Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

1. Apply their knowledge of the nonprofit sector and its interrelationships with government and business to frame their perspectives on social issues.
2. Respond appropriately to basic legal, governing and ethical issues faced by nonprofit organizations.
3. Critically evaluate factors impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations around them.
4. Appreciate the diversity of social issues served by the nonprofit community.
5. Participate in civil society using various tools including philanthropy, volunteer service or nonprofit employment.
6. Respond appropriately to issues and potential conflicts involving international work performed by American nonprofits.

The course format will primarily be lecture/discussion supplemented by the use of guest speakers and a service learning project where students will engage with their community through a real philanthropic grant making process.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, small group problem solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, and oral presentations. This course is letter-graded.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
1. Nonprofit history and theory in America
2. Nonprofit sub-sectors and needs
3. Legal, governance and ethical issues
4. Financial reporting
5. Request for proposals process and evaluation
6. Nonprofit planning, fundraising and promotion
7. Evaluation of the Portland-Metro community social needs
8. American nonprofit work overseas
9. Future nonprofit trends
Competencies and Skills
1. Relate the history and theories of the nonprofit sector in America to its current relationship with the government, business sectors and other countries
2. Recognition of the subsectors of the nonprofit environment and their unique issues and trends. The subsectors will include religion, social service, health care, education and research, advocacy, and arts and culture
3. Contrast the unique statutory, regulatory, and tax environment of the nonprofit sector with the business sector
4. Evaluate basic components of nonprofit efficiency and effectiveness
5. Apply nonprofit funding methods and issues to the service-learning project