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The Center is:
* An information center on effective organizational practices
* A statewide network for nonprofits boards and staff
* An advocate for the nonprofit sector as a whole
Mission: To serve, promote, and represent the nonprofit sector and strengthen nonprofits' effectiveness as they improve North Carolina's quality of life. Our goals are to:
1. Provide excellent information on organizational practices that are effective, legal, and ethical. Examples are good governance, management, communication, fundraising, evaluation, advocacy, and collaboration.
2. Help nonprofits save money on their operating costs.
3. Foster communication and collaboration among nonprofits.
4. Enhance public recognition of the importance of the nonprofit sector to the people of North Carolina.
5. Advocate on issues that affect the capacity of all 501(c)(3) nonprofits to address their communities’ needs.
Who belongs? Membership is open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in our state, and to other community groups with charitable missions. The 1,550 Members are all sizes and types of nonprofits in all 100 counties. Dues are $65 to $1,000 based on the group’s budget size. Grantmaking foundations may become Members or Sustainers. Businesses, governments, and individuals may become Sustainers or purchase service packages. A list of Members is available.
What does it offer? The Center helps Member nonprofits save time and money, lead and manage their organizations effectively, exchange ideas, and collaborate for more impact. Examples of services are:
* The Statewide Conference for North Carolina’s Nonprofit Sector. Over 56,000 community leaders have participated in this and our other seminars and forums. Join us in Raleigh on October 15-17, 2008.
* Board & Staff Helpline – fast, confidential information on best practices and resources. Almost 70,000 board and staff leaders have used this service.
* An extensive website with carefully selected resources – www.ncnonprofits.org. More than 140 times a day, nonprofits download substantive articles and sample organizational policies.
* 27 programs to help nonprofits save money on common costs – e.g., payroll services, conference calls, office supplies, unemployment insurance – and free consultations with attorneys, CPAs, and HR professionals.
* A checklist with specific benchmarks to help nonprofits follow accountable, ethical practices – Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence: A Self-Help Tool for Organizational Effectiveness.
* Online jobs board to fill vacancies and recruit talent to the nonprofit sector.
* Common Ground: Linking North Carolina’s Nonprofit Sector – a quarterly on trends and practical tips.
* Public Policy Alerts on legal issues that affect all nonprofits.
* Ways to exchange ideas with peers in other nonprofits – other executive directors, board members, VPs, and staff working in administration, communications, fundraising, public policy, and technology.
How does it collaborate? We work with many local, state, and national partners interested in helping our state’s nonprofits. In collaboration with the N.C. Bar Association and N.C. Association of CPAs, for example, we offer free consultations for specialized legal and accounting expertise. We also work closely with local and regional leaders committed to the nonprofit sector.
Who is on the Board? The 15 members of the statewide Board of Directors are nonprofit, foundation, and business leaders with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector.
How was it started? The Center was founded in 1990 after three years of interviews pointed to the need for nonprofits to work together to strengthen their organizations and the nonprofit sector. We set our priorities with input from 2,153 leaders in nonprofits, foundations, and businesses from all 100 counties. Now we seek daily input for continuous improvement and to respond to the changing environment for nonprofits.
How is it funded? Nonprofits invest in themselves by supporting a third of the budget through dues and fees, showing they value the Center’s work. Foundations and businesses invest annually as Sustainers to subsidize the remaining cost of providing the services that nonprofits want from the Center at the level of quality they deserve. We also invite individuals who believe in the value of North Carolina’s nonprofit sector to become Individual Donors and Sustainers.
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