Resources beyond traditional grant making: What do nonprofits need?

Last month, at the request of many of Embolden's 330 community foundation clients, Embolden convened two task force meetings to hear from a wide range of community foundations about the needs of nonprofits in their communities and how community foundations might better address those needs in ways other than straightforward grant making. 

Themes emerged!

Here’s what we heard from a wide range of community foundation leaders:

Practical, ready-to-use tools are hard to find.

Community foundations want templates, samples, training modules, and other resources they can use themselves or share directly with nonprofits—without reinventing the wheel.

Trusted resources and referrals are crucial.

Community foundation staff cannot be experts in every area. They want reliable, affordable consultants, trainers, and resources so they can confidently connect nonprofits with the right help.

Ongoing support is as important as one-time training opportunities.

Participants emphasized the value of cohorts, peer networks, coaching, and practical, ongoing assistance that helps nonprofits put what they learn into action.

Help is needed across a broad range of nonprofit challenges.

Recurring needs include board relations and training, planned giving, legacy giving, stewardship, fundraising, and development training, as well as financial and operational issues.

Tools are needed to strengthen the community foundation's role as a hub.

Community foundations want resources that help them become a trusted place nonprofits can turn to for expertise, connections, and support—even when the community foundation.

Interested in joining the conversation and being part of a future Community Investment Task Force meeting? Please drop us a note at service@embolden.com.