Nonprofit Builder Academy Credit System

At Nonprofit Builder our focus is on demonstrable impact, meaning the grantees we serve enjoy heightened success, reach targets faster, are more resourceful, more sustainable, and more pleasant to work for, in ways that can be reliably measured. Likewise, the people in these organisations should be constantly developing their skills, creativity, knowledge and leadership, also in measurable ways.

For this reason, our certification concept rewards practical implementation, in a way that is documented (case studies) and verifiable (by the capacity coach or trainer):

• The documentation supports knowledge creation, so that the wider Nonprofit Builder community can benefit from the experience and learning of the indivudual.
• The verification helps us to evidence results to our funders and encourage investment in this format of support.

In the credit calculations below, we use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), where one credit is equivalent to 25 hours in class and outside of class (preparatory readings, practice, readings, research, etc.)

Certificate of Attendance (CA)

• Awarded for full attendance of any course
• Catch-up sessions are possible for excused sessions, in agreement with the trainer
• Credits: 1 ECTS or 25 hours of work: 12 hours in class and 13 hours of reading or work on a tangible takeaway

Certificate of Applied Learning (CAL)

• Is awarded for attendance of any course, and successful practical implementation inside the organisation.
• The implementation project should be documented in a two page case study (500 to 1000 words)
• The implementation need to be validated by the trainer or capacity coach on the basis of one-to-one implementation sessions
• Credits: 6 ECTS equivalent to 125 hours or 3 weeks work

Examples 

• A course on fundraising leads to improved pitching materials and argumentation, which is used for three funder presentations and leads to a successful grant.
• A course on MEL results in the introduction and roll-out of a MEL system inside the organisation.

Certificate of Advanced Practice (CAP) 

• Option 1:  completion of two Certificates of Advanced Practice in different areas
• Opion 2:  more advanced work and additional additional results, and a 3000 word case study and a work time equivalent
• Credits: 12 ECTS equivalent to 250 hours or 6 weeks work

Example: 

• A course on MEL results in the introduction and roll-out of a MEL system inside the organisation (CAL). The system is piloted for a duration of six months, fine-tuned, and the resulting data is used to generate significant learning which leads to an improvements of the organisation's practices (CAP).

Nonprofit Builder Academy Credit System by Nonprofit Builder