Our company and career guides have been featured in
Become a Non-Profit Business Owner (Social Entrepreneur)
This online certificate course is for anyone who wants to learn how to start a nonprofit in the United States. You will learn: what a non-profit business owner does, how to raise money and develop programs, how to develop your skills to succeed as a non-profit business owner, and how to start your own non-profit and get donors.
What Happens in the Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course
The Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (IAP Career College Guide to Become a Social Entrepreneur). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.
This part-time Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 2 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.
The Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the career.
Register NowCourse Topics
The Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College.
This online certificate course is for anyone who wants to learn how to start a nonprofit in the United States. Topics covered in the Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course include the following:
Overview of the Nonprofit Field
- What Being a 501(c)(3) Means
- Benefits of Nonprofit Work
Getting Ready to Start Your Nonprofit
- Choosing Your Mission and Crafting Your Mission Statement
- Assessing the Need and Analyzing Resources
- Seed Money
- Incorporating, Writing By-Laws and Applying for Tax-Exempt Status
- Public Charity or Private Foundation?
- Your Name, Logo, Media Kit and Website
- Strategic Planning and Establishing Credibility
Running Your Nonprofit
- Choosing a Location and Setting Up Your Office
- Applying for a Mailing Permit
- Developing Programs
- Getting Advice: Consultants, Board of Directors, Attorneys, Accountants
- Hiring Paid Staff and Working with Volunteers
- Budgeting, Keeping Financial Records and Tax Matters
- PSAs, Press Releases, Videos and Interviews
Getting Money for Your Nonprofit
- Fundraising Basics
- Approaching Corporations, Foundations and Individuals
- Proposals for Government Grants
- Fundraising with Special Events and Celebrity Sponsors
- Earning Income through Selling Services and Products
What Is Included in the Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course
This all-inclusive Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course package includes:
- Registration for the Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate Course
- Lifetime access to course materials
- Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
- (Optional) 2026 membership in the IAPO International Association of Professional Non-Profit Business Owners for only US$ 2.99 per month
- Downloadable Non-Profit Business Owner Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
- (Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
- Textbook: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Social Entrepreneur (e-book edition)
Register for the Non-Profit Business Owner (Social Entrepreneur) Certificate Course
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.
You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.
Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.
BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Non-Profit Business Owner (Social Entrepreneur) Certificate Course is priced as only US$ 169.00 for the September 14, 2026 course.
Associated Courses
Register today for the Non-Profit Business Owner (Social Entrepreneur) Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Non-Profit Business Owner (Social Entrepreneur) Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.
If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.
Your Privacy Is Protected
-
What does a non-profit business owner do?
Nonprofit business owners or social entrepreneurs launch and manage organizations aimed at generating social impact rather than profit. They handle operational strategy, program development, fundraising, and community engagement.
-
What will I learn in the Non‑Profit Business Owner Certificate Course?
You’ll discover how to create and run a nonprofit or social enterprise—from mission definition and legal structure to funding strategies, program planning, marketing, and impact measurement.
-
How long does the Non‑Profit Business Owner Certificate Course take to complete?
The Non‑Profit Business Owner Certificate Course is designed to be self‑paced, with a recommended completion time of 6 weeks. However, you have the flexibility to complete it in as little as 2 weeks or extend it up to 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.
Need more time? No problem. All of IAP’s Courses include lifetime access. -
Who is this course for?
It’s perfect for aspiring non-profit founders, social entrepreneurs, or changemakers aiming to build mission-driven organizations.
-
Do I need prior non-profit or business experience?
No. The course is beginner-friendly and explains business and non-profit principles in plain, actionable terms.
-
Can I start a social enterprise after completing this course?
Yes! Graduates report launching non-profits, funded projects, and social startups using what they learned in structure, operations, and financial planning.
-
How much do nonprofit executives or directors typically earn?
Salaries widely vary by role and region. In the U.S., executive directors of medium-sized nonprofits (budgets $500k–$700k) might earn $40/hour ($83,000/year). Senior leaders or CEOs may earn $110,000–$200,000+ depending on impact scale and region.
-
Can I take the Non‑Profit Business Owner Certificate Course from outside of North America?
Yes. The course is fully online and self‑paced, available worldwide with material access any time.
-
Will I receive a certificate when I finish the course?
Yes! You’ll receive a Non‑Profit Business Owner Certificate from IAP Career College—showcasing your readiness to launch mission-driven, socially focused businesses.
-
What is IAP Career College?
The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering online certificate courses and professional certifications for non‑traditional and “dream” careers.
Since 1999, we’ve helped over 500,000 students across six continents get started in dream careers—from life coaching to event planning to end‑of‑life care. Our courses are flexible, beginner‑friendly, and designed for adult learners looking for practical, self‑paced options.
