Effective July 2, 2026, significant changes have been made to this program’s curriculum. If you are a current registered certificate student, review the Fall 2026 Curriculum Update accordion section to learn what this means for you.
Make a difference with a Nonprofit Management certificate
Working in the nonprofit and voluntary field is a great way to create positive change in your world and beyond. The Chang School is proud to offer a Certificate in Nonprofit Management that’s well-respected in the industry and will give you the skills you need to launch a truly meaningful career in this ever-evolving field.
One of the few of its kind in Canada, this program provides a wide-ranging education to all kinds of learners, whether you’re just starting out in the sector, want to transition in from another career, or are already a seasoned nonprofit professional looking to boost your skills in nonprofit management. Our learners come from many different backgrounds and have diverse experience and networks, so you can forge long-term connections within the sector during your studies.
Our expert instructors – all highly experienced nonprofit managers and professionals working at nonprofits – have created coursework based on current approaches, theories, and research that prioritizes leadership skills and diversity. We offer real-world case studies, hands-on assignments, and guest speakers who are doing exciting work in the field. You’ll explore critical issues in the sector, and learn how effective nonprofits operate.
You can customize your learning with electives, and also get to do a capstone research project aligned with your interests where you can flex your new presentation skills.
You can complete your nonprofit management certificate in as little as eight months.
The world needs more people to help make it better – start your career in Nonprofit Management today.
This certificate helped me get a more solid grounding in the wider non-profit world as I moved into a senior management role within my organization. I still go back to the learnings, texts, and papers I was introduced to in the certificate as I do my work in the industry, and anticipate doing so for many years to come.
— Simon Chambers
Who should take this Nonprofit Management certificate?
- You’re an experienced nonprofit professional who’s ready to take on a leadership role and manage a diverse team
- You’re an experienced worker who wants to learn specific skills from a nonprofit perspective
- You’re interested in transitioning into the nonprofit sector from the business or public sector
- You’re an undergraduate student who wants to complete degree-credit courses or minor in the nonprofit sector
- You work in the public, institutional, or private sector and have a goal to develop relationships and partnerships with nonprofit organizations
What will you learn while taking the Nonprofit Management certificate?
You’ll learn about:
- Leadership and organizational management
- Governance
- Change management
- Strategic decision-making
- Leadership practices
- Nonprofit management competencies
- Nonprofit effectiveness and efficiencies
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Evaluation
- Funding strategies
- Financial management
- Relationship-building and organizational impact
- Relationship-building
- Collaboration
- Advocacy
- Fundraising
- Applied practices and emerging issues
- Practical tools, frameworks and approaches
- Organizational capacity
- Critical reflection on key issues and emerging opportunities
- The nonprofit sector’s development, priorities and long-term trajectory
Certificate Requirements
- 4 required courses
- 2 electives
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.67+
Admission Criteria
Required:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- With 6 Grade 12 U or M credits
OR
- Mature student status
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to belong to, or work in, a nonprofit or charitable organization to register?
No. The program is open to anyone interested in the nonprofit sector. Most learners have connections with nonprofit organizations – as volunteers, staff, or board members – or work in areas that bring them into contact with nonprofits and charities.
Do I have to enrol in the courses starting with CINP 900 before moving up to the higher-numbered courses?
No. But you’re strongly encouraged to start the certificate by taking CINP 900 and CINP 901. These courses provide a foundation about the nonprofit sector and nonprofit organizations. You may enrol in any course you feel you need or are interested in. The only restriction to enrolling in courses is the existence of course prerequisites. One course that has requisites is CINP 920. It can’t be taken until you have completed the following:
CINP 920 gives you an opportunity to research a nonprofit issue that you’re interested in; you’re encouraged to take it towards the end of your Certificate studies.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Learners have up to 4 years to complete the six-course certificate.
Depending on each learner's circumstances and the availability of courses, the time for completion will vary. The quickest time to complete the program would be two terms if a learner enrols in four courses per term, or full-time, but this will depend on the course schedule.
We encourage you to pace yourself so you have time to absorb the curriculum materials from each course. If you’re unsure whether you can manage more than one course at a time, we suggest you take one course and assess the workload with your other responsibilities.
What types of learning methods are used in the courses?
It varies by course, but each course offers some combination of:
- case studies
- videos
- guest and sector-expert presentations
- online individual and group discussions
- assignments, papers, and essays
- tests and exams
How many hours per week will I have to spend on coursework?
This will vary from course to course and week to week. Some weeks you may have less required work to do while other weeks there will be more. It’s estimated learners will spend about three hours per week on online course modules and discussions and a further three hours per week on course readings and course work. Assignments and exams are in addition to these estimates.
Is this certificate program recognized in the broader academic and nonprofit community?
All the courses in the program are university-level and degree-credit. There is general recognition of the program in the nonprofit sector, and many managers frequently direct employees – or would-be employees – to the certificate program.
Fall 2026 Curriculum Update
This certificate has been revised from 8 courses (4 required and 4 electives) to 6 courses (4 required and 2 electives).
Students who registered prior to July 2, 2026 can continue to follow their 8-course curriculum (refer to the archive calendar for your year of registration for requirements) or can choose to follow the new curriculum requirements published on this page.
Plan to switch to the new curriculum?
- Reach out to our Client Services team at ce@torontomu.ca to review your options.
- Use MyServiceHub to complete your transfer. Log in, go to your Student Center, click on “Change CertificateReg/Trnsfr,” and select Nonprofit Management.
Note: Once your transfer is complete, you must follow the new curriculum requirements.
Questions?
Contact Client Services ce@torontomu.ca
