Coursera for Nonprofits is a transformative initiative launched in 2017 to equip nonprofit professionals with in-demand skills through world-class online education.
It offers access to curated courses, certifications, and degrees in areas such as leadership, governance, programming, and communication, specifically targeting underserved communities, including refugees, students, veterans, and women.
With early partnerships spanning seven countries, Coursera empowers nonprofits to upskill their teams efficiently and affordably.
Multilingual support, customizable learning paths, and a global community make it a valuable tool for driving social impact at scale.
What Is Coursera For Non-Profits?
Coursera for Nonprofits is an initiative designed to help nonprofit organizations and governments bridge the growing skills gap in the global workforce.
It was launched in 2017 to offer a range of online courses, certifications, and degrees in various subjects, with a focus on developing leadership and governance skills for non-profit professionals.
This initiative aims to provide access to education for underserved communities, including refugees, students, veterans, women, and girls.
Initial partners spanned seven countries: the United States, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Singapore, offering training programs in business, programming, English-language communication, and other skills.
The platform provides a range of benefits for non-profit organizations, including:
- Access to high-quality online courses and specializations.
- Customizable learning paths for non-profit professionals.
- Opportunities for certification and degree programs.
- Multilingual support, with courses available in over 40 languages.
- A community of learners and professionals from around the world.
This initiative is a valuable resource for non-profit organizations seeking to enhance their staff’s skills and knowledge. Like Coursera for Non-profit, another helpful resource from Coursera’s basket is its social impact program.
Coursera Social Impact
Coursera’s social impact team collaborates with organizations to identify and address specific social and economic challenges, equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to drive positive change.
The program empowers individuals and communities to develop the skills and knowledge they need to improve their lives and create a better future for themselves and their families.
Coursera’s social impact program has also partnered with organizations such as Oxfam, a global organization dedicated to ending poverty and creating lasting solutions.
Through these partnerships, Coursera can amplify its social impact and reach even more people worldwide.
Notable Coursera Non-Profit Partnerships:
- The Institute for Veterans & Military Families at Syracuse University(IVMF) has partnered with Coursera to offer training and certification to 1,200 transitioning service members and military spouses through its Onward to Opportunity program.
- Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation(MDEC) is using Coursera to train its staff in data science.
- Coursera is in partnership with SkillsFuture Singapore to offer more than 600 courses.
- Egypt’s Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center(TIEC), with Coursera’s help, operates the Next Technology Leaders initiative to train thousands of young people in computer science.
Global Social Impact Program
Coursera’s global social impact program is an extension of the comprehensive Coursera Social Impact initiative, which aims to promote global equity and economic opportunity in partnership with over 140 countries, helping underserved communities access world-class learning.
The program’s mission is to guide Coursera’s integrated social impact strategy and donate licenses to organizations that help transform life through learning.
Coursera has collaborated with global nonprofit organizations to provide learners in need with free, high-quality education that supports their personal development. More than 2,00,000 underserved learners have collectively logged more than 9,00,000 course enrollment.
Partnership Eligibility Criteria
Coursera partners with organizations with a strong focus on social impact and a proven track record of creating positive change. To partner with Coursera, you must satisfy the following criteria.
Here are the minimum eligibility requirements to be Coursera’s Social Impact partner:
- Must be certified non-profit organizations or international charity equivalent
- Has dedicated staff to implement and manage the Coursera program
- Can deploy a minimum of 250 licenses to underserved learners
- Able to provide wrap-around support and service to learners
- Target learner population: refugees, underserved students, underserved women & girls, economic mobility for the vulnerable community
How To Register: Step-by-step Process
Before registering as a Coursera social impact partner, you must review the eligibility criteria to ensure your organization meets the requirements.
To register to become a Coursera Social Impact Partner, you can follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the Coursera Social Impact page by clicking here.
Step 2: Click “Get Started” to start the registration process.
Step 3: You’ll be redirected to the registration page. Scroll down the page, fill out the registration form, and click the submit button.
Coursera’s team will review your application in about two weeks and select organizations that align with their social impact goals and values.
If your organization is selected, you will be invited to sign a partnership agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the partnership.
Who Can Benefit With A Coursera Non-Profit Partnership
Coursera is deeply committed to positively impacting society, and its non-profit partner program provides access to top-tiered education for individuals and communities in need.
Here are some potential beneficiaries:
- Refugees: Coursera offers a dedicated program, Coursera for Refugees, which aims to provide training resources to 15,000 refugees worldwide, including 7,500 in the United States.
- Students: Coursera’s non-profit partnership program offers access to high-quality education for students who may not have the financial means to pursue higher education. This can help students gain new skills, increase their employability, and improve their career prospects.
- Veterans: Coursera has partnered with Hire Heroes USA to offer veterans and military spouses free courses. Since the partnership began, over 639 clients have taken 3,268 courses, completed 19,874 lessons, and devoted 14,723 hours to acquiring industry-specific knowledge and learning new skills.
- Underserved Communities: Various minority and underprivileged communities have benefited from accessing education and training programs. This can help them develop a more skilled and competitive workforce, leading to economic growth and development.
- Governments: Government entities and departments, such as the USO and the US Federal Government, have partnered with Coursera to provide affordable access to curated learning programs and certificates aligned to their communities’ skill development needs. This can help bridge the skill gap and prepare citizens for future jobs.
- Non-profit Organizations: Numerous non-profit organizations, such as Àkójọpọ̀, have leveraged Coursera’s platform to modernize their employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
Note: Any organization that does not meet these criteria can still apply for special Coursera discounts without compromising its cause.
Coursera Pricing And Ways To Save
Coursera offers a variety of learning products, including individual paid courses, Guided Projects, Specializations, Professional Certifications, MasterTrack Certificates, and online Bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Coursera’s pricing model varies depending on the type of content and subscription plan you choose. The table below outlines the various learning products offered by Coursera and their associated costs.
| Coursera Learning Options | Number of Courses | Price | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Courses | 8,841+ | Free or Paid version $49 to $79 | ✔️ |
| Guided Projects | 2,995+ | $9.99 onwards | ❌ |
| Specialization | 1,050+ | $49/month onwards | ✔️ |
| Professional Certificates | 153 | $49/month onwards | ✔️ |
| Master Track Certificates | 16 | $2,000 onwards | ❌ |
| Degrees | 63+ | $9,000 onwards | ❌ |
The pricing structure mentioned above applies to individual products. You can access multiple Coursera products with a single Coursera Plus subscription.
Coursera Plus Subscription
This Coursera subscription offers unlimited access to a vast library of courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates from renowned universities and companies.
The cost of a Coursera Plus subscription varies depending on your chosen plan.
- Annual Subscription: Coursera Plus is available as a yearly subscription, with a one-time payment of $399 per year.
- Monthly Subscription: Coursera Plus is also available as a monthly subscription, with a monthly recurring payment of $59.
Coursera Plus is an excellent option for those looking to take their learning to the next level. However, the subscription can be expensive for some.
Two Ways You Can Save On Coursera Plus Purchase
Here are two ways to save on Coursera Plus:
A. Coursera Annual Subscription Discount
The Coursera Plus plan offers unlimited access to 90% of the course catalog and costs $59 per month. On the other hand, Coursera Plus’ annual subscription is currently priced at $399 per year, which is a significant discount compared to the monthly subscription option.
The following table explains the Coursera Plus discount on annual subscriptions.
| Coursera Plus Plan Details | Price |
|---|---|
| Price if paid monthly | $708/year |
| Annual Subscription Price | $399/year |
| Annual Subscription Discount | 43% |
| Savings | $309/year |
By paying upfront for the yearly plan, you can save up to $309 compared to the monthly plan.
B. Coursera Black Friday- Cyber Monday Deals
Coursera Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are not active. They are expected to go live in November and December.
During the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale 2025, Coursera may offer a $100 discount on its annual subscription. We can surely expect similar deals in the 2024 Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Since such deals are only available for a limited time, act quickly to take advantage of these offers when announced.
Coursera Courses For Nonprofit Organizations
Coursera for Non-profit offers a range of courses and specializations. These courses are created to help non-profit professionals develop essential skills, such as program evaluation, leadership, and governance, to improve their organization’s effectiveness.
Here are the five best online courses for Non-profit organizations available on Coursera:
1. Introduction To The Nonprofit Sector, Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit Leadership, And Governance
This course, offered by the University at Buffalo, is designed to help learners understand the unique characteristics of nonprofit organizations, their roles and responsibilities, and the challenges they face in carrying out their mission.
Coursera’s Introduction to the Non-profit Sector, Non-profit Organizations, Non-profit Leadership and Governance course comprehensively introduces the non-profit sector and its key concepts.
The course has a student rating of 4.4/5, and you can enroll in it by clicking here.
2. Improving Leadership & Governance In Nonprofit Organizations
The Improving Leadership & Governance in Non-profit Organizations course on Coursera is a specialization consisting of three courses and a Capstone Project designed to help learners develop leadership skills in non-profit organizations and improve their governance effectively.
No prior experience or knowledge of non-profit organizations is required to take the course. However, a basic understanding of business and organizational concepts is helpful.
Students have rated this course 4.5/5.
3. How To Create A Program Evaluation For Your Non-Profit
Coursera offers a guided project-based course, ”How to Create a Program Evaluation for Your Non-Profit,” which provides learners with the skills to create a program evaluation plan for their non-profit organization.
This course was created to help learners understand the importance of program evaluation, use logic models, write SMART goals, and formulate good questions to gather information.
This Guided Project has a student rating of 4.4/5.
4. The Roles And Responsibilities Of Nonprofit Boards Of Directors Within The Governance Process
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and responsibilities of non-profit boards of directors within the governance process.
The Roles and Responsibilities of Non-profit Boards of Directors within the Governance Process course will assist non-profit organizations improve their governance practices and ensure that their boards are effective in achieving their mission.
You can click here to enroll in this 4.4/5 student-rated course.
5. NGO Startup Analysis With Nonprofit Business Model Canvas
Coursera’s NGO Startup Analysis with Nonprofit Business Model Canvas course is a guided project that helps social entrepreneurs, social investors, and donors understand the operations of a non-governmental organization.
This course will equip learners with skills to use the non-profit business model canvas to create, deliver, and capture value for their NGO.
To access this 4.7/5 student-rated Guided Project, click here.
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Conclusion: Get Access to Coursera For Non-Profits & Make Learning Accessible
Coursera’s initiative for Non-profits enables non-profit organizations to enhance their teams’ skills and knowledge, ultimately leading to a transformation of their community. With a massive library of courses, Coursera offers comprehensive learning experiences to the staff of these organizations.
Your institution can collaborate with Coursera by completing the interest form and creating a Coursera account using the institution’s valid email address. All these steps are very easy to follow.
If your institution is not eligible for the Coursera for Non-profit initiative, you can consider Coursera discounts to access Coursera to train your staff.
All in all, if you work at a non-profit organization and want to enhance your expertise, you should consider the Coursera for Non-profit initiative.
FAQs
The Improving Leadership & Governance in Non-Profit Organizations Specialization is the most comprehensive and relevant certification for non-profit organizations. This specialization covers various organizations, including effective leadership, governance, and board effectiveness.
While Coursera has partnered with non-profit organizations and governments, it is not a non-profit organization itself.
The Coursera catalog offers a diverse range of courses and specializations related to nonprofits, including fundraising, nonprofit law, leadership, governance, and more. You will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in the non-profit sector.
You can study non-profit-related topics such as business management, finance, and communication.
