Consortium For Social Enterprise Effectiveness
Curriculum
The Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness program uses a two-pronged approach to develop stronger nonprofit leaders. Morning class sessions are traditionally geared toward becoming a better leader by focusing on topics such as effective communications, motivating employees and volunteers, having constructive tough conversations, employing different styles of leadership influence and actively engaging employees. Afternoon sessions focus on teaching students about strategic organizational assessment and big picture thinking, guiding students to take a more deliberate approach toward mission assessment, mission creep, nonduplication of services, and working in collaboration across organizations to achieve greater results.
CSEE faculty use case studies, scholarly articles, and leadership articles to augment their sessions and facilitate classroom engagement. The course allows many opportunities for CSEE students to work in groups or teams on classroom assignments. CSEE students not only receive executive level education, but students report that the peer to peer learning and sharing is invaluable to their experience and developing long term relationships outside of class.
Before each residency weekend, student receives a packet of readings with some broad instructions and assignments to prompt student engagement and interaction once students arrive for class.
CSEE Weekend 1
August 16-17, 2025
Management sessions
Examine the sources and types of leadership power and influence within organizations and the broader external environment. Apply these concepts to a case study to analyze how power and influence operate in practice. This session also includes identifying individual leadership styles and exploring strategies for building trust in leadership. The session concludes with a discussion on defining and shaping a lasting leadership legacy.
Additional focus will be placed on recognizing early warning signs of organizational failure, analyzing root causes and evaluating damage control strategies. The session will also address managing challenging employees, volunteers and board members whose behavior may contribute to organizational decline.
Strategy sessions
Learn how to develop strong strategic plans that align organizational purpose and prevent mission creep and failure. Review a comprehensive framework for strategic planning, along with a range of practical methods applicable across different types of enterprises. Explore how to effectively implement strategic plans to maintain operational focus, organizational order and mission alignment.
CSEE Weekend 2
October 4-5, 2025
Management sessions
Focus on the fundamentals of positive psychology and its application in shaping organizational culture and enhancing leadership effectiveness. Key themes include resilience, authenticity, optimism and justice as they relate to leadership practices and workplace dynamics. Within this framework, explore strategies for delivering performance feedback and motivating employees and volunteers to build high-functioning teams aligned with the institution’s mission and goals.
Financial sessions
Evaluate the financial health of an enterprise through guided analysis of key financial indicators and a review of financial statements. Gain the tools necessary to support sound, informed financial decision-making rooted in business principles. The session concludes with an exploration of common vulnerabilities to theft within nonprofit organizations and strategies for implementing effective theft prevention measures.
Strategy sessions
Examine the impact of dysfunctional boards on organizational progress and employee well-being. Explore common ways boards may hinder institutional growth and review strategies to manage or mitigate board-related challenges. This session also includes an overview of the characteristics of an effective board tailored to the organization’s specific context, along with practical approaches to strengthening board management as part of a broader leadership and influence skillset.
CSEE Weekend 3
February 21-22, 2026
Management sessions
Examine the concept of institutional culture and strategies for cultivating a strong, healthy environment in which to operate. Analyze how organizational culture develops — whether by intentional design or by default — and evaluate whether it accurately reflects the organization’s identity, history and future direction. Assess the sustainability and health of the existing culture to determine if change is necessary. Learn how to leverage culture as a strategic tool for both organizational management and change initiatives.
Financial sessions
This session explores key elements of organizational fundraising, such as identifying what is working, what needs improvement and potential adjustments to enhance overall strategy. Fundraising will be examined from multiple organizational perspectives, including development staff roles (whether one is in place, needed or in the hiring process), relationship-based fundraising strategies tailored to donor engagement and the involvement of members and board leadership. Additional topics include types and lifecycles of fundraising initiatives, donor database management and long-term fundraising goals. The session concludes with a review of how fundraising activities support the organizational budget and financial health, including best practices for data collection and financial reporting.
Strategy sessions
Explore the various levels of strategy within an organization that should be integrated into the overall strategic framework. Examine approaches for balancing competing needs and demands amid limited resources. Review methodologies for scaling efforts effectively and strategies for measuring and reporting organizational impact.
CSEE Weekend 4
April 18-19, 2026
Management sessions
Participants are invited to present “living” case studies — real-time human resource challenges, organizational change issues or general dilemmas — for group discussion and analysis. Case details may be anonymized to maintain confidentiality and avoid potential repercussions. The session also includes strategies for protecting time and energy, along with approaches for maintaining well-being in both professional and personal contexts.
Financial sessions
Explore the foundational components of capital campaigns, including building the case for support, project scoping, conducting feasibility studies, forming a campaign committee, identifying potential donors and executing the campaign strategy. The session also covers key aspects of grantmaking: how to locate funding opportunities, strategically select grants aligned with organizational goals and navigate the grant writing process effectively.
Strategy sessions
The final sessions focus on the importance of accurate outcome reporting to ensure clear and effective communication with boards, donors, employees and the public. Topics include strategies for increasing engagement and driving organizational growth. The role of fundraising in supporting outcome reporting will be examined, along with exploration of innovative approaches to enhance fundraising efforts.