Certifying the Next Generation of Nonprofit Professionals

Our Project

Georgia State University students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate certificate or graduate degree can earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential upon graduation and completion of a series of extracurricular activities. The CNP adds experience and a credential that assists students in gaining employment and pursuing their career in the nonprofit sector.

As a new requirement for those seeking the CNP credential, students must prepare and take a comprehensive exam. To assist students, the GSU NLA will provide training materials, study session and cover the cost of the exam. Students seeking certification must also attend an annual professional conference, complete an internship of at least 120 hours, perform community service and participate in community networking events. The requested funding will support 15-20 students earning their CNP and the activities required to earn the CNP. 

What Is NLA?

Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofits dedicated to educating, preparing, and certifying professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations. There are more than 40 different academic institutions and organizations across the United States with Nonprofit Leadership Alliance chapters, and the Andrew Young School is proud to be a leading site in the national NLA network. NLA exists to strengthen the leadership of the social sector and sustain the ability of nonprofits to fulfill their missions with a talented and prepared workforce.

About Our Chapter:

• Experienced: To become a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) through NLA each member must complete an undergraduate degree, complete a 120-hour internship, participate in fundraising, networking, and community service events, and attend the annual Elevate conference (formerly the Alliance Management Institute) or a similar professional development conference.  Since 2005, more than 240 GSU students have been awarded the CNP.
• Committed: Andrew Young School of Policy Studies’ Graduate Nonprofit Management Program is ranked 9th out of 269 public affairs schools in the US. The GSU NLA chapter is one of the largest and most awarded chapters in the U.S.
• Diverse: Georgia State is a very diverse university and NLA showcases this diversity. We have students from both the undergraduate and graduate level. Our students are not just from a nonprofit background but range from Public Policy, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education, Public Health, Communications, Economics, Law, and more!
• Well Networked: Each year students are required to network through various avenues, such as: attending seminars and conferences, volunteer work, internship opportunities, and events generated by the NLA Networking Committee.
• Philanthropic: Our chapter of NLA has accumulated over 7000 hours of community service at numerous nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Why Give?. 

Most Georgia State University students are working their way through school. The pursuit of the CNP is an extracurricular effort and expense  that is added to their studies, work, internship and personal commitments. This crowdfunding effort will pay for the cost of the exam prep, exam, and the required professional development conference. Additionally, funds raised will support the GSU campus NLA chapter activities to promote membership and assist students prepare to enter work in the nonprofit sector.

With your gift to Preparing Certified Nonprofit Professionals, the Georgia State University Foundation will fund student expenses related to the preparation for the CNP exam and attending the virtual Elevate conference. Any additional funds will offset additional costs related to this year's exam preparation and conference registration or will be used for future travel expenses when the conference returns to an in-person event. If the project funds remain inactive for six (6) months, they will be remain in the NLA Crowdfunding fund.