Ocean Shores Friends of the Library will host

a Nonprofit Leaders Conference for Coastal and SW Washington

in October 2009 at Ocean Shores

See Website at: http://cwaconf.home.att.net/

Nonprofits in Grays Harbor and surrounding counties are facing unusually severe financial challenges due to these tough economic times. We will be less able to raise funds through normal activities just when the need is greatest. Most of our nonprofits are all-volunteer, rural and small city organizations that share little in common with urban nonprofits with paid employees. Classes in the I-5 corridor are too expensive and do not meet our need for ongoing support. Nevertheless, our leaders, boards, and volunteers need to better understand how grant-makers work, which grant-makers could help them, and how to communicate effectively to obtain funds from outside their beleaguered communities.

With these points in mind, we are planning the first Nonprofit Leaders Conference for Coastal and Southwest Washington in October 2009. At minimal cost to nonprofits, the Conference will provide (1) for training by professionals with extensive, local nonprofit experience; (2) for networking and identifying common goals and needs; and, (3) to hear from and meet with foundation leaders. Nonprofits will thus put names and faces to the grant-makers and begin overcoming some of their concerns and take the first steps necessary to better help their nonprofits seek grant support for those they serve.

I have spoken to senior program officers at the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, the Paul Allen Foundation, the Murdock Trust, and the Forest Foundation. Each indicated an interest in attending such a conference. We will also invite representatives from a range of foundations, so that we offer a wide pool of potential connections for our nonprofits.

We are currently seeking funding through small and larger grants and in-kind support. If you have an idea for us or wish to donate toward this effort, please contact us via email or drop by the Library. Thanks.