Redeemer is the only Christian institution in Ontario offering an undergraduate not-for-profit business program. It’s right on time.

The not-for-profit sector will soon be facing a leadership gap, according to the Shaping the Future: Leadership in Ontario’s Nonprofit Labour Force report by the Ontario Nonprofit Network. The gap will be caused by the nearing retirement of current leaders. Rapidly changing competencies are needed to navigate and lead in a complex not-for-profit (NFP) landscape — Redeemer’s newest Business program stream will help to fill the gap.

“Many current NFP leaders had to acquire their knowledge the hard way — through experience. Our students will have knowledge, co-op experience and passion right out of the gate,”

As of September 2018, Redeemer University College is offering a new Business program stream: Not-for-Profit Management.

Poised at the intersection of business and Christ-centred service, “Redeemer is perfectly and uniquely positioned within the Canadian NFP sector,” said Prof. Laurie Busuttil, chair of the Business department. This new Business stream will equip students with the leadership skills, business savvy and biblical worldview to manage ministries, non-profits, social enterprises and charities effectively. “Many current NFP leaders had to acquire this knowledge the hard way — through experience. Our students will have knowledge, co-op experience and passion right out of the gate,” Busuttil continued. “Redeemer is well-connected to numerous parachurch and denominational ministries, non-profits and registered charities, so the not-for-profit stream will serve the needs of these organizations for well-trained employees with a passion for a variety of causes.”

Redeemer’s program interweaves the foundations of business and economics with an understanding of the unique aspects of the not-for-profit sector such as managing a volunteer workforce and marketing effectively to both donors and recipients of charity services. Students will be prepared for a diverse range of responsibilities and roles in charitable organizations and will develop broad analytical skills in different areas of business.

The Not-for-Profit Management Business stream is offered as an honours major, a four-year major and a minor program. For students in programs like Health Sciences, Environmental Studies or Media and Communications Studies, a minor in Not-for-Profit Management will prepare them to combine their discipline with work in a variety of non-profit and government sectors.

Through the launch of the new not-for-profit stream, Redeemer continues to hold fast to its mission, equipping the next generation of not-for-profit leaders for careers and lives of service to Christ and their communities.