Become a Financial Leader in the Nonprofit Industry
Today’s nonprofit leader is challenged like never before. Nebraska’s Nonprofit Management Institute developed a rigorous series of executive education programs designed to refine the skills nonprofit leaders need to make a larger and lasting impact on the people and communities they serve. These programs present best practices in nonprofit management, finance and fundraising that can advance the success of your organization, whatever its size or mission.
Cost assistance opportunities are available. Email execed@unl.edu for more information.
2025-26 Nonprofit Management Programs
Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements | Virtual
1 half-day session (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT)
Dates offered: Tuesday, September 23, 2025 & Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Topics covered:
- Accounting basics
- Nonprofit accounting standards
- Nonprofit financial statements
Price: $150
Prerequisites: None, this is a foundational course
Online resources: Course resource website, badge awarded upon session completion
Strategic Financial Leadership | Virtual
2 half-day sessions (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT)
Date: Tuesday, October 21 & Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Topics covered:
- Leading the organization to sustainability/role of financial officer
- What is strategy?
- What is strategic planning?
- Developing a long-term financial plan/financial modeling
- Developing the capital budget and its role in long-term financial planning
- Collaboration, partnerships, and shared services
Price: $350
Recommended prerequisites: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements, Budgets and Resource Allocations
Online resources: Course resource website; badge awarded upon session completion
This is a new session with distinct content never before offered through the Nonprofit management Institute!
Strategic Communications and Resource Development | Virtual
2 half-day sessions (9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT)
Dates: Tuesday, November 18 & Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Topics covered:
- Communicating with our various constituencies
- Marketing the nonprofit organization
- The strength of the organization’s brand
- Digital and volunteer engagement
- Fundraising strategies
Price: $350
Prerequisites: none
Online resources: Course resource website, badge awarded upon session completion
Financial Analysis and Cost Accounting | Virtual
2 half-day sessions
Dates: : Tuesday, March 24 & Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Topics covered:
- Budget variance analysis
- External reports
- Internal reports
- Ratio analysis
- The audit and the audit committee
- The IRS Form 990
Price: $350
Required prerequisite: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements
Online resources: Course resource website; badge awarded upon session completion
Budgets and Resource Allocation | Virtual
2 half-day sessions
Dates:Tuesday, April 7 & Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Topics covered:
- The mechanics of the operating budget
- Allocation resources to strategic priorities
- Managing budget performance
- How to prepare a cash budget
- Using the operating and cash budget as management tools
Price: $350
Required prerequisite: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements
Online resources: Course resource website, badge awarded upon session completion
Program Benefits
1
UNL faculty and nationally recognized facilitators share cutting-edge practices you can immediately implement in your organization
2
Networking opportunities with other nonprofit professionals
3
Program designed as an interactive and immersive learning experience
Speakers
Jim Croft, Ph.D.
Jim Croft is principal of JW Croft Consulting Group in Chicago, providing leadership and financial management expertise to nonprofits. He teaches nonprofit management, financial management and fundraising for the MBA program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. From 1984 to 2015, he was executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Field Museum in Chicago, also serving as its chief development officer and leading a major capital campaign. For the museum, he managed the annual giving, major gifts, planned giving and corporate and foundation giving programs. Earlier, he held finance and leadership positions with The Salvation Army. Croft holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and served on the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Nonprofit Advisory Committee.
Rudy Anderson, CAE
Rudy Anderson is vice president of development and revenue at the American Academy of Dermatology. A fundraising executive with experience in health care-related nonprofits, he previously held leadership roles at the American College of Chest Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Otolaryngology. Anderson is a Certified Association Executive and a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross.
Bela Barner, MBA
Bela Barner has more than 15 years of experience guiding executive teams through complex decisions in higher education and professional services. He has helped universities relocate facilities, develop branding and enrollment strategies, create academic offerings and prioritize budgets. As a consultant, he specializes in capital budgeting, market research and financial literacy for non-financial leaders. Barner is founder and president of a 501(c)(3) organization and a certified financial modeling and valuation analyst. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in economics and French from Northwestern University.
Jeri Bingham, EdD
Jeri Bingham is a marketing and communications executive, adjunct instructor at Northwestern University, and consultant with more than 20 years of experience in higher education, nonprofits, government and advertising. She specializes in brand storytelling and creating content that drives audience engagement. Bingham holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations, a master’s in integrated marketing communications, an education specialist degree and is pursuing a doctorate in education.
James Honan, Ed.D.
James Honan has been on the faculty of the Harvard Graduate School of Education since 1991 and also teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School. He is co-chair and senior associate director of the university’s Advanced Leadership Initiative and teaches in executive education programs worldwide. Honan consults on strategic planning, resource allocation and performance measurement for colleges, universities and nonprofits. He holds degrees from Marist College, George Washington University and Harvard University.
Katy Scrogin, Ph.D.
Katy Scrogin is a nonprofit consultant, educator and advocate for financial literacy. She has taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels, conducted prospect research, and developed fundraising communications. Previously, she was vice president for programming at the Chicago Sunday Evening Club, overseeing budgets, financial reporting and podcast production. Scrogin holds a doctorate in religion from Claremont Graduate University, a master’s in theological studies from Vanderbilt University, and a bachelor’s in German and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin.
Scott Steffens, CPA
Scott Steffens, a certified public accountant, has more than 30 years of experience providing audit and specialized services to nonprofit, health care, government and corporate clients. He has served in diversity, recruiting and resource roles for more than 20 years and on advisory boards for DePaul University’s athletics department and College of Commerce. His specialties include not-for-profit, health care, professional services, investment management and corporate clients.
Patti Tuomey, EdD
Patti Tuomey is advisor to and past president and CEO of Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart in Chicago. She previously led the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and held leadership roles at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and Field Museum. With more than 25 years in nonprofit and philanthropic management, she has expertise in strategic planning, marketing, fundraising and financial management. Tuomey holds degrees from Marquette University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Benedictine University.
More Professional Development Opportunities
Take charge of your success by engaging in professional and executive education programs designed to help you conquer business challenges with tools you can begin using immediately. Whether you need a quick solution to get ahead or a customized program for your entire team, the road to building a better business starts with the College of Business.
Contact
Center for Executive and Professional Development
HLH 201
execed@unl.edu
402-472-2353