NANOE is the only nationwide membership organization in the U.S. for Executives seeking credentials in the art of nonprofit capacity-building. Practitioners who hold a prestigious NANOE credential are “best practice” experts who grow charitable enterprise and discover new ways to advance the common good.
NANOE’s three capacity-building training certifications are based on industry insider knowledge, university research, and a love for serving humanity. Each credential compliments the other ensuring CEOs, CFOs, COOs & CDOs organization-wide are equipped with progressive capacity building practices that drive new growth.
Members who maintain their annual NANOE membership maintain their CNE, CDE, or CNC credential with no cumbersome or expensive recertification processes.
“I am honored to be a part of the NANOE family and excited to have obtained my Certified Nonprofit Executive credential! I learned a lot throughout the certification process, as well as being pleasantly surprised by the amount of knowledge I already possessed. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow as a nonprofit professional, and value the expertise that NANOE brings to this sector. Continue being a highly valuable resource to nonprofit organizations and nonprofit leaders like me!”
Angel Chapman-McDavid, CNE
“As someone who has worked across a variety of nonprofit and mission-driven spaces, I’ve come to believe that in this sector, trust is earned and impact is everything. That’s why earning the Certified Nonprofit Consultant (CNC) credential was so meaningful to me. It’s more than a title—it’s a marker of preparation, rigor, and professionalism. The CNC affirmed not only my subject matter expertise but also strengthened my consulting craft and clarified how I serve. It has elevated the way I show up for organizations—offering guidance that’s grounded, strategic, and aligned with their mission.”
Brian Collins, CNC
“I earned the CNE, CDE, and CNC credentials through NANOE and immediately saw the difference it made in my nonprofit consulting work. It gave me the credibility and expertise to serve organizations on a larger scale and drive meaningful results.”
Danielle Hohlier, CNE, CDE, CNC
HOW CREDENTIALING WORKS...IT'S AUTOMATED!
- Determine which credential(s) is right for you...CNE, CDE, CNC
- Join NANOE as a Practitioner, Organization or Enterprise Member
- Pay your one-time fee(s) $148 for one credential, $198 for two, or $248 for all three
- Complete your personal experience profile (memorialize your vocational journey...no minimums required)
CNE, CDE and/or CNC credentialees have a history of employment as a professional member of a nonprofit organization staff, a professional consultant to nonprofit organizations, or has been employed in a field directly relating to service deliverables for the nonprofit sector. - Complete your training profile (memorialize your instructional journey...no minimums required)
a. Academic Degrees
b. Existing Credentials
c. Continuing Education
d. Public Presentations
e. Authoring - Complete and pass your credentialing exam (automated & online)
a. Certified Nonprofit Executive 200 Multiple Choice Questions
b. Certified Development Executive 150 Multiple Choice Questions
c. Certified Nonprofit Consultant 100 Multiple Choice Questions
d. 70% pass rate. 30 day time limit (includes SAVE AS YOU GO function)
e. Pass/Fail status is revealed to examinee immediately upon test completion - NANOE’s Credentialing Board will confirm your completed process within 2-3 weeks
- ONCE YOU’RE CERTIFIED YOU’RE ALWAYS CERTFIED. No re-certication required as long as you maintain your annual membership with NANOE
Members who hold a NANOE credential:
- Are recognized by employers in the nonprofit sector as having met a series of standards set by NANOE demonstrating a superior commitment to growing capacity within nonprofits.
- 2. Have their personal certification officially recorded at the offices of National Association of Nonprofit Organizations & Executives.
- Receive an official Credentialing Certificate demonstrating their achievement.
- Receive the credential CNE, CDE, CNC and are authorized to use this designation in their public title.
- Are provided the CNE, CDE and/or CNC badge for use on business cards, letterhead, websites, etc.
- Are members in good standing of National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executive (NANOE).
- Pay a one-time fee of $148 for one credential or $198 for two credentials or $248 for three credentials.
- Avoid cumbersome and expensive recertification processes for CNE, CDE or CNC. Credentials are maintained as long the holder maintains membership in NANOE.
- Experience the satisfaction and challenge of a meaningful adult continuing educational process that ensures their effectiveness now and in the future.
“I’m honored to have received my Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE) credential through NANOE. This certification has further equipped me with the tools and knowledge to strengthen my leadership in the nonprofit sector, particularly at Capstone Adaptive Learning & Therapy Centers. As we work to empower individuals with disabilities in our community, this credential supports my continued efforts in strategic leadership —ensuring that our clients have every opportunity to learn more, do more, and be more. I’m grateful for the professional development NANOE provides and excited to apply these practices to further our mission.”
Kiera Washington, CNE
“While the professional credentialing is a formal recognition for career advancement, the knowledge gained from the course work provided confirms 25 years of nonprofit management experience. The tools and support NANOE gives its members allows the necessary development to enhance the work executive directors do with their boards, staff, and affiliates. I highly encourage other leaders to pursue this accreditation.”
Alec Stone, CNE
“The process was straightforward and easy to understand. I have learned so much through this process and will be able to take these skills to build my nonprofit into a thriving service!”
Katie Morgan NCG, CNE
“I am grateful for the experience I had in obtaining my CNE. The lessons learned in the process have been immediately beneficial to my work, and my own growth as a leader. I look forward to identifying all the ways I can apply this knowledge to growing the mission of my non-profit.”
Adam North, CNE
“Becoming a Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE) transformed my approach to leadership. NANOE’s credentials have given me the tools to grow our mission and impact.”
Laura Marx, CNE
Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE)
Striking the balance between managing volunteer board members, administrators, front-line staff, programs, finance and fundraising presents nonprofit managers with the complex and perfect storm of corporate oversight. Practitioners who hold CNE learn new ways to prioritize capacity-building that ensures they weather the tumultuous seasons of nonprofit administration. Certified Nonprofit Executives become the capacity-building expert CEOs, CFOs, COOs & CDOs a charitable enterprise needs to expand its mission!
Certified Development Executive (CDE)
Many fundraisers come to the nonprofit sector with great intentions to advance a charity’s mission without having correctly answered the question, “who is our customer?” Executives mistakenly think that the rain forest, the student, the homeless or a family-in-need are their customers and therein lies the difficulty. Individuals you serve are not your customers because they have no money. Certified Development Executives are expert at understanding who their true customer is and are equipped with new best practices that ensure they create life-long partnerships with new friends who financially invest in your mission.
Certified Nonprofit Consultant (CNC)
During our careers, at one point or another, many of us wonder if we could be trusted to share our expertise with others in a way that produces personal income. The truth is, successful consulting is more than sharing your experience…it’s a coveted lifestyle with multiple dimensions. First, you need to be an expert in particular area of nonprofit management. Second, you must learn how to disseminate your knowledge using the consulting arts. Third, you must build a sustainable business enterprise that consistently generates opportunities to serve. Practitioners who hold the CNC credential are nationally qualified experts who labor alongside nonprofits providing the organizations they serve “big wins!”
