OSU-Tulsa president teaching course on nonprofit fundraising

TULSA, Okla. – Graduate students in a new nonprofit leadership certificate program offered by Oklahoma State University are getting advanced training in fundraising techniques through a course taught by OSU-Tulsa President Howard Barnett this fall.

 
“Nonprofit organizations rely heavily upon the generosity of donors for some or all of their funding,” said Barnett. “With budgets tightening and governmental resources becoming more competitive, those who work in and with nonprofts must learn how to interact with their stakeholders and develop the skills needed to successfully raise funds from external sources to support their social causes.”

 
Fundraising for Nonprofits, a management course offered through the Spears School of Business, teaches students about fundraising approaches and helps develop the skills necessary to make a successful pitch to a potential donor. Throughout the semester, Barnett and a series of guest speakers have helped students prepare a fundraising plan for local nonprofit organizations.

 
The 12-hour Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program at OSU-Tulsa includes coursework in business, management, leadership, sustainability and entrepreneurship. The variety of courses allows the student to choose their emphasis of study as they prepare for leadership roles in nonprofit organizations.

 
A long-time Tulsa businessman, Barnett has been involved with many local and state civic and charitable organizations including the Center for Nonprofits, Tulsa Ballet, Salvation Army, Oklahoma Academy, Leadership Oklahoma, Tulsa Regional Chamber, Philbrook Museum of Art and Youth Services of Tulsa. In July, he was elected chair of the Board of Directors of the National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest network of nonprofit organizations.