Nonprofit Program Design Basics Course

Lesson 1 • Core Concepts in Program Design

Introduces program design vocabulary including inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes. Provides the conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • The Nonprofit Sector and Its Purpose

Defines the nonprofit sector's role, legal structure, and social contract. Establishes the context in which all program design decisions are made.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to the Program Design Cycle

Maps the full program design lifecycle from needs assessment through evaluation. Orients learners to the sequence of skills developed in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Secondary Data Sources and Analysis

Identifies publicly available data sources such as census records, health statistics, and government reports. Teaches how to synthesize secondary data with primary findings.

Lesson 2 • Prioritizing and Documenting Needs

Applies prioritization frameworks to rank identified needs by urgency, feasibility, and alignment. Produces a written needs statement ready for program planning.

Lesson 3 • Understanding Community Needs vs. Wants

Distinguishes between perceived needs, expressed needs, and normative needs. Prevents programs from being built on assumptions rather than evidence.

Lesson 1 • Writing SMART Objectives

Teaches the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound—applied to nonprofit program contexts. Each criterion is practiced with real examples.

Lesson 2 • Process Objectives vs. Outcome Objectives

Distinguishes objectives that track program delivery from those that track participant change. Teaches when each type is appropriate and how they work together.

Lesson 3 • Communicating Goals to Stakeholders

Adapts goal and objective language for funders, board members, and community partners. Builds stakeholder buy-in through clear, accessible program framing.

Lesson 1 • Building the Logic Model Step by Step

Guides learners through a structured process to draft, review, and refine a logic model. Applies all prior chapter concepts in a single integrated exercise.

Lesson 2 • Mapping Assumptions and External Factors

Identifies the assumptions underlying each logic model link and external conditions that affect success. Strengthens model credibility by making implicit logic explicit.

Lesson 3 • Using Logic Models in Planning and Funding

Demonstrates how logic models function as planning tools, communication documents, and grant attachments. Connects the model to budgeting and evaluation design.

Lesson 1 • Participant Recruitment and Retention Strategies

Designs outreach and engagement strategies to attract and retain the intended population. Addresses barriers to participation as a program design responsibility.

Lesson 2 • Selecting Appropriate Interventions

Applies criteria including population fit, resource requirements, and cultural relevance to choose interventions. Prevents mismatches between program design and target population.

Lesson 3 • Evidence-Based vs. Evidence-Informed Practice

Distinguishes programs with rigorous research support from those adapted from promising practices. Teaches how to evaluate evidence quality when selecting interventions.

Lesson 4 • Designing Activity Sequences and Dosage

Determines the order, frequency, and intensity of program activities needed to achieve objectives. Introduces dosage as a key design variable affecting outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Nonprofit Budget Fundamentals

Introduces budget types, fiscal year structures, and the relationship between program budgets and organizational finances. Establishes financial literacy needed for program planning.

Lesson 2 • Writing a Budget Narrative

Explains and justifies each budget line in plain language for funder review. Demonstrates how narrative and numbers work together to build funder confidence.

Lesson 3 • Resource Planning Beyond Funding

Identifies in-kind contributions, volunteer labor, and partner resources that supplement cash budgets. Builds a complete resource picture for sustainable program delivery.

Lesson 4 • Identifying Program Costs

Categorizes direct and indirect costs associated with program delivery. Teaches cost identification as a prerequisite to accurate budget development.

Lesson 1 • Data Collection Tools and Methods

Designs pre/post surveys, intake forms, observation protocols, and case records for program evaluation. Matches each tool to the indicator it is intended to measure.

Lesson 2 • Selecting Indicators and Measures

Identifies quantitative and qualitative indicators that correspond to each program objective. Teaches indicator selection as a bridge between objectives and data collection.

Lesson 3 • Building an Evaluation Plan

Assembles indicators, data sources, collection timelines, and responsible parties into a single evaluation plan document. Produces a funder-ready evaluation framework.

Lesson 4 • Purposes and Types of Program Evaluation

Distinguishes formative, summative, process, and outcome evaluations by purpose and timing. Helps learners select the right evaluation type for their program stage.

Lesson 1 • Scaling Programs Responsibly

Distinguishes replication, expansion, and adaptation as scaling strategies with different resource demands. Applies readiness criteria before committing to growth.

Lesson 2 • Continuous Quality Improvement Processes

Introduces structured quality improvement cycles such as Plan-Do-Study-Act adapted for nonprofits. Embeds improvement as an ongoing program management practice.

Lesson 3 • Program Sustainability Fundamentals

Defines sustainability as the capacity to maintain program impact beyond initial funding. Introduces financial, organizational, and community dimensions of sustainability.

Lesson 4 • Diversifying Program Revenue

Identifies multiple funding streams including grants, fees, contracts, and earned income. Teaches revenue diversification as a risk management strategy.