| For Immediate Release: Framingham, MA May 10, 2021 – MetroWest Nonprofit Network (MWNN), in partnership with Framingham State University (FSU), is pleased to announce a new course offering: Nonprofit Management Certificate for Practitioners. This 12-week online course set to launch on September 24, 2021, is designed for individuals who are interested in furthering their knowledge and skills as nonprofit leaders, aspiring and emerging leaders, mid-level nonprofit managers, and individuals seeking to change careers and enter the nonprofit sector. The program, developed after a three-year planning process that involved feedback from nonprofit leaders, funders, community organizations, educators, and students has two key goals: providing future leaders with the practical skills needed to lead effective organizations and actively supporting individuals with diverse identities and experiences who are interested in a pathway to nonprofit leadership.
"Framingham State University is proud to partner with the MetroWest Nonprofit Network to diversify and expand nonprofit leadership in our region," said Dr. Constanza Cabello, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement at Framingham State University. "It is critical that the face of leadership reflect the increasingly diverse population in MetroWest. We look forward to giving students the skills, tools, and network to lead in their organizations and in the community."
"We are thrilled to be able to offer this unique program to our community," said Sarah Baldiga, Chair of the MWNN and Co-founder and Executive Director of the Rise Above Foundation. "The Certificate program will amplify the impact of our MetroWest nonprofits by strengthening the skills of the passionate people who make them run. Our goal through this program is to give participants the chance to hear and learn from people in the field and to help shape the next generation of nonprofit leaders."
The certificate program will focus on five theme areas: Nonprofit Fundamentals, Organizations and People, Finances and Fundraising, Communications and Marketing, Evaluations and Impact, and Leading through Change. Program faculty bring a wide range of expertise and lived experiences to the program. Students will have an opportunity to build a professional network of mentors and colleagues that will support them beyond the completion of the program.
"This program builds on MWNN's thirty years of experience strengthening nonprofit leaders, building connections, and nurturing collaborations," said Anna Cross, Executive Director of MWNN. "One of the most important lessons we have learned during the pandemic is that nonprofit organizations play a critical role in identifying and responding to issues of equity, racial, economic, and social justice. We consider it an honor and an obligation to provide opportunities for future leaders to gain the skills, tools, and networks they need to meet the challenge of building a just and equitable world." About MetroWest Nonprofit Network MWNN was created in 1991, in response to the need to bring MetroWest nonprofits together to share ideas, resources, and professional development opportunities. Today, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, MWNN continues to offer the services and support that MetroWest nonprofits are seeking; opportunities for collaboration, connections to the expertise of their colleagues throughout the region, and access to resources that support and strengthen their organizations. For more information about MWNN and the certificate program please visit http://metrowestnonprofit.org/ About Framingham State University Since 1839 when Cyrus Peirce closed each of his lessons at what was then The Normal School with the phrase "live to the truth," the Framingham State community has embodied this motto. We live to the truth by upholding the University's mission of providing affordable, high-quality education to all qualified students and maintaining a commitment to student involvement, engagement, and academic excellence. For more information about FSU and its programs please visit https://www.framingham.edu/
Media Contact: Anna Cross, Ed.D. Executive Director across@metrowestnonprofit.org | 
