The course content was enlightening, the presenters were engaging, and my peers were wonderful to build new relationships with and learn from.
The Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership is a comprehensive program that offers experienced nonprofit professionals the opportunity to increase their capacity for effective entrepreneurial leadership through applied theoretical studies, executive skills training, and reflective practices in an interactive learning environment. Through this innovative curriculum, participants will:
As result of their participation, graduates will be better able to:
Graduates of the Executive Certificate program will return home equipped with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to manage in fast-paced, resource-constrained, mission-driven environments that characterize today’s nonprofit sector.
Supported in part by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, the program was created in direct response from senior nonprofit managers, board members, and many of the over 2,000 graduates of Duke University’s nationally acclaimed renowned Certificate in Nonprofit Management program. Composed of nationally known experts from Duke University and leading practitioners, our faculty provides interactive instruction, practical resources, and targeted feedback to enhance and expand participants’ skills in entrepreneurial nonprofit leadership.
2022 Agenda
Additional Readings, links or other preparatory work will be sent to students within 30 days of class start date.
Monday, October 17 |
|
| 9:00 – 9:45am |
Opening Session Following a welcome by program leaders, introductions, and an on-boarding activity, we will discuss participants’ expectations for the 2022 Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and identify norms and standards for our learning community. We will conclude with an overview of the curriculum with special reference to the expectations identified earlier. |
| 9:45 – 10:30am |
Effective Leadership and the Nonprofit Executive In this session, we will engage in a lively discussion of what leadership means for each of us. Together, we will examine the special challenges of leadership in the nonprofit sector. Finally, we will share the leadership development goals that each of us bring to the Executive Certificate program. |
| 10:30 – 10:45am | BREAK |
|
10:45 – 12:00pm |
Promising Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits Nonprofits occupy a unique position in the organizational landscape of the United States. Although many of the fundamental principles and practices of effective leadership apply across all sectors and forms of organization, nonprofit leaders face a distinctive set of opportunities and challenges in comparison with their counterparts in the business and government sectors. Moreover, recent research has revealed a set of promising practices applied consistently to positive effect in many high impact nonprofits. |
| 12:00 – 1:00pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00 – 3:00pm |
Collaborative Leadership – Discovering Superpowers and Building Super Teams What would it take for you to be an even better leader than you are now? Not just for the short view, but for years to come. As the social impact landscape becomes more interdependent and complex, collaborations between private and social sectors as well as among nonprofits and within organizations will be the key to success. Our people are also demanding a more humanizing approach to leading. This session explores ways of seeing the value in each other, of communicating and building trust - through presentation, participant interactions and experiential exercises. |
| 3:00 – 3:15pm | BREAK |
| 3:15 – 5:00pm |
Leadership from the Inside Out! The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on public health, employment, food security, housing, and mental health deeply strained the nonprofit sector’s ability to address an unprecedented demand for basic human services. Without exception, and without warning, nonprofit leaders were challenged to guide their organizations forward in the face of an unknown, destabilizing force. While Covid is an outlier, volatility is not. What has the pandemic taught us about our ability to steward our organizations through difficult situations? How can nonprofits and their leaders manage through adversity while remaining structurally and financially viable? How can we build the resilience needed to withstand inevitable future challenges? |
Tuesday, October 18 |
|
| 9:00 – 9:10am |
Morning Check-In Session |
| 9:10 – 10:30am |
Coaching your Staff towards Organizational Success This session is designed to give nonprofit executives a clear and actionable organizational management framework that attracts, motivates, and retains the top talent, and that empowers the executive to get the greatest results out of their team. During this session, you will learn how to cultivate the “Six Characteristics of a Highly Effective Team.” We will outline a clear process you can use to successfully coach your staff to accomplish organizational objectives on time, with the resources given, and with exceptional results. As a result, participants will have an increased ability to foster and maintain a team dynamic that helps create results greater than the sum of each individual’s contribution |
| 10:30 – 10:45am | BREAK |
| 10:45 –12:00pm |
Coaching Your Staff towards Organizational Success (continued) |
| 12:00 – 1:00pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
Resilience and Leadership Through Periods of Change None of us have been unchanged by the pandemic. Without exception, and without warning, nonprofit leaders were challenged to guide their organizations forward in the face of an unknown, destabilizing force. While Covid is an outlier, change and disruption are not. What has the pandemic taught us about how we approach difficult situations? What skills do we need as leaders to steward our organizations through periods of change? How can we strengthen our organization’s ability to harness opportunities found within disruption, rather than fear it? |
| 3:00 – 3:15pm | BREAK |
| 3:15 – 5:00pm |
Introduction to Social Innovation What is social innovation? Universities, the media, nonprofits, and even government agencies seem to be increasingly using this term, but what does it really mean? In this interactive session, nonprofit leaders will explore these concepts through a case study example of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus and his Grameen Bank. What can we learn from this powerful story of an entrepreneurial leader who identified an opportunity, mobilized resources, and achieved significant social impact? What can we learn from leading edge research in the emerging field of social innovation if we are seeking to have greater impact? |
Wednesday, October 19 |
|
| 9:00 – 9:10am |
Morning Check-In Session |
| 9:10 – 10:30am |
Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Nonprofit Culture Nonprofit organizations are navigating tectonic shifts in the social sector that require new skills and new strategies to create long-term impact. The complicated challenges facing contemporary nonprofit organizations demand a dynamic brand of leadership. An entrepreneurial outlook can help to transform the culture of nonprofits by meaningfully engaging the abilities, talents, and passions of board, staff and supporters. |
| 10:30 - 10:45pm | BREAK |
| 10:45 - 12:00pm |
Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Nonprofit Culture (continued) |
| 12:00 - 1:00pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00- 2:30pm |
Social Enterprise: Is Earned Income Right for Your Organization? In the face of increasing competition for limited and volatile philanthropic funding, many nonprofits are turning to earned income ventures as a potential alternative to traditional nonprofit fundraising strategies. |
| 2:30 – 2:40pm | BREAK |
| 2:40 – 4:00pm |
Legal Issues for Entrepreneurial Nonprofits Nonprofit leaders must manage the affairs of their nonprofit corporation in an evolving legal landscape. As nonprofit organizations have become more entrepreneurial, they need to be mindful of legal and regulatory regimes that were designed for an earlier era. In this session, participants will have an opportunity to discuss these and other issues with an expert in nonprofit law. |
| 4:00 – 4:10pm | BREAK |
|
4:10 – 5:00pm
|
Social Enterprise in Action: Lessons from the Trenches A panel of leaders of entrepreneurial nonprofits will engage the participants in a dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of incorporating principles and practices of social enterprise into nonprofit strategy, operations, and culture. |
Thursday, October 20 |
|
| 9:00 – 9:10am |
Morning Check-In Session |
| 9:10 – 10:30am |
Leading Effective Virtual Meetings Nonprofit leaders have always used meetings to share information, generate ideas, solve problem, and plan for actions. However, as the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically accelerated the trend toward virtual meetings, many organizations have struggled to maintain the quality and effectiveness of these meetings. In this session, we will share approaches to help you “facilitate from afar” and get more out of virtual meetings so that your organization can achieve greater results for those it serves. |
| 10:30 – 10:45am | BREAK |
| 10:45 – 12:00pm |
Mindfulness of Social Impact Creating positive change in the world is needed now more than ever. Nonprofit leaders work tirelessly to address the world’s greatest challenges amidst resource constraints and unprecedented uncertainty, while balancing a myriad of stakeholder needs and multiple bottom lines. The issues are vast, the stakes are high, and the prevalence of chronic stress, burnout and compassion fatigue are all too common. To achieve their bold visions, transformational leaders must prioritize their wellbeing. They need access to a diverse set of tools, practices and frameworks to cultivate focus, creativity, resilience and joy. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two of these essential tools. Through practical, evidence-based mindfulness practices and principles, leaders are able to communicate more effectively, inspire their teams, uncover innovative solutions, and focus on what matters most – even in the midst of constant change. |
| 12:00 – 1:00pm |
LUNCH |
| 1:00 – 3:00pm |
Managing Implicit Bias – An Overview and Strategies This session will present the rationale for the current national focus on Implicit Bias and its relevance for nonprofit organizations. Theories underlying the development of the process of implicit biases will be discussed along with findings from several research designs. Implications for decision-making will be presented, along with specific strategies aimed at helping participants better manage the impact of implicit bias on their decisions, (both interactive and didactic). |
| 3:00 – 3:15pm | BREAK |
| 3:15 – 5:00pm |
Cultivating Effective Relations with the Board of Directors The overall landscape of nonprofit governance has changed with regulators, stakeholders, and the public demanding increased accountability to ensure that nonprofit organizations achieve results. To be successful, a nonprofit organization requires strong leadership from its board of directors in close partnership with the organization’s senior leaders. In this session, we will consider how to forge effective relationships given the asymmetries in the knowledge, information, and incentives among these groups. We will also discuss how to increase board member commitment to the mission and purpose of your organization, and how boards must be active and engaged to fulfill their legal and governance duties. |
Friday, October 21 |
|
| 9:00 – 9:20am |
Final Morning Check-In Session |
| 9:20 – 10:30am |
Scaling Social Impact Nonprofits have come under greater pressure than ever to deliver increased outcomes with fewer resources. The ability to “take our impact to scale” seems as critical as ever. But what are the various pathways to achieving increased impact, and what strategies should your nonprofit consider? What integral capacities are required to scale impact, and how should your organization go about planning for such an effort? In this session, we will examine these questions in our mutual effort to make a significant and sustainable impact in the communities we serve. |
| 10:30 – 10:45am | BREAK |
| 10:45 – 12:00pm |
Scaling Social Impact (continued) |
| 12:00 –1:00pm | LUNCH |
| 1:00 – 2:15pm |
Preparing for the Next Generation of Leaders Given the impending exodus of nonprofit leaders over the next decade, it is imperative for present leaders to cultivate those who will succeed them. In this session, a panel of emerging leaders will engage the participants in a dialogue on the motivations, ways of working, and aspirations of the rising generation. |
| 2:15 - 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:30 - 3:30pm |
Closing Session In this session, we will bring closure to the Duke Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership program by reviewing and discussing the key themes of the week. We will also share the revised leadership development goals that each participant will commit to pursuing in the months ahead. |
*Schedule is subject to change
Participants will complete the Executive Certificate in five consecutive days – October 9-13, 2023. The Executive Certificate is a 50-hour program that meets Monday-Friday. The program will be held as a series of live interactive classes via Zoom. Participants must attend all sessions to earn the Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.
Individuals who apply and are accepted into the Executive Certificate will participate in its comprehensive program that offers experienced nonprofit professionals the opportunity to increase their capacity for effective entrepreneurial leadership through applied theoretical studies, executive skills training, and reflective practices in an interactive learning environment.
The Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership is designed to deliver high impact training for seasoned nonprofit professionals whose leadership transforms organizations, communities and lives.
Applications for the 2023 program will be accepted beginning January 9, 2023.
In addition to completing the online application, you will need to upload the following documents:
2023 Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Course ID: 0461-015
Class Date: October 9 - 13, 2023
Application Period: January 9 – September 1, 2023
Registration Begins: March 6, 2023
Registration Ends: September 8, 2023 (or until class is full)
Location: Live Virtual Program via Zoom
Once accepted in the Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Program, participants will receive all registration information, class schedules, and materials.
For more information, email nancy.love@duke.edu
REGISTER ONLINE for a free video conference information session scheduled for Friday, April 14, 2023 from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. (ET). Join us for a live, interactive webinar on Zoom where key staff will discuss nonprofit executive education and answer questions about our 2023 program.
Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Information Session via Zoom
Friday, April 14, 2023, 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. (ET)
Course ID: 0462-011
Cost: Free
Video conference details sent to registered participants 24 hours prior to the session
Email Nancy Love with questions about the Executive Certificate program.
2023 Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Program will be offered virtually as a series of live, interactive classes via Zoom.
To ensure an optimal online learning experience, please ensure that you have access to the following:
· Note taking materials
Payable at the time of registration.
Duke Employee Discount
Discount must be requested and applied during the registration process.
Our Nonprofit Management Programs (Intensive Track and Executive Certificate* in Nonprofit Leadership) are non-credit (not degree applicable); therefore, they are NOT eligible for federal loans. DO NOT SUBMIT FAFSA FORMS for these programs. Please see individual program web pages for those details. You may qualify for other loan options. Please see info below.
*Students must apply & be accepted into the Executive Certificate Program before registering.
No loans (Wells Fargo Graduate loan, Sallie Mae Smart Option Undergraduate loan, etc.) can be construed to imply any degree-seeking status for students of Duke Continuing Studies. Duke Continuing Studies courses are non-credit.
Your local bank may offer other options for loans or a "line of credit" service. Contact your bank for more information on financing choices.
The funding options listed below may not be applicable to all programs at this time. Please contact the organization offering the funding to see if you qualify and if the funds can be used for the program in which you are interested.
To apply for this private student loan, visit Sallie Mae’s website, and click the I’m ready to apply button. The following application should populate with the pertinent information for Duke Continuing Studies.
Please note that Wells Fargo is no longer accepting new applications for their private student loans. However, students with an outstanding balance on a Wells Fargo private student loan may be eligible to be borrowers on a new private loan. See here for details.
The WIA provides professional and basic skills training services to those who have been unable to find employment. Please keep in mind that this process can be lengthy, so plan to apply well in advance of the program start date. For more information on eligibility, the application process, or to find your local Workforce Development Board, visit the NC JobLink Career Center website.
AmeriCorps Education Awards are available only for AmeriCorps volunteers and can be used for educational expenses for non-degree courses, such as Continuing Education courses offered by qualified schools. For more information on qualified schools and programs, contact the National Service Trust at 1-800-942-2677, or visit the FAQ page of the AmeriCorps website.
The Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Program will offer a $800 scholarship to Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management graduates. To apply, indicate that you have the Certificate on your application. Staff will verify and contact you. Please apply early to guarantee consideration.
$200 of your tuition for the Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership is nonrefundable. To receive a refund minus a processing fee for class cancellation, we must receive your written cancellation request by Friday, September 1, 2023.
To submit a cancellation request:
Email: learnmore@duke.edu
Please include your name, address, phone number, and program title (Executive Certificate). Refunds will be made in the manner you paid. Failure to attend the Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership class does not entitle you to a refund or replacement class.
