Connection Ideas: Building Your Nonprofit's Capacity

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mnsc/

With limited time and resources, what connections might build your nonprofit's capacity? Building on last week's reading list post, here are a few ideas:

1. Visit the extensive resources on the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center website. While there, sign up for their helpful quarterly newsletter that addresses nonprofit issues in Iowa.

2. If you are in the Linn County area, consider the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Nonprofit Network. Various networking groups are available for area nonprofits. Send an email to the helpful and talented Katie Giorgio to request being added to their email list. 

If you're not in Iowa or the Linn County area, research online to determine whether a community foundation in your area or a chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals may offer local nonprofit connection opportunities.

3. On a broader geographic scale, explore the resources of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Although many site resources require membership, there are some free resources available on the site that are particularly relevant if your mission is in that area.   

4. If you are an IRS-recognized nonprofit, it's a great idea to have bookmarked Form 990 Resources and Tools for Exempt Organizations.  If your fiscal year ended in December, have you started your 990 work yet?

5. If there is a specific topic you would like more information on for your nonprofit's operations, fundraising or anything else, never underestimate the power of your favorite search engine. Use your analytical skills to weed out the junk that may be out there and focus on online communities with information to share.

What are your favorite connection ideas to build your nonprofit's capacity?