NOTICE: The Nonprofit Management Certificate program is currently under review and being updated. This program is on pause for 2026, and may resume in 2027. To receive information about future programming, please sign up here.
Hundreds of participants from across the country take part in the Intensive Track Program designed to give nonprofit professionals the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the sector. The Nonprofit Management Intensive Track Program periodically offers this opportunity to 25 participants. The Program explores 8 key areas of nonprofit management through courses taught by instructors who are established practitioners and scholars from a variety of disciplines within the nonprofit arena. Participants are able to complete the requirement for the Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management in 8 days.
Courses include the following areas of nonprofit management: Nonprofit Organizations: Board Development and Governance, Fundraising, Planning and Evaluation, Grant Writing, Employment Law, Human Resource Development, Financial Management and Sustainable Strategic Planning. Participants are given the opportunity to discuss their own challenges and pose questions to the group in the search for guidance.
You may register online with our secure, real-time registration system or contact our registration for assistance at learnmore@duke.edu.
No schedule is currently available.
Melissa Metcalf LeRoy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Entrepreneurship with minor in Business Law from Western Carolina University. She also earned a Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management and a Duke Advanced Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. She teaches non-profit management classes throughout North Carolina, South Carolina & Virginia. Melissa is a past board member of the NC Center for Non-Profits, and is designated as a nonprofit mentor for the western region of NC. She also contributed a TEDx talk, A Love Affair: The Art of Not Asking! and offers her services as a consultant through her firm, On Fire Non-Profit Consulting.
Ruth Peebles, MPA, offers over 30 years of hands‐on experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, grant writing, organizational development and project management. She is the President and Founder of The INS Group a national consulting firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ms. Peebles served as the Executive Director for The Raleigh/Wake Partnership to End and Prevent Homelessness, as the Director of Development for Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina and Associate Director and Development Officer for the North Carolina Caring Program for Children. She has served as an adjunct instructor for the School of Public and International Affairs Master of Public Administration Program at North Carolina State University. Ms. Peebles holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and graduate degree in Public Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Peebles currently serves on Wake County Affiliate Board of the North Carolina Community Foundation. She is a founding member of the Next Generation of African American Philanthropists giving circle.
Kimberly Moore, Ph.D. is a nonprofit and government leader. Her research interests include the Triple Helix framework of government, higher education, and business interconnectedness. She is currently the Director of Civic Engagement for U.S. House of Representatives District 2. Prior to that, she served as an executive officer in the life insurance industry and as a fundraising consultant. Her experience includes over 30 years and involves higher education fundraising, strategic planning, government, and external affairs. Kimberly holds a B.A. in Journalism/Public Relations, a master’s in English, and Ph.D. in Journalism History.
Sarah Heinemeier Ph.D., is a founding partner of Compass Evaluation and Research, Inc. Sarah became interested and started working in evaluation as a graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill. As a practitioner of collaborative and participatory evaluation, she loves interacting with groups and building capacity to use data as part of an ongoing commitment to improving conditions and outcomes for children, families, and communities. Ms. Heinemeier has a Master’s degree in Anthropology and a Doctorate in Social Foundations for Education from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Bob Kenney, Ph.D. is President and Founder of Partners Through Training, based in Richmond, Virginia since 1993 and has taught hundreds of classes as part of Duke University’s Nonprofit Management Program since 1995. Bob works nationally and internationally with people looking to develop practical business skills in the areas of leadership, management, and supervision; working collaboratively inside team-based environments; recruiting and retaining staff; expanding influence, motivation, and engagement; facilitating and managing in-person and remote meetings; decision making, creative problem solving, and innovation; critical thinking and emotional intelligence; and mentoring. Bob has designed and delivered professional development workshops for a variety of nonprofit clients, as well as public (local, state, and federal government) and private sector businesses. Bob has partnered with 19 centers for continuing and executive education at major universities, such as Duke University; and the Universities of North Carolina, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Maine, and Southern Maine. Bob holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in social and organizational psychology, with a specialization in small group training and organizational analysis, from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Precious N. McLaughlin, JD, is a Litigation Associate Attorney at Moore & Van Allen, PLLC in Charlotte, NC, where her practice focuses on Employment & Labor, Commercial Litigation, and Civil Rights & Racial Equity Assessments. She earned a Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law, graduating with pro bono honors. While in law school, Precious founded the Society for Criminal Justice Reform (SCJR) and served as Director of the Forsyth County Community Bail Fund. Precious earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies from Francis Marion University, graduating summa cum laude with University Honors. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for KinderMourn, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization that provides support and counseling for bereaved parents and grieving children.
There are no information sessions scheduled for 2026.
To ensure an optimal online learning experience, please ensure that you have access to the following:
Tuition includes course fees, materials and parking (if applicable).
Nonprofit Management Intensive Track Program (8-day program)
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.
$200 of your payment for the Intensive Track Program is nonrefundable. To receive a refund minus a processing fee for class cancellation, we must receive your cancellation request by the date specified below.
To submit a cancellation request:
EMAIL: learnmore@duke.edu
Please include your name, address, phone number, and program title (Intensive Track). Refunds will be made in the manner you paid. Failure to attend the Intensive Track does not entitle you to a refund or replacement class.
| Class Dates | Refund/Transfer Deadlines |
|---|---|
| March 10 – 17, 2025 | February 14, 2025 |
| June 9 – 16, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| September 8 – 15, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| November 3 – 10, 2025 | October 10, 2025 (Refund only) |
Class starts promptly at 9:00 am each day and ends at 4:00 pm. To receive the Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management on the last day of class, students are expected to be on time for class and participate fully. The Intensive Track includes preparatory reading. Assignments are sent to students electronically after the close of registration for each session.
The Nonprofit Management Program, a unit of the Duke Office of Continuing Studies, requires that students be at least 18 years of age to register for nonprofit classes. However, if you are younger than 18 years old, a part of a nonprofit organization, and wish to attend classes, contact the Nonprofit Management Associate Director, Mary Sherk at mary.sherk@duke.edu, or Director, Nancy Love at nancy.love@duke.edu. Students are not matriculated Duke University students and university student privileges do not apply to Continuing Studies students.
If a check is returned for insufficient funds, we will charge a returned check fee of $35. Checks will not be resubmitted. The replacement payment must include the additional $35 and be in the form of cash, money order, or credit card.
If a course is already filled, a waiting list is usually available instead. If you are interested in placing your name on the waiting list, follow the checkout instructions to do so. If a space becomes available, a registration staff member will contact you and ask if you are still interested. If you are interested, registration staff can assist you.
Sometimes we have to cancel a course that does not meet minimum enrollment, or due to unforeseen events. If that happens, you will receive a full or pro-rated refund. Duke Continuing Studies reserves the right to substitute instructors or change the day a course meets.
Course fees and expenses are sometimes tax deductible. Please consult an accountant concerning this matter. Non-credit programs at Duke Continuing Studies do not generate 1098-T forms, in accordance with the following IRS guideline:
What is the benefit of the Intensive Track Program?
What if I have already taken open enrollment classes, can they be applied to the Intensive Track Program?
No. Due to the format of the Intensive Track Program, previously taken courses do not apply.
Who are the instructors?
The instructors are established practitioners and scholars from a variety of disciplines within the nonprofit sector. Several hold the Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management or the Duke Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.
Who are the students?
Students in the Duke Nonprofit Management Program are a diverse group of motived learners interested in developing their knowledge and skill base. Participants are employees of nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, community leaders/volunteers, individuals transitioning into the nonprofit sector from the private sector, persons from social service nonprofits, arts, membership organizations, foundations, trade associations and faith communities. The program attracts students from around the U.S. and the world.
Class sizes range from eight to twenty-five students
What is the cost?
$2,250
Tuition includes course fees and materials.
Is tuition assistance available for this program?
Tuition is due in full at time of registration. Several loan options are available. Please see the Tuition & Payment Options section for more information.
What are the requirements to complete this program?
Students must attend and participate in 100% of total sessions, complete all assigned pre-assignments provided, and pay tuition in full in order to receive the completion certificate. Classes are held from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern Time.
Why earn the Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management?
Do you have job placement services?
Duke Continuing Studies does not offer job placement, job search, or career service assistance.
