Two Local Foundations Bringing Professional Development to Non-Profit Organizations
Local nonprofits do great things for our community although, at the same time, they need access to information and resources to help them lead quality organizations and maintain their impact. Rural organizations, many led by volunteers, must travel an average of 100 miles and spend an average of $750 to attend the professional development conferences and often do not have the capacity to do so. To meet this need, the Fayette Community Foundation has partnered with the Stanzel Family Foundation to bring “Rural Philanthropy Day” on November 4, 2022. Held at Blinn College, Schulenburg Campus, this professional development conference aims to provide the education our local nonprofits require to raise their internal capacity, making them more effective and ultimately more sustainable as they become more successful.
Rural Philanthropy Day promises to be a one-of-a-kind event designed to build the capacity of our local nonprofits and strengthen their relationships with funders in our rural area. This conference will bring highly-requested education presented by respected leaders in the nonprofit sector while ensuring it is affordable for local organizations. The morning of the event will focus on professional development with an opening plenary message from representatives of United Way before breaking out into educational sessions designed for nonprofit staff, boards, and volunteers. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about topics such as Risk Management, Board Governance, Leveraging the Volunteer Workforce, Grant Writing, Budgeting, Donor Development, Event Fundraising, Marketing, and Understanding Your 990. Following the breakout sessions will be a lunch forum moderated by Erika Ekwurzel of Civic Aim to discuss best practices for approaching different types of funders, including a public foundation, a private foundation, a major corporation, and a financial institution.
The high-level speakers for this event include Millicent Boykin, OneStar Foundation; Jerry Herring, President, Fayetteville Community Center Group; Eileen Piwetz, Florence Marie Hall Foundation; Brooke Garcia, University of Houston Victoria; Bridget Brandt, Leander Chamber of Commerce; Lizzy Welch, PaperCity Magazine; Kathy Ploch, Durio & Company, PC; Tonja Rodriguez, Harper Pearson; and Bao-Long Chu, Houston Endowment. The success of Rural Philanthropy Day goes well beyond this one-day event.The growth of our nonprofits through education and connection to local funders is instrumental to the health and well-being of our rural communities. Following the morning of education, Funders from all over the state, including foundations, corporations, banks, and individuals will be invited to participate in an afternoon of roundtable sessions with participating nonprofits. This “Speed Dating” activity will allow nonprofits to learn from a variety of funders on how to better present their mission and receive real-time feedback on enhancing their approach. Additionally, this opportunity also allows funders to learn from local nonprofits and discuss solutions to the unique challenges facing our rural communities.
This event is proudly designed, organized, and planned by community leaders from our rural region. The three community leaders chairing the event are Cheryl Pekar, Stanzel Family Foundation; Reenie Collins, FCF Board Member; and Craig Moreau, Fayette County Official. Nonprofit staff and board members alike are invited to attend and be provided with helpful information, education, and ideas to build internal capacities in various areas including governance, fundraising, operations, volunteers, grant writing, and marketing. Available scholarships to the event are generously sponsored by the OneStar Foundation to ensure all local nonprofit organizations are able to attend Rural Philanthropy Day without the cost being a barrier. For more information on how to register or sponsor this impactful event, please visit the event page on www.faycofoundation.com or email Susannah at susannah@ faycofoundation.com.
The mission of the Fayette Community Foundation is to build stronger, safer, and more vibrant communities by providing a bridge that connects caring philanthropists to those in need.
The mission of the Stanley Family Foundation mission is to encourage and support an educated and healthy community. Our Vision is to be active partners in community education and health, empowering generations of engaged citizen philanthropists.