New! Tip of the Month

Kick off the new year with us as we launch our Tip of the Month series! Each month, we’ll share simple, practical advice inspired by our Principles & Practices guide to help you strengthen your organization, connect with your community, and reach your mission.

This month, we dive into strategic planning – check out these quick, actionable tips to get started.

Time’s Almost Up

Time is running out to complete our Annual Center Survey – submit your response by Friday, January 17! Whether you’re a nonprofit member, a seasoned consultant, a dedicated board member, or involved with your nonprofit in any other way, your input is invaluable. Your feedback helps us adapt and improve our programs and services to better meet your organization’s needs. Take the survey to share your thoughts.

Annual Center Member Meeting

Join your fellow Center Member nonprofits for our 2025 Annual Member Meeting on February 11 to learn about program and membership updates, the Association Health Plan, and more. We'll also hear from nonprofit leaders in a special panel discussion about efforts to support recovery and rebuilding in western North Carolina after the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Registration is open to all current Center Members – register now.

Start the Year In Compliance

Start your new year in compliance with the latest legal requirements for nonprofits, especially with the most current FLSA rule changes reverting to pre-July 2024 salary threshold levels. Our revised Legal Compliance Checklist for North Carolina’s Nonprofits reflects the most current FLSA details in addition to what nonprofits need to know and how to stay compliant with the laws affecting tax exemption, governance, finances, advocacy, HR, and fundraising. Center Members have access to the checklist as part of membership – download the checklist.

Member Benefit: Through our affiliate partnership with Nonprofit Risk Management Center, Center Members have full access to NRMC’s resources, guidance, and webinar recordings on risk management topics (including compliance) and discounts on policy creation and risk management planning tools. Simply create your account.

Build Bridges with Representatives

With new leaders taking office across the state, now’s the time for (nonpartisan) nonprofits to connect with both new and returning representatives. It’s a great opportunity to highlight how much nonprofits contribute to the communities we all care about. Need a starting point? Check out these tips for reaching out and introducing your organization to foster relationships that support NC’s nonprofit sector. Focused on specific issues? Find helpful advice on discussing policy issues with your policymakers.

Because there’s a lot at stake for charitable nonprofits this year, we’re also asking you to sign your nonprofit on to the Nonprofit Community Letter to send a strong message to Congress that our nonprofits are vital to our communities and our voices are vital in major policy discussions.

Learn more about the state and federal public policy issues impacting nonprofits and shaping the Center’s advocacy priorities for 2025.

Strengthening Partnerships

We recently hosted a Partnership Possibilities Lab, bringing together a diverse mix of long-time Business Sustainers, newly engaged businesses, consultants, and vendors to connect, share ideas, and explore ways to strengthen partnerships between NC’s business community and the nonprofit sector.

The conversation (complete with King Cake and Mardi Gras beads!) recognized past successes while looking forward, including reimagining the Center’s Business Sustainer program to better align with the evolving needs of both nonprofits and business partners. The energy and collaboration in the room highlighted the vital role businesses play in supporting nonprofit work.

We’re excited to build on the shared ideas and grow our network of business partners committed to advancing NC’s nonprofit sector. If you have ideas to share about nonprofit and business partnerships, please contact kneustrom@ncnonprofits.org.

What We're Reading

• What Is an Annual Plan vs a Strategic Plan?, Funding For Good
• Strategic Planning and Leadership: Empowering Nonprofits for Community Impact, Nonprofit Hub Podcast
• Renewed Engagement in American Civic Life, AmeriCorps

What topics do you want to learn more about in 2025? Let us know!

Upcoming Training

• Annual Center Member Meeting, February 11
• Feel Good about Giving Difficult Feedback, February 20
• Reenergize Your Board, February 19
• Executive Leadership Cohort: Creating an Anti-Racist Community with Purpose, Intent & Impact (5-session series), begins February 21
• Data-Driven Success: Leveraging Analytics & AI to Thrive, March 4
• Capture the Next Generation of Big Donors: Building Relationships with Companies that Pay Off, March 11
• The Trainer Academy (on-demand, 16-session course)
• The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and Build-It-Yourself Toolkit for Crafting an A+ Proposal (on-demand, 8-session course)
• Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events

Thank You, Supporters!

We appreciate the support of these new businesses in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits. Check them out or promote your services.

Welcome, New Members!

We appreciate the members of our growing nonprofit network. Your support and partnership make it possible for us to educate, connect, and advocate for and with nonprofits across North Carolina.

Nonprofit Connections is the monthly newsletter of nonprofit news, trends, and resources from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. If a colleague forwarded this message to you, sign up for our emails.

Current Center Member? Access your benefits or create your account.

Members of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits have full access to training, resources, and discounts on additional programs and services.

All NC 501(c)(3) nonprofits can become members.

Not a Center Member? Join now.

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