Membership Details

When Nonprofits Thrive the Community Wins!

Our capacity building objectives include:

Developing standard educational programs and tracks for nonprofits to improve their ability to provide services.
Creating direct channels for individuals, groups, and businesses to connect with and expand nonprofit manpower through meaningful service.
Fortifying nonprofit organizations by raising their ability to create diverse fundraising streams.
Fostering collaborations among nonprofits and community by creating network groups that encourage relationship building

Your Membership Includes the Following Nonprofit Capacity Building Programming

Please note because of COVID-19, all program will be virtual until further notice

Post Volunteer, Donation and Events

Members can utilize the Galaxy Portal and App, an industry-leading volunteer management software free to help recruit, track, and manage your volunteer, and ask for in-kind donations. All volunteer and donations needs are marketed through social media and e-news. Our reach is over 3,000.

NIU (Northern Illinois University) Workshops/Seminars

Nine classes from NIU's Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) will be presented. CLA workshops allow interactions with fellow participants and instructors using experiential learning techniques. Workshops include an array of topics central to being an effective leader in the 21st Century. Gold & Silver members are discounted 60%, Bronze members are discounted 20% in most cases.

General Workshop/Seminars

8 to 10 general workshops/seminars will be presented throughout each training season. These experiences will help participants look to the future and work more efficient. Gold & Silver members are discounted 60%, Bronze members are discounted 20% in most cases.

Grant Writing

Our comprehensive grant workshops will help you will understand how to navigate the world of grant procurement, identify the critical sections of successful proposals, explore the logic model, and demonstrate the excellence and innovation that propels your grant writing skills. Gold & Silver member discount range 60% to 20%, Bronze member discount range 20% to 10%.

Building and Sustaining Your Leadership

Designed for nonprofit future and current leaders and board members. These classes are presented by experienced nonprofit leaders, each session will include a unique combination of case studies, lectures and peer learning opportunities to provide you with best practices and proven strategies for success. Gold & Silver member discount range 60% to 20%, Bronze member discount range 20% to 10%.

Media/Marketing Seminars

Nothing is more important than getting your nonprofit's message out! Learn from the experts. Discover trends, learn how to be more strategic and how to grow your exposure through best practices. Gold & Silver member discount range 60% to 20%, Bronze member discount range 20% to 10%.

Volunteer Management Certificate

Our certificate program is based on the Betty Stallings Training Series. It is designed to equip you with the skills needed to increase the impact of your volunteer force. Gold & Silver members are discounted 20%, Bronze members are discounted 10% in most cases.

Human Resources Seminars

Whether you are talking about board members, volunteers, full or part-time staff, understanding the regulations, policies and procedures to have in place is critical. Understand how to have a happy staff while complying with the legal side. Gold & Silver member discount range 60% to 20%, Bronze member discount range 20% to 10%.

Executive Director Nuts and Bolts: This

This experience will cover the basics of running a nonprofit organization from mission to roles of the Executive Director, board, staff and volunteers, to best practices in nonprofit strategic leadership and management. Gold & Silver member discount range 60% to 20%, Bronze member discount range 20% to 10%.

Network Groups

Short-term network groups and conference calls will be developed throughout the year to take a deeper look at current events, and workshop topics.

Human Race

This cooperative event is open only to 501 (c)3 nonprofit serving McHenry County. It is a unique event that showcases local nonprofits organizations. 50% of the race registrations and 100% of fundraising dollars organizations raise goes back to their organization. Together we can change lives! Gold & Silver members are discounted 60%, Bronze members are discounted 20% in most cases

Utilization of the Foundation Center Directory

As a Foundation Center Partner Site the data we host gives you access to an unprecedented wealth of timely, comprehensive information on grant-makers and their grants. Included is a database of over 140,000 foundations, corporate giving programs, and grant-making public charities in the U.S.; a database of over 4,000 sponsoring companies, offering a quick pathway to corporate funders; a database of over 5 million recently awarded grants; and a keyword-searchable database of over 1 million recently filed IRS Forms 990 and 990-PF.

Free Grant Directory Training

Attend an “Introduction to Finding Grants” and learn to use The Foundation Center Online Directory and Grantspace. Learn how to conduct an online grant search; find out where to look online to view sample documents, and sign up to receive email alerts on new RFPs

Volunteer Management Consultation

Experienced staff will help troubleshoot and assist in developing objectives to help you grow the volunteer force needed for your specific organization’s needs.

*Gold and Silver Members Only

Password Protected Webinars

Webinars just for your viewing only. Example this year we will provide at least one free NIU webinar each month. When possible, webinars we host will be available also.

Grant Research Assistant

We have trained volunteers ready to assist you. Wednesday afternoons a certified grant writer is available for questions. If you need help researching grant complete his form and we will help with the research

National Days of Service

Partner with the Volunteer Center to increase corporate and family volunteerism in your organization. Members will receive invites to these events periodically throughout the year.

**Gold Members Only

Consultant Service List

Access a list of professionals/past instructors

Spotlight for Three Months

For Gold Members only - Grow your audience by utilizing three months of the spotlight area on Galaxy. Articles are written by your organization can include pictures and links. Your articles will also be included in the Center’s e-news. Get extra social media presence during your three months. (You choose the three months.)