Project Management for Nonprofits
Project Management for Nonprofits
A Capacity Canada program, delivered in partnership with Dave Barrett
Nonprofit professionals are often responsible for managing complex projects alongside their primary roles—without formal project management training or tools designed for the Nonprofit context. Project Management for Nonprofits is designed to meet that reality.
Delivered by Capacity Canada in partnership with Dave Barrett, this practical program provides a streamlined set of project management processes and tools tailored specifically for Nonprofit organizations. Rather than overwhelming participants with corporate‑scale systems, the program focuses on right‑sized, adaptable approaches that can be applied immediately within nonprofit environments.
Through a series of interactive sessions, participants build foundational project management knowledge, strengthen planning and delivery skills, and explore digital tools that improve efficiency and collaboration. An optional advanced session supports organizations seeking to standardize project management practices and improve outcomes at scale.
Program Sessions
Session 1 | Foundations | Monday, June 15th - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
This introductory session is designed for nonprofit professionals whose responsibilities include managing projects. It introduces the standard project lifecycle and the core balance between outcomes, timelines, and budgets. Participants learn how to initiate projects effectively, break complex goals into defined deliverables, establish key milestones, and estimate the resources and costs required for success.
Session 2 | Methods | Friday, June 19th - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
Building on the Foundations session, this session moves from high‑level planning to day‑to‑day project execution. Participants explore task sequencing, dependency management, risk identification, and communication planning. The session also covers practical approaches to tracking progress through status reporting and concludes with best practices for project closure and knowledge capture.
Session 3 | Project Management Tools | Monday, June 22nd - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
This session focuses on the practical use of technology to streamline project workflows and support collaboration. Participants review different categories of digital tools—from visual scheduling platforms to detailed task‑tracking systems—and learn how to assess which features best align with their organization’s size, capacity, and project needs.
$500 per participant for all three sessions
Optional Session
Session 4 | Creating a Project Management Office (PMO) | Thursday, June 25th - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
This advanced session provides guidance for organizations seeking to standardize project management practices. Participants are introduced to a practical framework that includes project governance processes, a structured project document library, and templates that support each stage of the project lifecycle. The session also highlights pathways for continued professional development in project management.
$180 for the Optional Session 4
About Dave Barrett
Dave Barrett is an Executive in Residence at Capacity Canada and a retired Project Management Professor who now works as a consultant in the area of project management for Non-profits. He built and launched the Project Management postgraduate program at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario, where he served as academic lead for more than two decades. Prior to his teaching career, Dave worked in private industry for 21 years, where he began as a software developer and went on to lead large-scale IT integration projects in the financial services sector.
Dave holds a Bachelor of Mathematics (University of Waterloo) and Master of Business Administration (Athabasca University) and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation. In spite of his technical roots, he places great emphasis on the humanistic aspects of project management and the positive impact that results from running a project well. His teaching frequently involved service learning experiences such as community fundraisers, which allowed students to gain hands-on skills while improving their community.
Dave is the author of Understanding Project Management - A Practical Guide, now in its third edition. The book has been praised by students and industry professionals for its straightforward and approachable style. This same approach has been brought to his second book, A Modern Guide to IT Project Management, Agile + Waterfall.
Dave lives in Waterloo, Ontario. When not consulting and writing, he and his wife enjoy travelling and spending time on Georgian Bay.