Northern Arizona Center for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship

Events through The W. A. Franke College of Business’ nonprofit center

Second annual nonprofit leadership conference

Here, your nonprofit’s executive team and board members will gain invaluable information about leading and running your nonprofit from our professional speakers. Each speaker specializes in helping nonprofits, and they are gathered here for a day of intensive workshops.

We have two paths in our agenda—one specialized for board members, and one for the executive team—so that you can get information that’s most relevant to you and your role in the nonprofit!

Do you belong to one of over 21,000 nonprofit organizations in Arizona?

Learn from the best nonprofit leaders in Arizona! Through our unique education programs, research, community involvement, and philanthropic practices, the Franke’s nonprofit center empowers nonprofit leaders to go beyond a traditional course catalog and impact their community in a positive and productive manner.

“Nonprofit management curriculum is vital to building strong leaders in the future. Typically, agencies are great at creating compelling missions driving community impact. Where they often struggle is in securing effective managers to lead the agency and maintain the long term health, viability and effectiveness of the agency. This certificate program will develop qualified leaders of the future.”

About Franke’s nonprofit center

The Northern Arizona Center for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship is equipping aspiring business professionals with the skills, tools, and knowledge to affect a positive change in the nonprofit sector.

Mission

To advance the philanthropic and nonprofit practices of our community through support, resources, and passionate individuals driven to lead and manage positive initiatives in the social sector.

Vision

A Center that has seen, nurtured, and empowered future change makers to embrace their fullest potential, and lead them to efficiently collaborate on, lead, and manage nonprofit organizations and projects of their choosing.

What does the nonprofit center do?

The Northern Arizona Center for Nonprofit Entrepreneurship informs, empowers, and assists those involved in any area of a nonprofit organization through research, education, outreach, and community involvement.

Who does the nonprofit center serve?

• Individuals who are involved, or hope to become involved, in any element of a nonprofit organization
• Nonprofit organizations seeking aid and assistance in their development programs

Non-Profit and Social Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Certificate

Learn about our Non-Profit and Social Entrepreneurship Undergraduate Certificate program, which will help you develop the business skills to create and manage social ventures, analyze the social impact of business practices, and develop strategies to address societal issues.

Student testimonials

Read about some of the past experiences from students who have earned our Non-Profit and Social Entrepreneurship Certificate.

History of Franke’s nonprofit programs

In 2016 the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation awarded a grant to NAU’s The W. A. Franke College of Business to create a five-course certificate in nonprofit management.  Their desire was to have college students better prepared for the unique business challenges that exist for nonprofit organizations.  The five courses were created and each academic year, and 150 students attend the classes.

Shortly after starting the program, the director was approached by local nonprofit organizations asking to participate in the classes.  In the fall of 2017, the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation was approached again and asked to consider funding a center that would help nonprofit organization in northern Arizona.  The center would provide business assistance, mentoring, and opportunities to network, using students in the nonprofit management program.

In 2019, the center kicked off their first annual nonprofit management conference—bringing together local nonprofit organizations with subject matter experts on marketing, fundraising, management, and planning.  The center located at NACET began offering training, workshops and mentoring in the summer of 2019.