Arc Leadership Institute Capstone Project
Capstone Project
Engaging with Your People
Engaging with Staff
Non-profits can creatively leverage their current and future staff to build community partnerships in many ways. By engaging with team members, agencies strengthen their presence and build opportunities for mutual continued success.
Tips for Teams
Lunch and Learn Events
Staff can host informal "lunch and learn" sessions with local businesses, schools, or community groups to educate them about the nonprofit’s mission and services. These events foster dialogue, raise awareness, and encourage collaboration.
Staff Participation in Local Groups
Encourage staff to participate in local clubs, faith groups, or boards as representatives of the nonprofit. By becoming active members in these community spaces, staff can build authentic connections while advancing the organization’s mission. Their involvement not only strengthens the professional networks of the agency, but also opens doors for the individuals served by the nonprofit to engage as active participants in the community. This creates a ripple effect, fostering inclusion and creating new opportunities for meaningful involvement for those the nonprofit supports.
Social Media Ambassadors
Staff can serve as social media ambassadors, sharing fundraising campaigns, success stories, and impact posts on their personal accounts to increase visibility and reach new audiences.
Resources for Staff
To help utilize current staff for development projects:
01
A comprehensive resource for fundraising strategies, including tips on how nonprofit staff can assist with development and donor engagement.
03
Provides tools and resources for nonprofit leadership and staff, focusing on development strategies, capacity building, and strengthening internal operations.
02
A platform that matches nonprofits with skilled volunteers and offers resources to help current staff develop skills in areas such as marketing, strategy, and technology.
04
Features a wide range of nonprofit resources, including articles and webinars on leveraging staff for development work and creating a culture of philanthropy.
Board of Directors
1
Leverage Professional Networks
Board members can tap into their professional networks to invite new partners, donors, or volunteers to events or as guest speakers. By utilizing their connections, they can attract audiences who might not have been reached through traditional channels. This special group of agency representatives often have connections to the community that are not part of the everyday business operations.
2
Sponsor Community Challenges
Board members can create excitement and boost community involvement by organizing community challenges. Board members can also tap into their networks to promote these challenges, drawing in support from local businesses, friends, and community leaders, which increases visibility and fosters a greater sense of community involvement.
3
Get the most of of your Bylaws
Agencies can strengthen community engagement by structuring their bylaws or committee expectations to support it actively. By including requirements for current Board of Directors members to regularly introduce new contacts and opportunities to the organization, agencies can consistently broaden their community network and amplify engagement efforts. This proactive approach creates a sustainable flow of fresh perspectives and support, enhancing the agency’s reach and impact.