SkillsBuilders

NPCC’s SkillsBuilders training and support programs increase the practical management skills of leaders of small and mid-sized nonprofits and then track measurable improvements in their organizations. The programs offer practical training and support by top providers in management areas such as fundraising, financial management, outcome management, and communications at greatly reduced cost.

SkillsBuilders programs offer affordable, hands-on training, coaching and support in key nonprofit management areas where such services are not available or appropriately structured for small and mid-sized organizations. These low-cost strategies help managers build stronger organizations, and results are tracked as part of the program.

Basic Fundraising
Sooner or later, all of us have to ask individuals for money. So why should someone give money to your organization or cause? Need to know why people give money to nonprofits and why, in particular, they might contribute to yours? Learn how to create a compelling case for support, deliver your pitch successfully and raise more money from a more diverse group of people.

Led by Judy Levine and Gregory Cohen of Cause Effective: Nonprofit Resource Development Center, this series of workshops and clinics provides practical exercises that assess and improve your organization’s individual fundraising.

The cost is $500 for two participants from each organization. For more information about Basic Fundraising, contact Alison Kincaid at 212-502-4191, extension 24 or akincaid@npccny.org.

Outcome Management
Managing for Results: Outcome Management for Smaller Nonprofits enables small and mid-sized organizations to master the basics of defining, assessing and tracking outcomes. This program is conducted in partnership with The Rensselaerville Institute. It combines small, hands-on workshops with follow-up coaching and support, 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 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 by mastering the basic concepts of bookkeeping. Nonprofit leaders are often unfamiliar with the rudimentary aspects of bookkeeping (assets and liabilities, debts and credits, cash disbursements, cash receipts and journal entries), financial statements, audits and government reporting. This program offers guidance on how to use financial information as an effective management tool.

Through workshops, support clinics and coaching, participating groups master bookkeeping solutions. Ongoing telephone and email support is provided. Ideal participants are an executive director and/or board member from each organization, i.e., someone who ultimately has responsibility for the organization’s finances, but may lack confidence or background in interpreting and managing financial information.

To date, 24 groups have successfully completed the Basic Finance course through two cycles. The cost is $500 for two participants from an organization.

January 2011