Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Gail Merridew is a regular instructor for two nonprofit-oriented educational programs in the Central Virginia area. To check for current topics and dates where she is scheduled to teach, contact her directly or see the following:

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Nonprofit Learning Point courses:

IRS Forms 990 - Virginia nonprofits have very few reporting requirements once they obtain 501(c)(3) status; however, IRS Form 990s are one of the most important. These forms are also used as an evaluative tool for foundation staffs and other potential funders. The IRS has made significant changes to the form layout, governance policy expectations, and reporting requirements in recent years and nonprofits of all sizes and types should be aware of these so they manage their organizations in a financially transparent fashion. This course takes participants through all these uses of the form in a way that: 1) keeps them from inadvertently losing their tax exempt status, 2) helps them provide information in a marketing-beneficial and tax-appropriate way, and 3) assists them in preparing the information they provide to their accountants with an eye toward “what others are finding out about your organization when you aren’t there to explain it!”

Organizational Capacity Assessment - Ongoing organizational assessment is essential to effective planning and evaluation. This can be a self-evaluation process by Board & leadership staff or can be facilitated by outside consultants. There are numerous tools that have been developed for this purpose, and the process is useful in identifying organizational priorities as well as areas where there is a need for further information and training. The assessment is often done in preparation for strategic planning or in developing a capacity-building plan for funders. This information can be applied at the organizational level.

To register for Nonprofit Learning Point courses, please visit VCU's Office of Community Programs webpage at www.community.vcu.edu/programs/nonprofit or contact the program administrator at 804-827-0246.

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Focus INC, a Cameron Foundation-sponsored nonprofit educational program through Southside Community Partners serving the Tri-Cities and Southside areas of Central Virginia, occasionally offers the following seminars of Gail's:

Organizational Capacity Assessment: Where Are We on the Map -

Ongoing organizational assessment is essential to effective planning and evaluation. This can be a self-evaluation process by Board & leadership staff or can be facilitated by outside consultants. There are numerous tools that have been developed for this purpose, and the process is useful in identifying organizational priorities as well as areas where there is a need for further information and training. The assessment is often done in preparation for strategic planning or in developing a capacity-building plan for funders. This information is applied at a broad organizational level.

Writing an Effective Business Plan -

Generally, nonprofits think in terms of case for support statements, grant applications and annual appeal letters when considering funding requests. But how do they appeal to potential corporate sponsors? This session provides a list of basic components a business plan might incorporate and walks participants through the list with pointers for making each component as explicit and effective as possible.

Strategic Action Plans: Where the Rubber Hits the Road -

Has your organization gone through a Board Retreat or strategic planning process? Have the goals and objectives prioritized during these initiatives been under-achieved? If so, perhaps the issue isn’t the passion of the participants but the details of the plan. This session shows how to take common strategic goals and objectives and convert them into SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Using GuideStar: Here's Looking at You! -

In this age of Google, Facebook, Twitter and the World Wide Web, sometimes we forget that others are able to find out much about us that we aren’t directly telling them. The same is true for nonprofit organizations. GuideStar is one of, if not the, preeminent sources for informational data on NPOs which funders, business promoters, and individuals can use to learn about your agency. How can you enhance their perception of you? How can you use this information about other organizations to enhance your service and collaborative purposes?

To register for Learning and Leadership workshops, call 804-458-6329 x2013 to request a course catalog or go to www.ConnectSouthside.org/NPTrainings.

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Home About Us Services Links Upcoming Events Testimonials Contact	Upcoming Events Gail Merridew is a regular instructor for two nonprofit-oriented educational programs in the Central Virginia area. To check for current topics and dates where she is scheduled to teach, contact her directly or see the following: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Nonprofit Learning Point courses: IRS Forms 990 - Virginia nonprofits have very few reporting requirements once they obtain 501(c)(3) status; however, IRS Form 990s are one of the most important. These forms are also used as an evaluative tool for foundation staffs and other potential funders. The IRS has made significant changes to the form layout, governance policy expectations, and reporting requirements in recent years and nonprofits of all sizes and types should be aware of these so they manage their organizations in a financially transparent fashion. This course takes participants through all these uses of the form in a way that: 1) keeps them from inadvertently losing their tax exempt status, 2) helps them provide information in a marketing-beneficial and tax-appropriate way, and 3) assists them in preparing the information they provide to their accountants with an eye toward “what others are finding out about your organization when you aren’t there to explain it!” Organizational Capacity Assessment - Ongoing organizational assessment is essential to effective planning and evaluation. This can be a self-evaluation process by Board & leadership staff or can be facilitated by outside consultants. There are numerous tools that have been developed for this purpose, and the process is useful in identifying organizational priorities as well as areas where there is a need for further information and training. The assessment is often done in preparation for strategic planning or in developing a capacity-building plan for funders. This information can be applied at the organizational level. To register for Nonprofit Learning Point courses, please visit VCU's Office of Community Programs webpage at www.community.vcu.edu/programs/nonprofit or contact the program administrator at 804-827-0246. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Focus INC, a Cameron Foundation-sponsored nonprofit educational program through Southside Community Partners serving the Tri-Cities and Southside areas of Central Virginia, occasionally offers the following seminars of Gail's: Organizational Capacity Assessment: Where Are We on the Map - Ongoing organizational assessment is essential to effective planning and evaluation. This can be a self-evaluation process by Board & leadership staff or can be facilitated by outside consultants. There are numerous tools that have been developed for this purpose, and the process is useful in identifying organizational priorities as well as areas where there is a need for further information and training. The assessment is often done in preparation for strategic planning or in developing a capacity-building plan for funders. This information is applied at a broad organizational level. Writing an Effective Business Plan - Generally, nonprofits think in terms of case for support statements, grant applications and annual appeal letters when considering funding requests. But how do they appeal to potential corporate sponsors? This session provides a list of basic components a business plan might incorporate and walks participants through the list with pointers for making each component as explicit and effective as possible. Strategic Action Plans: Where the Rubber Hits the Road - Has your organization gone through a Board Retreat or strategic planning process? Have the goals and objectives prioritized during these initiatives been under-achieved? If so, perhaps the issue isn’t the passion of the participants but the details of the plan. This session shows how to take common strategic goals and objectives and convert them into SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Using GuideStar: Here's Looking at You! - In this age of Google, Facebook, Twitter and the World Wide Web, sometimes we forget that others are able to find out much about us that we aren’t directly telling them. The same is true for nonprofit organizations. GuideStar is one of, if not the, preeminent sources for informational data on NPOs which funders, business promoters, and individuals can use to learn about your agency. How can you enhance their perception of you? How can you use this information about other organizations to enhance your service and collaborative purposes? To register for Learning and Leadership workshops, call 804-458-6329 x2013 to request a course catalog or go to www.ConnectSouthside.org/NPTrainings. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *