Center for non-profit excellence information session held

GREENFIELD – Early last week, an information session was held by the Community Foundation for Monterey County with the focus being on the center for non-profit excellence.

Director for the Center of Nonprofit Excellence Kaki Rusmore explained, “The Community Foundation for Monterey County has supported non-profits since 1997. We’ve been doing this in an organized way.”

After the Community Foundation for Monterey County heard its partners across the county during its strategic planning process, the CNE was launched. It’s not something CFMC is not familiar with, but now they conduct their help for the greatest impact.

The foundation has supported nonprofits in applying for grants, but the CNE aims to help non profits, not just in that aspect, but in all around support.

“As a result, we came up with the center for nonprofit excellence that does all the work we already did but more focused and with goals,” said Rusmore. “We support nonprofit leadership and we help with resources to find ways to make nonprofits more effective.”

Through providing resources, CNE makes professional development opportunities accessible to nonprofits that sometime struggle with expanding their network.

“We work with them on business management, leadership, funding, professional development and pretty much any aspect of organization and any aspect they have challenges with,” said Rusmore.

Another facet CNE takes on is building leadership within non-profits with emphasis being on the boards, executive directors and other emerging leaders.

“We do brief conversations with people on the phone and organize workshops,” said Rusmore. “The one we will be having in July is focusing on the relationship between the board of directors and the executive board. Board of directors are a very important part of nonprofits.”

There are close to 1,500 nonprofit organizations in Monterey County and though CFMC or CNE does not help them start up, there are plenty of organizations that do just that. As Rusmore said, “We help them be effective.”

CFMC helps organizations find financial support, especially when being faced with a tough economic times. Rusmore said, “I think a common issue they have is finding financial support. Nonprofits usually survive by donations and some get some government funding, and with all that is being cut heavily, it’s hard to find financial support.”



For the complete article see the 06-27-2012 issue.

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