Local News Spotlights NMI, a Thomas Nelson Partnership

In Greater Williamsburg, the nonprofit sector is growing stronger all the time thanks to NetworkPeninsula and its partners.

The Nonprofit Management Institute at Thomas Nelson Community College kicked off its third year of classes in January. The Institute, the first of its kind to be offered on the Peninsula, is a joint initiative of Thomas Nelson Community College and NetworkPeninsula. NetworkPeninsula, itself a nonprofit, supports more than 300 other nonprofits across the Peninsula with tools and resources to enable them to grow stronger and more effective.

With major support from local foundations, including the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation and the Williamsburg Health Foundation, NetworkPeninsula provides much-needed resources for local agencies.

"Within the nonprofit sector, the work of NetworkPeninsula is called 'capacity-building.' NetworkPeninsula provides opportunities for nonprofit organizations to move to the next level in their ability to fulfill their missions. The Institute is one such opportunity" says Allison Brody, director of community engagement at the Williamsburg Health Foundation.

Since 2019, the Institute at TNCC has welcomed 136 people representing 68 local nonprofit organizations. Classes have provided best practices in nonprofit management, leadership, and development. They are open to nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers as well as anyone interested in learning more about the nonprofit sector.

Many of this year's classes will address the current environment following a year when nonprofits pivoted to remain sustainable during the COVID-19 pandemic and sought to build racial equity in their organization's operations and services. The January class was "Leadership Under Pressure." Future classes include "How to Fundraise During a Pandemic," "Hiring with an Equity Lens," and more.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation was one of the first groups to support the Institute. The foundation has provided training funds to enable any interested staff member or board member from greater Williamsburg's health and human service nonprofits the opportunity to take classes.

"Nonprofit work is complex. It requires entrepreneurial thinking, careful administration, multifaceted communications, and diverse fundraising efforts. The Nonprofit Management Institute enables current and future leaders to learn more about the business of running a successful nonprofit," said Brody. "Our community needs nonprofits to succeed at their missions," concluded Brody.

Katie Patrick, executive director of Grove Christian Outreach Center, says, "I have truly found Nonprofit Management Institute extremely valuable. In addition to learning new things or building on my foundation of knowledge from years in the nonprofit sector, I had the opportunity to meet and network with colleagues from different organizations who I have continued to reach out to over the past year."

"I have encouraged my entire team to participate in as many classes as they would like, since the opportunities to offer to furthering education classes are difficult for a nonprofit of our size. The gift of reimbursement for all classes attended in full is unheard of, and there is no reason not to take advantage of this. I recommend Nonprofit Management Institute to any nonprofit," said Patrick.

The long-term goal of the Institute is to help develop a stronger, more sustainable nonprofit sector.

"Nonprofit staff and Board not only learn how to work more effectively on a daily basis, but they also learn the latest trends in the areas of fundraising, leadership, organizational development, and more," said Karen Dutro, Executive Director of NetworkPeninsula, and Director of the Institute. "This will enable them to excel in their roles, to the ultimate benefit of their nonprofit and the communities in which they serve," continued Dutro. "Strong, healthy nonprofits are key to thriving communities."

Classes are held every month and include both half-day and full-day classes. All classes are held online until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Discounts are available to nonprofit members of NetworkPeninsula. Each class provides participants with CEUs and CFREs, an international fundraising certification. Participants can work toward various Certificate Programs, including Fundraising Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Resource Development, Finance/Legal, and Organizational Development. Ultimately, participants can work toward a comprehensive TNCC-granted certification in Nonprofit Management.

For more information, including class schedule and full descriptions, visit www.NetworkPeninsula.org/nmi.

WYDaily.com published the article Feb. 9.
https://wydaily.com/local-news/2021/02/09/bc-nonprofits-getting-stronger-all-the-time-in-williamsburg-free-read/