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5 Best Schools with Online Bachelor’s in Non-profit Management

Best Online Bachelor's in Business Management with a concentration in Non-profit Management - featured image

An organization that is not-for-profit serves the public or helps people rather than aiming to make profits for its owners. Their business operates where profits must be sufficient to cover the costs, but surplus money may be reinvested into the business. If you are pursuing a career in non-profit entities, it’s time to consider enrolling in an online bachelor’s in business management with a concentration in non-profit management.

Best Online Bachelor's in Business Management with a concentration in Non-profit Management - fact

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In the US alone, it is said that non-profit organizations take up 5.7% of the economy. By preparing for a career in non-profits, many job positions and career pathways await you. For instance, according to official data, social and community service managers are expected to have 9% job growth in the next decade.

It takes a special type of education to take the lead in one of the non-profit industries. Many of those seeking leadership positions are turning to accredited online non-profit management degree programs. 

Quick Summarization

Bachelor’s degrees in Nonprofit Management prepare graduates for important roles in non-profit organizations. There are countless opportunities for degree-holders to give back to the public, and non-profit services will grow substantially as more people rely on them.

Busy students can balance their studies and job responsibilities thanks to these online bachelor’s degrees in non-profit management programs. After graduation, you can enter various fields such as healthcare organizations, philanthropic organizations, youth centers, charities, and mental care facilities. 

Methodology

To maximize returns, prospective students should only invest in colleges that promise the best quality Nonprofit Management online undergraduate education. These academic attributes were considered in our list of highly recommended programs in the country’s leading business schools.

  • Delivered as an online or hybrid Nonprofit Management program with courses offered in synchronous and asynchronous formats,
  • Integrates the core courses of Nonprofit Management with electives for in-depth learning of the principles of the discipline and acquisition of the skills for competence in the field, including critical thinking, communication, leadership, innovative thinking, and creativity,
  • Obtained regional accreditation from academic bodies that set academic standards,
  • Recognized by industry associations that promote Non-profit Management as a degree program and a profession,
  • Features instructors who are well-versed in the field of Non-profit Management,
  • Offers tuition assistance and financial aid options.

Check out our Methodology page to learn more.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Management – Concentration in Non-profit Management

Colorado State University

Colorado State University

Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

CSU offers an online bachelor’s degree in public and non-profit management. This high-demand online bachelor’s degree is available for all kinds of students at CSU Global, and it can be customized to suit your goals and preferences. Demonstrating your dedication and investment can increase your chances of obtaining the career you want in non-profits. 

Some of the courses you have are:

  • Fundraising and Grant Writing
  • Public Administration
  • Principles of Finance for the Public Sector
  • Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
  • Public Policy and Strategy

You will be able to do well by doing good by understanding the social, political, legal, and ethical influences that drive public and nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector. The program will also teach you how to write grants, an ever-important skill. Your learning will include organizational culture, public policy, and change dynamics. Develop your management and decision-making skills to succeed in the civil service, government, or non-profit sectors.


Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University

Location: Manchester, New Hampshire

Prospective students can seriously consider applying for SNHU’s online BS in Business Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. Typical candidates possess strong communication and problem-solving skills and would want to take part in the non-profit sector. If you think this is you, it’s time to join the SNHU community. 

The University requires applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent to apply. Business Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management degree may interest students who want to learn more about non-profit practices. 

Some of the courses you’ll learn in this online program are the following:

  • Unique management
  • Fundraising
  • Human Resource Management
  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Organizational Behavior

In addition, you’ll acquire grant writing skills, accounting skills for governmental and non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurial skills. Federal financial aid is available for those who qualify, along with a 30 percent tuition discount for active-duty military members and their spouses. Many students still have access to these schools, despite midrange acceptance rates.


Bay Path University

Bay Path University

Location: Longmeadow, Massachusetts

An online Bachelor’s in Nonprofit Management structured completely online is available at Bay Path. What’s good about this program is that it eliminates any in-person requirements since Bay Path only enrolls female students from everywhere. And so, female students across various majors and degrees are trained and equipped to become empowered leaders and learners. This Nonprofit Management degree program will provide you with a solid foundation in the business fundamentals necessary to succeed in mission-driven careers.

Here are the courses to accomplish in this online program:

  • Development and monitoring
  • Financial reporting
  • Fundraising
  • Foundations of the non-profit sector

As you learn in this degree, you will gain knowledge and experience that will assist you in leading and contributing to non-profit organizations. Fundraising, philanthropy, development, and financial reporting are among the skills you will learn. Furthermore, students in this business major desire to give back to the community and improve the world around them. A solid foundation in business and a strong sense of mission can benefit human and social services.


LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University

Location: Longview, Texas

The LeTourneau University in Texas offers an online Bachelor’s of Business Administration, Non-profit Management concentration. Transcripts from high school and ACT or SAT composite scores of 20 are required among prospective students. 

Here are the courses necessary for this Bachelor’s in Nonprofit Management program:

  • Biblical Literature
  • Biblical theology
  • Grant writing
  • Fundraising
  • Philanthropy
  • Non-profit leadership and management

Through the online Non-profit Management program, students learn how to supervise the affairs and people of a non-profit organization. In contrast to profit-driven organizations, non-profits are mission-driven. Students are fully exposed to Christian faith and ethics, allowing them to integrate these qualities into their responsibilities, which employers highly desire.


Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University - College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan

CMU’s online Bachelor’s in Public and Non-profit Management is one of the best online programs to prepare you for a career in the non-profit sector. All students must complete a graduation requirement before they graduate. This online program also comes with internship opportunities. 

Some of the topics you’ll learn in this online degree are:

  • Public budgeting
  • Public sector human resources 
  • Non-profit leadership

Applicants should have a high school diploma and must at least have a 2.0 GPA. Tuition discounts are available to military students. The Certified Non-profit Professional comprehensive exam will be administered during your final semester at CMU. The Non-profit Leadership Alliance has developed a set of competencies for non-profit leadership. You will engage in theoretical and practical work through your major and experiential learning.


More to learn about Best Schools with Online Bachelor’s in Public Management


Courses in an Online Bachelor's in Business Management with a Concentration in Non-profit Management

Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Business Management with a Concentration in Non-profit Management

Public Administration

After completing this survey course, students can run nonprofit organizations and government agencies with ease and expertise. Public Administration will include subtopics like legal issues, policymaking, strategy, and ethical issues.

Diversity in the Workplace

In this course, diverse workforces that reflect many different experiences are observed and familiarized by students. This topic is particularly valuable in communities where the staff reflects the communities’ values.

Finance for the Public Sector

This course focuses on public and non-profit organizations’ finances and budgets. Along with math skills, you must master taxes, financial statements, acquisitions, distributions, and financial obligations.  

Leadership

As part of the course, students gain insight into the structure of non-profit boards of directors, particularly their role in fundraising, partnership development, leadership, and community relations.

Public Policy and Strategy

Learners will gain an understanding of the creation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies through this course. A discussion of accountability during policymaking occurs between non-profit boards, governmental agencies, and citizens.

Fundraising and Grant Writing

A non-profit’s development relies heavily on fundraising and grant writing. Major gifts, annual campaigns, social enterprises, technology in fundraising, and corporate philanthropy are topics students are exposed to in this course.

Human Resource Management in the Public Sector

The human resource management in the public sector course examines recruitment, onboarding, training, compensation, and evaluation in public and non-profit organizations. All these subjects will contribute to making you a non-profit management expert.

Possible Jobs for Online Bachelor's in Business Management with a Concentration in Non-profit Management Graduates

Possible Jobs for Online Bachelor’s in Business Management with a Concentration in Non-profit Management Graduates

Business administration is taught in almost all nonprofit management programs. Thus, they are qualified to work in the nonprofit sector as well as the private sector. There are several career options for nonprofit managers because it is often intertwined with business.

Nonprofit leadership management programs prepare students for careers in non-profit management, business, fundraising, public relations, and social services. Consider the following career opportunities for Nonprofit Management graduates:

Social and Human Service Assistant

Their services include psychological counseling, rehabilitation, and social work. Government agencies and non-profit organizations are the most common employers for social and human service assistants. They usually work with children and retired elders. 

Nonprofit Program Coordinator

The role of a program coordinator is usually performed by the youngest employees of a nonprofit organization. Program managers often oversee professionals working for non-profit organizations. They often manage volunteers and organize events.

Financial Manager

As well as creating financial reports and forecasts, financial management is concerned with individual departments’ budgets and strategies to reduce costs. Financial managers communicate with all staff to make the best financial decisions. They also supervise the budgeting and financial reporting department.

Social and Community Services Manager

Professionals in these fields lead charitable, non-profit, and mission-driven organizations. They often manage budgets, and employees analyze data to improve their programs. Non-profit management graduates with a bachelor’s degree may require additional field experience before being qualified for these jobs.

Fundraising Manager

Concerned with resource development, professionals in this field manage campaigns that bring in money for their organizations. Various strategies, such as annual campaigns, capital campaigns, and major gifts, are used. A bachelor’s degree in non-profit management is not required for these positions, but significant fundraising experience is.

Executive Director

Managing strategic planning and overseeing the organization’s direction, executive directors lead their non-profit organizations. As well as communicating with other department heads, reporting to the board of directors, setting new policies, and meeting with important donors help ensure the organization runs smoothly.

Nonprofit organizations have executive directors who serve as their CEOs. The executive director oversees budgets, participates in fundraising, and serves as the organization’s face. CEO responsibilities include managing employees, reporting to the board of directors, and ensuring the organization runs smoothly.

Essential Non-profit Management Skills 

Whether a person can learn to lead or is born with the ability has been debated for ages. Non-profit management skills can be taught, even if some are innate. The right development opportunities will enable your staff to become better leaders for your organization. In summary, here are some of the essential non-profit management skills that students learn from online Nonprofit Management programs:

Public Speaking Skills

Although you might be hesitant to speak publicly, it is a necessary skill when communicating your organization’s vision and mission. Public speaking abilities are crucial whether you’re giving a presentation to strangers or setting up an internal meeting with colleagues. No matter your role, non-profit sectors would expose you to many instances of speaking publicly with a large audience.

Fundraising Skills

For a manager to remain on the board of directors, the non-profit must succeed, and the non-profit’s success depends on how much money it raises. An important aspect of non-profit management is fundraising, which requires public speaking, negotiation, and persuasion skills. You must ensure your fundraising event or gimmick is organized, unique, and effective.

Marketing Skills

Marketing plans are integral to non-profit professionals’ success. Creating an outreach plan that effectively motivates prospects to join your cause is especially important when operating on a limited marketing budget. Hence, non-profit managers should have good marketing skills.

Conflict Management Skills

Even though the manager isn’t primarily responsible for resolving conflict at work, they often lead in solving certain problems. Using questions, facilitating discussions, and finding peaceful solutions is the best way for managers to solve problems between employees.

Relationship-Building Skills

Building relationships is one of the most critical skills for non-profit managers. Your organization can sustainably raise funds by building relationships with supporters and sponsors. Therefore, you should be interpersonal and relational with others. After all, retaining supporters and employees is all about building relationships. If you want to increase the lifetime value of each contributor to your organization, consider retaining your supporters, building relationships, and increasing the lifetime value of your fundraising efforts. 

Innovative Thinking

Organizations must cultivate a culture of curiosity by looking at obstacles as opportunities. With an innovative mindset, you’ll be able to resolve conflicts efficiently and help grow the non-profit organization. A small team’s ability to be curious and explore that curiosity is invaluable, as we will often be asked to do things outside our comfort zones and wear many hats.

Critical Thinking Skills

Regardless of the industry, critical thinking is a key skill. An organization grows when its employees take the time to research processes, learn how to improve them and take the initiative to make them more efficient. It’s important to think critically while working as a non-profit manager.

Is a Bachelor's in Non-Profit Management worth it?


Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Bachelor’s in Non-Profit Management worth it?

An online Nonprofit Management program can prepare students for careers in non-profits, business, social services, and fundraising in governmental and nonprofit organizations. And so, it’s often a concrete step towards achieving your personal and professional goals. Additionally, graduates of this online degree may be able to find long-term financial and personal rewards working for organizations with strong missions.

What are the highest-paying jobs with a Bachelor’s in Non-Profit Management?

Fundraising managers in the private sector make the most money for graduates with a bachelor’s in non-profit management. The salaries can be affected based on the specific organization, work experience, qualifications, and other qualities. For entry-level fundraising positions, additional education or experience may be required.

Are Non-Profit Management majors in high demand?

Yes. Whether you’re an early-career professional or a senior executive, non-profit professionals are highly sought after. For managers of social and community services and assistants of social and human services, the BLS projects job growth of 12% between 2022 and 2032. 

How much is the average pay for Non-profit Management work?

A program coordinator earns a median salary of $50,411 per year. You may qualify for these positions with a bachelor’s degree in non-profit management. Adding experience can lead to becoming an executive director of a non-profit.

These are typical salaries for non-profit managers with bachelor’s degrees. But this depends on your state residence, job title, work experience, and skills.

Key Points to Ponder

  • A business management degree with a non-profit management concentration is the best fit if you want to help societies and help non-profit organizations grow bigger and operate effectively.
  • For your organization to grow and achieve its goals, you must develop non-profit management skills.
  • Non-profit leaders should ensure that their teams continually learn and update their skills regardless of whether the organization is undergoing process changes or facing new challenges.

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Malcolm Peralty
Chief Editor