Welcome tO
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
AND
MANAGEMENT
What we do
Many nonprofit professionals and volunteer leaders find their career paths through passion rather than by way of a formal education. The Center for Nonprofit Studies at ACC is committed to bridging this educational gap by cultivating leadership skills for current and future nonprofit leaders to lead and effectively manage their organizations, and the employees within it.
CNLM affords a disciplined view of self, the organizations in which nonprofit professionals operate, and the current overall environment of the Texas Nonprofit Sector.
Designed for professional staff, volunteers, those already engaged in leadership positions, or anyone who aspires to become a leader within the nonprofit sector of Texas.
CNLM raises the bar
on the practice of professional and volunteer leadership and management within the State of Texas by developing a strong alumni base of informed, motivated, and effective nonprofit leaders.
DAYS
MONTHS
ALUMNI
Why we are different
Our Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (CNLM) offers one of the most comprehensive nonprofit professional development opportunities in Texas. This serious course of study – requiring the commitment and investment of its participants – combines both traditional classroom learning with real-world experience. Participants gain the skills and knowledge required to thrive and be a committed, competent, and effective leaders within the nonprofit community. CNLM faculty and coordinators are passionate experts who foster the personal effectiveness of nonprofit professionals dedicated to strengthening the organizations they serve.
PRICING
$2500 ($1250 per semester)*
*Eligible for AmeriCorps education award funds and Hazlewood Act tuition exemption program
APPLICATION
The application period for the class of 2021-2022 will open July 2021.

Scheduled Sessions (online, live & interactive)
2020
September 9, 2020
1:00 – 3:00pm
Orientation & Introduction to Certificate Program
Barry Silverberg & Kate Tolliver
September 11, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Person Accountability – Time Management & Multitasking
LJ Smith
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Creating a Personal User Manual
Alessandra Zielinski
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
September 25, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Leadership Resilience
Sheila Armitage
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Difficult Conversations
Lacy Alana
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
October 9, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Creating Anti-Racist Organizations
Frowsa Booker-Drew
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Exploring Race, Racial Inequity & Anti-Racist Vision
Barry Silverberg & Panel
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
October 23, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Nonprofit Role in Society
Barry Silverberg
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Ethical Leadership
Kenneth Anderson Taylor
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
November 6, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Building & Leading Teams in Virtual Environments
Garry McDaniel
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Nonprofit Governance
Barry Silverberg & Kate Tolliver
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
November 20, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Strategic Planning
Barry Silverberg & Kate Tolliver
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Strategic Communications & Marketing
Bonnie Spanogle
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
December 4, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Managing & Leading People Through Change
Marcia Silverberg
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Human Resource Management
Caroline Valentine
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
December 18, 2020
9:00am – Noon
Financial Management (AM session)
Shannon Andre
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Financial Management (PM session)
Shannon Andre
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
2021
January 8, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Program Development & Design (including Logic Model development)
Sharon Vigil & Kate Tolliver
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Program Evaluation & Use of Data for Success
Cookie Ruiz
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
January 22, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Problem Solving & Decision-Making Tools
Kathy McCleskey
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Following Your Feet & Grappling with Mistakes
Lacy Alana
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
February 5, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Understanding Your Community & Creating Strategic Alliances (AM session)
Frowsa Booker-Drew
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Understanding Your Community & Creating Strategic Alliances (PM session)
Frowsa Booker-Drew
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
February 19, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Volunteer Management
Kathy McCleskey & Wendy Biro-Polllard
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Civic Engagement & Advocacy
Jason Sabo
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
March 5, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Fundraising (AM session)
Brett Barnes
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Fundraising (PM session)
Brett Barnes
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
March 26, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Risk Management for Nonprofit Organizations
Melanie Herman
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
Lessons Learned | Sharing of Personal User Manuals
Kate Tolliver & Barry Silverberg
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
All
April 9, 2021
9:00am – Noon
Creating a Strong Leadership Presence
Hannah Wong
12:30pm – 3:30 pm
How Art Makes You a Better Communicator | Closing Circle
Hannah Wong
3:30 – 4:30pm
Conversation On Applying a Racial Equity Lens to Today’s Discussion
TBD
Graduation
Date | TBD
Graduation
All
Disclaimer: This syllabus may be subject to change.
From Our ALUMNI
“Because of the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management course, I believe I have a richer, more complete knowledge and understanding of this industry, and wish I had taken this course prior to serving as an Executive Director. CNLM solidified my areas of strength, and illuminated areas where I lacked experience; but overall gave me renewed excitement to continue working in and with this industry.”
“I gained unique perspective into each essential component of running a nonprofit, networked with a high caliber of colleagues and learned from the best in the industry.”
“The Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Management (CNLM) program exposed me to every level of nonprofit management to prepare me for an Executive Director role. CNLM was extremely helpful in the advancement of my career as it exposed me to all areas of nonprofits. My goal was to become an Executive Director, and the class provided exposure to all areas of nonprofit management.”
“The CNLM experience provided a great foundation for both starting and running an already existing non-profit. It provided me with access to experts in the field and allowed for a dedicated time to focus on some of the toughest challenges facing non-profit organizations today.”