The Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership is a collaborative made up of 15 community foundations in Massachusetts. Established in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the collaborative will partner with nonprofit organizations to strengthen their programs and capacities as they work to address the critical issues facing communities across Massachusetts. As nonprofit services become more and more critical to those they serve, and to the resilience of our Commonwealth as a whole, nonprofit organizations are facing declining revenue streams and rapidly shifting landscapes paired with increased demands. The Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership seeks to contribute to the stabilizing, re-envisioning, and rebuilding of the nonprofit sector.
The collaborative will produce a series of technical assistance and capacity building programs under its initiative, Nonprofit Strong. Virtual programs will address topics such as strategic planning, fundraising, financial management, and racial justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. In addition to training, nonprofit participants will have the opportunity to network with one another, to troubleshoot common issues, and to exchange best practices. The first programs began in November of 2020, with programs held throughout 2021 and now into 2022.
The series of technical assistance and capacity building programs is being offered by the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership in collaboration with the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network and Philanthropy Massachusetts. Our goals include:
- Support nonprofit organizations as they strengthen their missions, programs, and capacities in order to stabilize, re-envision, and rebuild organizations and the sector;
- Connect and strengthen community foundations for greater impact in providing support services that enhance the sector’s work; and
- Deepen our collective impact on critical social and economic issues facing our communities and the Commonwealth.
Donors interested in more information may email Peter Taylor, President of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Chair of this Partnership.
Go to Upcoming Nonprofit Strong Programs
Go to Other Offerings by Members of the Partnership
Go to Past Nonprofit Strong Programs & Recordings
Go to Participating Organizations
Upcoming Nonprofit Strong Programs
2022 Workshops
Cohort Learning Program – 2022 Session
Please see the two programs below to determine which program you would like to apply to. Applications are now closed.
- Centering Equity led by Naisha Bradley
- This learning series is designed to create a shared understanding of how to identify unconscious bias and disrupt it in the workplace. This learning series provides a brave space for people to explore the root of racial bias, and privilege and think through how their perspectives shape their decisions as professionals.
- Strategic Thinkers & Planners led by Mikel Brand Oliver
- This series will cover reconnecting to the “why” of an organization (mission, vision, values), defining needs and direction, assessing impact, examining outcomes and accountability, and evaluating mission and resources.
More programs coming soon! Please stay tuned.
Other Offerings by Members of the Partnership
Please reach out to our partners below for any questions regarding these programs and their materials.
Institute for Trustees (IFT)
Essex County Community Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and South Coast Community Foundation.
Registration for the 2022 IFT opens soon. Please check back here for details.
Past Nonprofit Strong Programs
All recordings are made available following each program. For any questions regarding these programs and their materials, please reach out to Kelton Artuso at KArtuso@philanthropyma.org or 617-426-2606 x138
2022
2021
Tuesday, January 12th
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Bringing the Outside In: Engaging Communities in Priority Setting and Planning – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, January 26th
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance/Financial Bootcamp – Watch the recording here
Wednesday, January 27th
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Organizational Change to Achieve Equity – Watch the recording here
Thursday, January 28th
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Alternative Strategies for Fundraising Events – Designing the Event – Watch the recording here
Thursday, February 4th
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Alternative Strategies for Fundraising Events – Executing the Event – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, February 9th
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Building Financial Health & Strategic Resilience – Watch the recording here
Wednesday, February 17th
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
How Nonprofits Can Break Through the Virtual World of Fundraising and Communications – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, February 23rd
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Alliances, Mergers & Strategic Restructuring – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, March 9th
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Capstone: Telling Your Organization’s Story for Impact – Watch the recording here
Thursday, March 18th
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Marketing Your Mission and Services in a Distracted, Digital World – Watch the recording here
2020
Tuesday, November 10th
10:00 am – 11:15 am
Cultivating and Communicating with Donors Virtually: Part I – Watch the recording here
Thursday, November 12th
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Making Strategy in Uncertain Times – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, November 17th
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cultivating and Communicating with Donors Virtually: Part 2 – Watch the recording here
Thursday, November 19th
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
How to Update Your Digital Fundraising Strategy in the Age of COVID-19 – Watch the recording here
Thursday, December 3rd
10:00 am – 11:30 am
How to Build, Launch, and Promote a Digital Fundraising Campaign – Watch the recording here
Tuesday, December 8th
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
More Than Money: Identifying Organizational Strengths and Needs – Watch the recording here
Cohort Learning Program – 2021 Session
- Centering Equity led by Naisha Bradley
- This learning series is designed to create a shared understanding of how to identify unconscious bias and disrupt it in the workplace. This learning series provides a brave space for people to explore the root of racial bias, and privilege and think through how their perspectives shape their decisions as professionals.
- Strategic Thinkers & Planners led by Mikel Brand Oliver
- This series will cover reconnecting to the “why” of an organization (mission, vision, values), defining needs and direction, assessing impact, examining outcomes and accountability, and evaluating mission and resources.
- Virtual Nonprofit Operations led by Maureen Wallbeoff
- This learning series will focus on Maureen’s 4 P Framework: Plan, People, Platforms, and Processes with a focus on what it means to have some or all of your staff working virtually. Maureen will work with participants to tease out what’s working, what’s not working, and what they can do operationally to improve their work environment.
We share, lift up, and hold ourselves accountable to these values as we advance this work:
- Transparency
- Listening, Respect, and Trust
- Shared and equitable decision-making
- Accountability to and inclusivity of Nonprofit Sector
- Embracing and advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Humility and a learning mindset
- Excellence & Impact
Community Foundations
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
The Boston Foundation
Brookline Community Foundation
Cambridge Community Foundation
Cape Cod Foundation
Community Foundation of Nantucket
Community Foundation of North Central MA
Community Foundation of Western MA
Essex County Community Foundation
Foundation for MetroWest
Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation
South Coast Community Foundation
Watertown Community Foundation
Partners
Philanthropy Massachusetts
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
This collaborative is being fiscally sponsored by Philanthropy Massachusetts.
