Executive Directors of Shiawassee-based nonprofits (l to r): Helen Howard, Respite Volunteers; Tonya Avery, SafeCenter; Lynn Grubb, the Arc Shiawassee; Lauri Elbing, Friends of the Shiawassee River; Tom Cook, Cook Family Foundation; Kathy Brooks, Owosso Community Players; Piper Brewer, Shiawassee Arts Center; Mary Warner-Stone, Durand Union Station Incorporated; and Marlene Webster, Shiawassee Hope

Eight Shiawassee-based nonprofit organizations have achieved Partner status in the Cook Family Foundation’s NonProfit Capacity Building program.  In recognition of this accomplishment, each community group has been awarded $5,000 in a special year-end grant.

“These nonprofits have demonstrated a commitment to improve their governance, their programs, and their capacity” said Foundation Executive Director Tom Cook.  “We are proud to call them Partners”

The organizations now recognized as Partners are the Arc Shiawassee, Durand Union Station Incorporated, the Friends of the Shiawassee River, the Intersection of Owosso (Shiawassee Hope Project), Owosso Community Players, Respite Volunteers of Shiawassee, SafeCenter and the Shiawassee Arts Center.

The NonProfit Capacity Building program provides training and technical assistance to over 20 Shiawassee-based organizations (click here for more information).  To achieve Partner status, over half of the board members of an organization attended one or more workshops on nonprofit governance, executive directors participated in bi-monthly peer learning sessions, and both staff and volunteers took part in coaching sessions with an expert from the Nonprofit Network, a Michigan consulting firm.  Several of the organizations have also updated their strategic plan, made technology investments, or otherwise added capacity.

“We make services available to all Shiawassee-based nonprofits that have paid staff” said Tom Cook, “and we are confident that several more will achieve Partner status in 2016.”  The NonProfit Capacity Building Program is currently being updated for 2016. Program revisions will be announced on this page in January.

“When our nonprofit groups are strong, our communities are healthier,” said Cook. “Nonprofits care for those most in need in Shiawassee County, promote our natural and cultural resources, and help us all be engaged citizens.”