The Stronger Nonprofits Initiative (SNI) aims to support nonprofits led by people of color in navigating systemic barriers to accessing capital and real estate opportunities.
SNI acknowledges disparities in lending and provides resources and tools to increase capacity and build connections to networks. The program consists of a 14-month curriculum that includes training sessions focused on team-based nonprofit financial management, as well as with peer learning, one-on-one financial coaching, customized real estate consulting, and special networking opportunities. SNI is offered through the Midwest. Past cohorts have been based in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Each cohort is comprised of 3-4 leaders from each of 10 nonprofit organizations that attend all the workshops together and engage in peer learning.
Applications for the Stronger Nonprofits Initiative are now closed. If you have any questions, please contact us at strongernonprofits@iff.org.
Before, we were coming up with the budget within the finance department and then funneling it down to the program level. After working with our FMA coach, we start at the program level and feed that up into the budget. We sit with the program directors and hammer out the changing needs of the organization — for example, maybe we’re serving a new population and need an additional employment specialist. The team loves it.
Carving out the time to step back and strategize is a significant challenge for busy nonprofit leaders besieged with daily demands and unforeseen crises. And if they do find the time, there’s the issue of access — in particular for leaders of color serving communities of color. Implementing a strategy effectively often takes resources that may not be readily available: funding, expertise, and a deep network. That’s why SNI is so important. After completing the program, our hope is that nonprofits will have:
