NonProfit Board Leadership Certificate Program
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Develop the knowledge you need to become a successful board member of a small southside arts organization. The training you receive will enable you to make a positive impact while building your professional skills and civic responsibility.
About the Program
The Civic Knowledge Project’s Southside Arts & Humanities Network (The Network) offers a Board Leadership program designed to leverage the University resources to provide participating South Side cultural organizations with talent for their boards. The Board Leadership program is unique in two ways: First, it aims to serve small and emerging arts and humanities organizations with annual budgets of less than $500,000. These organizations often have “working boards” that require dedication. Second, this program is “by the Southside, for the Southside” — with an emphasis on connecting the resources of the University of Chicago community with the cultural resources of local non-profits. The program will train participants and match their skills and interests with one of 10 selected small South Side cultural institutions.
Program Structure
Students must complete four sessions totaling 16 contact hours to earn the certificate, as well as a two-hour orientation prior to beginning coursework. Courses takes place on Saturdays during October.
Program Requirements
Required courses:
- Nonprofit Arts/Humanities Organization Structure and Lifecycle
- Fiduciary and Legal Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards
- Board Role in Nonprofit Organization Development and Fundraising
- Effective Nonprofit Board Leadership and Management Approaches
Application/Registration Requirements
- Completed application & $250 required fee if accepted
- Interview with the program head
This is not an open enrollment program.
To apply, please send a current CV and two to three page biographical statement of interest to Bart Schultz, the Director of the UChicago Civic Knowledge Project, at rschultz@uchicago.edu. A payment of $250 is required of individuals after they have been admitted to the program. A telephone interview will be arranged, and successful candidates will be informed of their admission to the program in June.
Organizations seeking to be featured should be members of the Southside Arts & Humanities Network, and will be charged $200 for their participation, which will include consultation, a promotional video, and access to a pool of potential board members. Organizations should also contact CKP Director Bart Schultz.