Training Academies
Comprehensive courses that build the governance and fundraising skills nonprofits need to succeed.
Governance Academy
New and established board members and nonprofit leadership — enhance your nonprofit governance knowledge with the Governance Academy.
Governance Academy provides a strong foundation in nonprofit governance best practices, helping participants understand the nonprofit sector, the tenets of governance, and the roles and responsibilities of effective nonprofit leaders. This course is a powerful resource for anyone looking to strengthen their duty to their organization, the sector, and the community.
Governance Academy Modules
- Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector
- Basics of Governance
- Individual Board Member Roles & Responsibilities
- Setting Strategic Direction
- Ensuring Necessary Resources
- Providing Oversight
- The Board-CEO Partnership
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion + the Board
- Elements of a High-Functioning Board
Educational Content Brought to You By
- Adam C. Bratton | Executive Director with The Nonprofit Partnership
- Susan Loucks | Principal with Susan Loucks Consulting
- Jenny Weigold Geertson | Director of Community Outreach with Erie Insurance and Board Member with The Nonprofit Partnership
- Debra Thompson | Founder and President with Strategy Solutions, Inc.
- Tom Tupitza | President with Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. and Board Member with The Nonprofit Partnership
- Diane Edelstein, CPA | Senior Partnership with Maher Duessel
- Matthew Zinna, CPA | Partner with McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP
- Thomas P. Richter, Jr., (T.J.) | Principal, Vice-President and Treasurer with Loesel-Schaaf Insurance Agency
- Emma Kieran | Principal with Pilot Peak Consulting
- Brandon Wiley, MS, LPC | Founder and Executive Director, OpenedEyes
- Tim Hunter | President & CEO with McInnes Rolled Rings
- Robert T. Lipps, Attorney & CPA | Co-Founder and Principal Advisor with The Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence
$90
Online Course (NPP Members)
$125
Online Course (Non-Members)
Associate Members interested in taking the course, please email Emmy at EGeiger@YourNPP.org. Group pricing is also available (individual access). Please email Info@YourNPP.org to inquire.
Bonus: Students will have access to office hours with NPP Executive Director Adam Bratton, a certified Nonprofit Board Consultant through BoardSource.
Fundraising Academy
Nonprofit staff and board members — take your fundraising skills to the next level with the Fundraising Academy.
Fundraising Academy is an in-depth training program that equips nonprofit professionals and board members with essential fundraising skills, combining foundational knowledge with practical tools to build and sustain successful fundraising programs. Emphasizing the power of relationships, the course helps participants understand how authentic connection drives donor engagement and long-term support.
Fundraising Academy Modules
- Introduction to Fundraising
- Creating a Fundraising Program
- Building Relationships
- Making the Ask and Major Donors
- Planned Giving
- Fundraising Medley
Educational Content Brought to You By
- Adam C. Bratton | Executive Director with The Nonprofit Partnership
- Jeff Bagel, CFRE | Principal with eAdvancement Consulting
- Emma Kieran | Principal with Pilot Peak Consulting
- David Schumacher, CFRE | Development Officer with Shriners Hospitals for Children – Erie
- Ellen Kehl, CNP | former Associate Director with The Nonprofit Partnership (current Director of Development & Marketing with the Achievement Center of LECOM Behavioral Health)
- Ted Wood | President with Ted Wood & Associates
- Jonathan Rilling | CEO, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. and Board Member with The Nonprofit Partnership
- Steve Higgins, CFRE | President & CEO with Carter
- Angela D. Barnes, MBA | Managing Director with Carter
- Melissa S. Brown | Project Associate with Carter
- Audrey Edmonds Stone, CFRE | Managing Director with Carter
- Erin Layden | Director of Development with Erie City Mission
- Amanda Karns | Special Projects Coordinator with Harborcreek Youth Services
$300
Online Course (NPP Members)
$400
Online Course (Non-Members)
Associate Members interested in taking the course, please email Emmy at EGeiger@YourNPP.org. Group pricing is also available (individual access). Please email Info@YourNPP.org to inquire.
Bonus: Students will have access to office hours with NPP Executive Director and fundraising professional, Adam Bratton.
What to Expect After You Register
After completing registration, you’ll receive an email from Easy LMS and a follow-up message from an NPP staff member within one business day with your course access.
August 13, 2025
The Rise of Gen Z in Nonprofits: Purpose-Driven Careers and Fresh Perspectives
by Regan Ganoe, Operations & Events Assistant - The Nonprofit Partnership
Gen Z is reshaping the nonprofit sector with fresh ideas, social justice passion, and a drive to lead meaningful change.
Read More ⇢
May 12, 2025
The ROI of Nonprofit Assessment: It’s More Than Just Numbers
by Adam Bratton, Executive Director - The Nonprofit Partnership
Organizational assessments often get a bad rap—but when done right, they cut through the noise, refocus your team on the mission, and turn reflection into real, strategic growth.
Read More ⇢
March 3, 2025
Hitting a Home Run With Your Annual Fundraising Plan
by Jeff Bagel, CFRE - eAdvancement Consulting
A strong annual fundraising plan (AFP) helps nonprofits work smarter and stay mission-focused. Join Jeff Bagel on May 14 to refine your AFP and boost your impact!
Read More ⇢
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests