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C05 Session: Becoming a Sustainable Infrastructure Organization

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Becoming a Sustainable Infrastructure Organization

Friday, July 15 2:15pm - 3:45pm

Track: Fundraising and Sustainability

Presenters

Erin Hardwick, S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations; Karen Beavor, Georgia Center for Nonprofits; Kay Sohl, TACS - Technical Assistance for Community Services

Description

As infrastructure organizations we face the continual challenge of sustainability. Surviving and growing in this environment depends in large measure on diversifying our income sources. We must adapt and explore innovative methods of generating new and unrestricted revenues, while seeking to grow the support of those who invest in us through memberships, grants and contributions. Research and experience strongly indicate that the key to achieving sustainability is uncovering and increasing the value of an organization's products and services. In this session, get tools and tips on how to diversify your income sources and hear from a panel of leaders of infrastructure organizations who have done this successfully.

About the Presenters

Karen Beavor, Georgia Center for Nonprofits

For the past six years Karen has served as executive director of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, an organization whose mission it is to serve, strengthen and support Georgia’s nonprofit community. Under Karen’s leadership the Center has grown its revenues by 80%, expanded its operations to include two satellite offices in Augusta and Columbus, and developed a nationally recognized and replicated consulting practice. With Karen’s guidance, the Center has grown to become one of the most successful and active nonprofit associations in the country. As its central goal, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits works to improve the way nonprofits do business so they can, in turn, have a greater impact on our communities. Karen also serves as a board member, ex officio board member, or advisory board member on a variety of civic and nonprofit organizations. She is constantly called upon to lend her guidance and support to board members, volunteers and others working to improve our community. Karen’s current commitments include the National Nonprofit Risk Management Center, Family Connections Partnership, the Foundation Center-Atlanta, The Nonprofit Quarterly, American Humanics at Kennesaw State University, The State Bar of Georgia’s ABC Committee, the Atlanta Mexican Center, and Techbridge. Additionally, Beavor is active on a variety of national committees including Independent Sector and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, among others. An Atlanta native, Karen is a graduate of Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia. She has received the Martin Luther King Leadership award and the Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta’s Community Leader Award. She is a graduate of the 2000 class of Leadership Atlanta and the 2003 Coca-Cola Diversity Leadership Academy.

Erin Hardwick, S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Erin Hardwick is executive director of the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO), a position she has held since the Association’s founding in 1997. In this position she serves as the chief executive of the state’s only nonprofit association working to strengthen the sector by providing resources and public policy advocacy. She has raised significant support from local, regional and national sources to develop capacity building programs for nonprofit organizations. SCANPO is celebrating its seventh anniversary in 2004 and annually serves over 700 member organizations representing some 20,000 staff members and volunteers

Kay Sohl, TACS - Technical Assistance for Community Services

Kay Sohl is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Technical Assistance for Community Services (TACS), based in Portland, Oregon. TACS is a nonprofit that provides consultation, training and peer networking opportunities to help nonprofit staff and boards build their organization’s capacity to deliver services effectively, manage their resources prudently, and involve their community. With TACS from the beginning, Kay has provided vision and essential leadership in the development of consulting and training for nonprofits. Today she is recognized widely for her ability to communicate technical and financial information to diverse, non-technical, or non-fiscally trained groups. Kay's professional expertise encompasses financial management, strategic planning, organizational development, board and fund development. She has successfully consulted with the boards and managers of over 3,000 nonprofit organizations throughout the Northwest. Kay received a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Reed College. She has also had postgraduate training in Accounting and Business Law from Portland State University.