Professional development just for nonprofit professionals.

Merit® is an anytime, anywhere microlearning platform just for those in the nonprofit sector.

  • Over 250 courses plus dozens of certificate programs
  • 28 core nonprofit topics
  • Presented through accessible video, audio, and text lessons
  • With interactive workbooks, personal learning plans, and tons of support.

Better yet, most of our courses award CRFE points for initial or recertification.

See what you'll learn!
Two employees discussing nonprofit professional development sitting with laptops

How is Merit® different?

We're transforming how learning happens in the nonprofit sector.

  • No Talking Heads

    ...Just practical learning and actionable insights. Our videos are short, engaging, and visually fun, and are complemented by other learning content and exercises.

  • Standards Alignment

    Our content draws from the industry-standard nonprofit assessment, the iCAT, and the Korn Ferry Institute's Leadership Architect competency model.

  • Focus on Application

    Each Merit® learning experience pushes you to apply your learning today, and our certificates encourage you to complete a personal learning plan to bring your learning to life.

  • Structured Learning Approach

    Our certificates follow a structured microlearning learning model, following Bloom's Taxonomy, to ensure that real learning happens.

  • Accessible Formats

    All of our course content is presented in different formats, and our videos are closed-captioned. With different learning styles served through visual, audio, and written content, everyone gets what they need.

  • Psychological Foundations

    The Merit® learning experience leverages principals of organizational and leadership psychology to recognize the human aspect of nonprofit work.

Expand your professional abilities anytime, anywhere.

Carving out time for professional development can be tough. Our on-demand courses offer on-the-go microlearning through a variety of content formats... with each course taking about 15 minutes to complete.
See what you'll learn!
Group of nonprofit employees giving high five about online learning plan

How will Merit® support your goals?

While everyone's career path is different, Merit® can help you:

  • Expand Your Knowledge Base. Our individual courses are perfect for both beginners and seasoned professionals. Whether you’re looking to break into a new area or deepen your existing expertise, our courses offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace and on your own terms.

  • Activate and Get Recognized. Our topic-based certificates are more than just a learning experience—they are a testament to your dedication to personal growth and professional improvement. By completing these certificates, you’ll not only gain valuable knowledge but also receive recognition that can set you apart in the nonprofit sector.

  • Transform Your Career. The Certificate in Nonprofit Capacity Building is our flagship program, designed for those committed to a comprehensive, year-long learning journey. Covering every topic available on the Merit® platform, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity for professional transformation. By the end of the year, you'll emerge with a holistic understanding and a robust skill set that will significantly enhance your capacity to drive impact within your organization.

Used by thousands of nonprofit professionals at all skill levels

Merit® learners enjoy an immersive, interactive, and intuitive professional development experience that brings their learning to life.

Here are just a few of their stories.

Brighter Future for our Organization

The impact of the first three courses has been nothing short of beneficial. They have not only proven to be incredibly educational and helpful to me but have also offered me a fresh perspective on the potential of our YMCA. These courses have supported me envision an even brighter future for our organization. The insights I've gained have highlighted the steps we should be considering to further enhance our operational effectiveness and achieve our goals. I can already see how these learnings will play a pivotal role in shaping our YMCA's path moving forward.

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Shelley E

YMCA of Reading & Berks Co.

Building my "vocabulary"

This is the first nonprofit I've worked at, and my learning on Merit has really helped me fast-track my understanding of some of the unique vocabulary within the nonprofit sector. I'm able to better understand how my work fits within the bigger picture in my organization!

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Danny

Not One More Vet

Elevate our Professional Development

Partnering with Merit has allowed for LiFT to better streamline our required trainings and elevate our professional development opportunities for our team members. With self-paced courses, team members are able to access trainings during their busy schedules and enhance their learning with meaningful subject matter such as Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Organizational Capacity, and LiFT-specific training courses.

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Shawn

Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT)

Right Time, Right Price

Merit has become a staple in our learning and development offerings to employees. Employees are increasingly attracted to and retained by learning opportunities organizations offer. Merit helps round out our sources of learning and development, and thus, is an important component of our employee retention strategy.

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Lloyd

Gulf Coast JFCS

Nonprofit-Focused Support

When I first engaged Merit, my primary goal was to get my employees the specific, nonprofit-focused support I felt would benefit them as they settled into their roles. What we ended up with was exactly that and more.

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Darlene

Not One More Vet

Takes the pressure off

Merit is an affordable learning platform we can all use at our own pace or together. It's flexible and the lessons are short and to the point which we all like since we're all so busy. Merit takes the pressure off of me to continuously search for and share learning materials while not knowing who read what. Now I can see what my team is working on and follow up with them or hold a discussion at a meeting about a Merit training.

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Melissa

CAHEC