Nonprofits learn to band together
Source: C & G Newspapers
By: April Lehmbeck
Published: March 1, 2007
SOUTHFIELD - In a tough economy, working solo helps no one, which is why Lawrence Technological University and others are hosting a forum to discuss collaboration among nonprofits. Best Practices from the Best- Managed Nonprofits: The Collaboration Imperative will be held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. March 12 at LTU's Buell Building, 21000 10 Mile Road in Southfield.
The school is working with DTE Energy Foundation, Crain's Detroit Business, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Detroit Executive Service Corps.
"This is almost a collaborative thing in and of itself," said LTU Center for Nonprofit Management Director Jerry Lindman.
United Way of Southeastern Michigan CEO Michael Brennan and the National Community Development Institute's Frank Omowale Satterwhite will speak at the event.
Satterwhite also is the top consultant for the Good Neighbors Initiative by the Skillman Foundation.
In a tough economy, nonprofits are leaned on to do a lot more work for the community, but that's a tall order, according to Brennan.
"You have a growth in service at a time when you have a decline in revenue," he said. "How do we put more money on mission? How do we do more with less?"
That's why it's especially important for nonprofits to work together, Brennan said.
Besides the key speakers, there also will be round-table discussions of key issues in collaborative practices.
Every year, LTU hosts a halfday seminar like this one on different topics involving nonprofits.
"We do this by featuring nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated innovative program management and won awards from Crain's and DTE Energy for their activities," Lindman said. "The seminar also incorporates some community learning into it regarding these recognized management practices."
LTU's Center for Nonprofit Management also provides graduate work in nonprofit business areas, such as a nonprofit MBA.
Nonprofits that have earned recognition for their collaborative efforts will be highlighted. This year, they are the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative.
"These organizations are operating at such a sophisticated level," Lindman said.
Rick Sterling, of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, emphasized the importance of working together and said the relationship between his organization and the Detroit Institute of Art has been beneficial.
"Collaboration is essential for nonprofits," Sterling said.
That collaboration must be reciprocal and not one-sided, he said.
"Too often, nonprofits collaborate because they think it's a nice thing to do," Sterling said. "For us, it really was 'where do we need to grow and is there an organization who has what we need and would gain value in what we have?'"
Since the Youth Theatre needed a venue and the DIA could use fundraising efforts, both organizations profited from the partnership.
The annual event for nonprofits attracts between 200 and 250 people and seems to be well received.
"We always do an evaluation afterwards," Lindman said. "That's very important to us. We get very good feedback."
When participants include questions in their feedback, the organizers try to follow up to assist.
"We really do try to make this a community learning experience," Lindman said.
Admission to the event costs $35. Register or get more information at the Association of Fundraising Professionals, (248) 478-6076 or www.afpdetroit.org.
You can reach April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or (586) 498-1043.
Copyright, 2007, Southfield Sun (MI), All Rights Reserved.
By: April Lehmbeck
Published: March 1, 2007
SOUTHFIELD - In a tough economy, working solo helps no one, which is why Lawrence Technological University and others are hosting a forum to discuss collaboration among nonprofits. Best Practices from the Best- Managed Nonprofits: The Collaboration Imperative will be held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. March 12 at LTU's Buell Building, 21000 10 Mile Road in Southfield.
The school is working with DTE Energy Foundation, Crain's Detroit Business, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Detroit Executive Service Corps.
"This is almost a collaborative thing in and of itself," said LTU Center for Nonprofit Management Director Jerry Lindman.
United Way of Southeastern Michigan CEO Michael Brennan and the National Community Development Institute's Frank Omowale Satterwhite will speak at the event.
Satterwhite also is the top consultant for the Good Neighbors Initiative by the Skillman Foundation.
In a tough economy, nonprofits are leaned on to do a lot more work for the community, but that's a tall order, according to Brennan.
"You have a growth in service at a time when you have a decline in revenue," he said. "How do we put more money on mission? How do we do more with less?"
That's why it's especially important for nonprofits to work together, Brennan said.
Besides the key speakers, there also will be round-table discussions of key issues in collaborative practices.
Every year, LTU hosts a halfday seminar like this one on different topics involving nonprofits.
"We do this by featuring nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated innovative program management and won awards from Crain's and DTE Energy for their activities," Lindman said. "The seminar also incorporates some community learning into it regarding these recognized management practices."
LTU's Center for Nonprofit Management also provides graduate work in nonprofit business areas, such as a nonprofit MBA.
Nonprofits that have earned recognition for their collaborative efforts will be highlighted. This year, they are the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative.
"These organizations are operating at such a sophisticated level," Lindman said.
Rick Sterling, of the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, emphasized the importance of working together and said the relationship between his organization and the Detroit Institute of Art has been beneficial.
"Collaboration is essential for nonprofits," Sterling said.
That collaboration must be reciprocal and not one-sided, he said.
"Too often, nonprofits collaborate because they think it's a nice thing to do," Sterling said. "For us, it really was 'where do we need to grow and is there an organization who has what we need and would gain value in what we have?'"
Since the Youth Theatre needed a venue and the DIA could use fundraising efforts, both organizations profited from the partnership.
The annual event for nonprofits attracts between 200 and 250 people and seems to be well received.
"We always do an evaluation afterwards," Lindman said. "That's very important to us. We get very good feedback."
When participants include questions in their feedback, the organizers try to follow up to assist.
"We really do try to make this a community learning experience," Lindman said.
Admission to the event costs $35. Register or get more information at the Association of Fundraising Professionals, (248) 478-6076 or www.afpdetroit.org.
You can reach April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or (586) 498-1043.
Copyright, 2007, Southfield Sun (MI), All Rights Reserved.
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