NGO Education Survey

21778 Fundraising and Resource Development

One of the defining features of a not-for-profit organisation is that its core purpose is not necessarily related to its income generation. This subject draws together the social purpose of not-for-profit organisations and their business models. It identifies sources of income and analyses income generation strategies in the context of sustainable business practices. The management implications of different methods of income generation are explored. It examines the alignment of resource mobilisation strategies with an organisation's mission and values. Finally, the legal and ethical contexts for income generation and resource mobilisation are explored and analysed.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Measuring Impact

This subject examines different approaches to identifying and analysing the social impact of corporate and not-for-profit organisations. It explores the potential usefulness and relative merits of various impact assessment methods – including social accounting and audit, social return on investment, log frame techniques and the merits and limitations of existing indices such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Corporate Responsibility Index and Global Reporting Initiative. The subject also examines how corporations and community organisations can work together to further their respective objectives by exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with cross-sector partnerships.

Management Research Project (Capstone)

The main aim of the capstone subject is to enable students to synthesise their learning throughout their course in the context of a selected business management project about a contemporary issue impacting their field. Critical self-reflection on learning dispositions and ability to pursue authentic inquiry is integral to leading and managing in complex environments and is regarded as important in the assessment process. The completed project demonstrates students' ability to identify contemporary issues, synthesise salient information, and articulate original ideas and thought processes to make a practical contribution to the existing body of knowledge relevant to their profession. In preparing a written report, and making a presentation of their process and outcomes, students demonstrate professional-level competence.

Resource Management in Nonprofit Organisations

This subject provides a foundation knowledge of resource management in community (non-profit) organisations. It provides the opportunity to develop basic skills and knowledge of accounting and finance, but also critically analyses the issues that arise from applying conventional financial management control to a non-profit, voluntary organisation. Topics include costing, budgeting, and the preparation and analysis of financial statements.

Third Sector Contexts

This subject introduces students to some of the ways of thinking about the third sector and the community sector within it. Students study a growing body of knowledge about the third sector, its origins, dimensions and contribution to society, the economy and the polity of Australia and selected other countries. It also introduces students to ways of thinking about the dynamic interaction between third sector organisations and the social, economic and political systems in which they are embedded.

Volunteer Management

This subject introduces students to the social phenomena of volunteering and the use of volunteers in for-profit, not-for-profit and public organisations. It examines the role of volunteering in the health and wellbeing of a society and the variety of ways in which volunteering occurs. Furthermore, volunteering is explored from the individual, group and institutional perspectives. Finally the management of volunteers is examined from the setting up of a program to its continuous improvement and closure if required.

Australian Indigenous Social and Political Development

This subject assists students to develop and review their understanding of Australian Indigenous culture and society in the context of social and political developments.

Australian Indigenous Studies

This subject assists students to identify, learn and develop strategies for understanding Australian Indigenous cultures and communities in order to enhance and support professional conduct and service in community management and development settings. It introduces participants to Australian Indigenous culture and business; and shows how Australian Indigenous cultures are represented in response to market demands with a comparative analysis of the response by Indigenous organisations and enterprise to culture, business and enterprise development.

Current Issues in the Community Sector

This subject provides an opportunity for students to keep up-to-date with current issues, and to apply the theoretical frameworks already gained to systemic problems and concerns. Through regular seminars, students explore the social, political and economic issues affecting the operation of community organisations.

Funds Development

This subject introduces the variety of revenue sources utilised by third-sector organisations and the variety of methods that are used to tap these resources. Particular attention is given to fundraising from individuals and corporations, but the emphasis is on effectively managing a whole variety of funding resources.

Government and Community Sector

This subject familiarises students with the ways governments operate, and relations between community organisations and governments are constructed and conducted.

Identity, Culture and Communication

This subject aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between identity, culture and communication and the importance of this relationship in both professional and personal contexts. It explores identity and culture as socially constructed and dynamic, and examines these concepts in relation to the individual and society, as well as their relationship to learning and teaching. The subject also extends students' interpersonal and intercultural communication skills through an understanding of how language is related to social contexts.

Indigenous Community Organization Practicum

This subject provides an opportunity for students to apply previous learning in the course in the context of a specific indigenous community organisation different from that in which they work or are involved. Through designing, organising and participating in an observational placement within an indigenous community organisation, students are exposed to the specific organisational, social, political, economic and cultural issues affecting the operation of that organisation. Students are required to identify a particular area of community organisation practice as the focus of their placement based on previous work completed in the course and prepare a report and presentation in order to share their observations and insights with other students in the subject.

Indigenous Community Research

This subject provides a foundation in basic research and evaluation skills as they can be applied in Indigenous community organisations. It introduces students to basic research skills which they may be able to use in a variety of ways, such as carrying out a community needs analysis, evaluating the performance of their organisation, conducting action research, assessing the community's response to the service, and undertaking research into community issues. Students are encouraged to evaluate and modify techniques for use in Indigenous communities.

Introduction to Community Management

This subject introduces the basic features of nonprofit organisations, and develops a foundation for students to develop skills in effectively organising and managing aspects of a nonprofit organisation. It examines the requirements of establishing an organisation, the principles underlying the voluntary management structure of nonprofit organisations, the range of types of nonprofits, and their relationship to the community.

Managing Human Resources in Indigenous Organizations

This subject introduces the basic principles of personnel management and industrial relations and explores their applicability and application in Indigenous organisations. It explores the unique features of community management and the roles and personnel practices in relation to paid staff and volunteers. It examines recruitment, selection, staff development principles, industrial conditions and resolving industrial disputes.

Monitoring Organizational Performance

This subject assists students in developing competence in monitoring organisational performance on a number of levels. It incorporates a critical analysis of current theories of organisational performance, examining the difficulties of measuring the performance of organisations providing human services, the tools and technologies for evaluating and improving the performance of nonprofit organisations, and the use of evaluation data for performance improvement.

Program Design

This subject focuses on needs analysis, program design and development, and program evaluation and prepares the student to carry those out in their own workplace/ community. Within this subject students examine the theory and policy issues that influence the adult educator's approach to program design and evaluation. Current policies and practices and their implications for the program design and evaluation processes in formal and informal adult education and training is considered.

Programming for Community Learning

This subject engages with concepts and practices of approaching and developing community learning programs to empower social action and change. It posits itself through identifying and building on community strengths and with theories and practices of appreciative inquiry and asset-based community development. Learning is approached from a positive rather than deficit foundation that aims to give voice to community members on community issues.

Social Analysis and Indigenous Community Organizations

This subject introduces a conceptual framework for examining the historical and current social context of policy development in regards to Indigenous people in Australia. It explores the role of Indigenous organisations in responding to social policy.

Social Change and Community Practice

This subject critically appraises the contributions that community organisations and their programs and activities make to personal and societal transformation in the current social, political, and economic context. The connection of principles drawn from social and political theory to the practice of community organisations is discussed. Students explore these links, and develop specific skills in the organisational practice of strategic planning and program development as they undertake individual and group projects.