MBA in Nonprofit Management
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“I wish people realized that not-for-profits are not second-class organizations. They are often perceived as not needing as much management savvy or business knowledge. Quite frankly, I think the not-for-profit is a higher calling for professional management practices than the traditional for-profit organization.”
A. Gregory Stone, PhD, Professor in the School of Business & Leadership (SBL), Regent University
An MBA in nonprofit management prepares students for leading nonprofit organizations’ unique challenges and opportunities. Nonprofit organizations must manage finances, staff, marketing, and strategy. The core MBA curriculum applies well, but adding a concentration in nonprofit management brings in a service-minded approach that considers the sector’s nuanced differences.
Those aspiring to lead in the nonprofit sector can also look to related graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs both in nonprofit management and in public administration. With flexible options that allow for fully online learning, it’s never been easier to gain the skills and experience needed to take on leadership roles in the nonprofit world.
To get a detailed look at the coursework, accreditation, and tuition rates for MBA in nonprofit management programs, read on.
| Featured Nonprofit Management Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| University of Mount Saint Vincent | MBA - Nonprofit Management | View Full Profile |
| Murray State University | MBA - Nonprofit Leadership | View Full Profile |
| Calvin University | Online MBA - Nonprofit Management | View Full Profile |
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For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
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Meet the Expert: A. Gregory Stone, EdS, PhD
Dr. A. Gregory Stone is a professor in the School of Business & Leadership (SBL) and the Regent MBA program director. He joined the Regent University faculty in 1995 after receiving his bachelor of arts, master of science, education specialist (EdS), and PhD degrees from Indiana University.
Dr. Stone can best be characterized as an innovator in the classroom, a creative new-program designer/builder, and innovative in his approach to online instruction and using associated media and instructional technologies. He regularly creates course instructional experiences by combining assignments and projects with community small businesses and organizations’ real-life consulting and development needs.
With an extensive background in diffusion and adoption theory, he is an early adopter of new instructional technologies and paradigms, often looking for innovative and meaningful ways to incorporate them into instruction. His courses were some of the first to use the latest technologies to combine online and on-campus course sections into one blended classroom community using the internet as the instructional platform.
BSchools.org: What do you wish the public understood about MBA nonprofit management programs?
Dr. Stone: Perhaps the question should be, “What do I wish the public understood about nonprofits?” First, there is no such thing as a nonprofit. Any organization must have more money coming in than it has going out, or it does not stay in business. Not-for-profit (NFP) is the more appropriate term.
Secondly, I wish people understood that a NFP is an IRS designation. It defines what an organization can do with its revenues beyond expenses. In the case of a NFP, the “revenue” or profits must go back into the organization.
Finally, I wish people realized that NFPs are not second-class organizations. They are often perceived as not needing as much management savvy or business knowledge. Quite frankly, I think the NFP is a higher calling for professional management practices than the traditional for-profit organization.
Prospective MBA NFP students often arrive with the same mindset as laid out above. Consequently, the most challenging task is getting everyone knowledgeable about the basics of a NFP.
BSchools.org: What advice would you give to aspiring MBA nonprofit management students?
Dr. Stone: Get rid of the preconceived notions about NFP organizations. Consider that NFP management is often more complex, financially challenging, and fraught with the same human resource issues that can be found in any organization. It is not simply, “If I build it, they will come.” One must target their market for the NFP and ensure that there is a strong potential revenue stream for the organization.
Featured MBA in Nonprofit Management Programs
A faculty of experts with real-world experience in leading nonprofit organizations teaches the online MBA in nonprofit management from Calvin University. Students will learn how to design, lead, and sustain nonprofit organizations with sustainability in mind, building skills in finance, fundraising, and professional collaboration.
Courses in the nonprofit management concentration include: nonprofit boards and community leadership; nonprofit financial management; and designing an effective nonprofit organization. Faculty The program consists of 36 credits.
| Location: Grand Rapids, MI |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 12 to 24 months |
Lindenwood University offers an online MBA with an emphasis in nonprofit management. Students will gain exposure to the philanthropic sector and learn the management, strategic planning, and fundraising skills needed for leading a nonprofit organization.
In addition to the MBA core curriculum, students will take the following specialization courses: fundraising and revenue generation; human resource management for nonprofit organizations; volunteer management; nonprofit governance and law; and strategic planning and performance measurement for nonprofit management. The program consists of 33 credits.
| Location: Saint Charles, MO |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 15 to 36 months |
SUNY Empire State College offers an online MBA in business management with a specialized concentration in nonprofit management. The core curriculum will foster students’ skills in strategic thinking, communication, cross-cultural competence, and ethical decision-making.
Concentration-specific courses include: strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations; strategic marketing for nonprofit organizations; leadership in public and nonprofit organizations; and managerial economics. The program consists of 36 credits.
| Location: Saratoga Springs, NY |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 20 months (full-time); 27 months (part-time) |
The online MBA in nonprofit leadership and management at Liberty University combines a rigorous core MBA curriculum with a specialized focus in nonprofit organizations. Featured courses include: workforce planning and employment; grant acquisition and management; nonprofit management; and strategic communication campaigns for the digital age.
This is a flexible program that allows up to half of the total credits to be transferred, and students can tailor the overall curriculum to meet their specific needs. The program consists of 45 credits.
| Location: Lynchburg, VA |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 24 months |
The online MBA with a concentration in nonprofit leadership at Bushnell University provides a Christian context that champions wisdom, faith, and service. Core courses in the concentration include: volunteer leadership; legal and ethical issues for nonprofit organizations; and marketing strategy. Students may also choose from a list of the following electives: great leaders; leadership and mission fulfillment; operations and service management; and human resources management. The program consists of 36 credits
| Location: Eugene, OR |
| Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 12 to 24 months |
The online MBA in nonprofit management and public administration at Concordia University Wisconsin combines a robust business administration education with a specialized focus on the unique attributes of leading nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
In addition to the core curriculum, students will select four courses from the following list: publicity and public relations; nonprofit fundraising and grant writing; fraud management; sustainability and social entrepreneurship; new venture formation and business development; and public personnel administration. The program consists of 36 credits.
| Location: Mequon, WI |
| Accreditation: International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 24 months |
Related Programs
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online MBA in public administration that prioritizes hands-on learning. Each student is assigned an academic advisor and given access to resources such as tutoring services, library offerings, technical support, and career coaching. Specialization-specific courses include: strategic management in public service; intergovernmental relations; and either foundations of public administration or foundations of public policy. The program consists of 30 credits.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 12 to 24 months |
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers an online graduate certificate in nonprofit management that focuses on the knowledge and skills nonprofit employers are looking for. As part of Saint Mary’s Accelerators series, the program can be taken as a standalone, with no prior nonprofit experience or education; the credits can also be used to apply towards a master’s degree.
The curriculum includes four courses: strategic nonprofit management; community engagement and partnerships; nonprofit fund development and financial management; and nonprofit human resource management. The program consists of 12 credits.
| Location: Minneapolis, MN |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: Two semesters |
The online master of nonprofit leadership & management (MNLM) program at Arizona State University teaches students how to effect positive change in communities worldwide. Courses include: the nonprofit sector; program evaluation and information management; volunteer resources management; theory and practice of philanthropy; and fundraising and resource development.
US News & World Report has ranked ASU’s MNLM program as one of the five best in the nation. Ideal applicants will have three years of nonprofit work experience and leadership aspirations. The program consists of 33 credits.
| Location: Phoenix, AZ |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 12 to 24 months |
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online bachelor of science in business administration program that can be customized with a concentration in nonprofit management.
The core curriculum covers management strategies, team collaboration, ethical business practices, global business contexts, data-driven strategies, and audience communication tactics. The nonprofit concentration includes courses in human resource management, the social environment of business, and organizational behavior. The program consists of 120 credits.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Format: Online |
| Program Length: 48 months |
Admissions Requirements for MBA in Nonprofit Management Programs
Admissions requirements for MBA in nonprofit management programs will vary from school to school. However, many schools require some combination of the following:
- A competitive GPA (3.0 or greater) from an accredited undergraduate program
- GMAT and/or GRE scores, which may be waived under certain conditions
- Completion of certain prerequisite courses
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- Work experience in the nonprofit sector
2022-2023 Salary & Career Outlook for MBAs in Nonprofit Management
The career outlook for MBAs specializing in nonprofit management remains robust, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023) indicating a favorable job growth trajectory. General and operations managers in the nonprofit sector earn a median annual salary of $129,330, reflecting the high value placed on advanced business skills within these organizations. By comparison, figures from Salary.com in October 2024 show the average base salary for positions in nonprofit management is $76,007.
The BLS projects that employment for management occupations, including those in nonprofits, will grow faster than average from 2023 to 2033. This growth is driven by the increasing need for experienced leaders to manage complex organizational structures, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure financial sustainability. With their unique blend of business acumen and passion for social causes, MBAs in nonprofit management are well-positioned to advance their careers while significantly impacting their communities.
