Introduction to Project Management in Nonprofit Organizations
This engaging, interactive course equips nonprofit professionals with practical tools to plan and manage projects effectively. The course uses group discussions, hands-on exercises, and short lectures. Participants will work with a shared case study project across both sessions.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of the course, participants will be able to:
● Define a clear project scope
● Build and refine a project schedule
● Track project progress
● Manage project assumptions and issues
● Measure and report project status
● Close a project and capture lessons learned
Event Details:
Dates: June 3rd and June 17th, 2026, 9AM-4PM CT
Location: Streeterville, Exact location to be provided upon registration.
Requirements: Each participant should bring a laptop computer that can be connected to Wi-Fi. Participants will use project management software during the course. A free trial version will be available.
Notice: While this is a free event, by registering you are agreeing to commit to attending both workshop sessions. There are limited seats available.
Two-Day Course Agenda
Agenda: Day One
Course Introduction
Introductions and housekeeping
Team exercise: Typical project challenges
What quality project management can accomplish in nonprofit settings
Overview of course content and learning approach
Project Management Overview
What is a project? What is not a project?
The three constraints on every project
The project life cycle
Team exercise: Typical project management activities
The project manager’s role (and what the role should not include)
Initiate a Project
Overview: The project charter
Project goals
Team exercise: Critique and edit measurable project success criteria
Project deliverables
Team exercise: Question and critique deliverable definitions
Accountability and responsibility
Team exercise: Develop an ARCI chart
Plan a Project
Overview: The project schedule
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Team exercise: Create a WBS
Project estimation fundamentals
Team exercise: Assign resources and estimate duration and effort
Network diagrams
Team exercise: Create a network diagram
Relationships between activities
Team exercise: Define activity relationships
Project management software fundamentals
Team exercise and homework: Build a first-cut project schedule
Agenda: Day Two
Refine a Plan
Review of the case study project schedule
Team discussion: Identify issues with the first-cut project schedule
Critical path and slack
Team exercise: Refine the project schedule
Execute and Control a Project
Overview of daily and weekly project management tasks
Collecting status information
Team exercise: Ask for status updates
Recording progress
Tracking issues
Team exercise: Record an issue
Preventing and managing scope creep
Team exercise: Respond to a project change request
Status reporting fundamentals
Team exercise: Gauge and report project status
Close a Project
Overview: Purpose of the close phase
Obtaining project approval
Executing project transition
Knowledge management and documentation
Learning from experience
Team exercise: Construct a project review agenda
Course Conclusion
Review of project phases
What about Agile?
Options for further learning and support
Final questions and discussion
About the Instructor
Dani Houchin is Executive Director of Origami Works Foundation, where she leads workforce development initiatives across Chicago and Cook County, partnering with nonprofits, educators, and public agencies to expand access to career opportunities.
Dani has more than 30 years of experience in consulting, technology, and training, and has led hundreds of projects from initiation through completion.
Dani has taught 100+ project management workshops of varying lengths and levels to audiences ranging from entry-level team members to C-suite executives. She holds degrees from Princeton University and Columbia University, and earned her PMP certification in 2001.