“I’m a librarian not a fundraiser,” were the words of the library director of with whom I had just signed on as counsel for a capital campaign to assist with raising funds for a new building.  Two years later as we celebrated success and they moved into their new library, she confided, “I know you kept saying that this would be the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my professional career, but I never really understood and, boy, you were right.” 

As my library colleague discovered, a capital campaign is a significant undertaking requiring a substantial, and possibly, unprecedented investment of organizational resources and many nonprofits have little or no experience in this area.  From initial planning to wrap up to pledge collection, the effort will likely take years and should propel your organization to a new level of fundraising.  So, it makes sense that time spent on education and preparation on the front end will save you time and money and help strengthen your organization in the long haul.   

Nonprofit Network has several resources including our Capital Campaign Course. The 12-session virtual course is help approximately once a year and follows a syllabus designed to review all aspects of a capital campaign. Sessions will include structured conversations around assigned reading and homework and participants will gain knowledge around key topics including:

• feasibility studies
• factors in working (or not) with a campaign consultant
• organizational readiness; case for support
• prospect identification
• campaign leadership, phases, and planning
• one-on-one personal asks
• lower end asks
• special event utilization
• campaign materials
• appropriate thank you and recognition
• staff involvement
• concluding a campaign

If you are interested, please click on the link below to learn more and even register for this event on Feb. 2, 2023: Capital Campaigns Course 2023 (12 virtual sessions)

“Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history.
Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill.” 
   – Chadwick Boseman 

This quote from Chadwick Boseman has been one of my inspirations.  I believe that everyone has a purpose in life. Finding your purpose may or may not come easy. The idea of being and making a difference is one of the fundamentals of fulfilling one's aspirations in life. 

I have been with Nonprofit Network since February 2022. I accepted the position of Consultant Support Specialist, and it has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to a variety of different communities and at the same time explore and use some of the skills gained from my background in Sociology.  

With a background in Sociology, understanding social institutions, structures and relationships within communities helps to provide great tools to support an active consulting staff. I supply support to the consultants and the organization through communication, organization, and research. This helps Nonprofit Network serve its diverse clients efficiently, effectively, and holistically. 

We are excited to invite you to our new Nonprofit Network website! And you're invited to join us on Zoom for an in-depth look at our new site. We'll cover how to log-in, the services available to you, and answer any questions you have. We'll also be reviewing the new member-only homepage portal. No registration is needed for these live events.

Our new website is filled with even more help at your fingertips, including: 

• A new Business Services Directory to help you find discounted and specialized services.
• A Job board that automatically shares your post to Facebook and Google if selected. *Be sure to make use of your member discount code sent in the October 28th Members Only newsletter. 
• A Learning Center with live events and online courses (an interactive learning management system that allows you to save your work and your resources in one place) 
• More automation to keep your employees and board members connected to the help they need. 
• And - more ways for you to utilize your membership benefits.  

First Step is to Login - As members and non-members (prospects) you will both need to set up a new password.  To do this, [Click here]. Your Username is your email address. Once your password is updated, you can [login here] using the new password you just set-up.