September 5, 2024

A special "thank you" to our GC Nonprofit News sponsors. Without their support we would not be able to offer GC Nonprofit News at no cost to our readers. We encourage you to check out the many goods, services and programs offered by our sponsors.  

Interested in being a sponsor for GC Nonprofit News? We have a variety of sponsorships that will help you share the word on how your business or organization can be of assistance to nonprofits in our region. If you are interested in exploring our sponsorship opportunities contact our Editor, Kelli Tarantino at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com. 

In partnership with local nonprofits and our sponsors, GC Nonprofit News strives to create a more informed, open and connected community by sharing nonprofit news, job openings, and resources. 

We hope everyone is having a great summer! Stay connected and informed by reading GC Nonprofit News every week. Jane😊



Jane Page-Steiner, Owner & Publisher – jane@gcnonprofitnews.com

Kelli Tarantino, Editor - kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com

*Reminder: Please submit your news by 2pm on Tuesday and jobs by 10am on Wednesday for Thursday's issue of GC Nonprofit News. Jobs submitted after 10am on Wednesday will appear in the following week's eNews.



The Power of Collaboration and Consensus in Nonprofit Leadership

by Jackson Drumgoole II

In nonprofit leadership, the synergy between collaboration and consensus is crucial for driving sustainable impact and success. As the founder of Bridge Builder Communities, I have seen how strategic partnerships and collective decision-making empower organizations to address complex societal challenges effectively. This article explores the significance of collaboration and consensus-building for nonprofit leaders, drawing on insights from our experience at Bridge Builder Communities.

The Necessity of Collaboration

Nonprofit organizations often face multifaceted problems that require diverse expertise and resources. No single organization can tackle these challenges alone. Collaboration is, therefore, a vital strategy, allowing nonprofits to pool resources, share knowledge and reach broader audiences. At Bridge Builder Communities, we aim to support young adults aging out of the foster care system through partnerships with various stakeholders, including businesses, elected officials, churches, civic organizations, other nonprofits, medical facilities and mental health agencies.

For example, our collaboration with local businesses has provided job training and employment opportunities, crucial for our residents' transition to independent adulthood. Partnerships with churches and faith-based organizations offer spiritual and emotional support, while medical and mental health collaborations ensure comprehensive care. We've avoided duplicating efforts by leveraging the efforts of other nonprofits already excelling in this space. Together, these partnerships form a holistic support system that meets the diverse needs of the young adults we serve.

Engaging Elected Officials: A Critical Component

In addition to partnerships with businesses and community organizations, working with elected officials at the local, state and national levels is paramount. Elected officials play a crucial role in shaping policies that directly impact the communities we serve. By engaging with them, nonprofits can influence legislation, secure funding and advocate for systemic changes that benefit their target populations.

Building relationships with elected officials at Bridge Builder Communities has been essential for advancing our mission. Local government support has been instrumental in securing zoning approvals for our Tiny Home Village project. Additionally, state-level engagement has opened doors to grants and other funding opportunities critical for our sustainability. On the national level, advocating for policies that support aging-out foster youth has allowed us to contribute to broader legislative efforts to improve the foster care system.

Collaborating with elected officials also helps amplify our voice in the public sphere. By partnering with policymakers, nonprofits can raise awareness of the issues they address and build momentum for change. This collaborative approach not only enhances our initiatives' impact but also strengthens our advocacy efforts' overall effectiveness.

Building Consensus for Collective Impact

While collaboration brings together diverse stakeholders, achieving consensus drives collective impact. Consensus-building involves open communication, mutual respect and a shared vision among all partners. This process can be challenging, especially when partners have different priorities and perspectives. However, ensuring that all parties are aligned and committed to the common goal is essential.

At Bridge Builder Communities, consensus-building is central to our community development strategy. When we launched the Tiny Home Village in Augusta, we hosted a stakeholder whiteboard session with civic and social organizations to ensure the project aligned with community needs. By involving all stakeholders in decision-making, we secured broad support and fostered a sense of ownership. This collaboration not only strengthened the project but also amplified its impact.

The Role of Nonprofit Leaders

As nonprofit leaders, we facilitate collaboration and guide the consensus-building process. This requires strong leadership skills, including listening actively, mediating conflicts and inspiring others with a compelling vision. Leaders must also be flexible and adaptable, recognizing that collaboration is an ongoing process that may require adjustments as circumstances evolve.

Moreover, nonprofit leaders must intentionally select partners who share their organization's values and commitment to the mission. My team prioritizes partnerships with organizations that understand the unique challenges faced by our target population and provide solutions that promote long-term success. I call it surrounding yourself with people who have the “heart, heads and hands” to do the work.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center is pleased to welcome John Kennedy as the new Executive Director. 

Clermont County Safety Net Alliance welcomes Melissa Meyer, President & CEO, IPM Food Pantry as a member to the Executive Committee

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) recently welcomed Brad Netherton, new Vice President Manufacturing. 

In July, Dress for Success Cincinnati welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors (L to R): Sowmya Aggarwal, Travina Adams, Kathleen Armstrong, and Jessica Bacher.

The Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News is accepting 2024 Sponsorships. Learn more here and contact us to schedule a discovery call.

Hubbard's Cupboard, a collaboration between Crayons to Computers and the Sam Hubbard Foundation, has opened at DePaul Cristo Rey High School. DPCR's Hubbard's Cupboard was stocked in August for the start of school and will be restocked 20 times throughout the school year with free school supplies, hygiene products and healthy snacks for students and teachers. DPCR is among eight new schools joining the program this year; there are 21 "Cupboard Schools" in Greater Cincinnati.

Santa Maria Community Services is pleased to announce their receipt of nine grants supporting their programs and services during the second quarter of 2024. Jack J. Smith, Jr. Charitable Trust ($15,000), Greater Cincinnati Foundation ($32,500), Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation ($10,000), Scripps Howard Fund ($30,000), SC Ministry Foundation and the Sister Elise Grant Program, Huntington Bank ($10,000), US Bank ($15,000). 

Council on Aging will highlight Clermont County resources at their Clermont County Aging Connections event, September 10. This Event is FREE, however, advance registration is required. Find more information and register here. 

The Safety Net Alliance of Northern Kentucky has dispersed its first-ever round of mini-grants, totaling $30,999, to nine local nonprofit partners providing direct services in the Northern Kentucky region. Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio & Northern Kentucky, Be Concerned, Inc., St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky, Code Ky, Learning Grove, Mental Health America, Florence Christian Church/Boone County/Welcome House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky. 

On August 25, Summer Smash raised over $57,000 to support Talbert House programs and services which empower children, adults, and families to live healthy, safe and productive lives.

The Victorian at Riverside thanks the R.C. Durr Foundation for a generous $10,675 grant. This support ensures residents maintain their independence, avoiding homelessness, hospitalization, and nursing home admission.

PIE (Partnership for Innovation in Education) recently received $5,000 from the Bill and Dottie Wilder Foundation, funding the "Advanced Air Mobility and DronePreneurship Certification Project" at Aiken New Tech High School.

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is thrilled to announce the return of our Braille Bourbon Whiskey partnership with Northside Distilling Co. Join us as we release Volume Three on Wednesday, September 18, 5:00pm-8:00 pm at Northside Distilling Co.

IDEA Public Schools in the Greater Cincinnati area is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year. Currently, IDEA Greater Cincinnati serves nearly 1,000 students in four schools – IDEA Valley View Academy and College Preparatory and IDEA Price Hill Academy and College Preparatory. Find more information here.



Millstone Fund supports the Greater Cincinnati community in the areas of Health, Education, and Arts. With a strong focus on supporting the mental health of our community, Millstone Fund is currently accepting LOI’s until October 1^st for their next round of funding. To learn more about Millstone Fund’s priority areas, grant types, eligibility requirements, and application process, visit their website

Zonta Club of Cincinnati is now accepting grant applications for the Fall of 2024. Grants are awarded in the range of $500 - $2,000. Grant dollars will be distributed on December 1, 2024. All grant applications are due no later than October 1, 2024. Any applications received after that date will be held for the Spring of 2025.

The Warren County Foundation and ArtsWave will be co-hosting the first Warren County Arts Summit on September 13, 11:30am-1:00pm at the Manor House. This event will be focused on sharing opportunities for funding support for Warren County arts from ArtsWave and the Warren County Foundation. Find additional information and registration here.

GiveCamp is a weekend-long event (October 11-13) where software developers, designers, database administrators, project managers and creative professionals donate their time to create software and web-based applications for non-profit organizations. The first step is to apply here. 



We envision a future where all people are healthy and thriving, no matter who they are or where they live. Yet across our region, we tolerate lower levels of health, well-being, and longevity in our communities. Please join us September 12 from 4p-6p at The Grand in Covington, KY for Interact for Health's “Our Health, Our Opportunity” report launch & free event with the author of The Sum of Us, Heather McGhee. Register here.

Leadership Council for Nonprofits introduces BOLD NKY, an accelerated version of the popular BOLD (Board Orientation + Leadership Development) program, September 24, 5:00pm-8:00pm. This program is designed especially for people who care about serving Northern Kentucky's nonprofit community. Find more information and registration here. 



Dress for Success Cincinnati is a volunteer-driven organization and depends on the support of the community to deliver our programs and services to disadvantaged women. Without volunteers, we simply would not be able to fulfill our mission. Multiple opportunities are available, check out your options here.

The surprising benefit of letting go of good ideas As a leader, you must be able to start things. You must be able to complete things. And, more often than you’d think, sometimes you have to put an end to things.

To take your leadership to the next level, you may need the courage to kill off a good idea.

The value of impact reports for nonprofits Impact reports for nonprofits are key tools for these organizations to show the positive difference their work has made in their communities. Let's unpack their value for nonprofits.



Our sponsor and partner marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn more about a sponsor's nonprofit services, click on their ad. Contact Kelli Tarantino, editor, at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com to discover how your business or organization can become a sponsor/advertiser of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

Nutrition Coordinator, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (Posted 9/5/2024) Learn more…

Teacher, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (Posted 9/5/2024) Learn more…

Assistant Director of Finance, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (Posted 9/5/2024) Learn more… 

Administrative Assistant, The Dragonfly Foundation (Posted 9/5/2024) Learn more…

Human Resources Officer, Mercy McAuley High School (part-time) (Posted 9/5/2024) Learn more… 

Communications Specialist, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Greater Cincinnati (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more...

Major and Planned Gifts Officer, Freestore Foodbank (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more...

Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more…

Cincinnati City Accountant, The Salvation Army (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more…

Director of Regional Development, Columbus, Miami University (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more…

Assistant Director, Gifts & Records Processing, Miami University (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more…

Operations Lead, Community Peace Builders Network (Posted 8/29/2024) Learn more…

Chief Executive Officer, Action for Children (Posted 8/22/2024) Learn more...

Grant Writer, Girls Scouts of Western Ohio (Posted 8/22/2024) Learn more...

Boys Academy Success Coordinator, Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati (Posted 8/22/2024) Learn more...

Food Hub Site Manager, Your Store of the Queen City (Posted 8/22/2024) Learn more...

Associate Director, National Lieutenant Governors Association (Posted 8/22/2024) Learn more...

Activity Coordinator, MariElders (Posted 8/15/2024) Learn more...

Community Volunteers, Breastfeeding Outreach (Posted 8/15/2024) Learn more...

Director of Stewardship, St. Gertrude Church (Posted 8/8/2024) Learn more...