It's readily acknowledged by most studies of the nonprofit sector that there is an increasing shortage of nonprofit leaders. As nonprofit organization executive directors leave the sector or retire there are few that are ready to take on their leadership roles.
A program developed in the last few years in the Fargo-Moorhead area may be worth emulating in other areas. The program was developed by the United Way of Cass Clay and Minnesota State University Moorhead with a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.
The program consists of nine one-day sessions presented during the fall-winter-spring period at MSUM. Each class is taught by a professional in a specific area of nonprofit executive leadership, i.e., nonprofit finance, nonprofit boards, development, etc.
At the end of the program year, participants receive a certification indicating their completion of the course. The program participants are generally those in the nonprofit field who are in a support role to the executive director. Some are executive directors of small agencies who simply want to increase their skills. The program expanded to Alexandria, Minn., a year ago and is being presented there again this year.
Howard Barlow, NRS, Fargo
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