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Nonprofit Organization Management and Social Entrepreneurship Minor

Nonprofit Organization Management and Social Entrepreneurship at Gordon College
From its founding in 1889 as a missionary training school and continuing through its transition to a liberal arts college, Gordon has provided the educational background for thousands of graduates who have found their calling working in nonprofit organizations including churches, faith-based missions and relief organizations, schools, hospitals, museums, theatres and social services organizations of all kinds.

To better equip students called to work within the nonprofit sector, Gordon offers a minor in nonprofit organization management and social entrepreneurship. The minor augments students' work in their major area of study, providing them with an understanding of the function of nonprofit organizations in society and equipping them for work in the nonprofit sector. The minor will prepare students for a professional career in nonprofit organizations and for volunteer work in their communities, churches and other ministries.

Academic Requirements
The requirements for the minor in nonprofit organization management and social entrepreneurship include study in microeconomics and management theory followed by courses in foundational issues of nonprofit organizations, resource development and financial management of nonprofit organizations, and a student internship with a nonprofit organization.

Academic Requirements
ECB201 Principles of Microeconomics
ECB245 Principles of Management
NPO205 Introduction to Nonprofits
NPO308 Resource Development in Nonprofits
NPO337 Financial Management of Nonprofits
NPO425 Nonprofit Internship

Curriculum Details

NPO205 Introduction to Nonprofits

  • Functions and role of nonprofit organizations
  • Social entrepreneurship and philanthropy
  • Mission creation and start-up
  • Leadership and development
  • Organization governance

NPO308 Resource Development in Nonprofits

  • Financial and human resource development
  • Grant-seeking and funding sources
  • Constituent and public relations
  • Functions of governing boards
  • Marketing of nonprofit services
  • Management of volunteers
  • Employee recruitment, training and motivation

NPO337 Financial Management of Nonprofits

  • Financial analysis and cash flow management
  • Operational and capital budgeting
  • Endowment growth and investing
  • Program management and performance review
  • Reading and understanding financial statements

Internship Experience
NPO425 Nonprofit Internship
Students complete an internship with a nonprofit organization consisting of 160 on-the-job hours, along with classroom  discussion sessions and written assignments that demonstrate an understanding of the structure and operation of the
nonprofit organization and the accomplishments of the student.

Internship experiences are designed to give the student exposure to the administrative functions of a nonprofit organization operating in a field related to the student's major area of study.

Past internship experiences have included the following:

  • Museum exhibit design and implementation
  • Hospital human resources research project
  • Private school building project analyst
  • Charter school financial planning
  • Chamber of Commerce marketing assistant
  • Community organization budget analyst
  • College controller's office assistant
  • Social service agency event planning
  • Conference center marketing
  • Missions and relief organization financial development assistant
  • Arts association member services assistant
  • Community economic development research project
  • Church association event management

CONTACT
Ted Wood
Professor of Economics and Business
p: 978.867.4392
e:

Casey Cooper
Assistant Professor of Business Administration
p: 978.867.4184
e: