While we are fortunate to serve public, private, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes, one of my favorite things about our work at Project Partners is helping to grow fledgling nonprofit organizations. Small organizations that are just starting out are often led by people with the same characteristics: huge hearts, major passion for their cause, and limited resources. We recently had the opportunity to partner with a local organization that was in this exact situation.
A group of literacy advocates had come together to form the Texas chapter of The Reading League. The volunteer Board of Directors is made up of professionals and educators from throughout the state who are well-versed in issues related to literacy. However, their time and resources are limited since nearly all of them work full-time in leadership positions.
Their ambitious goals involve a program of work that will necessitate hiring an Executive Director, which requires significant funding. Key board members were willing to engage funders but needed some tools in their toolbox so that they would fill equipped to do so with some chance of success. In other words, they were willing to take that journey, but really needed a roadmap! That’s where Project Partners stepped in.
Using materials provided by the national organization and guidance from their Board president, our team put together a full package of deliverables that included a branded case for support and flyer, a gift table populated with local foundations that likely aligned with their mission, a suggested budget and strategic plan for their first year, and a job description for the prospective Executive Director position. Our engagement wrapped up with a half-day virtual training with their Board of Directors during which we reviewed and explained every tool that had been developed, offered training on the basics of fundraising, and answered any questions they had about engaging funders and “making the ask.”
The organizations that survive past the fledgling stage and go on to do great things are the ones that can take full advantage of those huge hearts and major passion by providing their volunteers and board members with the tools to affect change in a meaningful way. Passion can burn out without a clear vision or success. Everyone gets recharged by those small (or big!) victories. When your volunteers are given an accessible way to contribute to the success of the organization – and see results – it can keep that fire burning for the long term, helping your organization to grow and advance its mission well into the future.
What tools can we add to your toolbox?