Mark McCrary
As a member of the Non-Profit team at my firm, I had the pleasure of meeting today with the Executive Director of the Mississippi Center for Non-Profits, Mark R. McCrary, who was a guest at our meeting.
Mr. McCrary explained the crisis non-profit organizations face in today's economic climate, and how their particular dillemma is unique, in that it is being hit from both sides of this crisis. Not only are many organizations having to cut their workforce by a third (on average) but they are having to dig deeper than ever before into operating funds to fill the needs of the communities they serve.
Here are some of the solutions he suggested and that our team brainstormed on:
Even though Non-Profits "start with heart" it would be good to help educate those who run non-profit organizations on what is required of them, especially with the new 990 tax laws going into effect this year.
Joining your state's center for non-profit can save your nonprofit clients a great deal of money and help find funding through grant database and large company discounts
Non-Profits can benefit greatly by networking more with each other. He explained a new program called "speed networking", similar to "speed dating" in which members have only a few seconds to meet and greet other members and exchange contact information.
Speakers are needed for workshops offered by the center in locations throughout the state. If you enjoy public speaking and have knowledge on a topic that would benefit nonprofit organizations, offer your services for a chance to help the industry and an opportunity to network with potential clients as well.
Find your state's organization through the National Council of Nonprofits:
http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/
Mississippi Center for NonProfits:
http://www.msnonprofits.org/
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
