Christie's Reflections


We are delighted to share the remarkable success of OneSource Illuminated, our annual fundraising celebration of art and culture, held on Friday, October 18. This vibrant evening raised over $12,000, adding to the $125,000 in our annual sustaining sponsorships. These funds are vital investments in our mission, providing essential services and products to nonprofit agencies throughout our community.


Amid the excitement of BLINK, OneSource Illuminated showcased the power of community united for a common cause. Guests were immersed in stunning art installations and, more importantly, the generosity of individuals committed to making a difference. Each donation reflected the spirit of the event, where artistic expression and community collaboration created a

magical environment for change.


In this newsletter, we are excited to introduce the event's inspiring keynote speaker, Barbara Isemann founder of On Our Way Home, a valued OneSource Center member. Her innovative nonprofit is dedicated to providing affordable housing for individuals in recovery from addiction, making her

a powerful ambassador for OneSource’s supports and resources.


As we move forward, let’s celebrate our collective achievements and look ahead to the impactful work still to come. Together, we can create lasting positive change and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.


A Gentle Reminder:

The Importance of Commitment in Event Attendance


As a nonprofit community, we all rely on collaboration, continuous learning, and shared resources to strengthen our impact. Workshops, training, and development opportunities are designed to equip organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive. These events not only help build the capacity of nonprofits but contribute to the overall health and resilience of the entire nonprofit ecosystem.


Organizing events takes a tremendous amount of effort—securing expert presenters, preparing materials, and providing meals. Every detail is carefully planned to ensure that attendees receive valuable insights and support to advance their work. However, when we RSVP and don’t attend, the result is wasted resources and missed opportunities.


Let’s all make it a priority to be mindful of the effort and resources that go into making quality learning and growth opportunities available to the nonprofit community. Before registering, we should plan to take a moment to consider whether we can truly commit to attending. And because emergencies do happen, if it’s necessary to miss an event we’ve registered for, we should do so with as much notice as possible to allow presenters and organizers to make necessary adjustments and allow additional folks to register in our place.


By honoring our commitment to attend events we’ve registered for, we not only show respect for organizers and presenters, but ensure that these wonderful opportunities remain available to all of us in the nonprofit community.


Thank you for all you do to strengthen our region’s nonprofit sector, and for making our shared events as meaningful and impactful as possible.



OneSource Illuminated


Thank you to all who attended and supported our OneSource Illuminated event on October 18, 2024. It was a festive evening with friends and supporters featuring a heartwarming testimonial of our work from Barbara Isemann of On Our Way Home. Everyone was energized by the upbeat insights of emcee Bob Herzog and best of all, our guests left the gala with plenty of time to enjoy the extraordinary sights and sounds of BLINK.



We hope you'll take a few minutes to enjoy photos from the event!

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View OneSource Illuminated Photo Gallery

EXCEL Class of 2025 Kicks off at Camp Joy


For nonprofit leaders, leadership development is a powerful pathway to expanding their impact and growing their careers. It means acquiring the skills, perspectives, and confidence to lead effectively in complex environments, make strategic decisions, and inspire others toward a shared mission.


The Nonprofit Leadership Institute (NLI) offers exactly this through the EXCEL Leadership Development program, the region's legacy 9-month executive leadership development program designed for nonprofit CEO’s, Executive Directors and other high-promise leaders who will lead the charge for the success of the nonprofit sector now and into the future.


Pictured above is the EXCEL Class of 2025's very first session at Camp Joy! Launching each EXCEL class with a day of camaraderie and teambuilding exercises fosters the collaboration and trust that has made EXCEL a personal and professional game-changer for so many nonprofit leaders. We can't wait to see the places they'll go throughout the program and beyond!


NLI is currently reviewing applications for the EXCEL Class of 2026, which will begin in the fall of 2025. With a class limit of just 25 leaders, it's not too soon to send in your application or have the executive leaders in your organization send in theirs. The button below will take you to OneSource's NLI page where you can learn more about EXCEL in addition to ADVANCE, a leadership development program for new nonprofit managers and BUILD which provides essential knowledge and skills for leaders of new and growing nonprofits.

Learn About and Apply for NLI Programs

Practical Evaluation for Nonprofits with the UC Evaluation Services Center


Wednesday, November 20

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Corryville Branch Library

2802 Short Vine Street

Cincinnati, OH 45219


Evaluation can help nonprofit organizations use data to make informed choices and show their effectiveness to stakeholders. In this workshop, the University of Cincinnati Evaluation Services Center team will share how you can start building organizational capacity for using evaluation to make decisions that are focused on practical uses and benefits. 


This free workshop will be hosted by the Corryville branch library and

presented by Helix Research and Resources for Social Innovation in Partnership with the University of Cincinnati. Register here.

AMA Agency is a community outreach program that matches nonprofits and startups with experienced marketing professionals for 6-month pro bono marketing projects. The mission of the program is to help grow our local economy and build community resilience.


There are lots of reasons to participate:


  • Execute more effectively or scale your organization faster by elevating your marketing game


  • Develop tools and resources that will enable you to continue to elevate your marketing going forward


The deadline to register is November 15. You will be matched with a team to work on projects between January - June. 




OneSource Center is proud to announce our partnership with VIEAbility, the nonprofit community's one-stop-shop for office supplies, janitorial, breakroom and mailroom necessities. Your OneSource membership offers your nonprofit discounted pricing on their already competitive rates.


VIEAbility provides professional-level job opportunities for people who had previously established careers but unexpectedly lost their vision later in life. By shopping with VIE Ability, you receive competitive pricing on more than 60,000 high-quality office products.


VIEAbility is proudly operated by the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CABVI) which is a local, non-profit, mission-based agency that provides meaningful employment for over 4,000 blind and visually impaired people in the Cincinnati area.


Call today for more information at 513-487-4515 or sign up online.

Professional Office Chairs For OneSource Members


High-quality office furniture is more than just a workplace luxury—it's a smart investment in employee well-being, productivity, and organizational image. OneSource's Common Good Store works hard to source high quality office furniture at the lowest possible prices to make sure our members have the right equipment to meet their standards of comfort and professionalism.


Currently, the Common Good Store has Haworth Improv Rolling Chairs in a variety of upholstery colors (retail $430) and Torsion stacking chairs (retail $200) available for $20 each.


To purchase, visit the Common Good Store Monday – Friday between or 8:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. shop the Furniture Bank online.






Funding available for Website, SEO and Social Media training


Ohio TechCred applications open November 1 for technical training.


While many options and providers qualify for funding, Emily Journey & Associates is one provider that provides Wordpress, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media training and will offer assistance in the somewaht confusing application process.


More details available on our website. Contact Erin Brooks, TechCred Coordinator at 844-972-6224 or contact their TechCred Coordinator online for more information.









Budgeting for 2025 Office Equipment and I.T. Needs


OneSource Center is partnering with ProSource to review your current print and I.T. environment, identify pain points, and explore strategies to enhance efficiency and security.


Schedule a free consultation with them to gain insights into your current setup and uncover opportunities to improve efficiency. A thorough evaluation by ProSource is designed to help nonprofits allocate correctly in their 2025 budgets. 


Contact Bill Schulok to schedule your free equipment assessment. 

Meet OneSource Illuminated Keynote Speaker,

Barbara Isemann


OneSource Center could not have asked for a more inspirational ambassador for our mission than Barbara Isemann. Her story, which she shared as our Keynote Speaker at OneSource Illuminated, is summarized below. It highlights addiction, recovery, and the healing power of community. By turning to OneSource for guidance, training, and essential resources, Barbara and her team have been able to build a strong foundation for the long-term growth and sustainability of her transformative organization, On Our Way Home!


"Since 2022, On Our Way Home! has provided over 11,000 safe nights in certified recovery housing, offering drug-free permanent housing where individuals practice sober living together. This accomplishment was made possible with the support of OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence.


I’m a retired hospital pharmacist with experience in substance addiction, and my personal journey with my daughter’s addiction inspired me to help women with similar struggles. After our daughter’s successful recovery through extended stay in recovery housing, my husband and I aimed to volunteer but realized a greater need in Clermont County: a nonprofit to secure state funding for recovery housing. This led to the creation of On Our Way Home!


With guidance from Ohio Recovery Housing, we established policies, purchased properties, and started our operations in 2022. However, I needed help navigating the next phase. OneSource Center connected me with ProBono Partnership of Ohio and provided invaluable consulting services on board development and business planning, with volunteers like Bob Wuerdeman and Bob Mecum guiding us through every step.


In 2022, I received a scholarship to attend the EXCEL Executive Excellence leadership program, which gave me the skills and confidence to lead our nonprofit. We also leveraged OneSource’s resources like the Furniture Bank and financial services.

As we expanded, our board recognized the need to address barriers like employment and transportation for our residents. We engaged OneSource again for strategic planning, and with their support, we developed key programs and measurement tools. Recently, we received a state grant to open a Wellness Center and began offering peer support services, with plans for Medicaid reimbursement.


Our success is a testament to OneSource’s support. We are deeply grateful for their assistance and encourage others to join and support this vital organization in our community."


Workshops, Trainings & Events Calendar


November 7 Innovative Storytelling Tactics to Capture the Hearts and Minds of Donors

November 7 PBPO Employment Helpline

November 12 Maximizing Donor Retention

November 14 CLE: DEI in Action: Legal Decisions, Ethical Challenges, and Practical Considerations

November 15 Unlocking Efficiency: Leveraging ChatGPT for Nonprofit Success

November 15 Andrew Jergens Foundation LOI Deadline

November 20 PBPO Quarterly Employment Webinar Series

November 20 Practical Evaluation for Nonprofits with the UC Evaluation Services Center

December 1 The Thomas J. Emery Memorial LOI Deadline

December 1 William O. Purdy, Jr. Foundation Fund LOI Deadline

December 4 Understanding Accounting Principles Unique to Nonprofit Organizations

December 5 How to Create Social Media Content for Your Nonprofit

December 5 PBPO Employment Helpline

December 15 Warren County Discretionary Grant deadline

OneSource Center Calendar 

Thank You US Bank!

OneSource Center extends our deepest gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership. Your generosity through the years has been instrumental in helping us fulfill our mission to support nonprofits do great things.



We are beyond grateful for your belief in our work.