Spring 2024 Nonprofit Certificate Participants Increase Impact through Capstone Projects
Posted in News Story
On June 26th, the Spring 2024 cohort of the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program officially graduated, reconvening for the last time to reflect on their time together and showcase their impressive capstone management projects. These projects, born out of intensive learning and collaboration, reflect each participant’s unique approach to tackling real-world challenges within their organizations.
One project focused on guiding the strategic plan of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition. Central to this effort is the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, which has assessed both external and internal factors impacting the organization. The participant’s capstone project presented a comprehensive review of these assessments, including strategic analysis, and proposed drafts for key components of the strategic plan. This project will guide the organization to define core values, outline strategic outcomes and identify strategic pillars and goals.
Another capstone project also focused on crafting a comprehensive strategic plan by identifying key strategic priorities, including funding strategies, diverse community engagement, and improving organizational infrastructure to promote sustainable growth. By restructuring to include these strategic focus areas, the project aimed to create a roadmap that ensures Queer Northshore, an organization which promotes LGBTQ visibility, remains inclusive and resilient.
A project entitled “Cultivating a Culture of Dynamic Improvement and Fair Decision-Making in the Family Economic Mobility Team,” focused on organizational culture. By fostering innovation and adaptability, the team aims to enhance program initiatives that support single mothers.
Another project focused on addressing widespread retention challenges in the nonprofit sector. The project, titled “Reimagining Retention in the Social Sector: Shifting the Focus from Organization to Employees,” addresses these challenges by proposing sustainable solutions embedded within social justice and human-centric frameworks. Ultimately, the project’s goal is to ensure a workforce that feels valued and empowered–which will allow it to scale its mission and advance its purpose.
Participants overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction with their experience in the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program. One participant stated the program “far exceeded [their] hopes and expectations” and they were glad to leave with “wonderful connections to amazing colleagues, great frameworks, [and] practical tools to bring back to [their] organization.” Another praised the learning elements of the program, stating “the learning cohorts were fantastic and allowed [them] to connect with one another better.” In addition, they highlighted the live case studies, which allowed them to “ask questions in real-time with individuals experiencing what [they] are learning about.”
Overall, the Spring 2024 cohort and their projects exemplify the program’s commitment to empowering leaders to navigate complex challenges, seize opportunities for growth and impact, advance organizational missions, and serve diverse communities with excellence.