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Indiana University
School of Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA V362-11928: Nonprofit Management & Leadership
Instructor: Yuan (Daniel) Cheng | chengyua@indiana.edu | SPEA 412
Lectures: Tuesday/Thursday 5:45pm – 7:00pm | PY 111 (Psychology Building)
Office Hours: Available by appointment on any weekday.
Communication: Email is the best way of contacting me. I usually reply my emails within 24 hours.
Course Description
This survey course will provide you with an overview of nonprofit law and managerial operations.
The course begins with the legal structure for the sector, and also covers both general management
practices that apply to all public and private organizations (marketing, strategic planning, human
resources, ethics and financial management) and practices unique to nonprofits (boards and
governance, volunteer management, legal responsibilities, fundraising, performance measurement,
etc.). The course uses a combination of readings, lectures, exercises, and experiential learning to give
students daily opportunities to apply textbook material to real situations. There is no formal
prerequisite for this course. However, taking SPEA V221 can be helpful for this course.
Course Material
Required: Michael J. Worth, Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practice, 3rd
(2014) Edition.
Recommended: Bruce Hopkins, Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization, 6th
(2013) Edition.
Sharon Oster, Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations. 1st
(1995) Edition.
Other readings will be posted on Canvas for download.
Course Grading
(20%) Class Attendance and Participation
(20%) Two “Memos to the Board” (10% each)
(20%) Two Case Analysis (10% each)
(10%) Course Reflection Paper or Nonprofit in the News
(30%) Group Project – Creating a New Nonprofit
Late Policy: Ten percent will be deducted for each day past due any assignment is submitted.
The following grading scale will be used for assignments and final grades:
97 - 100% = A+ 87 - 89% = B+ 77 - 79% = C+ 67 - 69% = D+
93 - 96% = A 83 - 86% = B 73 - 76% = C 63 - 66% = D
90 - 92% = A- 80 - 82% = B- 70 - 72% = C- 60 - 62% = D-

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Course Schedule
Date Topic Reading Assignment
1/12 Introduction to the Course Syllabus
1/14 The Current Nonprofit Environment Worth Ch. 2
1/19 Organizing and Leadership Organizing notes p.8 – p.16
1/21 Case Study 1: Montgomery Bus Boycott The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott Case 1 Due
1/26 Public Narrative: Lecture Organizing notes p.27 – p.38
1/28 Public Narrative: Practice Organizing notes p.27 – p.38
2/2 Structuring Leadership: Lecture Organizing notes p.46 – p.55
Team
Formation
2/4 Structuring Leadership: Practice Organizing notes p.46 – p.55
2/9 Nonprofit Law: How to Incorporate
Hopkins Chapter 6; https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/tools-
resources/how-start-nonprofit ; http://www.dmlp.org/legal-
guide/indiana/forming-nonprofit-corporation-indiana
Memo 1 Due
2/11 The 990: Dissecting a Nonprofit “Tax Return”
How to Read a 990 Form at
http://www.npccny.org/Form_990/990.htm
2/16 Board of Directors Worth Chapter 4; Hopkins, Chapter 8
2/18 Case Study 2: Lincoln Hill “Living with Complexity the Lincoln Hill Experience” Case 2 Due
2/23 Mission Development and Strategic Planning Worth Chapter 7 (p.159 - p.172); Oster Chapter 2 Memo 2 Due
2/25
Program Evaluation and Logic Models
Guest Lecturer: Jessica Sherrod
Worth Chapter 6 (p.135 – p.155); Logic Model Guide (skim)
3/1
Financial Management
Guest Lecturer: Kellie Bohan
Worth, Chapter 14
3/3 Case Study 3: United Way United Way Case Case 3 Due
3/8 Accountability and Nonprofit Ethics
Worth Chapter 6 (p.127 – p.134); Accountability Myopia;
http://www.independentsector.org/code_checklist?s=code%20of%20e
thics
3/10 Case Study 4: the Red Cross
Gazley, “9/11, Tsunamis and Katrina: The American Red Cross
and Accountability”;
Sontag, S. 2002. Who brought Bernadine Healy down?
Case 4 Due
3/15 Spring Break (no class)
3/17 Spring Break (no class)

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3/22
Human Resource Management
Guest Lecturer: Lauren Dula
Worth, Chapter 9
Memo 3 Due
3/24
Managing Diversity in Organizations
Guest Lecturer: Brad Fulton
TBD
Start-up
Plan Draft
Due
3/29 Fundraising Worth, Chapter 11; Oster Chapter 8
3/31 Case Study 5: DonorChoose.org DonorChoose.org case and http://www.donorschoose.org/ Case 5 Due
4/5 Commercialization and Earned Income Worth, Chapter 12; Hopkins, Chapter 13 Memo 4 Due
4/7
Social Entrepreneurship and New Philanthropy
Guest Lecturer: Qun Wang
Worth, Chapter 17; New Frontier of Philanthropy
4/12 Advocacy and Political Activities Worth, Chapter 15; Hopkins, Chapter 14 Memo 5 Due
4/14
Managing International Organizations
Guest Lecturer: Anthony DeMattee
Worth Chapter 16
4/19 Cross-sector collaboration Shaping Global Partnerships
4/21 Project Coaching/Teamwork Day
4/26 Student Presentations
4/28 Student Presentations
5/3 No Class/No Final Exam
Group
Start-up
Project Due
Schedule Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule as deemed necessary. Some subjects may prove to be more
challenging than others; thus, flexibility throughout the course will allow us to respond to areas that need additional clarification.

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Course Requirements:
1. Daily attendance, completion of Assigned Readings, and active participation in
class discussion (20% of total grade)
“Ninety percent of success in life is just showing up!” (Woody Allen)
 ATTENDANCE:
 STUDENTS ABSENT MORE THAN 3 TIMES RISK A FINAL GRADE
REDUCTION OF AT LEAST 1 LETTER GRADE.
 I account for 2 absences automatically when I calculate grades. If you have a
chronic condition or other extreme conflict with your schoolwork that keeps you
away from class, please make an appointment to speak with me so that I can
support you most effectively.
 Arriving late (over 5 minutes) or leaving early without approval will count
as an absence.
 The only University excused absence is a documented official university
obligation (generally reserved for student athletes). Attending a basketball game
as a spectator will not receive approval to leave early.
 CLASS PARTICIPATION: All students are expected to contribute meaningful thoughts
on the designated discussion topics during the classes. Any student who wishes to get a
“C” grade or better on this part of the course should add to the discussion at least once
every other week
2. “Memo to the Board” Research Reports (20%): (2 x 10 points each)
There are five memo opportunities throughout the semester and you MUST complete two memos
by the end of the semester.
FORMAT: Each memo must be 5-pages minimum, double-spaced, with 1 inch margins and
12 point font. Sub-headings and internal organization are encouraged.
The maximum length is up to you, but keep your professional audience in mind, and edit
carefully and thoroughly—I prefer clear and concise writing to flowery and wordy. Note that
length ≠ quality.
RESEARCH: I will expect you to draw on Worth, media stories, nonprofit websites, and the
assigned readings for that course topic, plus additional readings that you find on your own
(minimum 3-5 sources beyond required readings). I expect you to seek additional resources.
These should be written in memorandum format to a board of directors or the executive staff of a
nonprofit. Do NOT address the assignment to me, as this is an exercise in how you would
communicate in a workplace setting.
Note: These memos will provide the research basis for many of the sections required in your
final project. Coordination with your teammates on topic selection is welcomed.
These are due in hard-copy to me and posted via Canvas by class-time on their due date.
Getting Help: Feel free to make an appointment with me; I will be happy to help you understand
what can be done to make improvements. Please note that I will only help you with paper drafts

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in person, not by email. Also feel free to visit Devin in SPEA 410 to review the file of excellent
paper examples that past students have volunteered to share with you—these may not leave her
office and may not be duplicated or photographed.
3. Nonprofit Management Case Analysis (20%): (2 x 10 points each)
Over the semester, all class members will be responsible for completing four brief case study
memos. The case study memos should be four to five pages double spaced. The analyses will be
based on questions provided by the instructor. We will study five cases; you are responsible for
two analyses. We will have a class discussion about cases on the day the cases are due.
4. Final Course Reflection (10%)
Each student will write a paper that reflects on the readings, topics, and concepts from the
semester. The paper gives you the opportunity to “make sense” of, and organize your thoughts
about, the semester. THIS IS NOT A COURSE EVALUATION OR CRITIQUE. A reflection
paper also is not a summary of the course readings or a stream of conscious mind dump on paper.
Instead, a reflection paper is your identification of the main themes of the readings integrated with
your classroom experience and teamwork experience. Consider how what you have read, practiced,
and learned enhances your thinking about nonprofit management and leadership. Use in-text
citations for specific readings to which you might refer. The reflection paper should be
approximately 1,500 words (around 5-6 pages, double-spaced).
5. Group Project: Organize and develop a new nonprofit organization (30%)
Each student will be part of a group of “Founding Board Members” of a fictional new nonprofit
organization. During the semester, your Board will develop a Start-up Plan and a Management
Plan. Students will choose their teams by topic interest near the beginning of the semester.
This is your final, culminating deliverable and a semester-long team project.
See the “Project Plan Description” handout on Canvas for more detail.
Grading: The Full Plan consists of two halves and will receive a combined grade worth 30% of
your final course grade. The Start-up Plan will only receive written feedback and no grade.
You will have as many opportunities as you like to visit me AS A TEAM in my office to receive
additional support and advice as you develop your organizational plans.
A). Start-up Plan First Draft – Due 3/24.
See the handout for full instructions on content.
I will make written comments and suggestions on each Draft. Revision of this half of the project is
expected and will be included as the first half of your final plan.
B). Full Nonprofit Plan -- Due 4/28.
See the handout for full instructions on content. Your project will also be presented in class.
Note: A hard copy is due in class on 4/28; also post on Canvas by 5:30 pm the same day.

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Suggested In-Text and Bibliography Citation Format:
When citing from the text for a paper, the following in-text format should be used:
(Worth, p.#)
A complete citation should be included in a bibliography:
Worth, M. J. (2013). Nonprofit management: Principles and practice. Sage.
For additional writing requirements, please see writing guidelines at the end of this Syllabus)
Resources for Memos and Case Analysis
For general nonprofit news:
Philanthropy News Digest at http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/
http://www.jhu.edu/listeningpost/ interesting current research on state of the sector from the Johns
Hopkins University Center for Civil Society, especially the Listening Post Project.
IRS e-newsletter for charities: http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Subscribe-to-Exempt-
Organization-Update
www.npgoodpractice.org A resource from Grand Valley State University’s Johnson Center on
Philanthropy. A great glossary of nonprofit terms you will encounter in this class.
Idealist.org has a nonprofit FAQ at http://www.idealist.org/info/Nonprofits/Npofaq
Incorporation / Nonprofit Law
http://www.irs.gov/Filing/Charities-&-Non-Profits The IRS's resources, forms & more site
IRS 990 forms at Guidestar: www.guidestar.org Login: bgazley@indiana.edu, Password: speaspea
Legal website with resources for tax-exempt organizations, including how to file in each state.
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/CE94A6B3-EFB6-4036-8498D5414328FD73/111/262/
General Nonprofit Management
http://www.socialworker.com/nonprofit/management
Targeted to practitioners, site includes the full text of several popular nonprofit management books
published by White Hat Communications. Among them are "Improving Quality and Performance in
Your Non-Profit Organization,” "Fundraising Online," and the "Nonprofit Management Casebook."
Also on the site is a selection of chapters from Gary M. Grobman’s "The Nonprofit Handbook":
Performance and Accountability
http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/ NonProfit Risk Management Center

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Standards for Excellence Institute http://standardsforexcellenceinstitute.org/dnn/
Compendium of standards for excellence via Independent Sector
http://www.independentsector.org/issues/accountability/standards2.html
National advocacy and research organizations:
 http://www.ncna.org/ National Council for Nonprofit Associations
 http://www.independentsector.org Major national research and advocacy org
 http://www.charityandsecurity.org/ Covers nonprofit advocacy
 http://charitydefensecouncil.org/ Charity Defense Council, Dan Pallota’s latest effort
Political Advocacy and Lobbying
http://www.independentsector.org/programs/gr/lobbyguide.html
Background on public law for 501-c-4s and 527 regarding issue advocacy and electioneering
http://electionlawblog.org/archives/aprill.pdf
The Center for Nonprofits -- Non-Profit Organizations CAN Lobby
http://www.njnonprofits.org/NPsCanLobby.html
https://philanthropy.com/article/Opinion-Make-Advocacy-a-
Part/232333?cid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en A good recent editorial on why political
advocacy is a good idea and how boards should exercise it
Ethics
Nonprofit Ethics Education Pages: http://www.socialworker.com/nonprofit/ethics Full text of "Ethics
in Nonprofit Organizations--Theory and Practice," by Gary M. Grobman, published by White Hat
Communications. Chapters about general ethics, nonprofit organization ethics, ten fictional full-length
cases, and 120 fictional scenarios.
Volunteer Management
Goulbourne, Michelle and Embuldeniya, Don. (2002). Assigning economic value to volunteer activity.
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy.
The Value of Volunteer Time.
http://www.independentsector.org/programs/research/volunteer_time.html
For students with arts interests http://blog.westaf.org/2013/08/2013s-fifty-most-powerful-and.html

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WRITING GUIDELINES
For all students and all written assignments, please follow the following guidelines:
o All papers should be double-spaced, in 12-point font, using 1-inch margins.
o Graphics, photos and figures are welcome, but should not be excessive. Extensive material that is
not original (i.e. not your own) should be placed in an appendix.
o You are welcome to place copies of any relevant organizational materials or examples in
appendices. Label your appendices and refer to them within the paper – explaining those materials
and why they’re included.
o Papers should be professional, well-organized and well-edited. Write as if you were going to
submit your paper to a nonprofit board of directors.
o Quality Control: Do not submit first drafts. Do not write the paper the night before it is due. Do
produce a high-quality, carefully edited paper that reflects the thoughtful work you put into the
entire project. The instructor and TA are willing to meet with you between classes to discuss
content, react to ideas, and offer suggestions. Also make use of the other writing resources you
have on campus.
o DRAFTS of papers are accepted and encouraged. They will be reviewed by the
instructors and feedback will be given. No grade is given for drafts (unless assigned
drafts are not submitted on time!).
 Any student who wishes the instructors to review drafts should submit them at
least 1 week before the final due date, to give time for the instructors to read
them, provide feedback, and for the student to make needed revisions.
Expectations for your citations and bibliography:
o A bibliography is mandatory on all written work.
o You will be graded on your ability to use a proper citation style. Any citation style (MLA, APA,
Chicago) is acceptable as long as it is properly and consistently followed. The key is that I must be
able to track all of your citations to their sources, so be aware that it is not enough to attach a
bibliography – an in-text citation is required.
o Be sure that ALL material you use is properly attributed to its author. If you quote directly from
any source, you must use quotation marks and provide a source along with author info (e.g., page
number or URL). If you paraphrase ideas without quotes, you must still include the source of the
citation. If you don’t understand how to accomplish this, see your professor or the TA.
o Do not use anonymous sources. This includes Wikipedia! – as well as ask.com and any other
source where you cannot identify the author. It is permissible, however, to quote an organization
as the source of an article (e.g., Smith Bucklin & Associates, Independent Sector).
Plagiarism and Academic Honesty: Academic Honesty is taken very seriously at Indiana University.
Cheating, copying the works of others (or even the ideas of others) and passing them off as your own
can result in a poor or even a failing grade for an assignment or for the class. In extreme cases it can
lead to dismissal from the university.
Please cite ALL quotations, ideas, and other materials you gather from outside research and other
sources!