We’ve created the Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management with you in mind. We offer more than 20 opportunities for learning in a variety of subjects such as fundraising, marketing, human resources, governance, technology and others. You can focus your attention in one specific area, or you can take a broader approach. We have workshops for a variety of skill and experience levels to meet you where you are in your career.

You choose the path that fits you best, and we’ll help you reach your goals.

The pricing structure for our workshops is as follows:

Here are the current workshops we have planned for this fall. Additional workshops may be added and the spring workshops will be posted as they are available. To view workshops previously offered, go here.


November 18, 2008: 9am-12pm *Symposium Favorite*
Creative Planning for Growth -- on a Tight Budget
Rob Acton, J.D., Executive Director, Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic, and Adjunct Professor, North Park University, School of Business and Nonprofit Management
The most successful nonprofit leaders -- whether board members, executives,or staff -- relentlessly pursue agency growth. These leaders believe deeply in the work they engage in and aspire to serve more people, in more impactful ways.Yet, growth-oriented vision is often impeded by the realities of limited finances, an already-stretched staff,a less-than-inspired board, or any number of other undesirable constraints. This workshop will explore how small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations can expand societal impact, even in the face of institutional constraints. The session, which will be led by theexecutive team of an agency that has achieved considerable growth in recent years, will present principles for achieving creative growth on a shoestring budget with a methodology that includes research-based findings, participant dialogue and case studies.

November 20, 2008: 9am-4pm *Popular Workshop*
Miracle Major Gifts

Sold Out!

This workshop is currently sold out but is being offered again on February 12, 2009. Registration for that workshop will be available soon.

Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D., Founder and Chair, The Alford Group
Designed for development officers, senior staff and board volunteers, this all day seminar will explore the key elements necessary to achieve transformational gifts from individual donors. What attributes are evident in donors who make significant gifts? What characteristics are present in organizations that achieve such gifts? How do these align with each other? What are some of the tried and true techniques in soliciting and stewarding donors to bring about miracle major gifts? In this seminar you will also learn to formulate philanthropic value propositions and develop skills to prepare you for asking for major gifts.

December 4, 2008: 9am- 11am *Free Workshop*
Direct Mail Marketing For Nonprofits & USPS Postal Requirements
Rick Schildgen & Larry Urewicz, CL Graphics, Inc.
Join us for a free morning workshop where you will discover the Five Keys to Successful Direct Mail Marketing for nonprofit organizations. Attendees will learn how to properly design mail pieces to get the most impact at the least postage, trends in mailpiece effectiveness (particularly personalization), and new postal requirements and developments to improve mailpiece deliverability. 

December 17, 2008: 9am-12pm
Planning to Retain Your Donors
What percentage of your first-time donors give a second gift? What percentage never come back? The AFP/Urban Institute Fundraising Effectiveness Project (FEP) survey results for 2004-2006 found that, on average, for every $6 gained in charitable gifts, there was a net loss of $5. And for every six new and repeat donors in a given year, nearly five donors lapsed. If you want to learn about how to address the issue of donor attrition in your development office, plan to attend “Planning to Retain Your Donors,” a workshop offered by AFP IHQ in cooperation with the AFP Chicago Chapter and North Park University. The workshop will be held December 17 from 9:00-12:00 at North Park University. Registration fee of $25 covers a box lunch and materials. To register, contact the Axelson Center staff at 773-244-5799.

Spring workshop dates. Please check back soon for full registration information.

January 30, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Financial Modeling: A Roadmap to Fiscal Health
Tim O’Brien, Ph.D., School of Business
and Nonprofit Management, North Park
University

February 12, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Miracle Major Gifts
Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D.,
The Alford Group

February 25, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Social Entrepreneurship
Cren McMath, MBA, School of Business
and Nonprofit Management, North Park
University

March 3, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–noon
Grant Writing for Your Ministry
Joy Skjegstad, Faith Communities Project

March 3, 2009, 1–4:00 p.m.
Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church
Joy Skjegstad, Faith Communities Project

March 19, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Advanced Prospect Research
Christina Pulawski, Christina Pulawski
Consulting

March 24, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Start Your Own Consulting Business
Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D.,
The Alford Group

April 2, 2009, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Developing High Power Boards
David Renz, Ph.D., Midwest Center
for Nonprofit Leadership