We are a community with a broad range of nonprofits doing important work to improve all aspects of life here. Likewise, the people running and overseeing these efforts bring to the job a wide range of talents and experience. A lot of organizations are putting a lot of time and effort into a way to give nonprofit professionals and board members the tools to do the job well.

The Nonprofit Leadership Initiative started with the Community Foundation making available free to area nonprofits the website NonprofitNEXT.org — an online resource that offers tips, tools and templates to help nonprofits conduct their business. Other partners — including United Way Fox Cities, Thrivent Financial, Community First Credit Union and Fox Valley Technical College — have joined in creating the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative.

Kim O’Brien of the Community Foundation and Tony Gonzalez of United Way Fox Cities discussed the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative on Josh Dukelow’s “Fresh Take” show on WHBY on Sept. 15. Listen to it now by clicking the arrow below.

Here are some of what is being offered to nonprofits:

• NonprofitNEXT.org –  A website that offers tips, tools and templates to help nonprofits conduct their business.
• Nonprofit Initiative Director Forums – Topics such as fundraising, marketing and board development.
• Nonprofit Board Pipeline– Quarterly meetings on topics such as mental health and duties of a board member.
• Trainer roundatables – A training opportunity for nonprofit executives during which they rotate among experts on the business of running a nonprofit.
• Nonprofit Leadership Institute – Basic training by Fox Valley Technical College for nonprofit executive directors, program directors and development officers divided into nine modules on a range of topics.
• Nonprofit Board Support – Tools and training for board chairs and board members.

Companies including Associated Bank, Bemis and Kimberly-Clark have provided their expert staff to coach nonprofit representatives and serve on committees shaping the initiative.

It’s all about making nonprofits better, which makes the quality of life in the Fox Valley better.