Verbandsmanagement Institut (VMI)

What Verbandsmanagement Institut (VMI) does

VMI (Verbandsmanagement Institut, legally Institut für Verbands-, Stiftungs- und Genossenschaftsmanagement) is a private research and continuing education institute affiliated with the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, founded in 1976. It serves the German-speaking nonprofit sector — associations (Verbände), foundations (Stiftungen), cooperatives (Genossenschaften), clubs, and sports organizations — by delivering NPO-specific management education, applied research, and organizational consulting. Its core intellectual property is the Freiburger Management-Modell für NPO (FMM), a proprietary framework now in its 10th edition (2023) and published in German, English, French, and Hungarian, which structures NPO management into System, Marketing, and Resource Management domains. The institute runs a tiered portfolio of certified programs (CAS, DAS, MAS), approximately 15 one-week intensive seminars, the annual Internationales NPO-Forum (55th edition in January 2025), the triannual VM Magazin (~20 articles/year), and the NPO-Wissen knowledge platform, supplemented by fee-for-service organizational consulting (Organisationsbegleitung).

VMI's business model is multi-stream professional services: participant tuition for CAS/DAS/MAS credentials (CHF 2,600–2,900 for intensive courses, multi-thousand CHF for diploma/master programs), packaged event revenue from the NPO Forum (CHF 1,450–1,650 including accommodation), fee-for-service consulting (e.g., Swiss Football League governance restructuring), publication royalties through Paul Haupt Verlag, and commissioned research projects such as the 2022 Lobbying Survey with gfs.bern. Customer acquisition is event-driven: the annual NPO Forum anchors community engagement, while alumni referrals, the website (vmi.ch), a bilingual newsletter, and LinkedIn drive program enrollment. Pricing differentiates members versus non-members and bundles full-board accommodation for residential courses. The institute operates with 21 employees led by co-directors Prof. Dr. Markus Gmür (Director of Research, NPO-Management chair holder) and Dr. Philipp Erpf (Director of Continuing Education since July 2020), with no external investors or parent company disclosed. Strategic partnerships with WHU, SQS, B'VM AG, Swissfundraising, Haupt Verlag, and Springer Nature extend the institute's reach into academic, certification, publishing, and fundraising domains across the DACH region.

Name

Verbandsmanagement Institut (VMI)

Legal name

Institut für Verbands-, Stiftungs- und Genossenschaftsmanagement (VMI)

Website

https://vmi.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VMI is a Fribourg-affiliated nonprofit management institute, founded 1976, delivering CAS/DAS/MAS executive education, organizational consulting, and applied research for associations, foundations, cooperatives, and sports organizations across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fribourg

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Continuing Education Programs: VMI offers a portfolio of certified executive education programs including CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies), DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies), and MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) in NPO/Association Management, along with intensive one-week seminars. Programs range from CHF 2,600–2,900 for intensive courses to multi-thousand CHF for full diploma/master programs. Revenue is earned through participant tuition fees.
2. Organizational Consulting (Organisationsbegleitung): VMI provides scientifically-grounded organizational consulting services to NPOs, including strategy development, change management, and governance advisory. This is a fee-for-service engagement model.
3. Publications and Book Sales: VMI publishes the FMM model band (10th edition 2023) through Paul Haupt Verlag, as well as supplementary volumes on marketing, accounting, organization, and management processes for NPOs. The VM Magazin serves as an additional publication revenue stream.
4. Applied Research and Commissioned Studies: VMI conducts commissioned research projects (Auftragsforschung) such as the 'Lobbying Survey Switzerland 2022' conducted with gfs.bern. Research engagements are funded by external clients and grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VMI is a research and continuing education institute affiliated with the University of Fribourg that delivers certified executive education programs (CAS, DAS, MAS) in nonprofit/association management, supplemented by one-week intensive seminars, organizational consulting, and the annual International NPO Forum. All programs are built on VMI's proprietary Freiburger Management-Modell für NPO (FMM) framework and target leaders of associations, foundations, cooperatives, clubs, and sports organizations in the DACH region.

Product overview

Verbandsmanagement Institut (VMI) is an educational and research institute offering a portfolio of continuing education programs for nonprofit management, organized primarily as a platform-plus-programs model. The core offerings are organized around three tiers: CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies), DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies), and MAS (Master of Advanced Studies) programs in NPO/Association Management. The main programs include the Diplom-Lehrgang NPO-Management (DAS), CAS Führung & Unternehmertum in NPO, CAS Digitalisierung & Change in NPO, and the Master-Lehrgang Verbands-/NPO-Management (MAS). These are complemented by approximately 15 one-week Intensiv-Lehrgänge covering topics such as Digital Transformation and AI in NPO, Change Management, Efficient Resource Management, Digital Fundraising, Strategic Leadership, Planning & Controlling & Organization, Leadership of Employees, and Marketing. VMI also delivers Sportmanagement education (including SSMC CAS/DAS), organizational consulting services, and operates the annual Internationales NPO-Forum networking event. The institute's proprietary management framework — the Freiburger Management-Modell für NPO (FMM) — underpins all programs and is published as a standard textbook (10th edition). The VM Magazin journal and the NPO-Wissen knowledge platform provide ongoing professional resources. The institute does not offer a technology product; its offering is exclusively educational, consulting, and knowledge-sharing services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diplom-Lehrgang NPO-Management (DAS) Diploma-level executive education program (Diploma of Advanced Studies) for nonprofit executives who want to professionally manage and strategically develop their NPO. Provides comprehensive NPO-specific management knowledge and is credited through the University of Fribourg.
• CAS Führung & Unternehmertum in NPO Certificate of Advanced Studies program for NPO executives seeking to expand leadership competencies and integrate entrepreneurial approaches for current challenges in their nonprofit organization.
• Master-Lehrgang Verbands-/NPO-Management (MAS) Master of Advanced Studies executive program for experienced NPO leaders seeking the next step in their professional development. A flexible continuing education program combining strong practical and scientific focus.
• CAS Digitalisierung & Change in NPO Certificate of Advanced Studies program addressing how NPOs can leverage digital transformation (including AI) and change management. Equips executives with practice-oriented approaches to make their NPO future-proof and efficient.
• Intensiv-Lehrgänge (Intensive One-Week Seminars) One-week intensive programs enabling NPO executives and staff to deepen knowledge on specific topics such as Change Management, Efficient Resource Management, Digital Fundraising, Strategic Leadership, Planning & Controlling, Leadership of Employees, Marketing, Digital Transformation, and AI. Each can be credited toward the DAS or CAS programs.
• Sportmanagement Aus- und Weiterbildung (CAS/DAS Sport Management - SSMC) Practice-oriented vocational and continuing education programs in sports management (SSMC series), including CAS and DAS in Sport Management, for individuals active in the sports world seeking to advance their careers.
• Organisationsbegleitung (Organizational Consulting) Scientifically-grounded organizational consulting services for NPOs, covering strategy development, change management, and governance advisory. Personal, practice-oriented, and backed by 50 years of experience.
• Internationales NPO-Forum (International NPO Forum) Annual 4-day networking and professional development event for associations, clubs, foundations, and cooperatives in the German-speaking region. Held each January (e.g., 55th edition in Gstaad January 2025; 56th edition scheduled for Saanenmöser January 2027). Includes accommodation at Golfhotel Saanenmöser with full board.
• Freiburger Management-Modell für NPO (FMM) Book (10th Edition) VMI's proprietary management framework published as a standard textbook (10th edition, 2023), providing a reference structure for managing associations, foundations, cooperatives, and other nonprofit organizations across System-, Marketing-, and Resource-Management domains.
• VM Magazin (Professional Journal) Triannual professional journal published since 1976 covering association and nonprofit management at the interface of research and management practice. Available in print for VMI members and digital download for others.

Quantifiable outcome

• VMI celebrated 50 years in July 2026, demonstrating sustained institutional viability and market relevance over five decades.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WHU Center for Non-Profit Management and Social ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI conducts the 'Digitale Transformation und KI in NPO' intensive course in cooperation with the WHU Center for Non-Profit Management and Social Impact (WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, Germany). The partnership brings German academic expertise into VMI's program delivery, particularly on AI and digital transformation topics for NPOs.
• gfs.berncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI and gfs.bern jointly conducted the 'Lobbying Survey Switzerland 2022' — a comprehensive study comparing lobbying perceptions among lobbyists (354 interviews), those being lobbied (54 interviews), and the general public (1,000 interviews). The study examined the role of associations, grassroots lobbying, and digitalization's impact on lobbying practices. Urs Bieri of gfs.bern also lectures on lobbying at VMI.
• Haupt Verlag AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Swiss publisher Haupt Verlag (Bern, in its 4th generation under Patrizia Haupt) has been publishing and distributing VMI's standard works since the institute's founding, including the FMM model band (currently 10th edition) and supplementary volumes. This is a decades-long publishing partnership with shared quality orientation.
• SwissfundraisingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI co-developed and co-delivers the 'Digital Fundraising für NPO' intensive course with Swissfundraising (led by Roger Tinner, Executive Director). Thomas Roth (Marketing Monkeys) and Marc-André Pradervand serve as co-teachers. The course is unique in the DACH region and counts toward the CAS Digitalisierung & Change in NPO.
• Springer NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpringer published the book 'Unternehmerische Führung und Kultur in Non-Profit-Organisationen' (2023) by Philipp Erpf and Markus Gmür, which forms the foundation for VMI's Entrepreneurial Leadership and Culture in NPO intensive course.
• Presses Polytechniques et Universitaires Romandes (PPUR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPUR published the French-language edition of the FMM: 'Management des organisations à but non lucratif – le modèle fribourgeois' (2015) by Hans Lichtsteiner, Markus Gmür, Charles Giroud, and Reinbert Schauer, expanding the model's reach into French-speaking markets.
• SQS (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Qualitäts- und Management-Systeme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI co-developed the NPO-Label for Management Excellence with SQS and B'VM. SQS conducts the certification audits, and VMI provides the underlying management framework (FMM) and expertise. VMI also passed its own SQS maintenance audit in 2020.
• B'VM AG (Beratungsgruppe für Verbandsmanagement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerB'VM AG is a consulting group for association management and a close strategic partner of VMI. Karin Stuhlmann (B'VM Partner) is a co-author of the FMM and a VMI lecturer. VMI and B'VM jointly developed the NPO-Label checklist. The two organizations maintain ongoing strategic exchange.
• Swiss Football LeagueminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDr. Philipp Erpf (VMI) provided organizational consulting to the Swiss Football League in developing its new governance structure. Project was successfully completed, with the new president Dr. Philipp Studhalter taking office.
• Swiss Football Association (Schweizerischer Fussballverband, SFV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI collaborated with SFV to design and deliver a one-week management course as part of SFV's talent management program for sports executives. The course combined football management themes with general NPO leadership concepts.
• Spheriq (formerly StiftungSchweiz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMI was a partner from Spheriq's founding, providing long-term knowledge exchange. CEO Stefan Schöbi uses the VMI alumni network as an 'inspiration source' for product decisions. Spheriq provides digital infrastructure for the nonprofit sector and maintains an ongoing relationship with VMI.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• DGVM – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Verbandsmanagement: Germany's leading association management association. DGVM is a peer in the sense that it serves the same German-speaking association management ecosystem, but with a German rather than Swiss base and a member-association (rather than executive education) model.

Broad incumbents

• Philea (formerly European Foundation Centre): Europe-wide philanthropy infrastructure association. Comparable at the level of foundation-sector ecosystem support and convening, but operating at much greater scale and a broader European rather than DACH focus.
• Bridgespan Group: Global nonprofit and philanthropic sector consulting firm. Comparable on the consulting/advisory side for NPOs, though Bridgespan focuses on strategy and impact advisory for large foundations rather than association/SME NPO governance education.

Others

• Swissfundraising: Swiss professional association for fundraisers. VMI co-develops the Digital Fundraising intensive course with Swissfundraising, making it a partner/ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor. Comparable audience (NPO executives) and overlapping curriculum on fundraising.

Emerging players

• Spheriq (formerly StiftungSchweiz): Swiss digital infrastructure platform for foundations and NPOs. A long-term VMI partner with overlapping audience. Comparable customer base (Swiss NPOs and foundations) but a product rather than education/consulting model.
• Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien – Competence Center for Nonprofit Organizations and Social Entrepreneurship: WU Vienna is a comparable academic center offering research and continuing education on NPO management in the Austrian part of the DACH region. Itinerary overlap with VMI is partial — academic rather than practitioner-led.
• Hertie School (Centre for Digital Governance): Berlin-based graduate school offering executive education that increasingly addresses NPO and civil-society leadership. Comparable to VMI for senior-leader executive education in DACH, though broader and less NPO-specific.

Direct peers

• B'VM AG (Beratungsgruppe für Verbandsmanagement): B'VM is a Swiss consulting firm specializing in association and NPO management and a close strategic partner of VMI. Both co-develop the NPO-Label and share FMM authors, placing B'VM in essentially the same niche across education plus consulting.
• Centre for Philanthropy Studies (CEPS), University of Basel: CEPS is a Swiss university-affiliated research and education center for the nonprofit/foundation sector. It is comparable to VMI as a domestic academic counterpart focused on foundation governance, philanthropy research, and executive education.
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Center for Non-Profit Management and Social Impact): VMI's named partner for the Digital Transformation and AI in NPO program. WHU operates a dedicated Center for Non-Profit Management in Germany, making it the closest academic and curricular peer in the DACH NPO management education space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/verbandsmanagement-institut-vmi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verbandsmanagement Institut (VMI)