How to Join the Resilient Organizations Program

The Resilient Organizations program will serve nonprofits that:

1. Are trusted messengers in Sonoma County, providing outreach and integral services to marginalized communities.

2. Work in health and human services fields, which include but are not limited to housing and shelter services, physical/mental healthcare, disaster response and recovery, and food and wellness programs.

3. Support people who were disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and the pandemic, including but not limited to:

• • • Latinx, Indigenous, and Black communities
    • Children and youth
    • Older adults and people with disabilities
    • People experiencing homelessness
    • People without U.S. documentation
    • LGBTQIA+ communities

If you represent a health and human services organization in Sonoma County that would like to participate in the program, please email resilientorgs@sonomacf.org. 

Program Trainings & Opportunities

The training schedule for Fall 2024 will provide a 20 hours of training per participant to encourage networking and partnership-building throughout the program. Each organization is invited to have two representatives at each training.

The Resilient Organizations Program will promote organizational financial stability and resilience through the following activities:

1. Networking opportunities to strengthen collaboration among an ecosystem of nonprofit partners. These opportunities will also help funders undersrtand the deeper capacity-building needs of nonprofits, informing future grantmaking in this space.

2. Trainings for staff and board leadership. Trainings will be offered in areas of need most identified by participating nonprofits. Current trainings planned for 2024 cover the topics of:

• • • • Grant Writing 
      • Board Governance & Development
      • Fundraising & Fund Development

Training: Grant Writing Regional Training 

 Provided by: Northern California Grantmakers and Philanthropy CA

 Join CFSC, Northern California Grantmakers, and Philanthropy CA for an in-person grant writing training that brings together community-based organizations, nonprofits, and Tribes in and around Santa Rosa and the North Bay to learn about pursuing grant funds to support your organization’s vision and values. An emphasis will be building organizational capacity to address climate resilience initiatives.

This training was held on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. 

Training: Board Governance & Development 

Provided by: Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

Description: Nonprofit organizations thrive when guided by strong, engaged boards. However, many board members, despite their passion and expertise, often lack experience in nonprofit governance, fundraising, and strategic decision-making. This comprehensive training program is designed to bridge that gap, empowering board members with the knowledge and tools they need to lead effectively and drive their organization’s mission forward.

This program offers a structured approach to diagnosing your board’s current capabilities, identifying areas for growth, and equipping your team with the skills necessary to excel in governance. Through a series of targeted sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of their roles, learn to distinguish between operational and governance decisions, and explore best practices for building and maintaining an effective board.

Overarching Learning Objectives:

1. Define Board Roles and Responsibilities: Understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of individual board members and the board as a collective, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
2. Enhance Board Structure and Functionality: Learn to establish effective board structures, including committees and task teams, and apply assessment practices that promote strategic engagement and productive meetings.
3. Strengthen Board Recruitment and Development: Develop strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse board members, ensuring ongoing development, and evaluating board performance through key metrics.

Learning Objectives by Organization Size:

• Cohort A: Organizations with budget size < $1M 
• Focus on foundational governance skills, including the basics of board roles and responsibilities.
• Emphasize simple and efficient board structures, with a focus on maximizing the impact of limited resources.
• Provide guidance on grassroots fundraising techniques and engaging board members in resource development.
• Cohort B: Organizations with budget size between $1M – $5M 
• Explore advanced governance practices that support organizational growth, including clearer distinctions between governance and operations.
• Delve into more complex board structures, including the use of advisory councils and specialized committees.
• Introduce scalable recruitment strategies and advanced fundraising techniques tailored to mid-sized nonprofits.
• Cohort C:  Organizations with budget size between $5M – $10M+
• Focus on strategic governance and the role of the board in guiding organizational vision and sustainability.
• Address sophisticated board structures and comprehensive assessment tools for continuous improvement.
• Provide insights into high-level fundraising strategies, board development, and performance evaluation metrics for large-scale impact.

This training program is ideal for nonprofit board members at all stages of their governance journey, from those in small grassroots organizations to those in large, established institutions. Equip your board with the skills and knowledge they need to govern effectively and propel your organization’s mission to new heights.

Training: Strategies for Fundraising & Fund Development

Provided by: Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

Description: In the dynamic landscape of nonprofit fundraising, the ability to adapt and thrive is crucial. The Strategies for Fundraising Resilience training program equips organizations with the tools and strategies needed to build a robust, sustainable fundraising foundation. This program is designed to help nonprofits of all sizes navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and secure the resources necessary to fulfill their missions.

Participants will explore critical aspects of fundraising, from crafting compelling individual giving campaigns to developing comprehensive fund development plans. The training emphasizes the importance of engaging board members in fundraising efforts and provides actionable strategies for doing so effectively. By the end of this program, participants will have a clear roadmap for enhancing their organization’s fundraising capacity and resilience.

Overarching Learning Objectives:

1. Design and Execute Individual Giving Campaigns: Learn to develop compelling cases for giving and determine the most effective channels—whether direct mail, in-person, or social media—for reaching your target audience.
2. Create and Manage Fund Development Plans: Understand the essentials of fund development planning, from initial strategy creation to implementation and ongoing management, ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
3. Engage Boards and Stakeholder Groups in Fundraising: Equip leadership groups with the knowledge and tools to actively participate in fundraising efforts, fostering a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Learning Objectives by Organization Size:

• Cohort A:  Organizations with budget size < $1M:
• Focus on grassroots individual giving strategies that leverage personal connections and community engagement.
• Develop simple yet effective fund development plans that align with limited resources and staff capacity.
• Train board members and stakeholder groups on the basics of fundraising, including how to personally engage with donors and advocate for the organization.
• Cohort B: Organizations with budget size between $1M – $5M:
• Explore multi-channel individual giving campaigns, balancing direct mail, digital outreach, and in-person interactions.
• Create scalable fund development plans that support organizational growth and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Equip board members and stakeholder groups with advanced fundraising techniques, including peer-to-peer fundraising and leveraging personal networks.
• Cohort C: Organizations with budget size between $5M – $10M+:
• Design sophisticated individual giving campaigns that integrate brand storytelling across multiple platforms for broad donor reach.
• Implement comprehensive, data-driven fund development plans that support complex fundraising ecosystems and large-scale campaigns.
• Engage board members and stakeholder groups in high-level fundraising strategies, including major gift solicitation and strategic donor cultivation.

This training program is ideal for nonprofit leaders and board members seeking to enhance their organization’s fundraising resilience, ensuring long-term success in achieving their mission.

Resilient Organizations Partners

Community Foundation Sonoma County will partner with expert organizations to provide trainings and other opportunities for local stakeholders in nonprofit resilience. Current partners include:

Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership

CVNL is committed to advancing nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in the community. With a focus on training, resources, and support, CVNL provides leadership development, volunteer matching, consulting services, and other essential resources to nonprofit organizations. 

cvnl.org 

Northern California Grantmakers

NCG is made up of community members across philanthropy including program officers, board members, donor trustees, individual donors, movement conveners, communicators, visionaries, advocates, dreamers, and believers. NCG believes in our collective power for good.  

ncg.org