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.

• Session 1: Legal Issues, Ethics and Values in the NPO Sector (September 14, 2023)
  • Facilitators: Dr. Rick Kyte, Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics, Viterbo University and Sam Scinta, President, IM Education, Inc.
• 
  Session2: Leadership is Who You Are (October 12, 2023)
  •  Facilitators: Nicole Van Ert, Director of the Center for Professional Learning, Viterbo University and Alycia Larson, Program Coordinator of the Center for Professional Learning, Viterbo University
• Session 3: NPO Boards and Governance (November 9, 2023)
  • ​​​​Facilitators: Aaron Koepke, Associate Director of Operations, Children's Museum of La Crosse and Anne Snow, Executive Director, Children's Museum of La Crosse
• Session 4: Financial Management (December 14, 2023)
  • Facilitator: Erin Belby, Finance Director, La Crosse Community Foundation
• Session 5: Fundraising and Revenue Development (January 11, 2024)
  • Facilitators: Nancy Brown, President/CEO, Winona Community Foundation & Jamie Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer, La Crosse Community Foundation
• Session 6: Inclusion Strategies for NPOs (February 8, 2024)
  • Faciliator: Dr. Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Viterbo University
• Session 7: Organizational Development, Program Performance Measurement, and Evaluation (March 14, 2024)
  • Facilitator: Peter Hughes, Retired Executive of Mayo Clinic
• Session 8: Human Resources (April 11, 2024)
  • ​​​​​​​Facilitator: Courtney Messer, Human Resources Director, Couleecap, Inc.
• Session 9: Capstone Presentations & Celebration Banquet (Date & Time TBD)

In order 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

The deadline for submitting a scholarship has passed.  

Questions? Contact Alycia Larson at aclarson@viterbo.edu or by calling 608-796-3029.

Organizations Served