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Featured Book
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Budgeting & Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
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Featured Event
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Nonprofit Budgeting Best Practices presented by Chanell Hanns
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Featured Resource
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Nonprofits Assistance Fund: Resource Library
This online library includes many financial management articles, templates and videos to help your nonprofit develop and implement effective practices.
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Each month the Inforum newsletter features a local funder, nonprofit, or service provider who highlights their organization's services and how they support the social sector.
This month we are excited to have Tricia Handza, program manager at Compass Philly to talk to us about the organization's pro bono consulting projects for Philadelphia nonprofits.
How does your organization support the nonprofit community?
Compass
'
mission is to inspire the active engagement of business professionals with their local nonprofits to transform communities. Our pro bono consulting projects support nonprofits' most critical strategic challenges and provide entry into the nonprofit sector for business professionals looking to use their skills and experience to benefit the community. On an annual basis, we offer free strategic consulting services to local nonprofits under four service lines: Board Development, Funding Strategies, Strategic Alignment, and Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations. The projects are designed for nonprofits with budgets above $750,000 with at least 3 full-time paid staff. Client nonprofits are drawn from the five Pennsylvania counties that make up Greater Philadelphia-Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia-and, new this year, Camden County, New Jersey. Since our founding in Philadelphia in 2013, we have engaged 300 volunteers on 34 projects.
What is your role?
As Program Manager of Compass Philadelphia,
I
support Executive Director Beth Dahle throughout the life cycle of Compass' projects-from the initial release of the client application each spring, to prospective client interviews and the launch of the volunteer application over the summer, project kick-off in the fall, mid-project presentations in late winter, and final presentations and end-of-project surveys the following spring. My role at Compass is new, enabling us to expand our capacity to serve more local nonprofits. As Compass itself is a nonprofit organization, I also support fundraising efforts across all sectors-individual, corporate, and foundation.
What does your organization do best?
Compass offers an incredibly high level of services to client nonprofits, thanks to the rigorous review of potential volunteer consultants that we undertake. H
istorically, only 60% of volunteer consultant applicants have been selected. They are drawn from alumni networks of the nation's top business schools, top local consulting firms or corporate strategy departments, and the city's top law firms. For last year's project cycle, the average market value of services provided to each nonprofit client was $173,000. Moreover, Compass' impact on the community extends beyond our annual project cycle, as Compass volunteers stay engaged in the nonprofit community upon the conclusion of their projects as donors, volunteers, and board members.
Are there any future programs you can highlight?
New this year, Compass will be offering consulting projects to nonprofits in Camden County in addition to the PA counties surrounding Philadelphia. Overall, we will offer at least 15 consulting projects for the 2017-18 cycle, an increase from 11 projects last year. The application for prospective clients for this cycle has just gone live. Applications, available at our website, are due by 5:00 p.m. on June 12, 2017.
What is your best piece of advice for nonprofits?
The more buy-in a Compass consulting project has from the organization's Executive Director and Board Chair, the better. Compass' volunteer consultants put an incredible amount of time and energy into these projects, which we think is evident in the transformative recommendations they offer to our nonprofit clients. These recommendations are most effective when the nonprofit's leadership team is equally committed to active engagement throughout the process.
What is your best word of caution for nonprofits?
It's best to have a healthy attitude toward constructive feedback during the project process. The consulting team's recommendations may vary from your initial assumptions about requested guidance for your organization, and maintaining a flexible mindset will help assure the best, most comprehensive analysis of your organization's needs and operations.
Thank you Tricia! If your organization meets the
eligibility requirements
for Compass' services be sure to get your applications in by June 12, 2017.
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Expert Office Hours: Fundraising
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The Regional Foundation Center is pleased to offer Expert Office Hours with Volunteer Executive Consultants (VEC) from
RSVP. On the second Wednesday of each month, VECs will be available for 45-minute management consulting sessions to assist you with a project or goal related to the month's topic. Next up:
Fundraising on June 14. Space is limited so register today!
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Regional Foundation Center Events
Defining Your Audience: An Art & Science
Tuesday, June 6 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Parkway Central | 2nd Floor | BRIC
Learn how to use the free resources
to identify and locate your customer base, identify potential new customers, and how to efficiently reach those audiences. This program is geared towards arts and culture nonprofits but all are welcome!
More...
Nonprofit Budgeting Best Practices
Thursday, June 15 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Parkway Central | 4th Floor | Room 407
This program will discuss best practices for creating a budget for you nonprofit organization.
Participates will walk away with templates and tips to help them create a budget that fits the needs of their nonprofit.
More...
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Legalities of Nonprofit Fundraising
Thursday, June 22 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Parkway Central | 4th Floor | Room 407
Marla Conley will discuss basic legal requirements applicable to charitable fundraising and will provide an introduction to related contract and tax issues. More...
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Introducing the Pitch Corner!
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The BRIC and RFC are thrilled to announce our newest tool for business and nonprofit development: the Pitch Corner! The Pitch Corner is a semi-private place where you can practice your pitch in front of a video camera. We also have a collection of books and articles available to get the creative juices flowing.
Hours
Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
First Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Staff is limited. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Please come prepared to pitch. Your video will be emailed to you via Google Drive within 48 hours.
Email pitchcorner@freelibrary.org or call 215-686-5394 for more information.
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Around the Region
What Would You Do? A Workshop on Critical Nonprofit Legal Issues
Wednesday, June 7 | 9:00am - 11:00am
4 Sentry Parkway East | Blue Bell, PA
An interactive and fun workshop to test your knowledge of the most important legal and tax issues facing nonprofits today.
More...
Getting New Projects off the Ground
Monday, June 12 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Rotunda | 4014 Walnut St, Phila, PA
This workshop for self-producing artists/musicians will help artists: identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats of a new project, think through the components of their project and its goals and hone in on the details of their program or project and begin a draft project plan.
More...
Nonprofit University
Monday, June 12 | 8:00am - 4:15pm
Bucks County Community College | $25-$35
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Tuesday, June 13 | 8:30am - 11:00am
West Chester University Graduate Business Center
Meet nonprofit management and fundraising consultants, trainers, vendors, resources, and regional grantmakers and funders. Exhibits, Networking & Ask the Consultants.
More...
Wharton Community Consultants Applications
Due Friday, June 23 | Online
Wharton Community Consultants provides a platform for local nonprofits to get volunteer and tailored consulting services from teams of Wharton MBA students. More...
Nonprofit Legal Assessment Clinic
Tuesday, June 27 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Blank Rome LLP | 130 N. 18th Street
At this clinic, volunteer attorneys provide free legal advice to Philadelphia area nonprofits to ensure that they are in compliance with relevant law. Registration is required.
More...
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Webinars
Beyond Marriage Equality: What's Next in Funding LGBTQ Issues?
Thursday, June 1 | 5:00pm
Join Foundation Center West and a panel of funders as they address how philanthropy is working to address persisting challenges for LGBTQ people and communities.
More...
UFO Sightings for Nonprofit Organizations
Thursday, June 11 | 2:00pm
In this webinar you will learn
how to systematically involve your development team in creating a free flowing prospect pipeline and achieving a more sustainable fundraising model.
More...
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Introduction to Project Budgets
Wednesday, June 14 | 2:00pm
In this webinar you will learn the basic components of a project budget, h
ow to estimate the realistic cost of a project and w
hat other financial documents you may also need to submit with your proposal.
3 Secrets on Raising Major Gifts You Can't Live Without
Wednesday, June 21 | 2:00pm
Are you frustrated and overwhelmed by the idea of raising major gifts? If so, join Amy Eisenstein as she simplifies three important concepts of raising major gifts and shares three secrets which will ensure you raise major gifts this year!
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