nonprofit management personal statement

David Branham , PhD, Graduate Director N1066, 713-221-8208

The Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management is a highly multidisciplinary program, designed to prepare recent college graduates as well as mid- and senior-level administrators for the management and leadership of nonprofit organizations of all types. The program will focus on strategic planning, development of entrepreneurial skills, program management, fundraising, revenue generation and grant writing, human resources, technology, social media and marketing, legal issues, program evaluation and assessment, teambuilding and partnerships, budgeting, board development, leadership, and ethics. The program will employ two key pedagogical elements. First, the MA in Nonprofit Management will be highly experiential. Every course will offer students the opportunity to learn through experience and practice. The second key pedagogical element will be a strong focus on team building. This program was designed by the leadership of the city’s most prominent nonprofit organizations and by faculty from multiple departments: Social Sciences; English; Arts and Humanities; Management, Marketing and Business Administration; and Finance, Accounting and Computer Information Systems.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates who earn a MA in Nonprofit Management will be able to:

• Evaluate a nonprofit organization’s status on leadership and teambuilding, report their findings, and initiate effective interventions to alleviatecshortcomings in those areas.
• Organize and articulate ways to improve productivity from that assessment.
• Articulate expected outcomes for an organization, create a strategic plan to assess those outcomes, implement the assessment, draw conclusions from the analysis, and make effective analysis based adjustments to significantly enhance efficiency in the organization.
• Create, implement and plan data and research driven strategies for recruiting and fund raising.
• Apply and implement employment law, recruiting and hiring practices, diversity in the workplace goals, compensation and benefits, performance appraisal, and discipline.
• Analyze budgeting and accounting documents and make organizational decisions based on said documents.
• Effectively manage within a nonprofit organization.

Admission to the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management program is based on the applicant’s experience and interest in the nonprofit sector, academic ability, and the personal qualities necessary to successfully complete the program. Further consideration is given to the applicant’s ability to positively contribute to the nonprofit sector upon completion of the program.

NOTE: Candidates who do not meet these standards but present applications that provide good evidence that they will be successful in the program will be considered for conditional admission.

Applicants to the program should meet the following minimal criteria:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university.
• A grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate study.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language minimum score of 550 with section scores of 50 or higher if graduate of a university in which English is not the native language.

Applicants must complete and submit and following documentation to the Office of Admissions prior to the admissions deadline for the semester they desire admission: UHD Office of Admissions - Graduate Admissions, One Main Street, Suite 325, Houston, TX 77002.

• Application for admission to the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management, found online at http://www.uhd.edu/admissions .
• Personal resume.
• Personal statement: In 1000 words or less, describe your experiences with the nonprofit world and how those experiences have prepared you to work in the nonprofit world. The personal statement is a very important introduction to the Graduate Admissions Committee. The central purpose of the statement is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate why you are a good candidate for admission to the program.
• Official transcript(s) that document a bachelor-degree conferral and the final 60 semester credit hours (or more) of undergraduate coursework. Applicants who have completed graduate-level courses must also provide graduate transcript(s) in addition to the abovementioned undergraduate documentation.
• TOEFL results as outlined above, submitted by the admissions deadline.
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, unless you have five or more years of experience in the nonprofit section.
• Three letters of recommendation: The letters of recommendation must be from those individuals who have had personal and professional contact with you. Further, the writers should have had some authority over you either currently or in the past. Examples of these types of individuals would be college professors, supervisors, or community leaders. In their letters, the writers should address the following: how the writer is associated with you and the length of time of that association, their opinion regarding your potential for academic success including skills you possess that they feel demonstrate this potential, and how your completion of a master’s degree would benefit both you and the nonprofit sector.

Conditional Admission

Students admitted conditionally will be advised as to the specific limitations of this status and the conditions necessary to remove the conditional admission classification.

Minimum Grade Point Average

Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Grades of C or lower do not count toward graduation, and two course grades of C or lower are cause for dismissal from the program.

Students may transfer no more than six semester hours of graduate work and must have the approval of the Graduate Director to do so; transferred coursework must be at B level or above.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Nonprofit Management requires a minimum of 36 semester credit hours, including an internship.

Required Courses

• BUS 6331 - Strategic Planning in Nonprofit Sector
• POLS 6310 - Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations
• POLS 6311 - Program Assessment & Evaluation
• POLS 6312 - Resourcing the Nonprofit Organization

3 Hours in Mngmt:

Complete 3 semester credit hours in either

• BUS 6332 - Management of Nonprofit Organization
• POLS 6616 - Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sector

3 Hours in Bdging:

• BUS 6336 - Budgeting and Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations
• HUM 6302 - Principles of Non-Profit Finance

Elective Courses

12 hours of electives:.

Complete 12 semester credit hours from the following:

• BUS 6333 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• ENG 6303 - Public Relations and Media
• ENG 6312 - Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Communication
• ENG 6331 - Grant Writing for Nonprofit Management
• POLS 6313 - Governance, the Volunteer Board and Organizational Behavior
• POLS 6314 - Leadership Trends/Topics in the Non-Profit Sector
• POLS 6315 - Law and Advocacy in Nonprofit Management
• POLS 6317 - Ethical Issues in Public Administration
• SOS 6310 - Volunteers in the Nonprofit Sector
• POLS 6680 - Internship in Nonprofit Management

• Insights & Analysis
• Nonprofit Jobs

Codes of Ethics/Values Statements for Nonprofits

Does your nonprofit need a code of ethics or statement of values.

It's useful to adopt a set of principles to guide a nonprofit organization’s decision making and activities, as well as the behavior of its employees, volunteers, and board members. These principles could be called a "code of ethics" but they might be called the nonprofit's "statement of values" or "code of conduct," or something else. The purpose of adopting such a statement  formally  is to provide employees, volunteers, and board members with guidelines for making ethical choices and to ensure that there is accountability for those choices. When board members of a charitable nonprofit adopt a code of ethics, they are expressing their commitment to ethical behavior. Such a commitment goes a long way to earning the public’s trust. Honesty, integrity, transparency, confidentiality, and equity are each examples of values that are typically expressed in a charitable nonprofit's code of ethics - but there may be other values that are very important to your nonprofit - and you may wish to spell those out so that the donating public, prospective employees, volunteers, and anyone who may be considering partnering with your organization, is aware of its values.

The Council of Nonprofits encourages all nonprofits to craft an appropriate "statement of values" or "code of ethics" for your nonprofit. For some charitable nonprofits it may be appropriate that their codes incorporate standards already adopted by certain professional groups. (An example might be a charitable nonprofit that employs licensed clinical social workers may incorporate the  Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers  into its own ethical code.) Other nonprofits may create their own statement that reflects that particular charitable nonprofit's unique mission, activities, and interaction with clients, volunteers, and the public. Whatever the nomenclature, crafting (and revisiting periodically) a written document that articulates the core beliefs of the charitable nonprofit can be useful for practical as well as ethical reasons.

Practice Pointers

• Having a code of ethics or statement of values helps attract talented employees, recruit board members, retain donors, and of course ensure that all transactions are aligned with the values of the organization.
• Many organizations post their statement of values/code on their websites to be fully transparent and to demonstrate their organization's commitment to accountability.
• Nonprofits often engage with clients and consumers in ways that touch on confidential matters so adopting a  confidentiality policy  demonstrates the nonprofit’s commitment to protect the confidentiality and maintain the trust of those it serves.
• Here are lots of ideas for ways your nonprofit can demonstrate  ethical leadership.

Sample statements

• Our Core Values  (National Council of Nonprofits)
• Statement of Core Values  (North Carolina Center  for  Nonprofits)
• Code of Ethics  (Charles Stewart Mott Foundation)
• Equity Statement  (Nonprofit Association of Oregon)

20 Inspirational Nonprofit Vision Statement Examples

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Your nonprofit’s mission and vision statements are essential elements of your strategic planning process. The distinction is subtle but important. Your mission statement is the bare-bones proclamation of what your organization does and why you exist while your  vision statement describes how the world would look if you completed your mission.

How to create your nonprofit vision statement:

You can check out our full guide to writing a nonprofit vision statement , but here are a few good tips. In order to create your nonprofit vision statement, you must keep in mind a few general rules that  a good vision statement should follow.

First of all, your vision statement should be short and to the point , carefully choosing each word to entail exactly what your organization’s future goals are. In fact, good vision statements are usually between 5-20 words and shouldn’t be longer than 25. By using simple and concrete language and avoiding buzzwords , your vision statement will be clear and easy to remember.  

For the actual content aspect of writing your vision statement, you should ask yourself a few questions first. What is the issue that your nonprofit addresses? What would the world look like if this problem was solved? Do you have a timeline for when you would like to meet your goals?

With these questions in mind, you will be able to have a clearer picture of what your vision statement should entail, including only the words that contribute to your vision for your organization.

The Biggest Mistakes

As we compiled our list of over 150 organizations’ vision statements, these were the most common mistakes we found: 

• Your vision statement is actually your mission statement.   It’s easy to get these confused. Make sure that your vision statement is more of a visual of what the world would look like if you completed your mission, and not what the steps you’re going to take to get there
• It’s too long . A vision statement that’s longer than 20 words is probably too long. If you have many specific goals for the world, what is your one common goal? If they can’t be connected, choose a one sentence vision statement, but then include more in a short paragraph or list following. 
• It’s not specific . If your organization is working to end bullying, a vision statement of, “A better world for children,” is not enough. While the sentiment is nice, use specific words that relate to your cause: “A world without bullying.” Try descriptive language to make the impact stronger: “ A world where children are free to be themselves.” 

Importance of a Brand Style Guide for Growing Your Nonprofit

20 Effective Vision Statements

An effective vision statement is inspirational and aspirational. It creates a mental image of the future state that the organization wishes to achieve. It should challenge and inspire employees to work towards achieving your goals. Here we have listed our favorite 20 nonprofit vision statements so that you can find inspiration for your own nonprofit!

A humane society.

Word count: 3

The humane society.

A world without Alzheimer’s disease.*

Word count: 5 Alzheimer’s Association

Create a world where no child goes to bed hungry.

Word count: 10 Feed the Children

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Word count: 10 Habitat for Humanity

A nation in which everyone can get the healthcare they need.

Word count: 11

Pan foundation.

Building a future in which people live in harmony with nature.*

A world in which all people have pathways to health and opportunity.

Word count: 12

Provide an unparalleled experience as the most trusted partner for health care.

Mayo Clinic

Christians united in overcoming material and spiritual poverty.

Word count: 8

Cross international.

To make our oceans as rich, healthy, and abundant as they once were.

Word count: 13

A world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.

Word count: 15

Save the children.

One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

Word count: 16

Teach for america.

A world free of debilitating diseases where all people are protected by strong public health systems.

The Task Force for Global Health

The United States is a humane community in which all animals are treated with respect and kindness.

Word count: 17

Our  vision  for every child, life in all its fullness. Our  prayer  for every heart, the will to make it so.

Word count: 21

World vision.

A world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and all people live in dignity and security .

CARE International

Every person has the opportunity to achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life.

A world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Word count: 28

Human right’s campaign.

A world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

Word count: 29

The nature conservatory.

Building a world where all communities have full access to innovative, high-quality, affordable, evidence-based sexual and reproductive health services, which will always include abortion, whenever, wherever, and however they are needed.

Word count: 31

Planned parenthood of new york city.

How our list was compiled:

• Over 150 organizations were evaluated, and the top 20  were published.
• The vision statements are listed by word count. While we feel like an appropriate number of words is around 20, the more specific the goal, the more words may be required.
• In order to standardize the list, we removed things like “[Brand’s] vision is” or “The vision statement of [Brand]” when it created redundancy in the beginning of a vision statement.
• All data was collected as of July 2019.

* Many organizations fighting one specific disease or issue have a vision for “A world without …”. We love this vision statement for it’s clarity and simplicity. However, for the purpose of this article, we only chose one health organization that features this phrasing to provide variability within our results. 

** WWF’s vision statement was derived from their mission statement. 

This article updates an original 2017 post by Sara Lowe. 

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How to Write a Winning Personal Statement

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•       Resources       Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School

Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School Tips and Advice for Standing Out as a Graduate Program Candidate

Applying to graduate school can be a significant step toward reaching academic and career goals, which can make the admissions process even more intimidating. Along with gathering letters of recommendation, taking exams and submitting transcripts, prospective graduate students typically have to write personal statements to include with their applications. The personal statement is an oft-elusive element of the grad school application, but it fulfills a specific and significant need in the eyes of admissions committees. By learning about the personal statement and its role, getting familiar with this essay's key elements and soaking in tons of advice from an admissions expert, graduate school applicants can prepare to write outstanding personal essays that can help them land spots in their ideal graduate programs.

• What is a Personal Statement?
• Personal Statement Components
• How to Write a Winning Statement

Personal Statement Example

Additional resources, what's the personal statement on a grad school app.

Graduate school applications often have prospective students include personal statements. These help admissions committees get to know the person behind each application. A personal statement is a short essay that introduces a grad school candidate and his or her personal reasons for applying to a particular program. While metrics such as GPA and test scores can give an admissions committee an idea of a student's qualifications, they are impersonal and don't indicate whether a candidate would be a good fit for a given program. "Metrics only show one small part of the entire picture," says career coach and former university admissions representative Meg Radunich. "Graduate programs care about the person behind the standardized test score and grade point average. A personal statement is the only part of the application where a candidate gets to make their own case for what they can add to the cohort of incoming first year students."

Students may get applications that ask for statements of purpose, or statements of intent, as well as personal statements. With such similar names, it's no surprise that many students wonder whether there is a difference. Depending on the program and writing prompt, a personal statement and a statement of purpose may fill the same need in the eyes of the admissions committee. In cases where both are required, however, things can get a little tricky. In general, the statement of purpose focuses more on a student's reasons for applying to that particular graduate program and may address topics such as career and research goals, how his or her academic track record demonstrates qualification for that particular school or program of study and how a given program will impact the student's future.

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By contrast, personal statements usually lend more freedom when it comes to content and form and are intended to give the admissions committee a glimpse into a candidate's personality. This narrative essay combines specific, self-reflective anecdotes with details about past experiences (internships, volunteer experiences, etc.) and a clear delineation of a student's goals and interest in the prospective graduate program to provide a fuller picture of the applicant. This combination, often unaccompanied by an explicit writing prompt or set of instructions, can make even the most practiced essay writers freeze up. Familiarizing themselves with the ins and outs of writing strong personal statements for graduate school can alleviate stress and ease the process of sending out those applications.

Components of a Successful Personal Statement

Because personal statements are individual to the applicant, there is no one-size-fits-all way to write them. However, there are a few key elements of strong personal statements that prospective graduate students should keep in mind as they write.

• Broad Understanding
• Vulnerability and Sincerity
• Awareness of Audience
• Individuality

When writing personal statements, students may feel pressured to tell admissions committees everything about themselves. People are multifaceted, and it seems extra important to hit all your personality highlights and accomplishments. However, the personal essay isn't meant to be an autobiography or a long-form reiteration of the applicant's resume. "One major mistake I see all the time is students who try to tell too much in the personal statement," says Radunich. "Tell one or two specific stories or scenarios really well instead of having a broad focus and attempting to tell your life story. The goal of the essay is to get an interview, one-on-one face time that will you allow you to divulge more. Use that personal statement to tease them just enough so they feel like they need to get you in for an interview to learn the rest of your story."

• An MFA program applicant could build his statement around a sculpture class reluctantly taken during sophomore year of undergraduate study that encouraged him to experiment and ultimately changed his art style and approach. This is more telling and interesting than meandering through a lifelong love of art that began at childhood.
• Students should try to keep the scope of their personal statements within the past few years, as admissions committees are generally most interested in applicants' undergraduate experiences.

The best personal statements have clear purposes and easily draw readers in. Students should be cautious about turning their personal statements into risky or edgy creative writing projects and instead maintain a strong narrative structure using anecdotes for support when necessary. "Everyone loves a coming-of-age story," Radunich says. "Remember that the faculty have a vested interest in admitting students who will be fun for them to work with and watch grow." Applicants should determine which key points about themselves are most important to make and then choose situations or experiences that demonstrate those points. This serves as the main content of the personal statement. It's important that students remember to keep anecdotes relevant to the specific programs to which they are applying and to make it clear how the experiences led them to those programs.

• A prospective engineering student who volunteered abroad might set the scene by writing about how working with members of the local community who had their own innovations based on supplies that were readily available in their area, like flip phone batteries and dismantled mopeds, challenged her exclusively Western understanding of infrastructure and exposed holes in her knowledge.
• She could follow up with brief but concrete examples that showcase both hard and soft skills relevant to her program of study, like how experience as a resident assistant affirmed her desire to help people, and her senior thesis project pushed her to reach out to others and collaborate for the sake of better research.

Along with a focused narrative, grad school applicants should demonstrate for the admissions committee why they want to attend this program and how doing so relates to their place academically, locally and globally. Radunich notes that strong personal statements show that candidates understand the "big picture" of the profession and the true meaning and impact they will have in their communities.

Applicants often feel as if they have to show how highly accomplished and impressive they are in their personal statements, but Radunich stresses the significance of being honest and vulnerable. "It helps the reader connect. Admissions deans read enough essays from 23-year-old applicants who brag about their accomplishments and think they have life figured out." Acknowledging faults or weaknesses shows the committee that an applicant is self-aware, teachable and eager to grow.

• "One medical school candidate I worked with wanted to become a psychiatrist due to her own personal experience with anxiety in high school," recalls Radunich. "Instead of hiding this experience, she owned it. Her personal statement was phenomenal as a result."
• Vulnerability should be presented as something that leads to growth rather than an excuse for doing poorly in certain academic areas.

Strong personal statements demonstrate awareness of audience and how content may be received. Radunich advises applicants to think about their essays from admissions deans' perspectives: What would and wouldn't you want to read it if you were in their shoes? As they write, students should remember that admissions personnel must read many personal statements and sort through thousands of applications. Being conscious of how words or stories may be perceived by those with experiences different from their own can be invaluable to students.

• Radunich cites a time when she worked with a student who wrote about her experience providing medical care in a developing country as part of her medical school application: "The student had good intentions, but in writing she sounded patronizing and even condescending when describing her interactions with patients. She had no idea. Remember that people who see the world differently from you will be reading this essay."

One of the biggest keys to writing a successful personal statement is in the name itself. This essay is meant to be personal and completely unique to the writer. "You have full control over this part of your application," Radunich says, urging students to avoid coming across as desperate in their essays. "Fight the urge to ‘shape shift' into whom you think that program wants you to be. You're not going to be a perfect fit for every single graduate program. Be you, and if a graduate program doesn't get it, you most likely aren't going to be happy in that program for the next three or more years." Many applicants may have similar metrics, but each student has different experiences to write about in a personal statement. Students should commit to their experiences and own them rather than err too far on the side of safety, something Radunich says is a common pitfall.

• "Students also make a mistake when they play it safe and write personal statements that have been played out. For example, medical students tend to cite experiencing illnesses, watching family members struggle with their health or wanting to help people as the reason why they want to become a doctor. Admissions deans have to read thousands of these. Make it personal and offbeat. Give them something new to read."

Applicants must take time to ensure their personal statements are tight and free of errors. Radunich stresses the importance of proofreading. "Do not even bother sending in an application with a personal statement that has spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. This personal statement is a reflection of the quality of work you will submit for the program."

One of the hardest parts of writing a personal statement is getting started. These steps and strategies can help prospective graduate students push through the initial hesitation and get on their way to writing winning personal statements.

• Read the instructions. Some applications provide little in the way of guidance, asking prospective students to expand on why they want to apply to the program or supply information on their backgrounds and interests. Others, however, give specific guidelines on content, format, word count and submission method. It's crucial that applicants read and understand what is expected of their personal statements. It won't matter how beautifully crafted the statement is if it doesn't address the prompt or disregards stated length requirements.
• Self-reflect. Before sitting down to write, students should spend a good amount of time thinking about their strengths and what they want to convey to admissions committees. Radunich says it's essential for students to really dwell on what makes them special. "Take time to reflect on your personal brand. What qualities do you bring to a cohort of graduate students that this program doesn't know they need?" When students are confident in their positive qualities, it can make it easier to convince admissions officers the value they bring to any given graduate program.
• Talk to friends and family. Sometimes figuring out how to write about oneself or what elements to highlight can be tough. Radunich says that this is where friends and family can be extremely helpful. She recommends talking those who know you best. "Ask the people who have been with you throughout your journey to provide feedback on who you are and what they've observed. Use them to provide feedback on what you have to offer a graduate program. How would they describe you in five words? This is your ‘essence self' — what makes you stand apart from others."
• Be authentic. "We hear this all the time, but it's the best advice," says Radunich. "Admissions personnel can smell a phony. They know when you're using words outside of your vocabulary or when you're exaggerating what an experience meant to you. They read thousands of personal statements per year and also see which applicants show up as the people they said they were once they're admitted. Don't sell yourself to an admissions panel; present a polished yet real account of who you are and what you care about. This way, the right school will recognize what you bring to the table."
• Keep it relevant. The focus should remain on why the student is qualified and wants to apply to that particular program. Admissions personnel want to get familiar with their applicants, but they mostly want to make sure they choose students who value the program and have specific reasons for applying. For instance, a student may be drawn to a program because one or two faculty members conduct research that aligns with that student's interests. That is something worth mentioning in a statement. Anecdotes and stories bring a personal element, but it's also important to include practical, academic- and career-focused details, too.
• Get feedback from outside sources. It's helpful for students to ask other people to read their personal statements. As Radunich points out, this can help students see how their statements may be perceived by others, and another set of eyes can help a student determine whether or not the essay is engaging and well-organized. Friends, family members, teachers and writing center staff can all be great resources.
• Use specific examples. Grad school applicants should do their best to avoid using general statements or listing their experiences and qualifications. "Use specific examples and strong storytelling to pull the reader into your life and care about you by the end," suggests Radunich. "For example, if you're applying to medical school, give us one specific, personal story about something that happened while volunteering at the hospital that changed your worldview, challenged you and confirmed your goal of being a doctor."
• Address potential shortcomings. The personal statement is an excellent opportunity for a candidate whose metrics aren't top notch to stand out and plead his or her case. "If the student earned less-than-stellar grades during their undergraduate education," notes Radunich, "(the student) can provide some context in the personal statement." Students may not feel this is necessary or be comfortable with this, but it is an option. Applicants should be cautious about how they address any weak points; explanations should not sound like excuses but should be framed in a way that demonstrates perseverance, improvement or the learning that followed those challenges.
• Use space efficiently. Personal statements are generally pretty short, often ranging between 500 and 1,000 words. This means that filler words and phrases, such as "the truth is," or "it's my personal belief that," take up valuable space that could be used to compel admissions into requesting an interview. It's important to convey a clear image in a few paragraphs, so be both concise and precise. In statements allowing longer word counts, keep in mind that more isn't always better. Admissions committees read thousands of personal essays each year, and longer ones may be at greater risk of being skimmed through rather than thoroughly read.
• Draft, edit, repeat. Depending on the program, a student's personal statement can carry considerable weight. It shouldn't be thrown together at the last minute. Allowing for adequate time to write multiple drafts, edit and thoroughly proofread is a must. Have other people proofread and check for grammar before sending in the application; they may catch errors that were glossed over in earlier drafts.

Writing a personal statement can be intimidating, which may make it difficult for applicants to get started. Having enough time to ruminate and write is also valuable and can give students the opportunity to choose a strong point of view rather than feel pushed to write about the first thing that comes to mind. Radunich emphasizes that students who aren't sure what to write about or how to approach writing about themselves should do some considerable brainstorming and get input from those who know them well. Students are often self-critical, especially in high-stakes situations, and they may not realize the positive qualities they may have that stand out to others.

Radunich also offers tips for getting in the mindset of admissions personnel: "They're reading the personal statement and gauging the candidate's fitness for the program. Can this person deal with stress and persevere? Does he/she have grit? Has this person overcome adversity, and does that give us confidence that they can handle the three demanding years of law school? Can this person handle receiving feedback, or will he/she drop out after the slightest bit of challenge or criticism? Can this student tolerate differing viewpoints and be open to growth?" Considering these questions can help guide students through the writing process.

It may also help students to look at example personal statements and see how these key considerations play out in an actual essay. Take a look at this example personal statement from a prospective grad student.

As I approached the convention hall, I wondered if I had gotten the room number wrong. I couldn't hear any signs of life, and I was losing my nerve to open the door and risk embarrassing myself. As I imagined a security guard striding up and chiding me for being somewhere I shouldn't be, a hand reached past me and pushed the door open, jolting me back to the real world. I peeked in. More hands. Hundreds of them. Hands were flying, waving, articulating, dancing . I was at once taken by awe and fear.

You can do this.

I had never planned on taking American Sign Language, and I certainly hadn't planned on it taking my heart. In my first term of college, I signed up for German, a language I had loved the sound of since I was a child. A week before classes began, however, the course section was cut. In my frustration, I decided I would take the first available language class in the course register. In hindsight, that probably wasn't the smartest approach, but it was a decision that completely altered my supposedly set-in-stone plan of becoming a linguist. The complexities of nonverbal language floored me, and I found myself thinking about hand signs while writing essays on Saussure's linguistic signs. I rearranged my schedule so I could take improv classes to help with my facial and body expressions. Theater! That was completely out of character, but I suddenly found myself compelled toward anything that would help immerse me in ASL and deaf culture.

Except actually getting involved in the community.

I knew going to my first deaf convention would be intimidating. My hands shake when I'm anxious, and nothing brings on nerves quite like throwing yourself into a situation where you are a total outsider. Between my limited vocabulary, quaking fingers and fear-frozen face, would anyone be able to understand me? What was I doing here? I had been studying American Sign Language for nearly three years and had somehow managed to avoid spontaneous conversation with the deaf community, and I was terrified. Workbook exercises and casual conversations with classmates — who had roughly the same ASL vocabulary and relied on the same linguistic crutches as I did — had become increasingly comfortable, but immersing myself in deaf culture and community was something entirely different. I was afraid. However, American Sign Language and deaf studies had captured my heart, and I knew this fear was a huge barrier I needed to get past in order to continue working toward my goal of becoming an advocate and deaf studies educator.

It must have been pretty obvious that I was both hearing and petrified, because I was immediately greeted by someone who, very formally and slowly, asked if I was a student and offered to accompany me. This small gesture is representative of how I became so fond of deaf culture in such a short period of time. The hearing community tends toward posturing, indirect communication and a sometimes isolating emphasis on individualism, and my limited experiences within the deaf community have been the opposite. The straightforward communication that exists in a beautifully nuanced and perspicacious language and the welcoming enthusiasm to grow the community is something I intend to be part of. I am an outsider, and I have much to learn, but I want to do everything I can to encourage understanding and exchange between the deaf and hearing communities and make hearing spaces more inclusive, especially for those who have more experience as outsiders than I do.

My devotion to language and learning about culture through communication hasn't changed, but the path by which I want to pursue that passion has. My foray into deaf studies and American Sign Language may have started as an accident, but no matter how nervous I still get when my fingers fumble or I have to spell something out, I am humbled and grateful that this accident led me to a calling that could have remained unheard my whole life.

Brainstorming is an important step in writing a convincing personal essay, and Coggle may be just the tool to help. Coggle is a mind-mapping app that helps users organize their thoughts in visual, nonlinear ways. Users can easily share with collaborators, such as writing coaches, advisers or friends.

Inspiration may strike at any time. Students can make sure they're prepared to jot down any personal statement ideas, gather inspiration and organize their thoughts with Evernote , a popular note-taking app.

Writing personal statements requires distraction-free writing time. However, most students do their writing on their most distracting devices. FocusWriter is a simple tool that helps mitigate the distraction problem by hiding computer interfaces and substituting a clean, clear digital writing environment.

This web browser add-on makes checking grammar quick and easy. Grammarly scans users' text and provides context-specific suggestions and corrections. Detailed explanations of each suggestion help users improve their writing over time.

This subject-specific book is a guide to writing personal statements for graduate school. It includes tons of tips and examples to help students write their application essays.

Microsoft's OneNote app is one of the most popular among those who like to use outlines to gather and organize their thoughts, but its many features make it a great prewriting tool for writers of all organizational preferences.

Mindomo can help grad school candidates brainstorm and pinpoint key elements to include in their personal statements. The app's mind maps, concept maps and outlines help users easily visualize and organize their ideas.

Students who are looking for an advanced editing tool to help them power through their grad school applications might want to look into ProWritingAid , a comprehensive application that helps with basic and advanced editing and addresses issues in style, word choice and structure.

The academic writing standby, Purdue OWL , weighs in on the 10 essential dos and don'ts of personal statement writing.

The UNR Writing Center offers this extensive, alphabetized list of tips on writing, from academic voice to writing introductions, to help with the writing process. Students should also consider consulting their own undergraduate schools' campus writing centers for help as well.

UNC provides specific guidance for students writing personal statements and other significant academic essays. The guidance on this page is not exclusive to UNC, so students from many different schools may find these tips helpful.

Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences provides this online manual to help students understand and successfully write personal statements and other graduate admissions and scholarship essays. The easy-to-navigate chapters provide many examples and tips to meet a range of criteria.

Kean University

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Public Administration - Non-Profit Management (MPA)

The Nonprofit Management concentration was designed by our faculty in consultation with our Board of Advisors and the nonprofit community to provide our students with the foundation to become effective leaders of nonprofit and voluntary organizations. This concentration prepares you to begin or advance in careers as administrators in nonprofit organizations providing you with the knowledge, the values and the skills to work effectively and to administer programs in virtually any segment of the social service community. Your coursework covers the critical elements of administration, including budgeting, strategic planning, human resources, information systems, non-profit law, leadership and ethics, and multicultural competencies. We help you focus on the unique nature and needs of nonprofit organizations and gain the skills and knowledge specific to and necessary for leadership in this growing and dynamic sector. The sheer diversity of nonprofit organizations and the issues they work on means that nonprofits require leaders with a thorough understanding of the complex nonprofit landscape.

In addition to the University’s admission requirements:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (lower GPA’s will be considered based on overall strength of application)
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Two letters of recommendation
• Departmental interview may be required
• Personal statement
• Writing sample may be required
• Professional Resume/CV
• Official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score reports (International Students Only)

Program Requirements :

• Required Core Courses: 21 credits
• Required Courses - Concentration: 9 credits
• Electives: 6 credits

Application Deadlines:

Fall:        June 30 Spring:   December 1

17 Great Nonprofit Mission Statement Examples [2024]

Your mission statement is the core of your organization – it's your ultimate guiding principle. But it can feel impossible to write one that perfectly captures what you do and why you do it. If you need some inspiration, we've compiled 17 of the best nonprofit mission statements. We'll also break down why each is working and what could be improved.

In the nonprofit world, very little is more important than crafting a compelling mission statement.

To for-profit organizations, profit is the bottom line. This clarity helps business professionals make decisions, create and adjust strategic plans, and set appropriate goals. Without a bottom line, it’s hard to move forward with intention and focus.

How does this tie in with nonprofit mission statements ?

Essentially…

A mission is to a nonprofit what profit is to a business.

A great mission statement provides ethical and strategic guidance, rallies the staff and donors  around a common goal, and adds clarity to operations.

We compiled a list of 17 of the best nonprofit mission statements. Use these as a source of inspiration as you write your mission statement. Also, be sure to download our free mission and vision statement worksheet to help you craft!

What is a Nonprofit Mission Statement?

Mission and vision statements capture the essence of your nonprofit organization.

Sometimes, a nonprofit mission statement , vision statement, values, and goals can get mixed up.

Let’s see how they’re different.

Your vision is the future you intend to create. It’s how you’re going to change the world.

Essentially, your vision is the destination.

A good vision statement answers the following questions:

• What is the impact you want to make on the world?
• How will the world look once you’re successful?

Vision statements are usually prefaced with the phrases “A world where…” or “We exist so that…”

Your mission is the journey towards your vision. It’s your core work.

A good mission statement answers the following questions:

• What are you going to do to work towards making your vision a reality?
• How are you going to do it?

Put another way, your mission is a short, direct, and compelling way to state your theory of change or the core strategy for your organization.

It provides a link between your every day goals and activities and what you hope to achieve long-term.

A mission statement should be more tangible than a vision statement, have a shorter lifespan, and evolve more frequently.

Your values are the guiding principles for which you stand. They are the ideals you refuse to compromise as you conduct your mission in pursuit of your vision.

Nonprofit organizational values are the highest values that guide your organization’s actions, unite your employees, and define your brand.

They are ideally set as part of strategic planning when an organization is just being set up (alongside mission and vision statements).

Your goals are the handful of achievements towards which you will work over the next one to five years (you choose the timeframe).

Often, they are outlined in your business plan . They’re essential planning tools, as they provide the focus for your efforts and you can use them to measure results.

Set specific, realistic goals for your organization that will help you improve, grow, and accomplish your mission.

How to Write a Nonprofit Mission Statement (Step-by-Step)

For a more in-depth look at how to write an awesome nonprofit mission statement, check out this blog . In it, we share a five-step exercise to help you get started.

Let’s review a few essential tips to create a great mission statement.

1. Keep it short

Sometimes, nonprofits make their mission statements complex, but sometimes short and sweet really is the key.

Your mission statement is your nonprofit distilled to its essence . It’s like an elevator pitch: concise but comprehensive enough to be understood, and intriguing enough for readers to want to learn more.

The best and most compelling mission statements out there are crystal clear and concise.

2. The who/why/action/result

Ideally, your nonprofit mission statement should answer the following:

• Whom do you serve?
• Why do you exist?
• How do you serve them (action + result)?

3. Compelling and memorable

Great mission statements also:

• Evoke emotion and avoid generalities
• Avoid buzzwords and jargon
• Are easy to remember

Nonprofit Mission Statement Examples

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are 17 examples of different nonprofits and their mission statements.

We provide commentary alongside each one, hopefully helping you better understand what makes a great mission statement through real-life examples.

1. Wild Tomorrow Fund

We face the extinction of one million species in our lifetimes. But there is still hope. The solution to the extinction crisis lies in the expansion of natural habitats in threatened wild places. We must enlarge and protect the spaces devoted to the natural world in order to save the amazing variety of life on our planet – called biodiversity.

Why we love it

Like many nonprofit organizations, Wild Tomorrow Fund combines its mission and vision statements into one copy on its website.

While separating the vision and mission statements usually brings more clarity, Wild Tomorrow Fund managed to combine them in a natural and smooth way.

Their vision is one of a world in which wildlife habitats are expanded and protected, and where existing reserves have the resources needed to keep their animals safe.

What would make it even better

Although the video on their “mission” page talks about the “how” in a detailed manner, we strongly believe that including it within the statement makes it even more powerful. After all, watching a video is time-consuming. A compact mission statement is one that has the following elements in it –

Our mission is to ____(what)_____ for ___(who)______ by ___(how)______.”

2.  Tarjimly

Our mission is to improve the lives of refugees and the efficiency of humanitarian services by eliminating language barriers.

Their mission statement is short, sweet, and follows the best mission statement writing practices. It’s clear what impact they’re aiming to have (improve lives and efficiency of humanitarian services), who they’re serving (refugees), and how they’re doing it (eliminating language barriers).

This mission statement is pretty good as it is. Maybe it would be helpful to understand better what it means to “improve lives”, but even without this, this nonprofit mission statement is solid.

3. Hope Initiative Alliance

Hope Initiative Alliance work together with our partners in improving the quality of life of marginalised people globally.

The ultimate goal/desired impact is very clear: improving the quality of life of marginalized people globally.

This mission statement is also concise, which is usually good when it comes to nonprofit mission statements.

This mission statement could be reworked to sound a bit less generic and a bit more memorable. Many organizations could write the exact same mission statement.

This organization does have a section on their “vision-mission” page called “learn more about our mission” which says a little more about who they’re helping and in what ways. There it’s stated that they’re helping marginalized groups by partnering with various organizations (the types and names) to make it possible.

Even so, the “how” is not clear. What work they’re doing and how they’re reaching out to people in need remains unclear. The statement needs some work there.  

4. BluePath Service Dogs 

BluePath provides autism service dogs, offering safety, companionship, and opportunities for independence.

BluePath has done a great job with this statement. This clearly illustrates why this work is being done, what they offer, and who they serve.

This is a very solid mission statement. One addition that might help is understanding how they provide service dogs. They have a special breeding program that allows them to serve more people over time.

5. Everyone for Veterans 

Everyone for Veterans empowers veterans to lead healthy and fulfilled lives by providing them with resources, support, and comprehensive dental care.

This moving statement clearly illustrates their purpose and provides a detailed look at what Everyone for Veterans provides. Stating their services lead to “healthy and fulfilled lives” moves donors and volunteers to get involved.

More detail about the resources and services provided would paint a more complete picture of their activities. We love how specific “comprehensive dental care” is, and it would be great if the other two pieces of their mission were as descriptive. For instance, what kind of support is offered? Financial support, emotional support, or community support? Getting specific here would better demonstrate the impact of this important organization.

6. MAP International

To provide medicines and health supplies to those in need around the world so they might experience life to the fullest.

This mission statement is short and sweet. It gives some clarity as to the organization’s main work: providing medicine and health supplies.

“Experiencing life to the fullest” seems a bit out of place in a mission statement, given its vagueness.

It would also be amazing to know who “those in need” are.

7. The Women’s Center

The mission of The Women’s Center is to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of the community through counseling, education, support, and advocacy.

The Women’s Center statement hits the sweet spot between being to the point but still comprehensive.

Their goal and desired impact are very clearly stated (significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of the community). We also love that they used the word “significantly” to add emphasis.

The Women’s Center also plainly states their “how” (through counseling, education, support, and advocacy). By reading their mission statement we can see the importance of including the “how” – it explains the work of a nonprofit and it helps distinguish it from many similar ones.

We’d love to understand better who the “members of the community” are, even if some of that is evident in the organization’s name.

8. Code for America

Code for America works shoulder to shoulder with community organizations and government to build digital tools and services, change policies, and improve programs. 1. Partnership We partner with government and community organizations with access to the resources and digital talent that can meaningfully impact some of the world’s toughest societal challenges. 2. Empowerment We create change that empowers government and community organizations with the tools and skills to change people’s lives, especially those most in need. 3. Transformation We connect and convene people from inside and outside government, and from all over the world to inspire each other, share successes, learn, build, and transform government systems.

The first sentence serves as an effective stand-alone mission statement. Even if it was read on its own, it would be clear enough:  Code for America works shoulder to shoulder with community organizations and government (how) to build digital tools and services, change policies, and improve programs (what and who).

They also expand on that mission statement to add more detail for those interested in learning more.

Code for America does a great job with its “vision, mission, values, and operating principles” page. These are all clearly distinguished one from another, and even include short explanations for their audience (i.e. “Our vision: The world as we’d like to see it” and “Our mission: How we intend to make our vision real”.)

They use an even shorter mission statement on their homepage (We’re on a mission to make government work in the digital age. Join us.) which also serves as a call to action.

And they even invite participation and feedback at the end of their page!

The three statements following their main mission statement are at times vague. They could be more specific, seeing that they’re an elaboration of the main mission statement.

MISSION exists to inspire everyone who has stared down cancer to live a fuller life, with newfound strength and purpose. There are no limits. #FindYourMission

The use of compelling words (inspire, fuller, stare down, strength, purpose) inspires and evokes emotion. We especially appreciate this since nonprofit mission statements can sometimes sound “too cold” or “professional.”

MISSION also includes a tagline and a hashtag in its mission statement section. We haven’t seen much of this in the nonprofit sector, and we’re wondering if it could prove to be a best practice for inviting more engagement.

It’s not clear how MISSION inspires everyone who has stared down cancer to live a fuller life, with newfound strength and purpose. Including a clear “how” could take this mission statement to a whole new level!

We would love to see more about Mission’s values, purpose, and vision on this page too!

10. QuestBridge

QuestBridge designs and builds programs for talented low-income students to access and navigate exceptional educational and life opportunities. QuestBridge recruits develops, and supports motivated low-income students – beginning in high school through college to their early career – to be successful at America’s best colleges, graduate schools, and companies.

This mission statement is very comprehensive. It leaves almost no questions unanswered.

We have an unambiguous understanding of who QuestBridge ’s clients/beneficiaries are, what they’re hoping to accomplish, and a big part of how they do it.

Brevity could be worked on, although it would be difficult to make this shorter without losing vital information.

11. One Degree

One Degree empowers people to build healthy and fulfilling lives through equity-centered technology and deep community partnerships.

It’s succinct and clear, with the “how” and “who” clearly addressed. There’s a lot of compelling, emotional language like “empowers,” “fulfilling,” and “equity-centered.”

We’d love to learn more about how One Degree uses equity-centered technology to empower people. A few more specifics here would help clarify exactly what their mission is and how it functions.

To be fair, One Degree has an entire page dedicated to their Theory of Change, but we believe some of it could be included in their mission statement for a more immediate understanding of their work.

12. Project Callisto

Callisto’s mission is to use technology to empower survivors of sexual violence.

This is the epitome of a short and sweet mission statement. We like that it uses a tried-and-true formula to properly communicate what this organization does and for whom.

Some clarity on exactly how they use technology would help connect some missing pieces. We have the “who” but the “how” is still a little unclear.  Luckily, there is a ton of information about their groundbreaking tech on their website. 

13. The Rare Cancer Research Foundation

The Rare Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to curing rare cancers through strategic investments and innovative collaborations that facilitate effective research and accelerate the deployment of promising therapies.

The desired impact/goal is crystal clear: curing rare cancers. This statement tells us clearly when the “mission” will be accomplished.

And “curing” sounds much more impactful than “reducing rates.” “Reducing rates” is certainly more achievable, but “curing” is definitely more inspirational.

It’s also very clear how The Rare Cancer Research Foundation is working to reach that goal.

This mission statement is quite hard to remember and difficult to take in all at once, with lots of adjectives sprinkled in. It might benefit from being simplified and shortened, using words that are easier to remember.

14. The Article 20 Network

The Article 20 Network defends and advances the human right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly worldwide.

Talk about being crisp! We get The Article 20 Network and what they’re doing when reading this mission statement.

The brevity is impactful. It’s also memorable. Anyone could remember this mission statement and tell others about it.

Admittedly, this sentence doesn’t include the “how” or “who,”  but just below it on the website, Article 20 includes an image that does just that.

15. Organic Soup Kitchen

Our mission is to provide metabolic oncology nutrition and food security to support the health and wellness of low-income seniors and other individuals with cancer or chronic illness.

A solid mission statement! We know who Organic Soup Kitchen seeks to work with, what they want to address, and how they do it.

A key part of what they do (production and delivery of nourishing, healthy soups) is not evident in their mission statement.

The key question left unanswered is “How do they address food insecurity?”

Muso works to create a cure for delay because no one should die waiting for health care.

Why we love it  

Muso’s mission statement is memorable and to the point, with a compelling premise.

We’d love to hear how! And who is Muso serving?

We can learn that when we visit this page detailing their model, but it would be great to bring some of this to the mission statement.

17. Project Ropa 

Project Ropa is a Los Angeles based nonprofit and certified social enterprise on a mission to reduce waste and restore dignity to those in need by providing clothing and hygiene essentials.

We love that they share their location with their mission! This is so important for location-specific organizations like Project Ropa . This statement also excels at sharing the two main mission focuses and how this organization will get there.

We don’t have much to suggest! This is a thorough statement. One area they might expand is to describe how they plan to reduce waste.

Over to You

Your mission is what you’re here for. It’s likely the reason why your team is there too, and why your supporters donate. Crafting the best possible mission statement is crucial for capturing why you do what you do!

Don’t forget that a great mission statement encapsulates why  your nonprofit exists, who  it serves, and how  it serves them. It needs to be clear, concise, and compelling.

Consider designing your mission and vision page in a way that draws visitors in and makes it both easy and interesting to learn more about your work. Use photos and videos to tell your viewers the story of your nonprofit and add color to your mission statement.

Thousands of organizations trust Donorbox to help them raise the funds they need to perform their mission. Learn more about our features and sign up today !

Check out our Nonprofit blog for more nonprofit resources and tips. Subscribe to our newsletter for a curated list of blogs delivered to your inbox every month.

Raviraj heads the sales and marketing team at Donorbox. His growth-hacking abilities have helped Donorbox boost fundraising efforts for thousands of nonprofit organizations.

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The Bush School of Government & Public Service

Public Service is a noble calling.

Overview – Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Overview | Course Listings | Faculty | Testimonial

The Certificate in Nonprofit Management develops leaders for the nonprofit sector, contributes to understanding nonprofit organizations and their role in society, and supports the practice of effective management.

• 12 Credit Hour Graduate Certificate Program
• Courses Offered Online or On Campus
• Fall and Spring Fifteen-Week Courses, Summer Ten-Week Courses
• Successful Completion Appears on Texas A&M Transcript
• Can Often Transfer Credits to a Degree-Seeking Master’s Program
• 12 Hours Transferrable to a Bush School Master’s Degree

Course Formats

Online courses offer a flexible and interactive format over a traditional fifteen-week semester during fall and spring (ten-week semester during summer), typically requiring discussion several times a week. All online courses fall under 700 section numbers.

On campus courses at College Station are offered during a traditional fifteen-week semester, typically meeting once a week for three hours. Note: On-campus courses often fill up quickly since priority goes to Bush School degree-seeking master’s students.

To receive a graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNPM), the student must complete 12 credit hours of CNPM courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Two core curriculum courses are required:  PSAA 643 : Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector and  PSAA 644 : Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations. Students have the option of selecting an emphasis area (see below). Those who do not select an emphasis area may tailor their own certificate and choose two courses from a variety of options.

Optional Emphasis Areas

CNPM students have the option of choosing an area of emphasis. While selecting an emphasis area is not required, doing so may be beneficial since the emphasis area will be noted on the certificate upon successful completion of the CNPM program.

Students who choose an emphasis are required to take two of the emphasis-specific courses listed under the area they have chosen.

Students may obtain multiple emphasis areas by completing six additional hours of electives (2 courses) while maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better.

Emphasis Options

Fundraising and philanthropy.

• Fiscal and Performance Management
• Leadership and Management
• Health and Human Service Policy
• International Nongovernmental Organizations

Certificate Courses

Please note that each course is not offered every semester, which may affect completion time for an optional emphasis. All electives listed are available for students to choose from if not pursuing an area of emphasis.

Core Courses (required)

• PSAA 643 Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
• PSAA 644 Management and Leadership of Nonprofit

Electives (listed by emphasis areas)

• PSAA 631: Marketing for Nonprofit organizations
• PSAA 633: Philanthropy: Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations
• PSAA 636: Grant and Project Management in the Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Fiscal & Performance Management

• PSAA 626: Contract Management (in-residence only)
• PSAA 632: Fiscal Management for Nonprofits
• PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• PSAA 648: Performance Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors (Prerequisite: PSAA 634 or PSAA 644)

Leadership & Management

• PSAA 602: Tools of Leadership in Public Service Organizations
• PSAA 642: Ethics in Public Policy
• PSAA 649: Volunteer and Human Resources in Nonprofit Organizations
• PSAA 669: Legal Environment of Nonprofit Management

Health and Human Service Policy (HHSP)

• PSAA 616: Managing Workplace Diversity in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
• PSAA 635: Social Welfare and Health Policy

International Nongovernmental Organizations (NGO)

• PSAA 603: Nongovernmental Organization Management in International Settings

Contact an enrollment advisor for upcoming semester course offerings:  [email protected]  or 1-866-988-2874.

Federal Financial Aid Opportunities

Students admitted to the Bush School Certificate in Nonprofit Management program are eligible to receive federal financial aid for the two core/required courses and two elective courses.

Students may take additional courses for their certificate (or for multiple emphasis areas). However, additional courses are not financial aid eligible.

How to Apply

• New students apply using GraduateCAS .
• Current Texas A&M University Students  (U4, U5 or Graduate Classification) concurrently enrolled in a degree-seeking program while pursuing the certificate must complete the Certificate Program Application. Do  NOT  complete the Apply Texas application. Certificate Program Application
• Applicant must include a statement of approximately 500 words indicating personal interest in some area of homeland security and how s/he might use an enhanced knowledge of this subject. Applicant must also include any courses taken that dealt with homeland security.
• E-mail:  [email protected]
• Fax: 979-862-3196
• Graduate Admissions Processing, Office of Admissions and Records Texas A&M University P.O. Box 40001 College Station, TX 77842-4001
• Official transcripts for graduate course work and/or from junior colleges are not needed.
• Electronic transcripts can be processed much faster than paper transcripts. Texas A&M will accept transcripts sent electronically through SPEEDE, eScrip-SAFE or National Clearing House to  [email protected] . Transcripts from any other vendor will not be accepted.
• Domestic Transcripts : Copies of unofficial transcripts may be sent to the Office of Extended Education for preliminary review while waiting for delivery of official transcripts to the Registrar’s Office. E-mail ( [email protected] ) or fax (979-862-3196) unofficial copies to the Office of Extended Education for preliminary consideration.
• International Transcripts : Unofficial transcripts from international institutions cannot be accepted for review. Official international transcripts must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions to begin applicant review.
• All new students: You will not be able to register for classes until your official transcripts are received by the Office of Graduate Admissions at Texas A&M University
• International Applicants  are required to provide proof of English proficiency before materials can be reviewed. Acceptable forms of proof can be found at https://admissions.tamu.edu/other/nondegreeseeking .

Questions? Contact an enrollment advisor [email protected]  or 1-866-988-2874

Visit the  Certificate Admissions Page  for more information on the admissions and application process.

Click here for a printable version of the CNPM Certificate Overview

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Earning A Nonprofit Management M.B.A.: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Apr 5, 2024, 12:23pm

Nonprofit management M.B.A. programs arm students with the specialized business skills required to lead and manage teams in nonprofit settings. A master of business administration in nonprofit management equips you with transferable knowledge and skills to excel in industries across the private and public sectors.

This article discusses what a nonprofit management M.B.A. entails, including standard admission requirements, common courses and careers to consider pursuing.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

What Is a Nonprofit Management M.B.A.?

A nonprofit management M.B.A. is a traditional M.B.A. degree program focused on nonprofit management. These programs typically take two years to complete and require between 36 and 60 credit hours.

The curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of the operations, organizational models and management issues unique to nonprofit organizations. Students develop core business competencies related to accounting, finance, marketing, economics and management, gaining the specialized knowledge needed to manage a nonprofit.

Course topics typically cover human resources, resource development and management, fundraising, volunteer management, organizational governance and board development.

Admission Requirements for an M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management

Admission requirements for M.B.A.s in nonprofit management differ by program. Generally, students must submit an application, pay an application fee and have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Below is an overview of standard admission requirements for M.B.A. programs in nonprofit management.

Because admission requirements vary by school, it’s essential to research the specific requirements of each program you’re interested in. For more information on how to apply to grad school , check out our comprehensive guide to graduate school admissions .

Personal Statement

Many programs require applicants to write a personal statement, also known as a grad school admission essay , detailing their educational and professional goals. Admissions committees use your statement and the rest of your application materials to determine whether you’re a good match for the program and vice versa.

Some schools may offer prompts or specific questions for you to answer in your statement. Be sure to check the admissions requirements of each program to ensure you meet the criteria.

Admissions boards and committees require applicants to submit a résumé detailing work history, college activities, professional leadership experience and community involvement.

Letters of Recommendation

Schools typically require applicants to submit two to three letters of recommendation. Admissions committees use letters of recommendation to gain further insight into applicants as people, students and professionals, including their intellectual strengths, unique characteristics and personal achievements.

Official Transcripts

Applicants must include official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. As an applicant, your transcripts demonstrate whether you meet the program’s minimum GPA requirement. M.B.A. programs in nonprofit management often require students to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Admissions committees evaluate your transcripts to verify your academic history and measure your potential for success in grad school.

Standardized Test Scores

Some schools require applicants to take the GRE or GMAT, meet a minimum score requirement and submit official scores. Admissions teams evaluate standardized test scores to gauge students’ quantitative abilities. In some cases, students’ scores can help round out their applications by balancing out areas where they may not perform as well.

Common Courses in a Nonprofit Management M.B.A. Program

Specific course titles and offerings vary by program. Below is a sampling of standard courses typically included in nonprofit management M.B.A. programs.

Ethics in Public Service

In courses on ethics in public services, students examine the moral, ethical and legal situations that can occur in public and private managerial operations. Course materials highlight the complexities and nuances involved in decision making to help students develop ethical management approaches. Learners also explore management strategies and tools that help organizations operate efficiently.

Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations

Courses on financial management for nonprofit organizations provide a framework for evaluating an organization’s practices and performance to ensure financial security.

Students learn about the financial tools used by nonprofit managers, including key accounting principles, developing capital and operating budgets, financial reporting, and creating and analyzing balance sheets and financial statements.

Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations

Courses on marketing for nonprofit organizations examine the function of marketing in nonprofits, including how marketing helps achieve the social goals of an organization. Students develop creative strategies, learn about the challenges of marketing in the nonprofit sector and survey fundamental marketing principles such as branding, segmentation and positioning.

Additional course topics include resource development, cost and budget management, fundraising and evaluating marketing initiatives.

Nonprofit Management

Nonprofit management courses provide a comprehensive overview of theoretical and practical applications of management specific to the nonprofit sector. Students examine the operational, structural and legal issues unique to running a nonprofit organization.

Course topics typically include ethics, managerial and financial accounting, fundraising and generating revenue, volunteer management and governance.

Strategic Fundraising

In a strategic fundraising course, students survey fundraising best practices and discuss tools for strengthening donor acquisition and retention. This course provides an overview of fundraising in the nonprofit sector, touching on the essentials behind successful nonprofit fundraising and donor motivations.

What Can You Do With an M.B.A. in Nonprofit Management?

Earning an M.B.A. in nonprofit management can lead to challenging yet rewarding roles across multiple industries. Below are a few job titles you can qualify for with an M.B.A. in nonprofit management, plus each job’s average annual salary, according to Payscale . Remember that job requirements and qualifications vary depending on the position, organization and location.

Nonprofit Director of Development

Average Annual Salary: Approximately $72,000 Job Description: A nonprofit director of development oversees an organization’s fundraising efforts. These professionals manage annual fundraising plans, secure financial support from individuals and organizations, foster relationships with donors and write grant proposals to secure funding.

Nonprofit Executive Director

Average Annual Salary: Approximately $75,000 Job Description: Nonprofit executive directors oversee an organization’s administrative, operational and strategic activities to fulfill the organization’s mission. These professionals are responsible for board governance, tracking financial performance and developing organizational strategies. Nonprofit executive directors report directly to the board of directors.

Other essential duties include community outreach, marketing, resource development and fundraising.

Nonprofit Program Manager

Average Annual Salary: Approximately $60,000 Job Description: Nonprofit program managers oversee the fulfillment of overarching organizational goals. Delegation is crucial in their day-to-day work as they coordinate between projects and departments to ensure all efforts advance the organization’s mission. These professionals design and implement programs and initiatives that support an organization’s goals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nonprofit Management M.B.A.s

Is an m.b.a. useful for nonprofits.

Earning an M.B.A. is beneficial for nonprofits. An M.B.A. in nonprofit management equips you with a variety of business competencies and industry-focused skills needed to manage a nonprofit organization.

What does nonprofit management mean?

Nonprofit management refers to the structures and leadership that keep nonprofit organizations running efficiently. Nonprofit management is typically composed of C-suite executives, executive board members and directors. These groups collaborate to define an organization’s mission, develop its strategies and coordinate its managerial, financial and operational activities.

What skills do you need to work in nonprofit management?

Professionals working in nonprofit management need specialized hard and soft skills. Broad skills include board governance, marketing, public relations and management in several areas including human resources, volunteers and financial and legal sectors. Specific skills include collaboration, strategic planning, networking and relationship-building, written and verbal communication, and public speaking.

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