Nonprofit Administration

Non-profit organizations are the newest and fastest growing sector in the US with the number of such organizations doubling during the last 25 years. In addition to growth in numbers, nonprofit organizations have become increasingly complex entities influencing public policy, participating in community affairs, and forging partnership with private and public organizations. With increased growth and complexity, a significant need has emerged for sophisticated managers with organizational acumen, technical skills, and an in-depth understanding of what it means to work in the nonprofit world.

Nonprofit organizations touch on every aspect of our lives and on every level of institutions. Most are in social and health services like the American Red Cross, Compass, and the American Diabetes Society. But they include hospitals, universities, museums, social clubs, and economic development agencies. Nonprofit organizations have always been an important part of the public service system. To an increasing degree, governments are providing social services through contracts with nonprofits. For example, continued resource scarcity, devolution of responsibilities by federal and state governments, and privatization have put additional pressure on the not-for-profit sector to fill in where government withdraws and to work in partnership with other organizations in the delivery of public services. Often referred to as the "third sector," it is composed of charitable or public benefit, advocacy, mutual benefit, and religious organizations. Of the 1.6 million organizations in the third sector, our primary focus will be on the 1.2 million 501(c)(3) public serving or benefit organizations in the arts, health, and human services, education, and the environment.

This course focuses on issues in the administration and management of nonprofit organizations including relationships between the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. It is the mission of this class to familiarize students with the work of nonprofit organizations and with the challenges faced by this sector. This mission will be achieved by combining theory with practice. We will begin by examining the size, scope, role, sub-sectors, and distinctive characteristics of the nonprofit sector. We will then briefly discuss legal requirements involved in establishing a nonprofit organization and key management trends in this sector. Then attention will shift to examining some of the critical management tasks involved in building an organization's capacity to achieve excellence. This can include tasks such as leadership, setting direction and establishing accountability, creating a dynamic and effective board of directors, developing and managing financial and human resources, and effective marketing and communications. This course is an applied course designed for graduate students. As an applied course, students will be required to become involved in a nonprofit organization to experience hands-on and gain knowledge of the reality of nonprofit management. Interested nonprofit organizations are asked to submit proposals outlining clearly defined projects for students to undertake. The nonprofit organizations will get benefit from student analyses and recommendations.