Nonprofits and Society: Introduction to Nonprofit Management

REVISED

Spring 2013 quarter

Faculty

Laurance Geri public administration

Fields of Study

business and management, community studies, government, international studies and law and public policy

Preparatory for studies or careers in

business and management, community studies, government, international studies and law, nonprofit management, philanthropy, public administration and public policy.

Description

“Third Sector” organizations that do not aim to create an economic surplus lie at the heart of the social and health services network in the U.S., and are also essential to the arts, advocacy, and religion.  These organizations work within legal and managerial structures much different than those for business or public administration.  Yet the rules of the game for nonprofits are in flux, and now place more emphasis on evaluation, accountability, and encouraging the trend toward professionalization of the sector.  In this program students will be introduced to the purpose, size and structure of the nonprofit sector in the U.S.  We will study the leadership, management, and governance issues making this sector unique, and how the sector is responding to its changing environment. We will also explore the philanthropic sector in detail, as well as the evolution of global civil society and the various forms that “nonprofits” take in other countries.

Learning Objectives In this program, students will gain:
1. knowledge of the nature of the nonprofit sector and the context within which it operates, including its role in public policy advocacy;
2. understanding of governance issues relevant to nonprofit organizations;
3. an improved understanding of essential management skills related to nonprofit organizations, including strategy, human resources, marketing, financial management, and fundraising;
4. understanding of the relationship between philanthropy and nonprofits;
5. an introduction to issues of global civil society and nonprofit forms used in other countries; and
6. improved analytical, writing and presentation skills.

We will read a series of texts plus articles, governmental reports, and research studies, and discuss these in class.  Lectures, films, guest presentations and workshops will be featured during our class sessions.  Students will complete a series of written and research assignments, and will have the option of performing an internship with a local nonprofit.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Internship Possibilities

With faculty permission, students will have the option of performing an internship with a local nonprofit.

Offered During

Day

Program Revisions