Nonprofit Institute

What do more than 100 nonprofit leaders from the Great Lakes Bay Region have in common? They have all graduated from the Best Practices for Nonprofits certificate program at Saginaw Valley State University. Focused on informing nonprofit leaders about administrative excellence, the course connects students with instructors who have experience in the field as well as in the classroom.

"In Saginaw we are fortunate to have a large number of agencies and programs that respond to the community's needs," said Hugo E. "Ted" Braun. "In order to be successful, it is essential that these nonprofits operate effectively and efficiently by adopting 'best practices'," added Braun.

The Institute was established in 2007 by United Way, is supported by the H.R. Wickes Foundation and facilitated through Saginaw Valley State University.

In 2011, nineteen nonprofit leaders graduated from the institute. To date, 54 leaders have graduated and started implementing the 'best practices' they learned at each of their organizations. "This workshop was an excellent investment of my time," said Mary Ellen Johnson, 2011 graduate. "Having this opportunity to learn from various leaders in the field was a very valuable opportunity," added Johnson.