Nonprofit Professional Training

Instructor(s)

Len Iaquinta

Len is a career fundraiser of millions of dollars in major gifts, grants and periodic funds.  Recognized as a strategic thinker, he is passionate about improving the culture of philanthropy.  He augments the performance of not-for-profit organizations in fund development and public communication.  Len advises the Nonprofit Development Certificate Programs of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and teaches several six-hour modules.  He often presents regional and national workshops.  Len is a past two-term board member and a 20-year member of the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications APEX of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities/COA. 

Rashidah Butler-Jackson

Hi, I‘m Rashidah. I am Certified in Nonprofit Management & Leadership with 15+ years of nonprofit experience.

I am the founder of RBJ Community Consulting (2018). I work to support nonprofits with strategic planning, sustainability, evaluation, facilitation, and project management. I’ve served 100+ clients in 5 different states. I am a Milwaukee, WI native and a proud Milwaukee Public Schools Alumna. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for my undergraduate and graduate education in journalism and nonprofit management.

I am a proud wife and mommy who loves to serve her community and connect with purposeful people. 

Ginny Finn

More Info Coming Soon!

Jennifer Charpentier

For over 20 years, Jennifer Charpentier, PhD, CFRE, has designed, implemented, and evaluated strategies to support and sustain growth for organizations in the not-for-profit sector. Her experience includes raising funds in social service, cultural, and educational institutions while successfully using various fundraising methods to grow the organization's capacity over time. An engaging presenter and facilitator, Dr. Charpentier is currently the Executive Director of Gateway Technical College Foundation.

Objectives

Module 1: Building Blocks for Fundraising Success | Instructor: Len Iaquinta | 3/7/25 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Discover the essential elements of successful fundraising from a seasoned practitioner with over 50 years of experience. Gain invaluable insights into building a solid foundation for your organization's fundraising efforts. Learn from real-life stories of triumphs and setbacks, acquire expert tips on managing the pressures of the role effectively. This interactive session offers a chance to explore various career paths, delve into specialized areas of fundraising, and connect with like-minded professionals. 

Module 2: Crafting Your Narrative and Fundraising Appeal: Building a Compelling Case for Support | Instructor: Rashidah Butler-Jackson |  3/21/25 | 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

During this interactive module, participants will explore different strategies and best practices fund developers can use to effectively tell the story of their impact and outcomes of their work. Effective storytelling is essential to engaging donors, volunteers, staff and other supporters. Participants will walk away with a vision for the stories of their nonprofits and plans for how and why they want to tell them. 

Module 3: Strategic Fund Development: Ka-Ching! | Instructor: Len Iaquinta | 4/4/25 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Sound planning and clear writing are just the beginning. Develop an appropriate plan, communicate it effectively to your staff and key volunteers, and learn to evaluate its effectiveness. This sessions covers planning, benchmarking with other organizations, and using tools to track your progress. Understand your data, history and key indicators to strategically reach your demographic targets and achieve your financial goals. 

Module 4: Crafting a Winning and Effective Proposal | Instructor: Ginny Finn | 4/25/25 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm 

Learn to collaborate effectively with foundations, corporations, and grant-making organizations while staying true to your mission. Understand grant restrictions and assess your readiness to comply. Discover strategies for engaging contacts and bypassing the "no unsolicited proposals accepted" rule. Learn how to incorporate the use of new technologies, such as AI and how to use these new tools ethically. Identify potential pitfalls of organization grants and how to interpret an organization's 990 and balance sheet to your advantage. Participate in an instructor-guided critique of proposals to enhance your grant writing skills. 

Module 5: Building a Culture of Philanthropy: Secrets of Stewardship, Development Ethics, and Policy | Instructor: Jennifer Charpentier | 5/9/25 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Increase donor retention by building a culture of philanthropy in your organization. Identify, enlist, and motivate volunteer leadership and staff for effective and ethical fund development. Learn how to secure long-lasting donor relationships by choosing the right donor management tools and strategies. Understand the importance of developing sound policies, including the use of qualitative and quantitative data, that support ethical philanthropic funds management. Group discussions will include trends in giving, generational change, and evolving attitudes towards philanthropy. 

FAQ

Is this program in person or online?

To complete the certificate you must complete all 5 modules. Each Module will be held on a Friday, from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm on UW-Parkside's campus. There will be an online component for readings and assignments, so access to the internet is required. Room location will be sent out 

Do I need to take all 5 modules to receive the certificate?

In order to receive the certificate, you need to complete all 5 modules. You can sign up for individual modules if you do not want the certificate but would like to obtain the information included in that module. 

Do you have any scholarships available?

We have limited funds available for partial scholarships. Partial scholarships will be awarded until funds are exhausted. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for qualified applicants. Applicants will be notified before completing registration.  Apply for the scholarship here: Scholarship Application

Objectives

Courses Included in this Certificate

• Budgeting in a Nonprofit Organization
• How to Read a Nonprofit Financial Statement
• Leadership in a Nonprofit Organization
• Nonprofit Board and Volunteer Development
• Principles of Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
• Strategy for Nonprofit Organizations
• Capital Campaigns
• Introduction to Grant Writing
• Introduction to Nonprofit Management
• Social Media for Nonprofits
• Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

Reviews

"This was a wonderful learning experience, and it has really given me great insight on the non-profit budgeting process. I been working for a non-profit for over 5 years, and I am starting to move up in management. I know that budgeting management is going to propel me to the next stage of management, and I feel the content and exercises in this course have given me a great knowledge base. I feel more confident moving forward and am optimistic about my future career path." 

"Though I have worked with nonprofit budgets for several years, I knew that there were many gaps in my knowledge and understanding that could be filled. This class solidified many already-known concepts, provided clarity in others, and gave me new strategies to implement." 

FAQ

What can I expect during this training?

Each 3 to 5 hour, self-paced course offers an assortment of interactive exercises, videos, selected readings, case studies, and self-assessments that will engage you and help you practice effective decision making in a nonprofit setting. After completing all the courses, learners will engage in a simulation meant to test the concepts covered in the courseware. Some courses in this certificate award CFRE credits.

Features:

• Mobile-friendly
• Audio-enabled
• Badge and credit-awarding
• Real-world case studies
• Fully accessible
• Games & Flashcards
• Expert-supported
• Video content

What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software: 

• Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
• The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )

Web Browser:

• An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
• Cookies must be enabled
• JavaScript must be enabled

Reliable internet connection:

• Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.

Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.

What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.

How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com, or use our contact form below.

What are badges?
We now issue Badges, an online standard to recognize and verify learning, for more than 100 courses and simulations offered here online.

Badges allow students and professionals to publicly share their skills, knowledge, and accomplishments online, which may help with future career and education opportunities. Learners can manage and share badges across the web from their Badgr. (You can set up a free Badgr at https://badgr.com/.)

Learners who successfully complete their course or simulation will earn Badges. They can share their credentials online through social media and display them on resumes and transcripts.

Objectives

Courses Included in this Certificate

• Introduction to Grant Writing
• Advanced Grant Writing 

Reviews

"The program was extremely easy to navigate and it was very much in depth, walking me through all processes of how to write a grant. I feel more confident when bidding on grants and having grant proposals for my agency."

"The course was very thorough and clearly presented. It was nice to have some ways to review the material, like the flashcards and question/answer game. It was also helpful to have a couple of questions at the end of each section to help in reviewing the material. The case studies at the end were wonderful - they provided some real-life, interactive practice in grant proposal writing and things that go hand in hand with grant proposal writing."

FAQ

What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:

• Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
• The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )

Web Browser:

• An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
• Cookies must be enabled
• JavaScript must be enabled
• Reliable internet connection:
• Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.

Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.

What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.

How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.

Objectives

Learning Outcomes

• Explain why nonprofit organizations are often held to higher ethical standards than for-profit corporations
• Identify the key ethical issues that nonprofits need to address
• Distinguish between mission, vision, and values statements
• Discuss the key elements of an organizational ethics code
• Articulate key ethical principles as they apply to nonprofit fundraising
• Identify the four different types of conflict-of-interest
• Name the steps in establishing a transparent executive compensation process
• Explain the three duties that nonprofit board members must follow
• Identify the key governance policies than nonprofits should adopt
• Explain the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that apply to nonprofits
• Explain why nonprofit organizations should adopt a social media policy
• Name the major duties of a compliance officer
• Identify the major IRS requirements for 501 (c) (3) organizations
• List the major areas in which nonprofit organizations must comply with state laws
• Name the major areas in which nonprofit organizations may need to comply with local laws
• Explain the concept of "compliance with the community"

Reviews

"Good and thorough course. Well laid out, easy to follow, and appropriate for the topic/content. Really enjoyed the platform—good mix of interactive components, text descriptions, and video. Very nice course."

"I appreciated learning at my own pace and being given the opportunity to make multiple attempts to ingrain the information into my understanding."

"This was a very thought-provoking course. I really could see many of the concerns that I know happen every day. Thank you!"

FAQ

What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:

• Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
• The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )

Web Browser:

• An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
• Cookies must be enabled
• JavaScript must be enabled
• Reliable internet connection:
• Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.

Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.

What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.

How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.

Objectives

Learning Outcomes

• Define what marketing is within the nonprofit environment
• Explain the service-intensive nature of nonprofit program activities
• Explain how the marketing mix is expanded for service products (the Three Ps of Services Marketing)
• Describe the importance of customer satisfaction and how expectations play a role in satisfaction with service products
• Discuss the role of ethics in nonprofit marketing
• Describe the importance of a nonprofit marketing plan
• Describe how target markets can be identified for donors
• Explain how new service products are developed by nonprofits

Reviews

"Thank you so much for offering this course. The information was clearly organized, and I appreciated the incorporation of video and case studies. The comprehension checks throughout were also helpful."

"This course was easy to navigate through and contained pertinent information. I enjoyed the mix of text and video and appreciated the downloads/links that can be printed and saved."

"The Principles of Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations was the perfect introductory content to provide the marketing strategy information, tools, and resources I was seeking. My organization is currently planning to build and develop a marketing plan but really didn't have anywhere to begin other than reaching out to firms. This course's content will help us understand the reasoning behind the strategy we develop and be able to work more productively with the marketing firm we decide to go with. What I learned here will come in handy far beyond our current work on marketing. Thank you!"

FAQ

What are the minimum technical requirements?
Software:

• Any modern Office suite: Microsoft Office, Apple iWork, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice
• The latest Adobe Reader/Acrobat Reader ( free download available at https://get.adobe.com/reader/ )

Web Browser:

• An updated version of one of the major modern browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 11
• Cookies must be enabled
• JavaScript must be enabled
• Reliable internet connection:
• Broadband cable or highspeed DSL is recommended for optimal experience.

Note: Some courses may have additional hardware and/or software requirements. Any additional requirements will be listed in the course description and course syllabus.

What is your refund policy?
You may request a refund up to 7 days from the purchase date. The registration fee will only be refunded if less than 10% of the course has been completed.

How do I contact technical support?
To report technical issues please email us at support@mindedge.com.

Instructor(s)

Sheronda Glass:  Sheronda Glass has worked for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside since 2016 and is currently the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources and Employee Engagement. She is a human resources executive with 25+ years of HR experience having worked in a variety of industries, including healthcare, consumer products/manufacturing, and most recently, K-12 education. She has extensive experience in the areas of HR strategic planning, conflict resolution, performance management, labor relations, and diversity management. She has also worked as a consultant for over six years, consulting in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She is a certified trainer/facilitator in the areas of conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, performance management, and cultural competency.  

Sheronda received her Ph.D. in Business Management with a specialization in Human Resources from Capella University. She has taught human resources courses including Performance Management, and Introduction to Human Resources Management, and currently teaches Essential Personal Skills for Project Management and Staffing Organizations. She has also achieved the Professional in Human Resources certification awarded by the Society for Human Resources Management and the HR Certification Institute. She is a facilitator for the prep course for SHRM professional certifications and SHRM Essentials for non-HR managers. She is the recipient of the 2018 Milwaukee Business Journal HR Award and the UW System 2019 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. 

Jordania Leon-Jordan: Ms. Leon-Jordan received her bachelor's degree from UW-Stevens-Point and her master's degree in Business Administration from UW-Parkside. Ms. Leon-Jordan is a certified project management professional (PMP), teaches project management for the College of Business, Economics and Computing (CBEC), and leads UW-Parkside's IT strategic planning efforts.

As the CIO, Ms. Leon-Jordan serves as the head of the Campus Technology Services (CTS) department reporting directly to the Provost.

Ms. Leon-Jordan's responsibilities include overseeing the Applications Development, Client Services, Desktop Support, Networking, and Web Management teams; developing and communicating the vision and strategic technology goals supportive of all University entities engaged in the deployment and use of information technology; actively participating in and providing leadership in UW System and statewide information technology needs, among others.

Objectives

This certificate uses projects to simulate the types of experiences you might face in the workplace. This applied learning format ensures that you master the key concepts in action, and it prepares you with a portfolio of work that prospective employers will find valuable. 

Throughout this certificate, you will learn the skills needed to manage a project from conception to close.

• PMGT 315X: A System for Value Delivery 

  • You’ll explore a system of value delivery and how projects operate within a system to produce value for organizations and their stakeholders. You’ll also learn to recognize value delivery components and how these components work together to deliver value that is aligned with an organization’s strategy.

• PMGT 316X: Principles of Project Management

  • Master the foundational principles of project management as they relate to strategy, decision-making, and problem-solving. You’ll also apply these principles (as well as ethical principles) to a case study, where you’ll have to consider several factors including the organization, project, deliverables, project team, stakeholders, and more.

• PMGT 317X: Stakeholder and Team Project Performance Domains 

  • Gain an understanding of the Stakeholder and Team domains and the essential interpersonal, leadership, and critical thinking skills necessary to achieve desired project outcomes. This course is one in a series that will look at the Project Management Institute’s eight project performance domains.

• PMGT 318X: Development Approach and Life Cycle Project Performance Domain 

  • This course will explore the Development Approach & Life Cycle Performance Domain. Students will be introduced to activities and functions associated with the development approach, cadence, and life cycle phases of the project. Assessments will evaluate students’ understanding to assess project deliverables to determine the most appropriate development approach such as a predictive, adaptive, or hybrid approach, and the ability to develop the appropriate life cycle for a project.

• PMGT 319X: Planning Performance Domain 

  • This course covers the Planning domain. You’ll learn the activities and functions associated with the initial, ongoing, and evolving organization and coordination necessary to deliver project deliverables and outcomes. Moreover, you’ll determine the delivery, estimating, and scheduling methods for a project and create plans for communication, resource procurement, change management, and measuring project success. This course is one in a series that will look at the Project Management Institute’s eight project performance domains.

• PMGT 320X: Project Performance Domains 

  • This course covers two domains: Work and Delivery. You’ll be introduced to the activities and functions associated with establishing project processes, managing physical resources, and fostering a learning environment. You’ll also learn ways to ensure that the scope and quality of a project are achieved. This course is one in a series that will look at the Project Management Institute’s eight project performance domains.

• PMGT 321X: Measurement and Uncertainty Project Performance Domains 

  • Learn how to assess and maintain project performance throughout the life of a project and, importantly, how to assess and manage uncertainty and risk. This course is one in a series that will look at the Project Management Institute’s eight project performance domains.

• PMGT 322X: Tailoring 

  • Project management professionals deliberately adapt projects throughout their life cycles to make them more suitable for a given environment or type of work. In this course, you’ll learn about tailoring, the four parts of the tailoring process, and how to select and adjust project factors to ensure value for an organization.

• PMGT 323X: Models, Methods and Artifacts 

  • Various models, methods, and artifacts are used in project management to achieve success. In this course, you’ll examine how leadership, communication, motivation, change, complexity, team development, and other models are applied in project management, as well as about common methods and artifacts for achieving specific goals within a project life cycle.

• PMGT 324X: Agile Framework

  • Gain an understanding of the agile framework—its tools, situational guidelines, and various approaches—to successfully achieve the expected outcomes of any project. If you’re new to project management, you’ll be introduced to the agile approach and how it can be adapted to fit any project. For experienced project managers, you’ll learn how to integrate agile values and principles with approaches you might already be familiar with, like waterfall.

Reviews

"I wanted to let you know that doing the project management certificate has really paid off for me.  I was able to frame my existing skills in new ways, and think outside the box when it came to what I might want to pursue.

I am starting a 1/2 time position, which will still allow me to continue my singing career, through the UW extension program.  I'll be working as a regional coordinator for a grant funded farmer's market project.  I'm really excited for this new experience and feel like my confidence in applying for the position came in a large part from doing the project management certificate." - Emily Fons

FAQ

Competency-based education explained

Simply put: In competency-based education, it’s about what you know and are able to do, not how long it takes you to master the course materials.

In the traditional higher education model, you must spend a fixed amount of time in the classroom – usually fifteen week semesters – regardless if you know the material and want to move ahead, or if you don’t quite grasp it and needed extra time. We believe that not all student learning can – or should – fit within a rigid timetable.

Competency-based education turns that traditional model on its head. Your progress through your coursework is based on your ability to prove you have mastered competencies—the skills, abilities, and knowledge required in an area of study. You do this by passing assessments after you’ve reviewed the learning resources. However long it takes you to master the material is unique to you.

What are the benefits of competency-based education?

By focusing on what you know rather than how much time you spend learning, competency-based education puts you in control of your education like never before. Instead of working at an instructor’s pace, you can use your existing knowledge to work at your own pace. You prove mastery of competencies whenever you’re ready to do so.

The idea is especially appealing for the millions of American adults with busy schedules who already have significant knowledge or even some college credits, but no degree. Many of our students tell us that the flexibility provided by UW Flexible Option programs allowed them to finally complete their degree and fulfill a lifelong personal goal.

The competency-based UW Flexible Option is:

• 100% Online. Complete your coursework from your living room, a coffee shop, or the office. The only time you need to come to campus is to walk in the graduation ceremony when you finish!
• Flexible. No scheduled log-on times, no commutes. The UW Flexible Option lets you start any month and work toward your degree on your own time. Want to take breaks in between courses? Go for it. Your coursework won’t get in the way of the rest of your busy life.
• At Your Own Pace. Take assessments whenever you are ready. As soon as you prove mastery, you receive credit and can move on, without having to wait for the next lesson or semester. Move quickly through material you know or take more time if you need it.
• Accredited. The UW Flexible Option builds on the University of Wisconsin System’s reputation for quality and innovation. All UW Flexible Option programs are accredited and are built by the same faculty who teach on UW System campuses.
• Supportive. The programs are at your own pace, but you’re not alone. Receive personalized advising from a Success Coach who is there from when you start the program through your graduation. They help make sure you have the resources to be best setup for success.
• Affordable. Instead of paying by course or by credit, the UW Flexible Option lets you pay a flat rate for a subscription period. If you are highly motivated and have significant experience related to your degree, you may be able to accelerate your progress and shorten your time to graduation. This structure saves you time and money.

Is competency-based education right for you?

Although competency-based education offers returning adult learners like yourself a real opportunity to earn professional skills while balancing work and family, this innovative model is not for everyone. But if you are the right kind of student—experienced, self-directed, and motivated to succeed—then the competency-based UW Flexible Option may be just the right fit.

Additional Notes: Earning the non-credit Agile Project Management certificate is a great choice for someone with a bachelor’s degree—or higher—seeking professional development and is not interested in earning additional academic credits. With fixed start and end points, this non-credit certificate gives you 24 weeks to complete the program, so plan your start date at a time that works best for you.

This program has a one-time tuition cost of $1,995.00, which covers the full 24 week program.

Still unsure if this is the best option for you? Call one of our advisers at 608-800-6762, they are happy to answer any questions.

Objectives

Topics covered in the course:

• Managing Real World Projects
• Project Management Team Leadership
• Ethics for Project Managers
• Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers
• Effectively Managing Project Stakeholders
• Integrating Agile into a Waterfall Environment

Download the complete syllabus with learning outcomes here.

Courses Included in this Certificate

• Managing Real World Projects
• Ethics for Project Managers
• Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers
• Effectively Managing Project Stakeholders
• Project Management Team Leadership
• Integrating Agile Into a Waterfall Environment
• Project Management Introduction Course (ACE CREDIT®)
• Project Management Final Exam (ACE CREDIT®)

Reviews

All project managers should participate in this course. - Lucky C.

The course was very insightful and educative. Learnt a whole lot about project management. - Diana D.

I found the course very complete and very well explained. - Diego Armando R.

This was a great training to learn about PM tools, processes, and how to be a successful PM. I appreciated the whys behind which tools to use and when, why they are important, how to use them. I would recommend this training to someone who wants to improve their PM knowledge. - Breanna M.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was engaging and easy to follow with interesting feedback from the professionals. I refreshed my past knowledge on ethics and learned some new things. Thank you. - Gordana A. 

FAQ

• This course has been evaluated by The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT®) with a recommendation of 3 credits, lower division, in project management or fundamentals of project management.

• A student's grade in the course will be based on their performance on a final, cumulative exam. The final exam is composed of 50 multiple-choice questions. Students will have 2 hours to complete the exam. The exam is proctored. For more information, please see the syllabus.

• If students do not earn a passing score of 70% on their first attempt, they will have the opportunity to take the exam 1 additional time (2 total attempts). Students must wait 24 hours between exam retakes. A passing score of 70% of above is required to request college credit for this certificate.

• Estimated Time to Complete: 44 hours

• Access Time: 730 days

• Rating: 98%

CREDITS EARNED IN THIS COURSE INCLUDE: 

• 4.1 IACET CEUs
• 37 SHRM PDCs
• 44 ATD CI Credits
• 41 PMI PDUs
• 16.5 Ways of Working PDUs
• 18 Power Skills PDUs
• 6.5 Business Acumen PDUs
• 37 HRCI Credits
• 3 ACE Credits

KEY FEATURES

• Mobile-friendly
• Audio-enabled
• Badge and credit-awarding
• Real-world case studies
• Fully accessible
• Expert-supported
• Games & Flashcards
• Video content