Empowering Your People, Strengthening Your Mission
You want to do everything you can to make sure your organization and employees are protected. Are you confident that your Human Resources policies and practices are legal, equitable, and fully able to protect your mission? While mission and community are the primary focus of nonprofits, people management and compliance with federal and state law are critical and no less demanding for today's successful nonprofit.
The Nonprofit Credential in Human Resources (HR) gives you the tools—and expert advice in how to use them—to implement best practices in HR at your nonprofit. The course will demonstrate how to adapt your HR policies to comply with changing laws and will provide a framework for staying current in the evolving HR landscape.
What You’ll Gain:
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of key employment and discrimination laws relevant to an organization’s size —and how to implement them effectively
- Practical guidance for creating or refining personnel policies and handbooks that keep you compliant and confident
- Gain critical insight into employee recruitment best practices, learn new methods to retain and motivate employees
- Leave with a toolkit for performance appraisals that drive performance
Ready to empower your team and create an organization where people thrive? Let’s make it happen.
Upon completion, your organization will earn the Nonprofit Credential Human Resources Badge, a mark of excellence to share with your network and show the world you’re serious about making an impact.
Human Resources will be held on August 19 and 20, 2026.*
Each of the nine Nonprofit Credential courses is offered online, once in a calendar year. Please check the UNA Event Calendar for all upcoming courses.
While it's more beneficial to attend the live courses, we record the sessions so you can watch them on your schedule.
Cost:
UNA Member Rate: $200 for the first person/$40 for each additional participant
Not-Yet-Member Rate: $400 for the first person/$80 for each additional participant
*Dates are subject to change up to 30 days prior to the first session.
Human Resources Badge Requirements
In order to earn the Nonprofit Credential Human Resources Badge, the organization must submit the following items for review and approval:
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Provide job descriptions for at least 2-3 positions (or group of positions) clearly stating whether the position is exempt or nonexempt.
KEY VOLUNTEERS
Provide a job description and a detailed explanation of key volunteer positions. Include an explanation for their status as volunteer rather than employee.
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Provide a copy of the employee handbook. Include these particulars.
- Pregnancy Accommodations Notice: For organizations with 15 or more employees, make sure that the notice is in the handbook book and on labor posters.
- Policies Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation: List all protected classes and provide reporting process which includes at least two people to report violations.
- How to Request Accommodations.
- Pay Policies: Communicate time tracking and overtime policies as well as paydays; PTO, vacation, and sick leave, if any, policies.
- FMLA Policy if over 50 employees.
- At-Will Statement—Provide a copy of your at-will statement and explain where and how it is presented to employees.
- Termination Process—Document the organization’s process and practice of termination for employees and for volunteers.
- Handbook Acknowledgement—Document when, where and how employees have received and acknowledged receipt of employee handbook. Also note how distribution of revised handbooks are handled and acknowledged.
EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION
Provide a copy of your Employment Application, if used. Note any problem areas.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
Provide a list and justification for all independent contractors.
NOTE: Please follow specific guidelines in the participant folder, as they are always going to be the most current.
Subject Matter Expert: Brit Merrill
Bio forthcoming!