Human Resource Management for Nonprofits
Units: 6
Nonprofit organizations provide an essential range of services in line with their respective missions. For the overwhelming majority, budgets and staff sizes typically preclude a formal Human Resources department. However, these organizations are still subject to many of the same employment laws, regulations, best practices and workplace issues as their much larger counterparts. Handling these questions falls to the organization’s leadership, who often have competing demands on time and priorities and minimal resources.
This course seeks to address that gap, in order to equip students with a basic, practical understanding of workplace issues that exist in small to mid-size nonprofit organizations, particularly those in the arts. Beyond the nuts and bolts of HR, students will explore the creation and maintenance of a positive, productive working environment that centers equity and inclusion. Class discussion and assignments will address complexities in modern nonprofit administration, including relationship to mission and values, DEAI, hybrid workplaces, pay equity, workplace culture, the role of technology and social media, and board relationships, among other topics. Assignments focus heavily on real-world challenges, requiring practical interpretation and implementation.
Skills and knowledge gained through this course will be assessed through participation in discussions and course-related assignments. Upon the successful conclusion of the course, students will be able to:
Learning Objectives / How Assessed
1. Understand and articulate basic principles and the framework for workplace practices in a nonprofit, including the role of policies and protocols and allocated responsibility.
Participation in discussions and written assignments
2. Examine trends and discuss current issues in human resources.
Same
3. Apply critical thinking skills and practice and propose solutions to challenges with workplace practices for small/mid-size nonprofits.
Same
This class is designed for graduate students in the Heinz College.