ZPDI2719 - Start a Nonprofit Now: The Entrepreneur's Road Map

Course Description

* Registration Deadline for this track is the Friday before the start date.

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The Nonprofit course is an immersive, skills-based program designed to provide current and aspiring nonprofit founders with the essential tools and strategic insights to create mission-driven organizations effectively. Through a blend of lectures, interactive activities, case studies and hands-on projects, participants will explore foundational and advanced topics in nonprofit management, including mission development, legal compliance, strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, community engagement and impact measurement.

Course Outline

Foundation of a Nonprofit

• Understanding nonprofits and social enterprises
• Identifying purpose, community needs, and personal motivations and goals
• Crafting a compelling mission statement
• Crafting a business plan

Legal Considerations, Risk and Operational Strategy

• Understanding nonprofit legal requirements and compliance
• Board creation and governance
• Risk management
• Operational and staffing planning
• Working on a business plan

Financial Strategy, Grant Writing and Fundraising

• Financial literacy for nonprofits
• Diverse funding sources and advanced fundraising strategies
• Filing for nonprofit status
• Grant writing and proposal development
• Fundraising and board engagement

Community Engagement, Networking and Impact Measurement

• Developing community engagement strategies
• Impact measurement and storytelling
• Networking and resource sharing
• Reflection and action planning

Learner Outcomes

Upon completion, entrepreneurs will be able to:

• Develop and articulate a compelling mission and vision that aligns with personal motivations, community needs and long-term organizational sustainability
• Understand the legal, compliance and governance structures essential to nonprofit formation and ongoing operations, including board development and risk management
• Apply strategic planning tools and techniques, such as SWOT analysis and SMART goals, to drive organizational growth and impact
• Design a comprehensive business and operational plan that supports mission effectiveness, organizational structure and program delivery
• Demonstrate financial literacy by developing budgets, conducting financial scenario planning, and exploring diverse funding streams
• Craft effective grant proposals and fundraising strategies to secure funding and engage donors and board members in development efforts
• Create community engagement strategies and volunteer programs that foster collaboration, inclusion and impact
• Use storytelling and impact measurement tools to evaluate program outcomes and communicate results to stakeholders
• Incorporate digital and AI tools to improve nonprofit efficiency, outreach and resource development
• Present a full strategic and business plan and receive feedback through a peer- and instructor-led capstone presentation