Nonprofit Support Program

Transcription

1 About the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Founded in 1925, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Capitol Region. Devoted to enhancing the quality of life in the region, the Foundation provides grants and other support to a broad range of nonprofit organizations, helps donors make effective charitable giving decisions, and brings people together to discuss important community issues. The Nonprofit Support Program (NSP) is the Foundation s key resource to help strengthen Greater Hartford s nonprofits. Focusing on governance and management, NSP builds the capacity of nonprofit leaders to ensure that agencies can effectively deliver services to the region s residents. NSP does this by coupling state-of-the-art educational programming with assessments and grants in areas such as planning, financial management, evaluation, and technology. For more information about the Foundation, call or visit our website: Nonprofit Support Program Strengthening nonprofits in Greater Hartford LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENTS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES EVALUATION 10 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT t: f: GOVERNANCE PLANNING GRANTS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

2 Running a nonprofit organization is a complex business. In addition to providing effective programs and services, you need to handle many issues from human resources to facilities operation, board governance to fundraising, marketing to finances. The goal of the Nonprofit Support Program is to help you improve your organization so that you can accomplish your mission effectively. We are here to support you and to help strengthen your agency s operations, management and board performance. This was the most worthwhile program for leadership effectiveness and for building teamwork amongst Hartford area leaders. Thanks for helping our organization grow in strength and ability with another superb program. As a resource for your nonprofit, we provide opportunities for you to learn from experts, and to share ideas and network with other nonprofit leaders. Our services include assessments and grants, and help in identifying your priorities and needs. We encourage you to use our services and resources and look forward to hearing from you. To begin a conversation about how we can help your agency, contact us at or nsp@hfpg.org

3 We can help your organization Plan for the future Whether your agency is anticipating change or starting a planning process, a Brief Organizational Assessment is a good place to start. At no cost to you, a trained consultant will help your board and staff to assess your mission and planning, governance and staffing, fund development and financial management. The assessment will help identify key priorities and areas for improvement and set the stage for more in-depth planning. Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) help you determine what you want to accomplish in the future and how to get there, by developing a structured plan with the assistance of a skilled consultant. TAGs may be used for a strategic plan, fund development plan, marketing plan, executive coaching, board development, or management audit. I have never attended a workshop with more practical, valuable, usable information. Learn about the latest practices in nonprofit management and governance In a constantly changing environment, nonprofit executive directors and board leaders must keep abreast of the latest trends and concepts in order to remain competitive and help their organizations thrive. Half-day workshop sessions provide information on topics such as board performance, fundraising, marketing, financial management, evaluation, human resources, and legal issues, among others. More in-depth learning is also available through offerings such as the Executive Management Institute, Board Leadership Program, Fundraising Training Program, and Building Human Resource Capacity Program. These programs are offered periodically, consist of multiple sessions, and include a follow-up consultation tailored to the needs of your organization.

4 Improve your financial systems and practices In this era of heightened accountability and scrutiny of nonprofits, it pays to be sure that your financial management systems are as effective as possible, and allow your staff and board to make good decisions. A Financial Management Assessment can help gauge your current financial systems and recommend improvements, and can be followed by a Financial Management Grant to fund the recommendations in the assessment. This grant can also help you hire a finance professional if that s your need. If your agency faces financial challenges, is contemplating a significant programmatic change, or building/ purchasing a new facility, a Nonprofit Business Analysis, contracted by NSP through the Nonprofit Finance Fund, can help you determine the right capital structure and financial resources to meet future challenges. Upgrade your technology The strategic use of technology can help you fulfill your mission and deliver your programs more effectively. Through the Strategic Technology Program you will work with a technology consultant to develop your own multi-year technology plan. Once your plan is complete, you may apply for a grant to upgrade your office hardware, software, systems and equipment. Each and every session brought insight, knowledge, support and usable tools to the table. Transition thoughtfully when the executive director leaves While an executive director transition may be challenging for your organization and board, it can also provide a unique opportunity for positive change. The Executive Transition Program provides an experienced consultant to help your board develop a thoughtful plan and search process to find a leader who can take the organization into the future. Executive coaching is also available to ease the transition for the new executive director and the board. Build your evaluation capacity The Building Evaluation Capacity Program helps you improve your organization s capacity to conduct evaluations that are focused on improving your programs and systems, and enables you to apply evaluative thinking to a wide range of organizational tasks. You will better understand evaluation terminology and methods and how to make use of evaluation data. This program is offered periodically. This was one of the most worthwhile endeavors I have undertaken since becoming an executive director.

5 O T H E R W AY S W E C A N H E L P Y O U R O R G A N I Z AT I O N Find consultants The Southern New England Nonprofit Consultant Directory at is an online resource to help you find consultants, and learn how to effectively screen, hire and manage consultants. Find board members Leaders on Board can assist you in finding board members to lead your organization into the future. Contact Leadership Greater Hartford at for further information. Build a nonprofit organization The Online Resource Kit at includes local and national resources and information on how to build and sustain your nonprofit. Secure low-interest loans The Greater Hartford Business Development Center (GHBDC) provides low-interest loans to assist with cash flow, working capital, equipment purchases and leasehold improvements. Call GHBDC at for further information. Receive free legal assistance The Pro Bono Partnership provides pro-bono, non-litigation legal services to nonprofits. Call for further information. Graduates of NSP's Executive Management Institute Contact Us or nsp@hfpg.org Visit Learn more about our services and how we may be able to assist you. Read and sign up for our quarterly newsletter, NSP Update, to stay informed of our offerings.