Smart Nonprofits
A collection of management resources and trainings by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
(Formerly EventsEtc.)
What does it mean to actually "work smarter"?
These days nonprofits - and businesses, and government - are looking at ways to keep budgets in check. You know you have finite resources, only so much time, and limited attention. In organizations, work is guided by strategic plans and mission statements; and managers and boards recognize the need to keep a watchful eye on the bottom line. There's tensions here: between seemingly limitless need and limited resources, and between bucking down and barrelling ahead or pausing to take a good look around. We all hear a lot about "doing more with less" and "working smarter, not harder." But what does that actually look like?
Our mission at MCN is to inform, promote, connect and strengthen YOU - individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector. We believe that working smarter means investing in training that helps you to achieve your goals - the goals of your specific position, the goals of your organization, your career goals. Training and professional development are not frivolities to be cut; developing the skills and knowledge of nonprofit staff is precisely the way that organizations can work smarter. A few concrete examples:
- Development staff can save countless hours in research (and frustration and confusion) by attending MCN's National Foundations, a worskhop designed to help fundraisers and grantwriters review and vet funding opportunites in an efficient manner, guided by an expert with inside knowledge.
- Communications staff can learn to integrate valuable efficiencies by integrating online and offline communications by attending Power On Network trainings with the Progressive Technology Project or Talking Tech Workshops with MAP for Nonprofits.
- Supervisors can grow and develop their ability to manage with St. Thomas' Essential Supervisory Skills trainings or Mini MBA offerings.
- Finance staff can ensure healthy financial practices through training from the Nonprofits Assistance Fund.
The list goes on, and we do our best below to help point you in the direction of quality, valuable trainings with a high return on investment. We're curious about what your organization is experiencing when it comes to the ability, and the will, to continue to engage in the training and development that all organizations and staff need in order to actually work smarter. Drop me a line and let me know how you and your organization manage to work smarter, how you share learning within your organizations, and what working smarter means to you. I'm excited to hear from you!
Until then, learn on,
Nicole Garst, MCN program coordinator
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