"Your professionalism, humor and intelligence always makes us look good."
—Karen, executive director, volunteer center

Starting a Non-Profit

Evaluation &
Research

Conference
Presentations

Services

Running a non-profit organization, foundation or government agency is neither simple nor easy.

We believe investing in training, problem solving and support for staff, board members and volunteers produces better services for clients and ultimately, healthier communities.

Please contact us for a free half-hour telephone consultation to discuss how we might help you with any of the following services:

Fundraising

Train your board to ask for money
Establish a major donor program
Line up corporate sponsors
Fine tune your special event
Start a planned giving program
Create a three-year fund development plan
Write or critique direct mail letters
Develop an online strategy
Plan your capital campaign
Be sure to read our articles 13 Most Neglected Fundraising Strategies and Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign?

"I think you may have single-handedly doubled the number of board members willing to work on our major donor campaign."
—Daisy, board member, counseling collective

Grantwriting

Conduct a computerized search for grant funding prospects
Write or critique letters of intent and grant proposals
Train staff
Be sure to read our article Grantwriting Resources

"We got the grant!
On behalf of the kids in our program, thank you for helping us submit a winning proposal."
—Mary, charter school parent

Strategic Planning

Member surveys
Situational and trends analysis
Set mission, vision, values and goals
Create realistic implementation plans
Be sure to read our article 12 Ways to Fail at Strategic Planning

"You did a wonderful job of facilitating: keeping us focused, providing a forum for free discussion and allowing all of our voices to be heard.”
—Linda, board member, arts center

Board Development

Train your board about their legal roles and responsibilities
Clarify board-staff boundaries
Identify how to recruit and orient board members
Provide board self-evaluation training
Improve meetings and committee work
Be sure to read our article Board Member Job Description

"I want to thank you for your guidance in my development of a relationship with the board of directors and staff. In one hour you packed the most training I have received so far."
—Pamela, new CEO, microenterprise development

Facilitation

Board and staff retreats
Planning sessions
Team building
Mergers
Collaboratives and coalitions
Be sure to read our articles 12 Steps to a Successful Retreat and Sampling of Northern California Meeting and Retreat Sites

"The board members all raved about your style. You can expect to be asked back next year."
—Vera, executive director, senior housing project

Personnel

Revise personnel policy manuals
Review compensation packages
Update job descriptions
Conduct a staffing audit
Plan for executive director evaluation and transition
Develop volunteer recruitment plans and policies

"We worked hard—with good results!
Thanks to you, we now have tangible,
doable goals for the coming year."
—Patricia, executive director,
community foundation

Financial Management

Provide bookkeeping and payroll services
Review internal controls
Update the fiscal manual
Create a budget
Prepare taxes and prepare for an audit

"You have a unique and invaluable perspective on what is required to enable these mission-based enterprises to succeed and sustain themselves financially."
—Sue, CPA to non-profits

Starting a Non-Profit

How to start a non-profit
Evaluate the best legal model for your project
Assist with incorporation, 501(c)(3) tax exemption
Create or update bylaws
Support development of a board, program, budget and fundraising plan
Be sure to read our article Thinking of Starting a Non-Profit?

"It’s really been a pleasure working with you
to get this project off the ground. I’m looking
forward to seeing it blossom. Your firm’s
expertise made a tremendous contribution."
—Wendy, staff to a startup

Evaluation and Research

Design quantitative surveys
Collect and analyze statistical data
Conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups
Perform customized research

Conference and Workshop Presentations

Highly interactive workshop trainings tailored to your needs
—one hour to one week long
Conference workshop presenters
Keynote address presenters
Be sure to read our complete list of workshops we offer

Watch these Web sites for news of upcoming workshops and courses taught by Diane Brown, Linda Rosen, Carol Jorgeson or Ginny Helm of The Non-Profit Assistance Group.

"Thank you for another great contribution to our conference. Your information is so useful,
and your energy infectious!"
—John, program director, corporate grants program

Some Examples of How We Can Help You

► Need to find some new sources for grants?

We’ll search our database of 78,000 funders. You’ll get a list of the ones most likely to fund your organization.

► Are you the Accidental Fundraiser—executive director, fundraising committee chair, or newbie development director?

We can coach you. Learn practical how-to skills, get your questions answered, lead with confidence.

► Are you thinking about a Capital Campaign?

We can conduct a feasibility study.

What will it take to have a successful campaign? Who should lead it? How much money can you raise? What other campaigns will be running at the same time? What will it take to get ready?

► Where will your organization be in three years? Can you compete in a crowded non-profit field?

We can guide your strategic planning process.

What are the critical issues you’re going to face? What demographic, economic and other trends will affect your organization? What do your clients and your community need? We can help your board and staff set realistic long-range goals and create an action plan that identifies who does what, when, and how much it will cost.

► Don’t have enough time?

We can do your chores.

We can write that holiday appeal letter or grant proposal, conduct a program evaluation, facilitate your retreat, put on that conference, prepare your board manual, update those exciting bylaws or train your new board members. We get the job done, you get time to focus on what you do best.

► Want to recruit your "dream board"?

Give us an hour on the phone, and we can give you new models, ideas and a bit of inspiration.

Learn how to gracefully get rid of the dead wood, stop the micro-managing, shorten your board meetings and recruit people with the right skills, representation and passion.

The Non-Profit Assistance Group tailors our training, consulting and direct services to meet your particular needs. While you may be reading this online, our strength is in our personal connection with our clients.

Whether you need a funding search, a presenter for your conference or a consultant to help you solve a problem, we want to talk to you.

In your initial free half-hour telephone consultation, we ask questions, listen carefully, outline a variety of ways we might assist you, present funding options and give you plenty of time to talk it over with your group.

It all starts with a phone call–so please feel free to call us at 707-823-2927 with your questions and suggestions, or email us at nonprofit1@aol.com with your phone number and a good time to call you.