Sustainability Strategies: First 5 LA Offers Customized Consulting OpportunitySeptember 14, 2009 |
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 After three years of overseeing capacity building programs, the lead staff for First 5 LA's Grantee Technical Assistance Institute has learned that organizations often blossom under the one-on-one guidance of an outside expert who can offer a fresh perspective about how to best chart their future course. Outside consultants specializing in nonprofits can give an organization dynamic tools and resources on how to function more efficiently and stay afloat in tough economic times, which may be difficult for staff and administration mired in day-to-day tasks. To help facilitate a match between outside consultants who may be helpful to L.A. County nonprofit organizations, First 5 LA is offering opportunities for up to 30 current and former grantees to connect with one of three consulting firms that focus on fundraising, financial management and strategic communications. Interested organizations must apply for the opportunity and contribute a nominal participation fee if selected. Applications are due between late September and early December, depending on the particular opportunity. Consulting firms working with First 5 LA will offer the following one-on-one services to organizations: Building qualitative relationships with individual donors Generating program and operating funds is a challenge for many nonprofit organizations, even during times of economic stability. To achieve financial sustainability, nonprofits can benefit significantly by developing lifelong connections with individual donors. The nonprofits that are most successful in securing support from individuals use approaches that are effective, thoughtful and based on strong connections with the organization's work and mission. The goal of this consultant match is to provide participating organizations access to a nationally recognized model for successfully generating support and commitment from individual donors. By doing so, organizations will become less dependent on fundraising from labor-intensive special events and restricted funding from foundations and corporations. Click here to apply to this customized consulting opportunity. Applications are due no later than 5:00pm, September 25. A new approach to financial planning and management Due to cutbacks in public funding the demand for safety-net services has increased, often forcing nonprofit organizations to do much more with much less. And with the current economic downturn the need for nonprofit organizations to be able to revisit and/or improve financial planning and decision making is crucial. The goal of this consultant match is to provide organizations the opportunity to review and consider financial planning with a more strategic approach to the present and future, with the ultimate purpose of helping organizations become stronger and more financially sound over the long term. Media is more than ever the message Effective communications and public presence have become increasingly important in all aspects of contemporary life, and are often among the most under-resourced aspects of nonprofit organizational operations. From straightforward publications to complex branding and positioning, nonprofit organizations often have difficulties prioritizing staff time and other organizational resources to address and accomplish marketing, communications and public relations. The goal of this consultant match is to allow organizations access to professional expertise for focused communications projects and to significantly leverage their organization's internal marketing and communications efforts. For more information on how to apply to the Customized Consulting program through the First 5 LA Grantee Technical Assistance Institute contact Heather Tunis at (213) 482-7526 or htunis@first5la.org. |
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