The Manager's Playbook
Boost your productivity as a nonprofit manager
What is the Manager's Playbook?
This is a 4-day, cohort based in-person training program designed to equip mid-level nonprofit professionals and leaders of small nonprofits with tools to better understand and optimize nonprofit operations, strengthen financial and program planning and management, and implement systems and technology. The curriculum focuses on business planning, operations management, financial systems, and strategic resource deployment. Participants will leave with a customized personal Management Development Plan and practical strategies to improve productivity across their teams and organizations – especially during times of change and uncertainty.
Why Choose the Manager's Playbook
In nonprofits, passion fuels the mission, but strong management delivers the results. Productivity skills turn vision into action, align teams, and maximize limited resources. Effective management ensures organizations perform consistently, adapt confidently to change, and transform mission-driven work into measurable, lasting impact.
Why Participate?
The Manager’s Playbook is designed for mid-level managers and emerging leaders who oversee daily operations and make key decisions that drive organizational productivity.
This program is for you if you want to:
Boost productivity and operational performance.
Ensure programs and resources achieve their intended outcomes.
Gain practical tools and strategies to maximize your impact.
As a participant in this program you will:
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Learn how to use business process and operations management techniques to boost team and organizational performance.
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Build stronger strategic planning skills to improve efficiency.
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Strengthen productivity in financial management, program planning, and technology use.
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Create a personalized Management Development Plan with measurable productivity goals.
Module Highlights
Day 1: Understanding Nonprofit Management (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)
Build a foundation in nonprofit structures, governance, and legislation. Participants explore human resources topics, including labour laws, staff management, and designing effective staffing models. They also begin a Management Development Plan with productivity benchmarks and complete an assessment to identify and apply skills for greater organizational effectiveness.
Day 2: Financial Management (Wednesday, December 10, 2025)
Understand nonprofit accounting, budgeting, and financial sustainability strategies. Participants learn to diversify funding sources and gain hands-on experience with grant writing and funding applications to support their organization’s financial goals. There will also be a half-day grant session equipping participants to master the full grant cycle, target the right funders, harness AI to cut proposal time, and build budgets that win funder confidence.
Day 3: Program Planning and Management (Wednesday, January 14, 2026)
Participants focus on strategic and operational planning, program evaluation, and data analysis. Participants explore process improvement, change management, and risk management to help programs adapt and achieve better outcomes.
Day 4: Technology and Systems (Wednesday, February 11, 2026)
Participants examine how technology and systems can improve nonprofit operations and apply tools to boost efficiency in financial, HR, and program management and finalize their Management Development Plans with actionable strategies.
Facilitators
Leslie has more than 25 years of experience as CEO of diverse organizations. She understands firsthand the complex and unprecedented challenges facing leaders in the nonprofit sector today. For more than a decade, Leslie has worked with nonprofit leaders and organizations to strengthen capacity and develop strategic direction. She has mentored leaders to support their development journeys and is passionate about personal and organizational growth. Leslie is currently consulting in the nonprofit sector as the Principle of Leslie Tamagi Leadership Solutions.
Mike is President and CEO of IntegralOrg and has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years. He excels at inspiring nonprofit teams and leaders to tackle complex organizational issues in sustainable ways. Mike’s passion is helping folks understand the ever-evolving ecosystem and adapt by building personal and organizational capacity. From navigating change, to strengthening network development, Mike has worked with diverse stakeholders to lead programs and systems in a way that reflects the changing needs of the nonprofit sector.
Investment
The Management Playbook is an investment of $1875. This opportunity may be eligible for the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant. Your organization can apply for the grant to subsidize 50% of the program cost. If approved, your final investment would be $937.50. More details at https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-productivity-grant.
The Management Playbook Outline contains information that is required to apply for the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant.
Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate.
Application
We will provide updates on the application form and process here. The Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant is scheduled to open in late September.
Questions
If you have any questions about the program, the application form, or if we can be of assistance in any way, please contact the Manager of Education, Sandeep Malhi, 587-323-4529 or email sandeep@integralorg.ca