In 2003, Community Development Works began offering free nonprofit management workshops for individuals with the goal of strengthening the effectiveness of leaders and organizations. Each spring and fall, the sessions cover a wide range of issues facing nonprofits, such as a board development, staff development, fundraising, marketing and developing effective programs.
Too often nonprofit organizations place significant emphasis only on their programs and not enough on the management issues that affect the organization, said Joe Rosier, President/CEO of The Rapides Foundation.
“It greatly affects their sustainability because if you don’t look at your infrastructure and you just focus on programs you’re probably not going to have an organization to support that program in the long run,” Rosier said.
CDW provides public training, leadership programs and informational services in support of citizen-led community development efforts that address local issues in our region. CDW assists residents, nonprofit organizations, churches and faith-based groups, governmental entities and businesses in working together to increase the quality of life in the Central Louisiana community.
The Rapides Foundation invests funds in this effort because of the connection between the strength of nonprofits and the health of the community.
“Our work here makes the community stronger because our trainings make nonprofits stronger and better able to deliver services. So if we can assist a nonprofit to achieve its goal and meet the needs of the community then the community will be stronger and healthier because of that,” Akeshia Singleton, program supervisor for CDW, said. “And that, in the end, is what CDW’s goal is – building stronger communities.”
Nearly seven years after its start, enrollment for nonprofit management trainings totals almost 2,500.
Registration is now available online for CDW’s Spring 2010 workshops. Individuals are urged to register at www.communitydevelopmentworks.org. All workshops are available free of charge to any Central Louisiana resident and will be held at The Rapides Foundation Building, 1101 Fourth St., Alexandria.
The training schedule begins March 11 with “To be or not to be a 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Organization,” a workshop that teaches individuals how to start a nonprofit.
Other training topics offered this spring include:
- Fund Development: Raising Money from Individuals
- The Redesigned Form 990: Review requirements for filing and enhance your organization’s accountability for financial management
- Measuring Up: Assessment tools for board effectiveness
- Social Networking and Your Nonprofit: Maximize use of blogs, instant messages and petitions. Get the most out of online networks such as Facebook and Linkedin
- Registration is required and managed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please visit www.communitydevelopmentworks.org to view the list of diverse workshops being offered and to register online today.
For more information, call Community Development Works at 318-443-7880 or toll free at 800-803-8075.
This spring CDW will offer three courses specific to churches and faith-based organizations in its Ministries in Action series.
These workshops are free of charge and designed specifically for faith-based organizations and churches working to build healthier communities. Church pastors, deacons or congregation members starting local ministries are strongly encouraged to attend.
The first workshop will be held Thursday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Rapides Foundation Building in downtown Alexandria. This workshop, “The Redesigned Form 990,” will help participants understand the requirements for filing with the IRS and become familiar with the redesigned Form 990.
The next workshop, “Advanced Grant Writing,” will concentrate on the tools and tips to better respond to large private foundation proposal guidelines and federal agency grant proposal guidelines. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, in The Rapides Foundation Building.
The last workshop, “Practical Marketing Techniques,” will be held on Thursday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Rapides Foundation Building. This workshop will help organizations learn how to be noticed and be in touch with the right people for the success of their programs.
To register for these informative workshops, please visit CDW’s Web site at www.communitydevelopmentworks.org or call 800.803.8075.