Reflecting to Looking Forward

With 2024 upon us, it’s been helpful to reflect on the last year’s challenges and achievements as we look forward to new opportunities and recommit to educating, connecting, and advocating for NC nonprofits through our work together across the state.

Timely Refresher on Nonprofit Workforce

At our 2023 Conference for NC's Nonprofits, National Council of Nonprofit’s Donna Murray-Brown delivered a keynote that underscored the realities of the nonprofit workforce shortage crisis and how we, as nonprofit organizations, can and should encourage and develop nonprofit professionals who fortify a skilled, diverse pipeline for our nonprofits and the sector.

In a December 2023 article in The NonProfit Times, she revisits the issue with a broader lens. Her main points help us identify potential actions and how the Center is addressing them on behalf of NC nonprofits.

• The consequences of the nonprofit workforce shortage include long-term threats to the quantity and quality of nonprofit services within our communities. NC nonprofits’ workforce shortages mirror the national trends, so it’s important to ensure our hiring processes are inclusive, staff at every level are supported, and staff well-being is an ongoing pursuit.
• Reliable and unrestricted funding for nonprofits is essential to not only directly support programs and services but also indirectly support staff recruitment, development, and retention. Telling your nonprofit’s story effectively as well as identifying funders that align with your mission makes a big impact for your advocacy, fundraising, and staffing.
• Policy and rule changes can ease nonprofits’ overtime pay requirements and administrative burdens for government grants and contracts so organizations get paid on time and budget fairly for staff compensation. These particular issues have been front and center as part of the Center’s policy agendas and as we work with our NC legislators. Come meet legislators and share policy issues most important to your nonprofit at Nonprofit Policy Conversations this spring.

Brave Spaces for Bold Action

"Leadership is not static, and it doesn’t sit with one person. Instead, leadership is about building collective power to influence and change organizations and systems to operate in just and liberating ways that enable all individuals to thrive." This foundational philosophy of Building Movement Project’s Race to Lead work is what inspires our EDI Roundtables for Nonprofit Executives.

We invite you to the EDI Roundtables, a safe space for nonprofit leaders across North Carolina to have courageous and meaningful conversations that address the nonprofit sector’s racial leadership gap, and generate ideas, actions, and practical strategies to implement within our organizations that help identify and eliminate systemic barriers and practices. The five-session virtual series begins February 15. Center members and staff teams receive discounts on registration. Learn more and register.

Connect with Center Members

We look forward to our annual member meetings to connect with nonprofit colleagues and share what’s going on at the Center and across the state. Join us on February 22 for the 2024 Members Meeting to learn about Center program and membership updates, vote on a proposed Center bylaws amendment, greet our incoming President & CEO, and more. Registration is open to all Center member staff and board.

Not a Center Member? Check out all the benefits, join now, and meet up with us (virtually) in February!

What We’re Reading

• The real reasons why nonprofits can’t keep great staff – workplace oppression and equitable strategies to address it (podcast)
• Ten tips from a PR expert to enhance your organization’s communications plan in the new year
• Updates to the mileage reimbursement rate for folks that drive on behalf of nonprofits (spoiler: it increased to 67 cents per mile)
• Why and how to add AI to your nonprofit marketing toolkit responsibly

Upcoming Training

• The Future of Work & Your Early Talent Pipeline, January 23
• Empowering Nonprofits with AI-Driven Marketing Strategies, January 24
• EDI Roundtables for Nonprofit Executives (5-session series), February 14-March 13
• Decoding Nonprofit Finances: Making Sense of Your Financial Statements and Cash Flow, February 15
• Grant Series: Expand Your Grant Application Toolkit, March 5-15
• 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!

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!

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

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

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

Not a Center Member? Join now.

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

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Nonprofit Connections is the monthly newsletter of nonprofit news, trends, and resources from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits.

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