How Important Is a Nonprofit Certification to Executive Advancement—A Further Examination

In my last blog post, I emphasize the belief that nonprofit certification is important to executive advancement. I stated that you need to determine if this concept is important to you. I also want to point out that you also need to fully research certifying organizations to see if they pass your standards of viability and credibility.

In recent blog, I mentioned that CFRE International was a subsidiary of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In fact, CFRE International is an independent, nonprofit credentialing body. This outstanding organization was founded in 2001. It is an independent nonprofit organization whose sole mission is dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy through a valid and reliable certification process for fundraising professionals. It also has an outstanding volunteer board of directors. As stated many times, I am a proud 25-year plus member of this organization.

My blog post from last week also provided information concerning several nonprofit organizations including NANOE, the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives. I provided several features of NANOE and other organizations. Further research, in particular, points out potential criticism of NANOE practices.

Other examples of acquiring a certificate for emerging nonprofit leaders include the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Nonprofit Executive Leadership certification. Certification in this program requires completion of four courses: Nonprofit Management for the 21^st Century, Financial Analysis for Nonprofit Leaders, Program Evaluation for Mission Impact, Strategic Planning, and Nonprofit Leadership. Classes are taught by excellent faculty at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. These instructors have nonprofit management and practitioner experience in the field.

BoardSource also provides nonprofit leadership certificate programs. They offer four certificate programs by hosting scheduled webinars, on-demand learning and a limited number of in-person programs. They also offer a leadership certificate for nonprofit board chairs, nonprofit chief executives and certificate of nonprofit board consulting. BoardSource is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1988 to inspire and support excellence in nonprofit governance and board and staff leadership.

The point of this story is to pursue certification and certificates if you feel if can be of benefit to your career. Fully research the pros and cons of each potential certificate and/or certification, plus organization providing the certificate. I believe any form of education prepares you for further advancement in the field whether you just want to learn, get a promotion or seek a new position with another organization. The competition in the nonprofit arena is fierce. Stay ahead of the completion with constant certification!