The MNA program is designed to develop the essential competencies, skills and values for nonprofit executives, leaders, managers and administrators of programs and organizations. It emphasizes management competencies combined with leadership values and experiential learning practices that serve as pedagogical innovative methods while responding to the needs of social sector organizations. The innovative educational approaches and the essential nonprofit competencies of the MNA Program reflect the Nonprofit Academic Center Council (NACC) curricula guidelines along those of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA). The following is a sample list of competency modules and nonprofit resources introducing the topics articulated in the MNA curricula.
MNA Overview & Innovative Features
The MNA Program, the first degree of its kind in the world, has been innovative at every level. Here is an overview of the program’s main features often shared in MNA information sessions and open houses. Check the them out and do not hesitate to reach out to the School of Management to receive more information on how to start this journey to push your nonprofit leadership career to the next level.
Module 0: Orientation
Are you new to the MNA Program? Check out these insights on how to best prepare yourself for the MNA Program. These include practical insights for being a successful graduate student, how to prepare for the MNA program, how to develop your technical skills for the program and for your social sector career.
Module 1: Social Sector and Philanthropy
- The Nonprofit Sector in Brief (2015)
- State of the Nonprofit Sector (2015)
- Causes Count: The Economic Power of California’s Nonprofit Sector
- Creating Value in the Nonprofit Sector
- Index of Global Philanthropy and Remittances
Module 2: Nonprofit Ethical Leadership
- Good to Great and the Social Sector
- Code of Ethics for Nonprofits
- Ethics and Nonprofits
- Principles of Good Governance and Ethical Leadership
- Nonprofit Leadership Development
Module 3: Strategic Board Governance
- Nonprofit Governance and the Work of the Board
- Board Governance Basics
- Great Boards: Distinguishing Governance from Management
- Some of the Best Books on Nonprofit Board Governance
- BoardSource: Nonprofit Governance Index (2012)
- Survey on Board of Directors of Nonprofit Organizations (2015)
- Nonprofit v. For-profit Boards: Strategic Difference
- Best practices for Executive Directors and Boards of Nonprofit Organizations
Module 4: Effective Fundraising and Grant Writing
- 10 Innovation in Global Philanthropy
- 10 Nonprofit Funding Models
- Fundraising Success Guide for Small and Growing Nonprofits
- Best Practices for Fundraising Success
- A Guide to Proposal Planning and Grant Writing
- Federal Grant Writing Manual
- USAID Guide for Proposals
Module 5: Social Marketing Communication
- 7 Steps for Creating your Best Nonprofit Marketing Plan Ever
- Introduction to Nonprofit Marketing
- Nonprofit Communication Trends Report (2013)
- Nonprofit Marketing with a Purpose
- Nonprofit Cost Analysis Toolkit
Module 6: Financial Management and Public Accountability
- 10 Finance Essentials for Social Sector Leaders
- Developing Fundraising Policies and Procedures for Accountability and Transparency
- Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations
- Building Stronger Nonprofit Organizations Through Better Financial Management
- Nonprofit Financial Management Self Assessment Toolkit
- Accountability.org: Online Disclosures by US Nonprofits
Module 7: Cultural Diversity and HR Management
- NONPROFIT DIVERSITY EFFORTS Current Practices and the Role of Foundations (2018)
- Diversity on Philanthropy (2008)
- The Voice of Nonprofit Talent
- Foundations Facilitate Diversity and Inclusion
- Diversity in Giving
- Diversity in Governance: Toolkit for Nonprofits
- Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Module 8: Public Policy Advocacy
- Strategies for Nonprofit Engagement in Legislative Advocacy
- Speak for Yourself: Nonprofit Advocacy Toolkit
- Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Process
Module 9: Social Enterprise and Innovation
- GIIN Roadmap for the Future of Impact Investing (2018)
- Business Models for Social Enterprises
- The Emerging Fourth Sector
- Social Entrepreneurship: Definition and Boundaries
- Social Entrepreneurship: The Case for Definition
- Assessing the Impact of Social Entreprenuers
- Social Innovation: what it is and it can be accelerated
Module 10: Social Impact Analysis
- Program Evaluation – Principles & Practices
- Basic Guide to Program Evaluation
- Performance Measurement and Evaluation
- Outcome Based Evaluation – Guide
- Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
- User’s Guide to Poverty and Social Impact Analysis (PSIA)
- Tools and Resources for Assessing Social Impact (TRASI)
- Evaluation and Measurement of Outcomes
Module 11: NGOs and Global Civil Society
- Global Civil Society: Dimension of the Nonprofit Sector
- The Operations of NGOs and Codes of Conduct
- The Evolution of the NGO Sector
- Whats are NGOs?
- WANGO: Code of Ethics for NGOs
Module 12: Gender Empowerment & Women Leadership
- The State of Women NGO Sector
- Benchmarking Women Leadership
- Female Leaders in the Nonprofit Sector
- Women Empowerment Principles
- Innovation for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality
Module 13: Nonprofit Law and Comparative Law
- Legal Framework for Nonprofit Philanthropy
- Steps to Form a Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Corporation in California
- Guide for Charities (Attorney General California)
- Legal Guide and Links for Nonprofits and Fundraising
- Need to know before starting a Nonprofit
- Nonprofit Law and Regulations in California
Module 14: Sustainable Development and Reporting
- NGOs and Sustainability Reporting (GRI)
- Role of NGOs in Capacity Development (UNESCO)
- Role of NGOs in Community Sustainable Development
- Sustainability NGOs
Module 15: Humanitarian Emergency Management
- The Future of NGOs in Humanitarian Sector
- Interagency Humanitarian Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan
- Protecting Refugees: A Field guide for NGOs (UNHCR)
- A Guide to NGOs for the Military
- List of Relief Organizations
Module 16: Strategic Planning & Org. Development
- Ten keys to Successful Strategic Planning for Nonprofit and Foundation Leaders
- A Framework for Organizational Development
- Ten Steps on Strategic Planning (World Bank)
- Strategic Planning Techniques and Methods (UNESCO)
- Small NPO Basic Steps for Strategic Planing