Executive Director MasterClass: 3 Expert Strategies to Slay Your Doubts and Boost Your Confidence and Career

Free MasterClass with Sean Kosofsky, The Nonprofit Fixer

Executive Director MasterClass: 3 Expert Strategies to Slay Your Doubts and Boost Your Confidence and Career

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Whether You Are A New or Aspiring Nonprofit Executive Director, Let's Slay Your Doubts and Distractions to Become A Confident Nonprofit Leader

DIGITAL COURSE

Executive Director Boot Camp

Learn to run any nonprofit organization —
no matter where you are in your career

We do a terrible job preparing people to lead nonprofits.

Period. 

You’ve got the passion and vision to lead — but without the tools and support you need, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed, confused, and alone.

So, if you’ve ever wondered…

  • Where’s the manual for this job?!

  • Do I need a master’s degree just to understand the basics of nonprofit leadership?

  • This is so complicated…should I just step back and let others lead?

  • What if I screw it up?

  • Am I going to be this exhausted forever?

  • Am I even cut out for this kind of work?

You’re not the only one.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

You don’t have to white knuckle it or spin your wheels trying to figure it all out alone.

What if you had a roadmap that laid out the hard-earned knowledge and battle-tested tools to show you the way?
What if you had access to seasoned pros ready to help you sharpen your skills?

Executive Director Boot Camp is that roadmap — the one that shows you shortcuts without cutting any corners.

You’re not far from becoming a kickass nonprofit leader. You’re in the driver’s seat, but I’ll be right next to you, helping you navigate.

Before Executive Director Boot Camp

  • Afraid of making rookie mistakes

  • Facing a million little choices 

  • Overloaded with random online resources

  • Constantly battling your board

  • Overwhelmed with fundraising challenges

  • Worried you won’t be able to make ends meet

  • On the verge of burnout

  • Doubting your ability to lead

After Executive Director Boot Camp

  • Aware of how to avoid them

  • Clear on what really matters in your organization

  • Equipped with tools and insights from 30+ years of nonprofit leadership experience

  • Collaborating with your board and working toward a shared vision

  • A plan and tools to engage your entire organization for successful fundraising

  • Prepared to ask for the salary you’re worth and the security of an employment contract

  • Energized and ready to take on your role

  • Ready to kick ass in your leadership role

Testimonials

Irene and her organization dramatically expanded how they raise money, improved their website, and enhanced key messaging.

Leigh grew confident as a leader and conquered self-belief.

Since starting coaching, Will is now raising more money, leading with clarity, and feeling empowered every step of the way!

Marcela transformed and leveled up her leadership through dedicated time and effort.

Morgan’s leadership has reached new heights since she started Executive Leadership Coaching.

What’s Inside The Course?

✔️ 11 Easy-to-follow modules

✔️ 35 ready-to-use tools, templates, contracts, and more

✔️  Decades’ worth of proven nonprofit leadership strategies

✔️ A supportive community of nonprofit leaders (and Sean)

✔️ A certificate to show your accomplishment when finished

This course covers all the bases because you’re expected to cover all the bases as a leader.

So I’ve turned my 30+ years of nonprofit leadership into easily digestible video lessons that will equip you to lead any organization. We will cover:  

Module 1: Leadership

  • A love & hate role

  • Mindset and isolation

  • Broad Leadership Skills

Modules 2 & 3: Fundraising & Finance

  • Compliance, Risk, and Tax considerations

  • Critical Fundraising Tools and Responsibilities

Module 4: Compliance & Best Practices

  • Federal Compliance

  • State Compliance

  • Best practices and Advanced Considerations

Module 5: Human Resources

  • Managing employees

  • Protecting your own sanity, severance, career and reputation

  • Basic HR tasks for an ED

Module 6: Technology & Operations

  • Critical technology for your organization and team

  • Physical space and core functions

Module 7: Programs & Advocacy

  • The ED’s role in achieving the mission through programs

  • Charity vs. advocacy to change the world

Module 8: Community Relations & Communications

  • How to engage the public and work in coalition

  • Engaging the press and telling your story effectively

Module 9: Board Support & Development

  • Recruit, retain, and remove board members

  • Tackling the Members, the Meetings, and the Money

  • Critical Division of Labor

Module 10: Common ED Mistakes

  • Thinking about financials

  • Protecting yourself

  • Feedback and building board allies

Quick lessons for a lifetime of leadership skills.

With so much responsibility already in your lap, why pile on hours and hours of coursework that will just overwhelm you? 

Each lesson in Executive Director Boot Camp is less than 15 minutes long — okay, one of them is 15:21 — so you can jump in quickly and emerge with concrete takeaways on specific topics.

Watch them all in a single day, or find the pace that works best for you.

  • Denise Hanks MA, CCC-SLP - Executive Director, Heart Song Nonprofit

    Sean Kosofsky’s Executive Director Boot Camp was an excellent investment. As a brand new nonprofit executive director, I was overwhelmed in my role and responsibilities. I am the founder of the nonprofit and transitioned from president of the board to executive director. I was desperate for guidance into this uncharted territory. Thanks to this course I was able to navigate my way through without being overwhelmed with more than I needed. This is a perfect balance of essential information and lessons Sean has personally learned through his experience. If you’re feeling overwhelmed in a new role, take this advice: Take a deep breath, be brave and take this course.

  • Sue Samaniego - Dir. of Foundation CO Northwestern Comm. College

    The ED Boot Camp gave me confidence that I am on top of all of the various areas of compliance and reporting that I am responsible for. I truly appreciated the straightforward content that obviously comes from years of experience in the field.

  • Kris Shaughnessy, Executive Director - Trisomy 18 Foundation

    I am a new Executive Director, and feeling overwhelmed with my new position, I turned to the internet for help and found Sean's course Executive Director Boot Camp and knew I had to jump in. This course was a game-changer for me. It went over the basics of nonprofit leadership (which I needed), financial management, human resources, technology, board development, and so much more! Sean gives so much information, but it is broken down into manageable modules that are easy to follow. My advice is to sign up for the course and take your time watching the lessons, so you have time to absorb all the information. You have the course for a full year, so you can watch the entire course or just specific modules as often as you like. I came out feeling more confident, organized and will be a better Executive Director moving forward. Well worth the investment!

  • Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Airforwarders Association

    Being a nonprofit executive director can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of one's career. On the other hand, the tremendous scope and enormity of the job can be isolating and overwhelming. Sean's extensive knowledge and experience helps me better understand what I should be responsible for as a leader and more importantly, what needs to be delegated to others. His "Executive Director Bootcamp" is easy to understand and is serving as an essential coaching tool in my professional development.

Some of our students’ favorite resources:

  • Executive Director Salary Calculator

  • Executive Director/Board Chair Meeting Agenda Template

  • Organizational Chart

  • Board Fundraising Worksheet

  • Mission Statement Creation Guide

  • Board Orientation Checklist

  • One-page Nonprofit Resumé Template

  • Storytelling Methods Infographic

  • “Budget-to-actual” Financials Spreadsheet

  • Executive Director Success Journal

  • Compliance Checklist

This is what I mean when I say “shortcuts that don’t cut corners.”

You’ll find these and 20+ additional resources inside Executive Director Boot Camp!

100% Money-Back Guarantee

We’re confident this course will transform your nonprofit career. 

But we want you to feel confident that it can help you become a kickass leader in any nonprofit organization! That's why we have a 100% Risk Free Guarantee. 

Dive into Executive Director Boot Camp for 10 days, and if you aren't getting what you need from the course, request a full refund. We just ask that you demonstrate you actually completed at least three lessons before giving up.

Questions? Email sean@nonprofitfixer.com.

  • Monique Ochoa | President, Plan-it Satisfaction

    “I just completed the Executive Director Boot Camp. It's true about how it will make you a more confident Executive Director! My business is growing and moving into managing larger organizations. This course gave me the confidence and tools I needed to know so I can make that leap from small organization management to larger state wide or national organizations with confidence. Thank you so much for your assistance! I will reach out again as I need more help.”

  • Taryn Gal | Managing Director, MOASH

    “ED Boot Camp has provided greatly needed clarity to the rarely clear-cut and oftentimes ambiguous ever-changing responsibilities of an ED of a nonprofit. Sean is able to lay out these responsibilities in a manner that is honest, straightforward, and engaging. Sean invites you into the conversation and leaves you feeling competent and ready”

  • Michael Faith

    "Sean's Executive Director Boot Camp course is the perfect solution for anyone who is looking for a comprehensive course to help them hit the ground running successfully as an Executive Director. I only wish this course was made 5 years ago when I was a new ED, as it would have helped me navigate my time more skillfully as a new ED. "

I’m Sean Kosofsky, The Nonprofit Fixer.

Over the past 30+ years, I’ve led five nonprofit organizations as executive director. I’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, and the life-changing. 

I learned a lot of lessons the hard way. And yes, I made more than a few mistakes on my own journey.

But you don’t have to! Let me show you an easier way so you can avoid making the same mistakes.

Executive Director Boot Camp is a bundle of all the lessons and resources I wish I’d had when I started out — and I know it’s going to help you, no matter where you are in your nonprofit career.

This course will give you the clarity and confidence you need to be a kickass leader in any organization, now and in the future.

Renee invested in her leadership and connected with fellow founders while moving the needle forward in her organization.

More Testimonials

Karen found clarity for her organization and leadership, which supported a successful transition and merger for all.

Enroll in Executive Director Boot Camp today for the special price of $495 (normally $695)!

Your purchase includes 12 months of digital access to all Executive Director Boot Camp on-demand videos, curriculum, and resources.

  • 25+ video lessons with insights and strategies drawn from 30+ years of nonprofit experience

  • 35+ tools, checklists, templates, sample scripts and contracts and more to use right away

  • Private Facebook group for ongoing support

  • 50% off additional course purchases

  • BONUS: "Fundraising Power Pack: 25+ Practical and Pro Resources to Boost Your Fundraising Power" ebook

Ready to get started?

  • Many ED trainings are narrow in scope or are taught from theory, not necessarily the real world (or they’re based on experience from massive nonprofits).

    The vast majority of ED trainings only cover 2-3 topics. This course covers tons of topics — virtually everything!

    Most executive director trainings are in-person, which requires money for travel, logistics, consultants, meals, and more.

    In-person trainings can be great, but you lose a lot of efficiency with icebreakers, brainstorming and cross-talk. 

    Executive Director Boot Camp is quicker and more efficient, and it’s based on experience, not theory. You can watch at your own pace, take breaks and when needed, and you get my deck and 35+ handouts. 

  • Yes, you can email me questions! I normally answer within 24 hours. You will also be invited to a private Facebook group with other students where you can ask questions of your peers. I keep an eye on conversations there, too!

  • It is what you make of it, but the modules add up to less than five hours of content. In theory, you could watch it one day. Most lessons are under 15 minutes long, so you can do one lesson a day and be done in about a month.  

    This course is the best use of your time by far, compared to other offerings, getting a master’s degree or doing it solo.

  • The course allows you to start now and you will have 1 year to finish! It is a completely self-paced online course… You decide when you start and when you finish. 

  • Executive Director Boot Camp includes unlimited access to this course and community for one year — across any and all devices you own, anywhere in the world. 

    Too often, having lifetime access means you’ll never get around to it. But with 12 months of access, you’ll prioritize the lessons and get the best results. The course is less than five hours of content, so it should be easy to complete within the timeframe.  

    You’ll make the most of our time together and accomplish more than you thought possible in the 12 months. The actual strategies in this program could be implemented in just a few months. I really care about your results, so I am doing you a favor by giving you every incentive to finish within one year. 

  • We want you to be happy. If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 10 days and we will give you a full refund. We want you to demonstrate you have finished at least 3 lessons. That’s how confident we are that you’ll love the curriculum.

  • Yes. Display it proudly on social media or on your resume. (Use it to try and get a raise!)

  • This course is designed for all audiences. There are tactics and strategies for people at all levels of experience. We have had yet-to-be executive directors love this course, and seasoned experts rave about it since they never received this roadmap.

Common Questions