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 began the week of September 12, 2022, for 75 nonprofits based in the Appalachian Region. The cohort-based learning offered skill development and grant opportunities for nonprofits 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 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.
Artificial Intelligence: Why The Nonprofit Sector . . .
Description: This resource addresses how AI offers both significant opportunities and risks for nonprofits, how AI regulation is evolving, and how it could impact the nonprofit sector.
50+ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Mission . . .
Description: This resource provides links to more than 50 DEI Mission Statements from a wide range of for-profit companies. The inclusion of each company’s sector (i.e., entertainment, finance, retail, transportation, health, etc.). . .
Is Cash or Accrual Accounting Better for Your . . .
Description: This piece articulates, in layman’s terms, the differences between cash and accrual accounting and describes the factors that generally determine which of these approaches should be used by nonprofits.
How Nonprofits Can Attract and Retain Younger Donors
Description:
This article, by the CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation (which supports our nation’s veterans), explores the role that influencers can have in identifying, soliciting, and retaining younger donors.
How Nonprofits Can Embrace Technology To Deliver . . .
Description: Prompted by recent research on the importance of technology to the delivery of services by PwC, this article explores how those findings relate to the nonprofit world.
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.
