Course Description
An introduction to the field of nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the key theories useful for understanding them and the basic skills of leadership and management needed to make them effective. Attention is given to strategic planning, resource acquisition, accounting for use of resources, and developing human resources.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
The number of organizational case reviews for graduate students
will be seven as compared to four for undergraduates. The
Organizational Analysis and Critique assignment will be of
longer length (12-14 pages compared to 8-10 pages). Graduate
students will work directly with an existing nonprofit on this
project and provide a final set of recommendations.
Athena Title
Theory and Mgmt Nonprof Orgs
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in MNML 5237E or MNML 7237E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will demonstrate knowledge of the following areas and skill in their applications in nonprofit organizations 1. The growth and functions of nonprofit organizations in society 2. The roles of leaders, managers, staff, and volunteers 3. The key human resources in nonprofit organizations 4. Marketing and fundĀraising in nonprofit organizations 5. Managing and accounting for use of resources 6. Developing strategic plans, implementing and guiding them 7. Monitoring and evaluating performance 8. Major theories and lines of research in each of these areas
Topical Outline
1. Introduction and overview of the field of nonprofit organizations 2. Their functions in society 3. Political, legal, and tax structures of this field 4. Major theories of organizations and their applications in this field 5. The roles of managers, leaders, boards, staff, volunteers 6. Human resources development, making the most of staff and volunteers 7. Marketing, public relations, communications 8. Acquiring resources through fund raising, grants, campaigns 9. Managing and accounting for the use of resources 10. Strategic planning, key steps, and resources 11. Information systems for program monitoring and quality control 12. Assessment of individual and organizational performance 13. Career development, supervision, continuing learning