Area Nonprofits Strengthening Skills to Better Serve Community

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has approved a three-year, $1.5 million grant to the Michigan Nonprofit Association, a statewide management support organization providing capacity building services to Michigan nonprofits.  The purpose of the grant is to create a central source for organizational capacity building and support resources for nonprofits in Greater Battle Creek and eventually throughout the state.

The Lansing-based 700 member association will join forces with Battle Creek’s NonProfit Alliance to provide organizational development resources and tools that will strengthen administrative efficiency leading to enhanced program impact and increased sustainability for Battle Creek nonprofits.

“The new partnership between our Nonprofit Alliance and the Michigan Nonprofit Association will serve the Battle Creek community and has the potential to provide a blueprint for other Michigan communities that are in need of a central source for nonprofit organizational development services, resources and tools,” said Kellogg Foundation Program Director Donna Lartigue.

Grant funds will be used to deliver services that may include human resource and financial management support, executive transition management, legal services, strategic restructuring, and marketing and fundraising.  “A capacity building fund is also built into the grant for participants to access trained consultants for emerging technical assistance needs,” said Lartigue.

The mission of the Michigan Nonprofit Association is to enhance the effectiveness of the Michigan nonprofit sector in serving society. “We view this opportunity to assist Michigan nonprofits as a positive step toward developing their ability to sustain themselves,” said Michigan Nonprofit Association President and CEO Sam Singh.

The Nonprofit Alliance delivers knowledge and tools to help area nonprofits enhance the quality of life in Battle Creek by providing area nonprofit organizations hands-on, face-to-face opportunities to hone their skills, think about the issues they face in fresh ways, and increase the results of their work.

“Nonprofits hold an important stewardship responsibility with respect to the communities they serve,” said Nonprofit Alliance incoming Executive Director Teresa Durham. “Our partnership with Michigan Nonprofit Association significantly enhances our ability to help nonprofits become strong organizations that can sustain themselves, and in turn provide better quality programs to residents.”