Eighty Four, PA - To help improve the board governance of local nonprofits, the Foundation initiated, on a trial basis, a new Board Development Grant program earlier this year.
Grants of $500 each were awarded to six local charities to contract with local consulting firm Nonprofit Sidekick, for a two-hour board training session covering the duties, roles, and responsibilities of board members. Four of the six charities have already conducted their training sessions and the results are very promising.
Patricia Knapp, Managing Director of Little Lake Theatre, said that as a result of the training, “Our Board would like to move forward with conducting a skills audit and map the skills available against those that are likely to be needed in the future to add value to delivery of the upcoming strategic plan. Any gaps shown in the skills audit may also be used to guide the recruitment in needed board recruitment.”
Face2Face Healing’s Founder Karen Scuilli said, “This comprehensive training has empowered our board members to become more effective stewards of the organization, thereby enhancing its health and sustainability for the long term.”
“I thought the presentation was well done and informative,” remarked Kelly Proudfit, Executive Director of the Washington Area Humane Society.
Scott Becker, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum said, “We got very positive feedback from board members that this was a helpful training session.”
Two additional grantees, the Johnson Shaw Foundation and Resurrection Power, will hold their training sessions later this year.
While modest in the amount, the Board Development Grants appear to be having a substantial impact and so we will provide another round of grants in 2025.