Our world, Only better
A mission 70 years in the making.
We strengthen the social sector with a talented and prepared workforce.
Our world, Only better
A mission 70 years in the making.
We strengthen the social sector with a talented and prepared workforce.
Building leaders
to change the world.
The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance pursues our mission with a commitment to ethical and transparent operations. As an organization preparing the next generation of nonprofit leaders, we strive to demonstrate the best practices of the sector.
Equity Statement
We use an equity lens in all of our operations. We value the positive outcomes that come from diversity and inclusion. We stand with others in seeking a just society. We commit to embracing these values as we advance our mission.
Financials and Reporting
In our effort to maintain transparency, we make our annual financial reporting publicly available here.
Accountability
In our effort to demonstrate accountability for our ethical business practices, we maintain membership in the following organizations:
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Nonprofit Connect
Independent Sector
National Human Services Assembly
Association of Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action
National Center for Nonprofit Enterprise
Code of Ethics
Our Certified Nonprofit Professionals (CNPs) adhere to the highest standards of ethics, conduct and service to inspire public confidence and trust in the nonprofit sector. The CNP Code of Ethics sets forth principles that underlie the professional responsibilities and conduct of our network.
Making a difference
Our History
The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance was founded in 1948 as American Humanics by H. Roe Bartle – a visionary and social entrepreneur who believed that the most important determinant of nonprofit success is the quality of its workforce.
1948-1973-Founded by H. Roe Bartle
- First academic partnership with Missouri Valley College
- Expands network to four academic partners
1974-1993-National Nonprofit Partners
- Eleven national nonprofit organizations join as partners
- Academic partnerships grow to twelve
1994-2002-Period of Expansion
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation invest in American Humanics to expand the number of colleges and universities offering the credential
2003-2013-Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation grants $5 million to fund nonprofit internships
- American Humanics rebrands as the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and begins to offer the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential
2017-Leaderosity
- The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance acquires Leaderosity, a digital platform for hosting social sector training. American Express Foundation funds the transition, noting a goal of democratizing access to high quality leadership training in the nonprofit sector.
2018-CNP Credential
- The 10,000th CNP credential is awarded in January 2018 at the Alliance Management Institute in Kansas City, Missouri.
2019-2021-Reaching Scale
- In response to a growing social justice movement across the country, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance offers The Equity Journey free of charge during July 2020. The course addresses the beginning concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion. More than 3,000 learners participate.
- By the summer of 2021, more than 16,000 learners have been trained on the Leaderosity platform.
H. Roe Bartle was a national figure with a reputation as a businessman, philanthropist, politician and nonprofit executive. Bartle became the Scout Executive for the Kansas City Area Council and served in that role for 27 years until his retirement in 1955. For nearly 30 years, the Chief, as he was often called, led the Kansas City Area Council, now the Heart of America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. From 1948-1950, Bartle also served as interim president for Missouri Valley College. During this period he realized his vision for preparing talent for the nonprofit workforce. The first American Humanics students graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1952. Also having served two terms as Mayor of Kansas City (1955-1963), it is no coincidence that the Kansas City Chiefs have their name.