Foundation Announces New Capacity Building Programs

New Britain, Conn., January 5, 2021 – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) is launching its 2022 Capacity Building program. The Initiative provides training, networking and funding opportunities that support nonprofit organizations serving Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington. There will be new opportunities for local nonprofits that may benefit their organizations.

Since 2020, the CFGNB Executive Director’s Forum has provided a safe place for Executive Directors to discuss challenges, network, identify and share resources, and be part of a group with others in a similar role. According to participants, the many benefits of participating in the Executive Director Forum include having a peer group to share and address similar challenges with, receiving resource materials on very relevant topics and having a safe place to connect with other ED’s, sharing concerns and asking for insights.

The 2022 Executive Directors’ Forum will focus on creating a space where Executive Directors can learn, guide, and support one another through a series of nine monthly sessions (February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September, October, and November). The sessions will take place virtually and/or in person for 1.5 hours. The first meeting will be in held February and meetings dates and times will be decided in January.

The group will identify topics for discussion and Sharon Danosky, of Danosky & Associates will facilitate them. Occasionally, a subject matter expert will join the meetings to address a topic selected by the group that will support nonprofit work.

CFGNB will accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the series reaches full enrollment of 15. For consideration, applications are on our capacity-building page at www.cfgnb.org/capacity-building-for-non-profits and are due by Monday, January 31, 2022.

The second opportunity the Foundation will present to nonprofits is the Consultant Support Program.

From time to time, a nonprofit needs an outside thought partner, coach to work through a challenge, or to explore an opportunity. The CFGNB Consultant Support Program can provide funding to help with this process. Through this program, nonprofits can apply for up to $2,000 to work with a consultant on a project that will increase their organizational capacity or support implementation of a capacity building project. The goals should be to improve internal organizational capacity, functioning, efficiency, or sustainability. Examples include consulting for assessments, coaching, data management, development strategies, financial management, retreat or convening expense, strategic alliance conversations, or other short-term projects by request.
Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Applications are on the Capacity Building page of the CFGNB website.

The Foundation’s Nonprofit Library and Resource Center (NPLRC) is also open for those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The Resource Library has printed materials for loan on topics relevant to nonprofits and is home the Foundation Director Online (FDO) and Boardsource. The FDO is a powerful search-engine that contains information on more than 225,000+ grant makers; BoardSource contains information and materials relative to non-profit governance. To make an appointment to visit our Resource Center and Library, or for any questions about our Capacity Building Program opportunities, please contact Joeline Wruck at jwruck@cfgnb.org or 860.229.6018 x307.

Established in 1941 and celebrating 80 years, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.