Curriculum & Application
The course covers many of the topics found in a week-long HBS Executive Education program, without the need for travel. Participants will explore a range of nonprofit management and governance issues, some of which may be new or unfamiliar.
The case discussion method helps participants build confidence in navigating new, often ambiguous, and ill-defined situations. In many ways, it’s a concentrated way to broaden your management experience in a short period of time.
Topics explored in the course may include:
- Financial Reporting and Control: Accounting is a key tool for understanding and communicating the financial health of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. This module introduces basic financial statements and highlights the key differences between nonprofit and for-profit financial reporting.
- Mission and Strategy: Donors and clients sometimes request changes to an organization’s mission. In some cases, these shifts are appropriate; in others, they result in divisive mission creep. This session focuses on aligning mission with action and the importance of having a clear and effective implementation strategy.
- Change: All organizations face ongoing pressures to adapt. Managers must not only lead change effectively but also support others in navigating new situations and evolving expectations.
- Development and Funding: Sustaining and expanding funding sources requires balancing cost-effectiveness with mission alignment. At times, tensions may arise between financial needs and the core values of the organization.
- Operations: Integrating technology, people, and systems presents critical challenges for leaders of nonprofit organizations. Successful management involves a continuous focus on process improvement, project execution, customer service, and staff development.
- Governance and Management: How should the board’s governance responsibilities align with the staff’s role in day-to-day management?
- Buffalo Environment: The local political landscape is becoming increasingly active. Does this indicate real progress or simply more activity without results? What are the potential implications for future funding?
2025 Moderators
Esther Annan, Villa Maria College
Katie Campos, Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy
Jessie Fisher, Darwin Martin House
Don Fishback, Moog (Director)
Leslie Fox, Business Resources
Mary Jo Hunt, Cummings Foundation
Arlene Kaukas, SUNYAB and WNY Women’s Foundation
Lisa Kirisits, Kirisits & Associates
Jim Sampson, NMP Manager, HBS Club of Buffalo
John Scannell, Moog (Chairman)
Bing Sherrill, VP Programs, HBS Club of Buffalo
Melissa Weiksnar, Amelibro Press LLC
Schedule & Location
Classes typically begin on the last Tuesday in March and run weekly through early May, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM. Sessions are held at The Buffalo Club, located at 388 Delaware Avenue, 14204, as well as at various nonprofit venues throughout the area.
Admission Criteria
There are no formal education or management experience requirements for admission. However, to fully benefit from the program, applicants should have the reading speed and available time to complete 40 to 75 pages of case studies and articles each week. Basic math skills are also helpful for analyzing many of the cases.
Cost & How to Apply
The program fee is $475 and includes all case materials and article reprints. After participants are selected, an invoice will be provided.
To apply to the Nonprofit Management Program, simply complete our online application form. We encourage nonprofit leaders and professionals from all backgrounds to apply.
Nonprofit Management Program FAQs
Q: Do I have to buy any books?
A: No, all cases and notes are included in the tuition.
Q: How do I pay for the course?
A: We will send you an invoice, which you may pay personally and submit to your employer for reimbursement, or submit to your employer to pay directly.
Q: Can I pay the tuition with a credit card?
A: Yes, you can request an electronic invoice and pay by credit card.
Q: Where is the classroom?
A: The first class is at the Buffalo Club, and most others will be on site at area nonprofits (to be announced).
Q: Will I receive a Harvard degree?
A: No, these programs are non-credit courses. Participants do not earn a certificate or certification, and the programs are not connected to Harvard Business School.
Q: I already have an advanced degree. Should I take these programs?
A: Yes, these programs are a great way to continue your professional development. As case-based courses, they offer an opportunity to apply and refine your MBA-level skills in real-world simulations. Each year, we welcome several participants with MBAs and other advanced degrees.
Q: How is the Nonprofit Management Program different from the Management Development Program?
A: While both programs use case-based learning, their focus differs. The fall Management Development Program emphasizes profit, strategy, and organizational growth, whereas the Nonprofit Management Program centers on mission-driven leadership and the role of nonprofit boards.
Q: Who should attend the Nonprofit Management Program?
A: The program is designed for Nonprofit Executive Directors, Presidents, CEOs, their direct reports, and board members. Board members, in particular, will find the content highly valuable for understanding governance and mission-focused leadership.
Q: Can more than one person from an organization participate in the same class?
A: Yes. While we aim for a diverse mix of organizations in each class, having multiple participants from the same organization can enhance the learning experience through shared discussion and collaboration.
Q: Is there much reading?
A: Yes. Each week, the assigned cases and notes range from 20 to 75 pages. Reading a case is like reading a story or a mystery; you’re trying to figure out what’s really going on. However, true understanding requires more than one reading. The quality of your classroom experience depends greatly on your preparation and any pre-class discussions you have with your study group; the more engaged you are, the more you’ll gain.
Q: What happens if I miss classes?
A: If you miss more than two in the Nonprofit Management Program, we may request that you make up the missed sessions during a future program cycle.
Q: I’m interested, but have more questions.
A: Feel free to email your questions to info@hbsbuffalo.com. We’re happy to help!
“The HBS Buffalo Nonprofit Management Program was a game changer for me both professionally and personally. I learned so much about our community from others, and created a wider network of thought leaders that truly benefited my current role. What came thereafter was unexpected – I was introduced to a huge network of thought leaders from across the world through the Advancing Women of Color in Leadership class held on campus at Harvard Business School. We had dozens of countries represented in our cohort of 80 and it still resonates as a highlight of my educational career. What was shaped local grew to an international impact, and I can’t say thank you enough to the Harvard Business Club of Buffalo for starting me on this wonderful journey!” – President, WNY nonprofit