A Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s that time of year again…annual Center survey time! (And you thought we’d go on about the holidays 😉). In this season of sharing, please tell us what we’re doing well and what we can do better. Whether you’re a new nonprofit member, long-time nonprofit consultant, part-time board member, or work with your nonprofit in any other way – your input is important and really does have an impact on how we plan and adapt to meet the changing needs of your organizations and the sector. We encourage everyone affiliated with your organization to take the 2024 Annual Survey. All feedback is confidential. Participants who complete the survey will receive $15 off Center membership for your organization.

Bigger Potential for Annual Reports

‘Tis also the season for annual reporting. While year-end is hyper focused on fundraising, your annual report is a distinct and powerful marketing opportunity to cultivate new and long-standing relationships not only with your funders and supporters, but also with legislators, community decision-makers, media and others you want to inspire with your work and join your efforts.

Member Resource Bonus: This comprehensive toolkit can help you navigate your communications strategy, research, messaging, creative, and media to help your organization tell a cohesive and compelling story from the heart of your mission, vision, and values.

Thanks for Gathering

A huge thank you to the 504 participants, sponsors, presenters, and exhibitors who came together for our 2024 Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofits! Keynote speaker Amber Melanie Smith opened our eyes to the realities of burnout – both in our organizations and ourselves – and inspired us to be caretakers and advocates to reignite our passion for the work we do. The breakout sessions were packed with tangible ways to level up how we manage our operations, support our teams, and create better workplaces. Let’s keep these conversations going and put these tools into action to truly recharge our sector!

Help Us Plan: If you didn't attend the 2024 Conference, why not?

2025 Nonprofit Policy Agenda

One of the pillars of our mission is advocacy – alongside nonprofits all across North Carolina and on behalf of our vibrant sector – so it’s important to share our current positions on state and federal public policy issues affecting nonprofits. Our board of directors recently approved our 2025 Public Policy Agenda for NC’s Nonprofit Sector, which includes solutions and challenges that your organizations helped us identify. If you want the short take, check out the cheat sheet at the beginning that highlights our top five state and federal policy priorities. To stay up-to-date all year, sign up for our weekly Nonprofit Policy Update.

Change Starts with Us

Inequities are a reality in our nonprofits and throughout our sector. Take intentional steps to build relationships and explore tools and accountability mechanisms to dismantle oppressive systems during the Executive Leadership Cohort: Creating an Anti-Racist Community with Purpose, Intent & Impact. This collaborative 5-session series will examine how whiteness perpetuates in nonprofit operations and management practices, and use the power of peer support and collective learning to foster relationships and strategies for meaningful change. Sessions are weekly from February 21-March 27 (first and last sessions are in-person). Learn more and join us.

Lessons Learned

The inaugural in-person NPMI Master Class was more than just a learning session – it was a chance for Nonprofit Management Institute alumni to reconnect and continue building on their nonprofit leadership and skills. Participants valued learning from each other’s experiences, more time for personalized Q&A, and fostering their sense of community. Their feedback underscored the critical need for ongoing professional development tailored to the unique challenges of nonprofits, from capacity building to effective staff management on limited budgets. We appreciate the opportunity to build on this foundation within the Nonprofit Management Institute (stay tuned for 2025 dates) and future Master Classes.

Best of the Blog

Check out the top reads of fellow nonprofits this past year:

• Data Protection: 7 Proactive Ways to Protect Your Organization
• How Strategic Planning Affects the Success of Your Nonprofit
• Everything You Wanted to Know about Nonprofits and Elections...but Were Afraid to Ask
• 10 Ways to Enhance Your Nonprofit Communications Plan in the New Year
• Global Study Finds Fraud Impacts Nonprofits - What Can Your Organization Do?

What topics do you need support with or are looking to learn more about in 2025? Let us know!

Upcoming Training

• Powerhouse Boards, January 8 and 15
• Essentials of Nonprofit Audits, January 14
• Reenergize Your Board, February 5
• Executive Leadership Cohort: Creating an Anti-Racist Community with Purpose, Intent & Impact (5-session series), begins February 21
• The Trainer Academy (on-demand, 16-session course)
• The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and Build-It-Yourself Toolkit for Crafting an A+ Proposal (on-demand, 8-session course)
• Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events

Thank You, Supporters!

We appreciate the support of these new businesses in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits. Check them out or promote your services.

Welcome, New Members!

We appreciate the members of our growing nonprofit network. Your support and partnership make it possible for us to educate, connect, and advocate for and with nonprofits across North Carolina.

Nonprofit Connections is the monthly newsletter of nonprofit news, trends, and resources from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. If a colleague forwarded this message to you, sign up for our emails.

Current Center Member? Access your benefits or create your account.

Members of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits have full access to training, resources, and discounts on additional programs and services.

All NC 501(c)(3) nonprofits can become members.

Not a Center Member? Join now.

Not a 501(c)(3) org? Support or affiliate with the Center.

©2024 North Carolina Center for Nonprofits