Missouri Common Grant Application 6/17/15 Orientation

Nonprofits considering submitting grant applications to foundations that accept the Missouri Common Grant Application (CGA) are invited to a free 90-minute orientation to the CGA process June 17 at the Nonprofit Services Center office. Gateway Center for Giving coordinated development of the Missouri CGA will also explain how to use it most effectively. The  CGA allows grantmakers and grantseekers to work from a common set of questions and definitions that reinforce solid nonprofit and philanthropic practices. 

Register for this event here

The common grant application format has been adopted by groups of grantmakers in various locations. to allow grant applicants to produce a single proposal for a specific community of funders. Note: CGA's do not represent separate pools of grant money, just a more efficient way of applying to the participating funders. Click Here for  Foundation Center links to some 17 CGA's around the country.

NPOs Offer Community Healing Thru Discussion & Training

Two free opportunities to act on the issues brought into focus in Ferguson:

• Community Healing through the Arts --  Oct. 16 lunch/discussion with nationally known  speakers Patricia St. Onge and Diana Marie Lee will lead a dialogue on how arts organizations can respond to community needs post-Ferguson. Sponsored by the Nonprofit Services Center & Regional Arts Commission
• Community Diversity Facilitation Trainings from the Diversity Awareness Partnership for individuals/groups interested in learning how to navigate difficult dialogue related to race, racism, unconscious bias, and disempowerment. Oct. 29 | 6 - 8 pm. @ St. Louis Community College Corporate College, or Dec. 4 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm @ Diversity Awareness Partnership, 815 Olive Street, Classroom 18) For more information or to register, contact Natalie Clay, 314-246-3142.
  
  

Grant Writing Update for the Experienced

Fundraisiers with a minimum of 3 years of experience writing grant proposals are invited to enroll soon in Writing Effective Grant Proposals "An Exercise for Experienced Grant Writers" taught by Wendy Dyer Aug. 27, 9-3 at the Nonprofit Services Center. Topics covered will include how to write effective measurable outcome statements.The $90 fee includes a breakfast snack and lunch. Class capacity is 30.

Give STL Day + NSC Help

Area nonprofits have until April 11, 2014 to register with www.givestlday.org to participate in this Greater St. Louis Community Foundation-sponsored effort to raise $1+million for area nonprofits in 24 hours on May 6, 2014.

Once your group registers, NSC is sponsoring three free information and Q&A sessions about Give STl Day -- March 13 - 4:30 pm, March 19 - 8:30 am or March 27 - 4:30 pm at Centene Center for  Arts & Education. Sign up for the one you want -- and get details on NSC's other useful continuing  education options here: NSC Workshop Registration.

NSC Is Back! Learn More 4/2 at GPA

Diane Drollinger, CEO of the Nonprofit Services Center, a statewide nonprofit intermediary and longtime G&FC program partner, will talk about "The Past, Present and Future of NSC" at the April 2 lunch meeting of the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association.  Central Reform Congregation, St. Louis, 11:30 - 1:30. Registration: $15 for nonmembers (plus an optional sandwich order or bring your own). Contact Nancy at 314-740-5284 for more information/to register by March 29. You can pick up descriptions of NSC's spring trainings here at the G&FC.

Learn from 2 Intermediaries Here in August

This past April, Gateway Center for Giving published a study on The Role of Intermediaries in St. Louis. (see April 8 post below) They reported on 30 local organizations who 'provide essential services" -- ranging from funding, collaborative, training and/or advocacy assistance -- to the regional nonprofit sector. And now, our August schedule of free classes here at the G&FC gives you the opportunity to meet leaders from two of them and find out more about their services. ...

• Aug. 18 --Linda Aitch from the Nonprofit Services Center will talk about Capacity Building for Highly Effective Nonprofits. Funders and donors are now requiring evidence of your organization's effectiveness and financial sustainability after the gift/grant has been used. Linda will describe how to develop your nonprofit's core skills in leadership, management, finance and fundraising, programming and evaluation to meet these requirements. 3-4:30 pm.
  


• Aug. 24 -- Board Chair Matt Matthews and CEO Wendell Kimbrough will head a panel from ARCHS, Area Resources for Community and Human Services, sharing effective ways of Engaging Your Board. They will describe how to discern and use your board's collective experience, expertise and business/social connections to build your organization's effectiveness. ARCHS works in partnership with local organizations to pool time and talent and leverage funding to benefit the St. Louis region. 3-4:30 pm.
  
  Just contact me with questions or to sign up.