According to the most recent Nonprofit Employment Report by the John Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, the nonprofit sector is the third largest generator of payroll income in the United States.
Additionally, the nonprofit sector has seen double-digit growth over the last decade. Regionally, if you add the number of people employed in health care, higher education, social services, the arts, foundations, the United Way, and parks and recreation, the nonprofit sector has an enormous impact on our local economy.
The Community Impact Guide coming out with this month’s edition of Peoria Magazine shows the myriad of nonprofit organizations throughout the Tri-County Area doing great work for so many in need.
Given the economic and social impact of the nonprofit sector both nationally and locally, it is important to prepare highly skilled nonprofit leaders for the future. For 29 years, Bradley University has offered its Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership program (NPL), which develops specialized skills for a variety of nonprofit leadership positions.
In the fall of 2022, Bradley University will offer the NPL program completely online for the convenience of our graduate students. If you work fulltime for a nonprofit organization, you may be eligible for a 30 percent tuition reduction.
In 36 semester hours of NPL coursework, you will build your tool kit for success in the nonprofit sector. Courses include strategic planning, human resources, fundraising, digital media, advocacy, financial management and grant writing. Online courses will be taught in an asynchronous and synchronous format. At most, two courses can be taken at once. The NPL program can be completed in 16 months but can take up to five years.
Importantly, the courses are taught by both talented instructors from Bradley University and adjunct faculty with years of nonprofit experience. By way of example, Julie Siebert, vice president of operations at the Children’s Home and an NPL graduate, will teach a course in grant writing given her extensive experience in that arena. Mark Roberts, CEO of the Community Foundation and another NPL graduate, will be teaching an elective course on board governance and fundraising.
Bradley is excited about this new online chapter in developing nonprofit leaders. Learn more at our website at www.bradley.edu/academic/gradschool/programs/ehs-manp/.
Brad McMillan is the coordinator of the Master’s
in Nonprofit Leadership program at Bradley University
