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 Benefits:

(Please note because of COVID-19, all programming will be virtual until further notice.)

Post Volunteer Opportunities, In-Kind Donation Needs 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.

Northern Illinois University (NIU) Workshops

A selection of classes from NIU's Civic Leadership Academy CLA are offered each year. NIU 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 and Silver members are discounted 60%, Bronze members are discounted 20% in most cases.

Professional Development Workshops

Over 20 professional development workshops are presented each year. These workshops focus on five core areas including fundraising, marketing, leadership, grant writing and volunteer management. Gold and Silver members are discounted 60%, Bronze members are discounted 20% in most cases.

Grant Writing

Our comprehensive grant writing workshop series 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 and Silver member discounts range from 60% to 20% off, Bronze member discounts range from 20% to 10% off.

Building and Sustaining Your Leadership

Designed for nonprofit future and current leaders and board members, these workshops are presented by experienced nonprofit leaders. Each workshop will include a unique combination of case studies, lecture and peer learning opportunities to provide you with best practices and proven strategies for success. Gold and Silver member discounts range from 60% to 20% off, Bronze member discounts range from 20% to 10% off.

Nonprofit Marketing

Nothing is more important than getting your nonprofit's message out! Learn from the experts with our nonprofit marketing workshops. You'll discover trends, learn how to be more strategic and how to grow your exposure through best practices. Gold and Silver member discounts range from 60% to 20% off, Bronze member discounts range from 20% to 10% off.

Volunteer Management Certification Workshop Series

Our Volunteer Management Certification 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 and Silver members receive a 20% discount, Bronze members receive a 10% discount.

Human Resources Workshops

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

Executive Director Essentials

This workshop series will cover the basics of running a nonprofit organization from mission to roles of the executive director, board of directors, staff and volunteers, to best practices in nonprofit strategic leadership and management. Gold and Silver members receive a discount of 60% to 20%, Bronze members receive a discount of 20% to 10%.

Network Groups

Network groups (in-person and social media based) and conference calls will be developed throughout the year to take a deeper look at current events, workshop topics and challenges nonprofits encounter.

The Human Race

This cooperative event is open only to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving McHenry County. Fifty percent of the race registrations and one hundred percent of the fundraising dollars organizations raise goes back to their nonprofit. Together we can change lives!

Utilization of the Foundation Center Directory

As a Foundation Directory Online 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.

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

Enjoy access to a selection of recorded webinars on various nonprofit topics.

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 grants, please complete this form and assist you.

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 nonprofit professionals, consultants, business and past instructors.

Be in the Spotlight for Three Months

Grow your audience by utilizing three months of the spotlight area on Galaxy. Articles which can include pictures and links, are written by your organization and showcased on Galaxy and are included in our e-news. In addition, you will receive extra social media presence during your three months. (You choose the three months.)