Things I thought I knew about the Nonprofit Center (but didn’t)

John Jansen is a writer, nonprofit consultant, and former executive director of Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee.
He recently launched a new blog, Strategic Nonprofits - "a place where nonprofit professionals can get answers and contribute ideas." Topics include nonprofit communications, fund development, executive leadership, and more.

By John F. Jansen, NPC Guest Blogger

After many years as a member, I thought I knew everything there was to know about the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee. 

Boy, was I wrong!

I always knew that NPC:
-   Provides valuable nonprofit workshops  
-   Offers office space to other nonprofits, and
-   Celebrates through its annual events the contributions nonprofits make to our community and its diversity

But only recently did I discover two long-standing and very valuable programs – one that helps nonprofits and one geared to for-profit businesses.  And in true NPC fashion, they are simple and direct services provided by a “one stop shop” unlike any other nonprofit resource in the region.

Nonprofit Consulting Services:

NPC does a lot more to help nonprofits than provide workshops. Nearly every day, Executive Director Leigh Kunde fields phone calls from nonprofit leaders who need help in areas such as financial management, strategic planning, HR, social media and much more.  Leigh can put them in touch instantly with experts in any of these areas. 

Sometimes, the best consultant is right on staff at the Nonprofit Center, where Dan Ullrich can provide guidance on communications issues, Bonnie Andrews on volunteer management, or Gail Kahovic on financial issues.

When an outside consultant is needed, Leigh will set up a meeting between the nonprofit looking for help and a consultant who can provide it, often sitting in to help the nonprofit find a consultant who is a perfect fit for the project.

Nowhere else in the community can a nonprofit get this kind of expert guidance with a single phone call.  Better yet, NPC members receive consulting services at a generous discount.

Business Volunteer Council:

This program bridges the gap between nonprofits and for-profits so that both can benefit. NPC’s corporate and events manager,  Debbie Knepke, can help any business, large or small, create corporate teams and connect with meaningful service opportunities.

Business Volunteer Council members become part of Milwaukee’s leading network for business volunteering and gain access to valuable information and activities, plus one-on-one guidance on supercharging their company’s community service platform.

Community service and social consciousness make for stronger employees, stronger businesses and stronger communities. When companies are engaged in the community, everyone wins.

Helping businesses become better community partners is something all of us can do. Please forward this message on to your business friends so they can take advantage of this valuable program.

The Nonprofit Center's consulting services and Business Volunteer Council are real gems – programs that are unique to Greater Milwaukee and, indeed, to the state of Wisconsin.