Non-Profit Management Capstone

Main contact
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Janel Juba
Partnership Manager
(8)
6
Timeline
  • September 15, 2025
    Program start
  • December 8, 2025
    Program end
Program
3/3 project matches
Dates set by program
Preferred companies
Anywhere
Non profit
Non-profit, philanthropic & civil society

Program scope

Categories
Competitive analysis Market expansion Grant writing Marketing strategy Social justice
Skills
grant writing non-profit management fundraising critical thinking marketing volunteer management financial strategy governance policy evaluation
Learner goals and capabilities

This Non-Profit Capstone experience is designed to bridge academic learning with real-world application by integrating theory, case studies, and experiential learning. Students will explore and apply key operational and organizational concepts relevant to the nonprofit sector. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to: nonprofit law and governance, financial oversight and budgeting, human resource management and volunteer coordination, fundraising and development strategies, marketing and public relations, and grant writing.


Throughout the experience, students will critically analyze organizational challenges and collaborate on applied projects that foster problem-solving, innovation, and leadership. The capstone aims to synthesize students’ prior learning into meaningful, practical contributions for nonprofit organizations, supporting community impact while preparing students for careers in the sector.

Learners

Learners
Diploma
Advanced levels
12 learners
Project
40 hours per learner
Learners self-assign
Teams of 3
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Strategic Report (e.g., fundraising strategy, marketing plan, financial summary)

Grant Proposal or Application Package

Volunteer or Staff Training Manual

Social Media Toolkit (including visuals, captions, posting schedule)

Infographic or Public-Facing Communication Material

Budget Spreadsheet with Commentary and Recommendations

Board Governance Review Report

Survey Results Dashboard with Summary Report

Stakeholder Engagement Plan

Presentation Deck Summarizing Key Recommendations

Project timeline
  • September 15, 2025
    Program start
  • December 8, 2025
    Program end

Project examples

Design a Donor Engagement Strategy

Research and Draft a Grant Application for a Specific Program

Develop a Volunteer Onboarding and Retention Plan

Create a Social Media Calendar and Campaign for an Upcoming Event

Conduct a Financial Analysis and Recommend Cost-Saving Measures

Evaluate a Program’s Impact Using Existing Data and Recommend Improvements

Assist in Reviewing and Updating Board Governance Documents

Design a Community Needs Assessment Survey and Analyze the Findings

Build a Sponsorship Package for a Fundraising Event

Draft HR Guidelines or Volunteer Handbook Aligned with Nonprofit Best Practices

Additional company criteria

Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this program:

  • Q1 - Text short
    Do you agree to communicate any changes to the project scope to the educator for their review and approval?  *