Non-Profit Program Management

• Many Non-Profit Program Managers complete a bachelor’s or even a Master’s in Nonprofit Management. Some complete degrees in other majors, like finance, business, public policy, international relations, communications, education, health services, or law
  • They may supplement those degrees with a certification, like Colorado State’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management
  • Some students go for a more generalized certification, such as Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional
• Experience is a key element in becoming an effective Non-Profit Program Manager. In addition to academic requirements, it is common to learn the ropes through entry-level jobs or volunteerism
• Students can learn practical skills including teamwork and leadership through relevant nonprofit internships 
• Non-Profit Program Managers must master several skills related to budgeting, staffing, legal matters, and of course subjects relevant to the organization’s niche (such as social causes, education, the environment, etc.)
• It is important to be aware of nonprofit fundraising laws and regulations, including 501(c)(3) requirements, tax considerations, and data privacy. Nonprofit accounting basics are also essential

• Stock up on classes such as English, writing, speech, business, math, economics, marketing, and project management 
• Study current issues and causes in which nonprofits are involved. Look for areas where more could be done
• Participate in complex extracurricular activities to develop soft skills along with organization and project management skills
• Volunteer for challenging roles within student and local community organizations. Don’t go for the easy stuff! 
  • Common volunteer opportunities include after-school programs, youth services, religious organizations, homeless shelters, human rights organizations, veterans service organizations, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 
• Apply for nonprofit internships and entry-level jobs. Ask to shadow the managers and let them know you want to learn all you can. Take it seriously, ask questions, pay attention, and keep notes! 
• Make sure you are committed for the long term to whatever causes you want to advocate for. Common nonprofit niches include:
  • Animal Rights
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Environmental
  • Government issues
  • Human Rights
  • International Issues
  • Social Justice
• Join or start a student organization devoted to hot topics, and learn how to delegate authority  
• Stay involved with local organizations devoted to causes that interest you
• Read plenty of books offering lessons learned and advice for success (see our Resources > Books section) 
• Beef up relevant skills that your academic major doesn’t cover. You can take ad hoc courses from Udemy or Coursera for things like leadership, accounting, fundraising, or other topics you should have a general knowledge of 
• Knock out a project management certification such as PMI’s Project Management Professional

 “This will expose you to managing logistics, familiarize you with working within a budget, position you to speak with a variety of stakeholders and professionals to arrange the details.” Sharon Preston, Senior Program Manager, Junior Achievement Northern California