LEGAL 120 - Forming and Maintaining a Nonprofit Organization

5 Credits

This course provides an overview of the law governing nonprofit organizations and the best practices for successfully maintaining and growing one. It covers the essential purpose of nonprofit organizations, the step by step legal process for forming a nonprofit corporation and becoming a tax exempt organization; and the proper roles and legal duties of the executive director, staff, and the board of directors. Finally, it introduces the strategic considerations for successfully maintaining and growing a nonprofit organization, including board recruitment and training, funding, strategic planning, evaluating personnel, and measuring outcomes.

Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Spring Evening

Designed to Serve 1. People who are thinking of starting a nonprofit organization or who are seeking a career in the nonprofit sector. 2. People currently employed by nonprofit organizations seeking better knowledge of the legal requirements for maintaining nonprofit organizations and those seeking to learn best practices for successfully leading and sustaining their organization; and 3. People serving on the Board of Directors of Nonprofit organizations; and 4. Citizens interested in serving, working with, or having a better understanding of nonprofit organizations
Active Date 20220330T15:34:15

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 38
Contact Hours: Lecture 55
Total Contact Hours 55
Degree Distributions:
ProfTech Course Yes
Restricted Elective Yes
Course Outline
I. Purposes of Nonprofit Organizations

II. The Legal Steps to Form a Nonprofit Corporation and Obtain Tax Exempt Status

III.The Proper Roles and Legal Duties of the Executive Director, Staff, and the Board of Directors

IV. Recruiting and Training the Board of Directors

V. Strategic Considerations for Maintaining and Growing a Nonprofit:

A. Mission and Vision

B. Funding

C. Outcome Measurement

D. Evaluating the E.D.

E. Transition Planning

Student Learning Outcomes
Accurately describe the legal requirements and step-by-step process for forming a nonprofit corporation.

Effectively analyze the legal and strategic duties of nonprofit Executive Director, Staff, and Board of Director roles via case studies.

Identify ways to measure program effectiveness by tracking strategic outcomes.

Correctly identify the strategic considerations for maintaining and growing a non-profit organization, including funding, E.D., staff, board evaluations, and transition planning.

Formulate an effective strategic plan based on personal nonprofit sector goals.

Students will be able to Identify and apply lessons on successful practices of existing organizations including fellow student experiences and those of other nonprofit leaders and guests through group learning exercises.