Helping Local Nonprofits Thrive & Grow

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence works to foster connection and support action.

As nonprofits continue to recover from the pandemic, in-person networking and strategic training have been a key focus for the Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE).

“We knew our nonprofit partners were eager to get back into community together,” said CNE Senior Manager Rebecca Cordero. “There has been a great spirit of connection at our events this year, and the feedback reinforces our investment in similar programming going forward.”

One of these offerings was the “Mission in Motion” learning and networking series, which aimed to help nonprofits with limited time and resources tell their stories in ways that amplify their mission. Sponsored by Community Foundation partners AlphaGraphics and Dot Think Design, the series began with three virtual workshops that offered a deep dive into marketing, planning, and budgeting.

Empowering Storytellers
“We wanted to share marketing insights and give away makeovers to cause-based organizations doing work in Fairfield County,” said David Stowe, VP of Business Development & Marketing at AlphaGraphics. “We needed to connect with more organizations to have the greatest impact, and we knew the best way to do this was to ask the Community Foundation to partner with us.”

“The goal was to empower nonprofits to maximize their resources,” added Corti Cooper, Principal and Creative Director of Dot Think Design. “They already know the stories they need to tell. This series helped them create actionable marketing plans and track their successes.”

The series closed with an in-person networking event bringing together more than 70 attendees at Sono Sky Bar to connect and celebrate. Through a drawing, Norwalk Community College Foundation and Meals on Wheels of Greenwich each received mini marketing makeovers from AlphaGraphics.

Help strengthen nonprofits serving Fairfield County: FCCFoundation.org/SupportNonprofits