Unlock Your Team's Potential.
We’ve developed the Virage Foundations course for non-profit organizations that want to invest in the growth of their middle management staff.
From strategy to budgeting, we offer a comprehensive toolkit for new and aspiring leaders in the nonprofit world.
Why Virage?
While new managers are often experts in their field, when it's time for them to step into the leadership trajectory, there’s sometimes no plan (or time) to get them the support they need.
They’re suddenly expected to manage people, budgets, crises—without a roadmap. At best, this creates misalignment, missed opportunities and frustration; at worst, burnout and high staff turnover.
At Virage, we empower new leaders and middle managers to shift from reactive to effective leadership, even in demanding environments.
20%
of nonprofit employees say they may quit in the next six months.
70%
of nonprofit employees who already left their employment, left the sector entirely.
36%
of nonprofit workers face poor or very poor wellbeing.
Changemaker Wellbeing Index Survey (Canada) 2025
The Curriculum
In our Virage Foundations course, we use real-world examples and peer-led cohort learning to ensure that the skills you acquire can be readily applied to your nonprofit work in Canada.
1. What Makes Nonprofits Unique?
Understanding the nonprofit world, governance, and your place in it.
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Roles of Executive Director, board, and staff
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Governance 101
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Key differences with for-profits
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Understanding your role in your organization's workflow, vision and strategy
2. Leading with Purpose
Using mission, vision and strategy to drive impact.
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Mission vs. Vision
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Theory of Change
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Impact frameworks
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Organizational strategy basics (SWOT, strategic plans)
3. Measuring What Matters
Demystifying success, impact, and evaluation in nonprofits.
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Designing KPIs
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Applying SMART goals
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Logic models
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Basic evaluation tools
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How to create storytelling that captivates funders & teams
4. Money + Mission
Understanding nonprofit finances & building better program budgets.
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Full-cost recovery
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Doom loops & restricted funds
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How to do a statement of operations & program budgeting
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Mistakes to avoid when budgeting for grant proposals
5. Influencing with Integrity
Developing values-based leadership and leading without authority.
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Defining and using values-based leadership
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VIA Character Assessment
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Influence without authority
6. Managing a Team
Essential tools for leading small teams and cultivating trust.
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Tools to monitor team energy, tension, and trust
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What makes team leadership different in nonprofits
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Setting expectations and creating team agreements
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Setting up systems for giving and receiving feedback
The course at a glance
A complete toolkit for working in nonprofits
Certificate upon completion
Available in English and French
Cohort-led
Canada-specific learning
14 hours to complete
Interested? See the full curriculum
"I created this course to equip new and junior managers—sandwiched between strategy and frontline—with the skills to be the strong link their organizations need. Virage provides all the necessary tools to anyone new to a leadership role to shift from being reactive to proactive."
Marie-Eve Levert
Founder, Virage and Organic Strategy