People laughing in a meeting

Nonprofit

College of DuPage is your nonprofit partner in education. We provide courses that will help you quickly learn strategies to raise funds for your organization, effectively communicate your mission and vision, and enable your board members to become effective at growing your nonprofit. College of DuPage library is home to the largest Philanthropy collection in Illinois.

Upcoming Classes

It's true: If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail! But can your organization afford consultants to devise a long-range strategic plan? Now, at COD, you can! In this single-organization clinic, our skilled nonprofit consultant will meet with members of just your organization for a 6-hour session to guide you in developing an affordable, realistic, long-range plan that will help drive your organization’s future success. Based on the latest framework that catapulted Amazon, Google, and others to new heights, this plan will serve as a valuable tool for implementation as well. Contact Jenifer Walsh for further information on this new program.

Effective marketing communication raises awareness for your organization, promotes your mission, and connects you with constituents, funders, and other stakeholders. In this hands-on workshop, you will create a communications plan for your organization with audiences, messaging, channels/vehicles, timing, and measurable outcomes for ROI. Learn to engage and inspire with marketing and branding techniques used by Fortune 500 companies to strengthen your key messaging. Includes breakout sessions to re-examine and enrich your current communications and develop your plan.

Thursday, Jan. 25
6 to 9 p.m.
BSPSI-0220-001, $79
On Campus Glen Ellyn

Trends show individual donors are giving more, but to far fewer organizations. Learn what it takes to attract and retain donors in this competitive market, and discover what scientific research shows that inspires donors to give, return and give more. Build an all-important culture of philanthropy at your organization with a best-practice, business-inspired approach to engage, motivate and secure donors for life. Includes breakout sessions to apply techniques to your organization.

Thursday, April 11
6 to 8:45 p.m.
BSPSI-0240-001, $79
On Campus Glen Ellyn

Relationship management takes time. In Part II of this workshop series, take development to the next level with a data-driven approach to more efficiently and effectively manage your relationships. Learn a four-step process to analyze your donors and donations and interpret findings to determine your best course of action. This workshop teaches you to strategically focus your development efforts with the successful techniques you acquired in Part I. Includes breakout sessions to work with your organization's data.

Thursday, April 25
6 to 8:45 p.m.
BSPSI-0240-001, $79
On Campus Glen Ellyn

Prepare to be an educated and impactful board member. Know your legal responsibilities, understand the importance of an effective board and learn what distinguishes an outstanding board from an average board. At the end of this interactive class, know what questions to ask before you join a board and gain a deeper understanding of how your service as a board member impacts your community.

Thursday, Feb. 27
 8:30 to 11 a.m.
BSPSI-0200-011, $79

Taking the next step from Board Member to Board/Committee Leader. One of the ongoing challenges on any non-profit board is providing an ongoing slate of officers and committee chairs to lead the board efforts. Like any leadership role, board leadership requires and next level set of skills, knowledge and attitudes to effectively lead a group of volunteers in fulfilling their governance and fiduciary responsibilities.

Thursday, March 7
 8:30 to 11 a.m.
BSPSI-0200-011, $79

Registration Information