NEW SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP HOWARD COUNTY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
September 7, 2023 --A new Nonprofit Sustainability Program will help address important financial and sustainability issues affecting nonprofit organizations in Howard County, Indiana, according to Todd Moser, president, Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc.
“The Community Foundation of Howard County has a rich heritage as a valued and trusted institution within the communities we serve,” Moser said. “In 2022, we began talking with area nonprofits about financial and sustainability issues due to a challenging economic environment.”
In February 2023, Moser said, the Community Foundation convened a half-day workshop with representatives from a broad range of nonprofits to meet and discuss ways to plan for long-term success.
As a result of that gathering, multiple nonprofit needs were identified, and a range of individual programs were developed. As the individual programs have grown in 2023, the Community Foundation saw an opportunity to put them together as a new Nonprofit Sustainability Program.
“This program is a direct outcome of meeting and talking about ways to strengthen the nonprofit community and ultimately benefit the community at large,” said Greg Aaron, special projects coordinator at the Community Foundation. “In other words, you talked, and we listened.”
The Nonprofit Sustainability Program is currently built on the following six individual programs – one a legacy program from the Foundation, and five new initiatives – for local nonprofits:
Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Series
Developed in 2021 by the Community Foundation of Howard County, this series focuses on the fundamentals of nonprofit management and is designed to help local leaders of nonprofit organizations hone their management skills.
NEW -- Nonprofit Mini Series *Leadership Series Graduates Only
The series – a direct result from the February 2023 gathering -- will include topics like profitable nonprofit events and managing a nonprofit board.
NEW -- Grant Search Service
In partnership with the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, grant search software and training will be offered to nonprofits in Howard County.
NEW-- Grant Writing Assistance Opportunity
A competitive grant specifically for grant writing assistance hours; offered through the Community Foundation.
NEW -- Jumpstart
A yearlong fundraising support program. The program pairs nonprofits with a personal fundraising coach, who meets with them (virtually) twice a month to help in acquiring, retaining, and upgrading individual donors. Beyond dedicated coaching, the program includes technology tools and technical assistance, and these are designed to help nonprofits execute the fundraising strategies that they build with their coach. The program is cohort-based and looks to connect local leaders during peer-learning sessions as well.
NEW -- Collaboration Grants
The Community Foundation believes promising ideas exist right here in the Howard County community that address challenges or opportunities that would require funding in excess of existing Community Foundation grant programs. In recognizing the potential impact of these ideas and continuing its efforts to promote sustainable and effective nonprofit collaborations, the Community Foundation of Howard County is creating a special allocation of funds for Collaborative Impact Grants based upon proven need. This will be a competitive grant process and match funds may be required.
For more information about the Nonprofit Sustainability Program, contact Carrie Giannakos, Community Leadership Coordinator, at carrie@cfhoward.org or call 765-454-7298.
The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc., was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991. The Foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of Howard County. For more information about the Community Foundation, contact Todd Moser at 765-454-7298 or todd@cfhoward.org. Visit us at www.cfhoward.org where you will find information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.
