COURSE NUMBER: MBA 292F-11

This course is dual-listed with Evening-weekend MBA program.

COURSE TITLE: Strategic Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations

UNITS OF CREDIT: 1 Unit

INSTRUCTOR: Brent Copen

Please note the unorthodox nature of this course, which meets all day on 2 Sundays. To earn a passing grade, you must attend BOTH class sessions in their entirety. Consult the Spring 2019 electives spreadsheet for meeting dates.

PREREQUISITE(S): A course in finance or finance experience is required. If you have a question, please check with the instructor.

CLASS FORMAT: This one unit course will employ a seminar format combining lecture, discussion, group and individual exercises, and case studies. Students should be prepared to actively join in class discussion and to bring to class their own issues and experience in nonprofit management. Students should also bring a pocket calculator to class.

REQUIRED READINGS: Course Reader

BASIS FOR FINAL GRADE: The final grade will be based on class participation and either a final exam or a final project.

CAREER FIELD: Nonprofit Leadership

ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES:
In order to be an effective leader in the nonprofit field, one must be able to analyze and act upon financial information as part of an overall approach to strategic decision making. This course will focus on the financial management issues faced by board members and by senior and executive managers in nonprofit organizations.

Students will learn the tools and techniques for effective financial management, including pricing, program analyses, budgeting and overall business model sustainability. The course will address current regulations and issues that impact nonprofit financial management. The use and development of internal and external financial reports will be studied with an emphasis on using financial information in decision-making. Tools and techniques of financial statement analysis, interpretation and presentation will be discussed and practiced.

The course is designed to develop the core financial management skills needed by board members and senior managers in large and small organizations. These include the practice of critical and analytical thinking, the ability to synthesize and plan, the knowledge of how to evaluate and respond quickly, and the skills to communicate effectively. We will address the real challenges, opportunities, and problems of financial management in nonprofit organizations.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Brent Copen is dedicated to strengthening the sector by helping nonprofits develop more robust financial management practices. He has presented hundreds of workshops and training nationally to CEO’s, board members, funders and emerging leaders; and has consulted extensively to a wide variety of nonprofits across sub-sectors. Copen currently holds four graduate level teaching positions at U.C. Berkeley. He co-authored The Nonprofit Business Plan, a practical guide to help nonprofit leaders establish a sustainable, results-driven business plan. Copen is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.

He received a Master in Public Administration degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.