READY Nonprofits is a learning track offered by READY Appalachia, the Appalachian Regional Commission’s new community capacity-building initiative offering free training and flexible funding to Appalachian nonprofits, community foundations, local governments, and Local Development Districts.
Formerly the Appalachian Nonprofit Resource Center (ANRC), READY Nonprofits builds off ANRC’s well-established curriculum to help nonprofit executives and board members increase their own capacity, strengthen their organizations, and better serve their communities.
The Fall 2022 term of 10-week instruction begins the week of September 12 for 75 nonprofits based in the Appalachian Region. The cohort-based learning will include skill development and grant opportunities to increase their capacity to solve pressing issues and create positive economic change.
Nonprofit organizations in Appalachia are encouraged to use the READY Nonprofits Resource Center to access highly curated content to enhance their skills in six topic areas:
- Board Development
- Financial Management
- Fundraising
- Human Capital: Recruitment & Retention
- Marketing Communications
- Programs & Operations
READY Nonprofits offers free online access to curated resources for nonprofit organizations navigating beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Registered users also receive a Free GrantStation Membership. Additional resources can be found on the Appalachian Regional Commission website.
Nonprofit Resources
- Nonprofit Board Responsibilities
- Board Member Job Description
- Board Self-Evaluation Mechanisms
- Committee Structure & Responsibilities
Financial Management Resources
- Talking Finance
- Financial Policies & Tools
- Cash Flow Management
- Decision Framework
- Balance Sheet Approach
- Financial Leadership
- Philanthropic Trends
- Measuring Fundraising Effectiveness
- Virtual Fundraising
- Fundraising Techniques and ROI
- Development Plans
- The Board’s Role in Fundraising
- Staff Recruitment and Retention
- Remote Work Options
- Performance Evaluation
- Salary Policies
- Professional Development
- Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement, and Recognition
Marketing Communications Resources
- Market Research
- Advertising & Promotions
- Public Relations & Advocacy
- Branding
- Social and Digital Media
- Crisis Communications
Programs & Operations Resources
- Scenario, Paradigm, & Strategic Planning
- Program Evaluation
- Operations Refresh
- Strategic Alliances & Mergers
- Mission Alignment & Values
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Below are recent examples of resources for the above topics.
Nonprofit Brand Communications Guide: Five Ways to . . .
Description: This downloadable guide includes the five areas that are part of all successful messaging strategies; two guided activities to use to refine your organizations messaging; and an self-assessment tool to help you identify. . .
Your Most Important Asset: Recruiting and . . .
Description: Are staffing issues keeping you awake at night? Check out the PPT from the ANRC’s May 2022 webinar entitled, Your Most Important Asset: Recruiting and Retaining Nonprofit Talent. Tom Hooper of Jobs for the Future. . .
Audit standards, going concern, nonprofit audit . . .
Description: This is a thought-provoking article driven by the heightened awareness of the current racial justice climate. A nonprofit’s commitment to equality and inclusion can be seen in its financial priorities. This piece cites. . .
“Find Me the Money” Webinar
Description: This webinar is the third hosted as part of the ARNC Alumni Professional Development Series. Set as a conversational format facilitated by ARC’s Bettina Jones, two experts – Tracey Rowan from the Economic Development . . .
5 Phases of Strategic Planning
Description: BoardSource has pulled together this helpful tool for organizational reflection as your nonprofit begins to plan either for the first time or when revisiting your plan. Helpful questions for each phase of the planning. . .
Board Self Evaluation Survey
Description: This piece provides an alternate approach to a Nonprofit Board Self-Evaluation Survey that can be administered either in person, via email, or online.
