00 pm 
to 3:00 pm

Discover how our online Master's degree and certificate programs can help you kickstart your career in community engagement.

Online Nonprofit Leadership Certificate: Why Merrimack College?

Building on Merrimack’s longstanding commitment to community engagement, our online certificate in nonprofit management equips you for leadership jobs in grassroots organizations. You’ll gain the skills to increase your organization’s effectiveness while elevating your career in nonprofit leadership. The program stands out for its:

Focus on applied skills.

You’ll gain practical expertise that you can use immediately in your current job. The online certificate in nonprofit leadership helps you develop management skills specific to community-based organizations, along with the techniques you need to establish a sustainable future for your organization.

Comprehensive subject matter.

The program addresses everything you need to function effectively as a community-based nonprofit leader. You’ll gain the ability to write grants, manage volunteers, raise funds, craft sharp PR campaigns, design and evaluate programs, manage finances and more.

Expert, engaged faculty.

You’ll learn from experienced, accomplished nonprofit management pros who’ve succeeded as community organization leaders. Our high-touch online platform enables you to build real relationships with instructors via regular phone calls, videoconferences, email, file-sharing software and other digital tools.

Transferable master’s degree credits.

If you decide to continue your studies, you can count all the credits from the nonprofit management certificate program toward a master’s degree in community engagement. The graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership amounts to about a third of the total credits needed for a master’s degree.

Convenience and affordability.

Merrimack’s online graduate certificate in nonprofit management is designed to accommodate working professionals with full-time jobs. You can complete courses in any order, work at your own pace, and start the program in spring, summer or fall term.

Program Format

  • Online

Start Terms

  • Spring
  • Summer III

VIEW APPLICATION DEADLINES

Courses in Community-Based Nonprofit Management

The nonprofit management graduate certificate program consists of three courses of four credits apiece. They are: Community Engagement Theory and Practice: You’ll acquire practical training in capacity building, sustainability, ethical engagement and service-learning. The course also covers the roots of the community engagement movement and the evolution of the field over time. Management and Leadership in Nonprofits: Learn the ins and outs of HR, financial oversight, program development, organizational culture and other nonprofit leadership skills. The course includes a survey of nonprofit career paths. Fundraising, Grant Writing and Development: Fundraising can be a make-or-break proposition for a nonprofit leader. This practical course covers everything from grant writing to strategic planning, capital campaigns, marketing, branding and social media.

Become a High-Impact Community Nonprofit Leader

Merrimack’s online graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership empowers you to play a transformative role in your community. You’ll be prepared to implement programs and make contributions that change lives, focusing on issues that are as diverse as community-based nonprofit organizations themselves. You can use the nonprofit management graduate certificate to advance causes such as:

  • Educational equity
  • Higher education diversity
  • Workforce development
  • Housing
  • Environmental protection
  • Transportation
  • Health care
  • Mental health and addiction treatment
  • Disability rights and inclusion

Want to Learn More About the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership?

Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at [email protected].

Schedule an Informational Call 

How to Apply

Create your own account. Apply to start your Graduate Certificate in Community-Based Nonprofit Leadership today.

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