Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Development

September 2025 - May 2026

2nd Thursday of each month, 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Viterbo University’s Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Development (CNLD) prepares you to become a better nonprofit partner as well as a more valuable contributor to the broader La Crosse community.

Through real-world case studies, small group discussions and interactive presentations, CNLD will help you approach your nonprofit duties with a better understanding of how nonprofits function and the issues they face in today’s complex environment.  You will gain a deeper understanding of how effective nonprofits and their boards function and will be able to incorporate broader strategic considerations into your nonprofit work.  CNLD provides the tools and insight you will need to contribute at a higher level and spend your time providing forward-thinking leadership.

Who should attend?

• 
  Nonprofit staff and administrators (most appropriate for those with 1-5 years of service)
• People interested in volunteering for nonprofit board service
• Newer board members looking to develop a broader understanding of board functions and responsibilities
• Church board members, staff, and administrators
• Experienced board members looking to sharpen their skills, recharge their commitment to board service, and connect with like-minded individuals who face common issues

Learning Outcomes

Participants who complete the full Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Development program will be armed with the knowledge they need to make well-reasoned decisions, comfortably navigate ever-complex legal and regulatory issues, and effectively carry out the duties of a fiduciary or trustee. Those who complete the program will be better suited for leadership roles.

Logistics

The CNLD is comprised of nine workshops and will meet on the second Thursday of each month, September through May, from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm on the Viterbo University Campus.  Light refreshments will be served from 8:00 - 8:30 am.

Curriculum & Facilitators

Sessions will be led by nonprofit community experts and Viterbo faculty members. Each participant will also be matched with a local nonprofit expert mentor who they will meet with periodically throughout the program to assist them with the completion of a self-guided capstone project.  Facilitators for the 24/25 cohort are not yet confirmed but will include local expert professionals who have practical experience and will be announced soon.

• Session 1: Legal Issues, Ethics, and Values in the NPO Sector (September 2025)
• 
  Session2: Leadership is Who You Are (October 2025)
• Session 3: NPO Boards and Governance (November 2025)
• Session 4: Financial Management (December 2025)
• Session 5: Fundraising and Revenue Development (January 2026)
• Session 6: Inclusion Strategies for NPOs (February 2026)
• Session 7: Organizational Development, Program Performance Measurement, and Evaluation (March 2026)
• Session 8: Human Resources (April 2026)
• Session 9: Capstone Presentations & Celebration Banquet (May 2026)

To receive a Certificate of Completion, participants need to attend no less than seven of the first eight sessions, participate in a pre-program self-assessment exercise, select and complete a self-guided capstone project under the guidance of a mentor, and attend the Capstone Presentations & Celebration Banquet during session nine.

Scholarships

Apply now to be considered for a scholarship during the 2025-2026 cohort:

Apply Here

Organizations Served

Questions

Contact Nicole Van Ert at nmvanert@viterbo.edu or by calling 608-796-3616.