Executive Director Certification

Be a stupendous Executive Director! Earn your valuable certification.

In 2024, everyone is turning to their Executive Director for answers. Staff, board directors, donors, community members, and other stakeholders expect you to have the vision, knowledge, and skills to lead your organization, handling the big picture and the tactical details.

Whether you are a current Executive Director or aspiring to become one, now is the ideal time to expand your insights, capabilities, and connections with professional training. An infusion of ideas, resources, and confidence will help you to navigate your nonprofit into a successful future.

Our Executive Director Certification program will enable you to:

• Master the foundations of nonprofit management
• Explore real-life examples of the best practices in action
• Renew your passion for your role
• Accelerate your career

Executive Director Certification

Session 1: Executive Director Roles and Responsibilities

• Key roles and responsibilities of an executive director
• Essential skills for an effective nonprofit leader
• The executive director’s role relating to the board
• The executive director’s role relating to staff and volunteers

Session 2: Nonprofit Board of Director Relations

• Allocation of roles between the board and executive director
• Types of nonprofit boards
• Best practices and effective interactions for nonprofit boards
• Techniques to avoid common conflicts between boards and executive directors

Session 3: Nonprofit Financial Management

• Budget creation, review, and calendar
• Financial reporting for board meetings
• Sector-specific legal obligations, including financial reporting
• Annual IRS forms

Session 4: Staff Management

• How to hire and manage nonprofit employees
• Typical nonprofit staffing positions and status types
• How to create an organizational structure to serve your mission
• Legal requirements and performance reviews

Session 5: Volunteer Management

• Nonprofit volunteer roles and how they differ from staff
• Recruiting, supporting, and managing volunteers
• How to foster ongoing volunteer engagement and recognition
• Volunteer job descriptions