SkillsBuilders

NPCC’s SkillsBuilders training and support programs are designed to transfer practical management skills to leaders of small and mid-sized nonprofits and to track measurable improvements in the participating organizations.  It makes available practical training and support by top providers in management areas such as marketing and communications, financial management and outcome management at greatly reduced cost.  Two pilot programs have launched: Managing for Results: Outcomes Management for Smaller Nonprofits, and Basic Finances.  Grantwriting for Smaller Nonprofits will begin in Fall 2008. 

SkillsBuilders offers intensive training and support in nonprofit management areas where these services are not affordable or appropriately structured for small and mid-sized organizations.  The goal is to develop low-cost strategies that help managers build stronger organizations.  Results of the training and support provided are tracked as part of the program. 

Outcome Management

Managing for Results: Outcome Management for Smaller Nonprofits enables organizations to master the basics of defining, assessing and tracking outcomes.  It launched in April 2006, and is conducted in partnership with The Rensselaerville Institute.  The program combines small, hands-on workshops with follow-up coaching and support sessions, offering nonprofit leaders real experience in creating practical outcome management strategies for their organizations.

To date, 28 groups have successfully completed participation in the first two rounds of the initiative.  All have successfully implemented outcome management in their organizations.  The next round of Outcome Management is scheduled to begin later in 2008.  The cost is $500 for two participants from each organization.  For more information contact Michael Clark at 212-502-4191, extension 23 or mclark@npccny.org.

Basic Finances

Basic Finances for Small Nonprofits enables leaders of small nonprofits to manage their organization’s financial affairs through mastery of basic concepts of bookkeeping (assets and liabilities, debts and credits, cash disbursements, cash receipts and journal entries).  Nonprofit leaders are often unfamiliar with the rudimentary aspects of bookkeeping, financial statements, audits and government reporting.  This program offers guidance on how to use financial information as an effective management tool. 

The program is open to NPCC members with budgets under $250,000—those groups approaching their first certified financial audit.  Through workshops, support clinics and coaching, participating groups get guidance and bookkeeping solutions and help in preparing for their organization’s first audit.  Ongoing telephone and email support is provided.  Ideal participants are an executive director and/or board member for each organization, i.e., someone who ultimately has responsibility for the organization’s finances, but lack confidence in their ability to interpret and manage financial information.

To date, 24 groups have successfully completed the Basic Finance course through two cycles.  Basic Finances will next be offered in July 2008.  The cost is $500 for two participants from an organization.  For more information contact Marcia Brown at 212-502-4191, extension 27 or mbrown@npccny.org.