Welcome to Merit®!

Merit Monthly Subscription

A streamlined approach to nonprofit professional development

With flexible and engaging microlearning across an always-on online learning platform, Merit offers a professional development experience unique to the needs of nonprofit sector. $49 a month, cancel at anytime.

Enroll Now!

28 learning paths. 84 badges.

Accessible to All Learning Styles

Structured Learning Experience

No Prerequisites

Merit® Nonprofit Professional Development in a Minute

Standards-Aligned

Alignment to the industry-standard Impact Capacity Assessment and the Korn Ferry Institute's Leadership Architect competency model

Learn from Subject-Matter Experts

All courses have been created by people who are experienced nonprofit pros with lived experience and recognized expertise in the topic.

Structured Learning Model

A structured microlearning learning model, following Bloom's Taxonomy, to ensure that real learning happens

Digital Credentialing

Along the way to completing the certificate, learners earn 84 digital badges and 5 mini-certificates to keep the momentum and motivation going.

Over 6500 nonprofit professionals from all skill levels are already enjoying Merit.

Our learners come from all types of nonprofits: suicide prevention, domestic violence response, drug recovery, children's museums, seniors support, health education centers, and more.

Nonprofit concepts, made easy

I'm newer to the nonprofit sector, and Merit is giving me exactly the language I need to be able to not just do my job, but also really participate in meetings. I chose the certificate to get a well-rounded experience for my current job...and also to prepare for whatever comes next!

by Cindy

Statewide Infant Mental Health Organization

Love the love

I chose this online certificate because I'm busy and knew I couldn't attend live sessions, even if they were online. I was a little worried that I wouldn't feel as connected, but the entire team at Merit has made sure that every learner has a way to get help, get support, and get connected with others who are working on the platform. From day 1, I have really felt the love!

by Shavon

Homeless Support Agency

Lots of Courses, in Order

I've taken a lot of classes online. I was really happily surprised to see that the way that the learning experience on Merit is super logical: while there's a lot of classes, they are presented in a really thoughtful order. I feel like I have a lot of choice of what to learn about today, but not an overwhelming amount because of the way the learning model is structured. Thanks for taking some of the thinking out of it for me!

by Greyson

Independent School Administrator

I impressed my boss!

I know that I want to stay working in nonprofits, so I invested in this certificate. When I shared my progress with my boss, she was super impressed! I thought this would be a great stepping stone for my next job, but turns out it's also helping me get considered for bigger roles in my current nonprofit.

Dylan

Children's Museum Program Specialist

Monthly Subscriptions Now Available!

All-Access Pass to 250+ courses

No talking heads. No gatekeeping. Just engaging nonprofit training that matters.

Enroll Now!

Leading Capacity

"Leading" is an organization's capacity to articulate a clear vision for itself and incentivize everyone to achieve that vision. This group of courses builds on one of every effective nonprofit's core capacities: leadership to make change happen.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three distinct concepts that nonprofit professionals can embrace to build belonging across stakeholder groups and ensure the highest standard of engagement with a variety of stakeholders.

Mission Focused Leadership

Mission Leadership is an organization's ability to inspire people within the organization to work toward a common vision and mission.

Community Leadership
Community leadership is an organization's ability to inspire external partners, collaborators, and stakeholders to work toward a common vision and mission.

Learning Capacity

"Learning" is a nonprofit's capacity to collect, process, and use information about its programs, operations, and external environment in order to deliver on its mission. These courses help nonprofits better understand their strengths and weaknesses in order to fulfill their vision.

Organizational Capacity
Organizational Capacity is an organization’s ability to assess its operational capacity and infrastructure in relation to making progress on its mission.

Environmental Context
Environmental Context is a nonprofit’s ability to assess its external environment.

Program Success
Program Success is an organization’s ability to assess the impact of its programs and direct services.

Performance Assessment
Staff Performance Assessment is an organization’s ability to assess the performance of its staff.

Advocacy Success
The capacity for advocacy success is an organization’s ability to develop, assess, and improve its policy and advocacy efforts specifically related to moving its mission forward.

Population Needs
Population Needs is an organization's ability to assess the needs of a target population in relation to its programs, services, or strategies.

Resource Generating Capacity

"Resource generating" is the capacity of an organization to raise the funds and other resources that it needs to operate, as well as its ability to incentivize others to support the organization in doing so. This collection of courses help nonprofits build their organizational strengths around fundraising as well as stakeholder engagement.

Staff Fundraising
Staff Fundraising is a nonprofit staff's knowledge, motivation, and skills to effectively fundraise.

Board Fundraising
Board Fundraising is a board's ability to raise the funds an organization needs by identifying and cultivating potential donors as well as contributing financially themselves.

Partnership
Partnership is an organization's ability to establish effective partnerships and collaborations with others to maximize the use of resources.

Donor Cultivation
Donor Cultivation is an organization's ability to identify, cultivate, and ask individuals for donations.

Marketing
Marketing is an organization's ability to effectively market its mission and programs to the community, funders, and donors.

Grantmaker Relationships
Grantmakers is an organization's ability to raise funds from corporate, foundation, and governmental sources.

Planning Capacity

"Planning" measures an organization’s ability to effectively make decisions and plan for the future. These courses support the nonprofits ability in delivering results and planning for improvement.

Decision Making
Decision-making is the ability of an organization's leaders to effectively make decisions.

Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is the process we use to enable our nonprofits to achieve their missions. It’s also the overarching ability–or capacity–to plan strategically over time.

Managing Capacity

"Managing" measures an organization’s ability to utilize its human and financial resources in an efficient and effective manner. These courses explore the strengths and challenges at play in nonprofit management and nonprofit leadership.

Professional Development
Professional development is an organization's ability to effectively provide professional development and to support staff in the process of putting what they learn into practice.

Staff Deployment
Staff Deployment is a nonprofit’s ability to effectively manage paid staff.

Community Collaboration
Community Collaboration is an organization’s ability to identify and collaborate with partners in the community to further its mission.

Staff Recruitment and Retention
Staff Recruitment and Retention is an organization's ability to effectively recruit and retain staff.

Volunteer Engagement
Volunteer Engagement measures an organization's ability to effectively manage volunteers.

Facilities
Facilities are an organization’s ability to manage its space and facilities effectively.

Program Implementation
Program Implementation is an organization's ability to effectively manage the quality of program implementation (direct service and/or advocacy efforts).

Technology
Technology measures an organization's ability to effectively use technology.

Overseeing Capacity

"Overseeing" measures an organization’s ability to hold itself accountable financially and for the achievement of its impact. These courses look at the role of key stakeholders and offer a capacity building approach to improving nonprofit oversight.

Implementation Accountability
Implementation Accountability is a board's and staff leaders' ability to effectively implement a strategic plan.

Impact Accountability
Impact Accountability measures a board's ability to hold an organization accountable for the achievement of outcomes.

Financial Overseeing
Financial Overseeing measures a board's ability to oversee an organization's finances.

Monthly Subscriptions Now Available!

All-Access Pass to 250+ courses

No talking heads. No gatekeeping. Just engaging nonprofit training that matters.

Enroll Now!