From budgeting and finances to legal obligations, or managing staff and board members to marketing your program, the responsibilities of an executive director can seem daunting. Our online courses help you develop your knowledge, skills, and decision-making abilities in six key areas.

Crisis Management

Released January 2022
Executive directors often come into an organization in crisis: following a quickly departing executive director or coming into an organization in a financial crunch. Develop the skills you need to prevent crises from happening and properly respond when they do. In these courses you will learn about:

• Common types of nonprofit crisis
• Evaluating potential risks
• Best practices to minimize hazards
• Eight stages of crisis management
• Entering a leadership role mid-crisis
• Developing a crisis management plan

Change Management

Released January 2022
Most executive directors come into a fully functioning literacy program. They must navigate changing relationships with their colleagues and the intricacies of the workplace culture if they want to implement changes in a positive way. In these courses you will learn about:

• Core principles of change management theories
• Five steps to manage change in your organization
• Reducing stress and preventing burnout during change
• Navigating change with an equity lens
• Legal consequences of change

Board Governance

A strong board of directors is vital to the health, stability, and longevity of your literacy program. They provide oversight, connect your organization to the community, secure resources, and advance your mission. In these courses you will learn about:

• Types of boards and stages of board development
• Board structure and committees
• Running effective board meetings
• Strategic, operational, and succession planning
• Board diversity
• Board oversight and resource development

Human Resources

Your literacy program's greatest strength is the staff responsible for executing its mission. Staffing decisions are some of the most important decisions you will make. In these courses you will learn about:

• Paid staff, contractors, and volunteers
• Recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding
• Compensation and benefits
• Policy manuals and employee handbooks
• Staff retention, performance reviews, and recognition
• Conflict resolution
• Employment law and HR tasks

Administrative Management

Many Executive Directors work as volunteers or staff before becoming director. They understand instructional issues, but have not developed their administrative skills. In this course you will learn about:

• Five types of strategic planning
• Developing policies and procedures manuals
• Payroll, insurance, and family medical leave
• Data management
• Negotiating contracts
• Annual reporting and compliance requirements

Financial Management

Sound financial management ensures that your literacy program is accountable to your community, is complying with federal and state regulations, and will be around for years to come. In these courses you will learn about:

• Developing and managing a budget
• Basic accounting principles
• Measuring the financial health of your organization
• Financial reports
• Diversifying your funding sources