Many nonprofits share the common goals to grow, fulfill their missions and operate efficiently and effectively. At Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, we're here to help nonprofits achieve those goals.

Capacity Building Support

We recognize the need for capacity-building support. For those who need it, we offer workshops to bridge the gap between passion for the organization's mission and work experience. Some of the workshops we've offered in the past include:

  • Nonprofit Board Orientation
  • Board Roles and Responsibilities
  • The Value of Endowments
  • Consultation on Governance Concerns

Our Work with Nonprofits

A nonprofit's capacity to grow, fulfill its mission and operate efficiently and effectively is reliant upon the knowledge and ability of its board and staff, a strong governance framework and a strategic approach to all of the aspects of its work – from program execution to marketing to fund development.

Like any other skills, these are learned. And in many cases, those who work in the nonprofit sector or volunteer to serve on nonprofit boards have not had the training necessary to assure their capabilities in these areas.

We offer comprehensive services for our nonprofit community. In addition to funding, we offer workshops and learning opportunities, online resources and Lowcountry Volunteer Connections. The Lowcountry is rapidly changing and we're here to help prepare nonprofits to better serve their clients, ensuring charitable dollars are used effectively and work harder.

Board Development Workshop

September 14, 2022 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is presenting a half-day workshop on Board Development for interested nonprofit organizations. This workshop will be facilitated by Neil Sklarew, MBA, MS I/O Psychology (formerly with Georgia Center for Nonprofits). It will provide nonprofit agencies a blue print for how to develop their board to improve its governance and strategic role.

In this workshop, participants will do the following:

  1. Define their current and desired governance model
  2. Clarify the board's governance and strategic focus
  3. Analyze the board's current structure for possible reorganization
  4. Review the board's staffing to determine recruitment needs
  5. Examine the working relationships between board leadership, the executive director, and other members of the board.

Attendance is limited to the organization’s Executive Director or CEO and a member of the Board of Directors in a leadership role. Both must attend together!

Fee: $150 per organization (includes the E.D. and the Board Chair)

Lunch is provided

Registration is limited to 8 organizations and will be confirmed once the check has been received. To register, CLICK HERE

Contact Debbie Cahoon 843-681-9100 if you have any questions or if you would like to make your payment online.


Lowcountry Executive Director Leadership Program

October 2022 – September 2023

The Lowcountry Executive Director Leadership Program is a peer-based learning program provided by Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. The program includes group learning meetings and individual coaching sessions for up-to six Lowcountry executive directors. This program will be conducted by Neil Sklarew, an experienced executive coach and past manager of the Georgia Center for Nonprofit’s consulting group.

The program will include alternating monthly group and individual meetings with Neil for twelve months. Group meetings will be six hours and individual coaching sessions will be 60-90 minutes long. The program will start in October 2022 and run through September 2023. Group session dates will be the determined once classroom participants have been identified. Individual sessions will be personally scheduled.

The focus of this coaching experience is to address the executive director’s “use of self” in effectively working with his/her primary constituents (board, staff, volunteers, clients, etc.) While it will provide tools and skills development on nonprofit topics such as board development, staff development and strategic planning, its primary goal is to develop the executive director’s self-knowledge and skill to effectively work with others around issues of communicating, decision making, managing conflict, managing stress and influencing others.

What is required of the executive director/CEO to participate in the coaching process?

  • attend six group peer-learning meetings in person
  • attend six individual coaching sessions in person and/or on the telephone
  • secure the support and expectations of the board to participate in the coaching process
  • complete self reporting style surveys
  • identify board, staff and other feedback sources
  • establish development goals and plans
  • work on assignments in between sessions
  • prepare a final report
  • provide feedback to your board on your learning and on the effectiveness of the coaching process

To apply for the Lowcountry Executive Director Leadership Program, please click here: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0fyMDRYdCFyoK4S

The Lowcountry Executive Director Leadership Program is being offered for $1,000.

A $500 deposit will be required to reserve your spot in the 2022-23 class. The balance is due no later than September 15, 2022.

If you are interested in learning about partial scholarships to participate in the program or if you have any questions, call Debbie at 843.681.9100.

Workshops are held in the conference room at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's office - 4 Northridge Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC.

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is committed to strengthening the nonprofit agencies that serve our community. Please let us know areas of interest to you and check back for future training opportunities. 

Additional Resources

Consultants

Consultants can provide expertise often not available within an organization. The decision to use a consultant to strengthen an organization can be a challenging one, so we offer additional information on working with a consultant.

Nonprofit Connections

We bi-annually publish a e-newsletter aimed at local nonprofits and filled with information about grant opportunities, our services to the nonprofit community and what's going on in our Community Investment Department that's pertinent to you. The most recent versions are below. If you're not receiving this newsletter and would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Debbie Cahoon.

Nonprofit Connections - December 2021

Nonprofit Connections - February 2022

Community Impact News

We have a blog with need-to-know information about upcoming deadlines, events and grant opportunities. Check here often to keep up-to-date with Community Foundation news that affects nonprofits.



Is your organization looking for a way to establish a fund?

If you are looking to establish an endowment, eliminate the administrative burden of fund management and increase your ability to handle large and complex gifts, consider an agency fund.

How to establish a fund