Core Certificate Program
A program that equips nonprofit, public, and social enterprise leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to make strategic, mission-driven decisions and effect meaningful change at their organizations.
Program Components
The Core Certificate Program consists of three essential elements:
- Management Seminar: Led by a Faculty Member and complemented by guest instructors, these seminars explore topics designed to strengthen leadership capacity and build more effective, equitable, and sustainable organizations.
- Practice Seminar: Facilitated by a Senior Fellow within a smaller peer group, this time and space allows leaders to problem solve for real-time challenges they face in their leadership and receive feedback from peers.
- Required Study: Expect to complete 1-2 hours of independent study activities between seminars.
Program Logistics
- Delivery: A mostly virtual program where participants gather via Zoom for sessions. Please note that there are 2-3 required in-person events throughout the year.
- Cost: Thanks to the support of INP’s Board of Directors and funding partners, this program is offered at no cost to you or your organization.
- Cadence: Meeting September to May, students will generally gather once a week for Management and Practice Seminars.
- Time Commitment: Students can expect to commit about 5-6 hours weekly between the Management Seminar, Practice Seminar, and independent study activities to prepare for class.
Program Expectations
ATTENDANCE
Punctual attendance at the Management and Practice Seminars is critical for your own learning and the overall learning experience for all in the class. You are expected to proactively communicate with INP staff and instructors if you are unable to attend a class or if you need to arrive late/leave early. The full attendance policy will be available in the student manual you will receive upon completion of your enrollment form.
Have a scheduling conflict? Contact programsupport@nonprofitpractice.org as early as possible. With advance planning, we can often support you to make up missed sessions.
PARTICIPATION
The virtual classroom works best when everyone fully engages and contributes. We ask all INP students to abide by the following participation expectations:
- Keep cameras on during sessions (occasional brief exceptions are understandable)
- Identify a quiet space with reliable internet access
- Come prepared having completed all readings and assignments
Your active participation helps create a rich learning environment for everyone. Thank you in advance for respecting your fellow peers, faculty, and guest instructors who are sharing their time, passion, and expertise.
Please note that consistent attendance, preparation, and participation are required to receive a certificate of completion from INP.
Program Agendas by Region
UNDERSTANDING COHORT STRUCTURE
Some of our place-based programs accommodate larger groups of students by separating leaders into two cohorts:
- Wednesday cohorts are primarily for leaders at the managerial and director levels
- Thursday cohorts are primarily for executive directors, vice presidents, CEOs, and other senior-level roles
This intentional grouping ensures that leaders can discuss similar scopes of work and responsibility and take full advantage of the unique opportunities within our Management and Practice Seminars.
In areas with cohorts that include mixed leadership levels, class discussions benefit from a diversity of perspectives and experiences. We also intentionally group participants for Practice Seminars to ensure leaders can discuss similar scopes of work and responsibility.
NATIONAL
BAY AREA
NEW ENGLAND
NEW YORK
ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to accessibility for all learners. Please indicate any accommodations requested in the enrollment form and a member of our team will be in touch.
Need Help?
Our team is excited to welcome you and walk you through every step of the process leading up to orientation. Contact us at programsupport@nonprofitpractice.org with any comments or questions.
