Effective negotiation is central to advancing social impact—whether aligning stakeholders, navigating partnerships, or resolving disagreements in service of the greater good. A collaboration between the Center for High Impact Philanthropy and the Graduate School for Education, this highly interactive online course equips participants with practical tools to navigate challenging conversations with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
Offered for the first time as a stand-alone class, Introduction to Negotiations for Social Impact is an expansion of a module delivered in our flagship High Impact Philanthropy Academy and Advising for Impact Certificate Program. The online class is offered on consecutive days: Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 12 – 3:30pm ET and Friday, May 8, 2026 from 12 – 3:30pm ET.
What you will gain
You will learn evidence-based negotiation frameworks used across mission driven sectors, engage in immersive simulations tailored to philanthropic and social impact scenarios, and develop the interpersonal skills needed to build trust across polarization, uncover aligned interests, and design durable agreements for partnerships and policies.
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Understand and apply core principles of effective negotiation
- Prepare for high stakes conversations using a structured, evidence based approach
- Communicate with greater clarity and empathy across differences in power, values, and incentives
- Identify underlying interests and generate creative solutions
- Build trust, manage conflict, and reach agreements that advance social impact goals
Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn a digital certificate issued by both the Center for High Impact Philanthropy and the Graduate School of Education.
Continuing education credits are available for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) professionals. Full participation in Introduction to Negotiation for Social Impact is applicable for 7 points in Category 1.B – Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.
Who Should Enroll?
- Philanthropic professionals and funders
- Nonprofit and NGO leaders
- Education, public sector, and community based practitioners
- CSR, social impact, and mission-driven teams
- Anyone seeking stronger negotiation skills for collaborative, values aligned work
No prior negotiation experience is necessary.
Details and Registration
Dates
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 12 – 3:30 pm ET
Friday, May 8, 2026, 12 – 3:30pm ET
Tuition
$695 (inaugural rate)
Group rates are available on request. Contact Nick Matlin, the Program Manager for the Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s Executive Education courses.
Course Faculty
Zachary Herrmann is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Penn GSE and is a faculty member in the Center for High Impact Philanthropy’s executive education programs. Dr. Herrmann leads the Penn Leadership Education Institute, the Project-Based Learning for Global Climate Justice initiative, and designs partnerships and professional learning efforts focused on teacher and leader development, team effectiveness, negotiation, and creative problem solving. Dr. Herrmann is a Faculty Fellow with the Penn Environmental Innovations Initiative and chairs the Penn GSE Committee on Professional Learning.