The end of the year often feels the busiest – both professionally and personally. But it’s worth taking time to pause and truly appreciate all that you’ve accomplished the past many months, and the colleagues and partners who helped make it happen.
This year reminded us just how powerful partnership can be. Across the sector, nonprofits leaned on one another, shared ideas and resources, faced and tackled challenges together. The impact we’ve been able to make comes from showing up side by side, supporting our communities, and lifting each other along the way. Thank you for being there for and with us.
From our work family to yours: happy holidays! Here’s to all we’ve done together and a bright, hopeful new year ahead. |
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Note: The Center will be closed from December 23-January 2. Our website has loads of resources you can access until we're back online in the new year, but we hope you’ll be taking some downtime, too. |
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| Tip of the Month: Values in Practice |
Our Tips of the Month share simple, practical advice inspired by our Principles & Practices guide to help you strengthen your organization, connect with your community, and reach your mission.
Check out this month's tip for building workplaces, partnerships, and relationships rooted in respect, fairness, and shared values that help create stronger nonprofits and stronger communities. |
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| Reunited, Inspired, Ready to Go |
Thank you to everyone who joined us – 504 nonprofit leaders, funders, partners, sponsors, presenters, exhibitors – and helped make this past November’s Conference for NC’s Nonprofits such a meaningful experience! We spent a few energizing days reconnecting, building new relationships, and talking honestly about both the challenges we’re facing and the inspiring work happening in every corner of our state and our nonprofit community.
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Throughout the conversations, a few things rose to the top: the continued importance of strong, thoughtful leadership; the need to show up and advocate for our missions together; and the value of finding rest, encouragement, and support – from our teams and from one another – to sustain this work for the long haul.
Above all, the message was clear: we’re not doing this work alone. We’re in it together – and stronger for it.
SAVE THE DATE (and a little bit of your budget!) for the 2026 Conference on October 20-21, 2026 at the Embassy Suites in Concord. It’s been almost 10 years since we’ve hosted our conference in the Charlotte region, and we’re excited to partner with Explore Cabarrus to add some local flavor! |
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| Our 2025 Annual Member Survey is live!
As a valued part of our statewide nonprofit community, your perspective will help us better understand your current challenges, future priorities, and how the Center can continue to show up with the right programs, resources, training, and advocacy you need to thrive. |
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Please take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. We welcome responses from multiple staff and board members from your organization to capture a more complete picture of the sector’s needs. All responses are confidential and the survey is open through January 30, 2026. As a thank-you, each organization that participates gets $15 off Center membership or renewal.
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Member Benefits: We know how many hats nonprofit leaders wear but there’s good news – you don’t have to do it alone! The Center is here to support you and your organization with the resources, training, advocacy, and networking to help you thrive. Check out all the benefits of membership and join now!
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Congratulations to the 40 amazing leaders who graduated from our fall 2025 Nonprofit Management Institute (NPMI)!
We’re so proud of them for dedicating time to invest in themselves – strengthening their management skills, building meaningful connections, and gaining tools they will carry with them throughout their careers while also strengthening the nonprofits they serve. |
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We're also honored to have Kennon Jackson, Jr., chief of staff with the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and alumni of the inaugural class of NPMI, share commencement remarks that encouraged new graduates to “bring clarity, build trust, measure what matters, and protect your people. If each of us commits to one need, one collaboration, one story-plus-metric, and one emerging leader, North Carolina’s nonprofit landscape will feel the collective difference.”
“Taking this course has given me the opportunity to really examine how I participate in the overall scheme of my organization and how I can help us move forward strategically into a framework that’s actually going to keep us running in a capacity that serves our clients for years to come,” said Miranda Faircloth, director of HR operations with NC Youth Violence Prevention Center and new NPMI graduate.
Kim Kendricks, senior vice president of operations with Imprint Cares shared, “I’m taking away information from people that are experts in fields that I didn’t know everything about. That information, whether or not it’s part of what I do every day, has helped me learn how to complement other leaders in those areas.”
See all the graduates and how the Nonprofit Management Institute is inspiring their work and leadership.
If you’re interested in learning about or attending the spring 2025 NPMI, let us know. |
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These grads know the importance of sound board recruitment and governance, having delved into it as one of the six key principles during this most recent Nonprofit Management Institute. Our upcoming Powerhouse Boards workshop goes in-depth on board best practices in a 2-part series facilitated by Nancy Bacon, providing practical tools to recruit mission-aligned members, run purposeful meetings, engage in fundraising, and lead with confidence. Register and join us January 14 & 21 to strengthen your board and make it more nimble, effective, and connected.
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Nonprofit Summer Internships |
We’re excited to share some good news from earlier this month: the Center has been selected to host a 2026 summer intern through the Nonprofit Internship Program (NPIP) of the NC Network of Grantmakers! This eight-week, paid program connects students with nonprofits in meaningful ways – students learn what nonprofit work really looks like and start building relationships in the sector, while nonprofits gain a talented summer colleague and help grow the next generation of nonprofit leaders.
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Check out our most popular blogs from this year: |
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Powering Nonprofits: Spotlight on Our Business Sustainers
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Thank you to the incredible businesses driving impact across North Carolina’s nonprofit sector. Our Business Sustainers not only invest in the strength, resilience, and reach of nonprofits statewide, but also fuel valuable training, bold advocacy efforts, and coaching that help nonprofits thrive.
In return, they gain exclusive visibility, connections, and engagement opportunities through Business Finder listings, newsletter features, discounts, and pro bono volunteer pathways. This month, we proudly recognize The Ann Louden Company. |
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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. |
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Not a Member? If you're like many nonprofit leaders, you’re committed to your mission but often pulled in a dozen directions with limited resources. We get it. That's why we provide trusted guidance, tools, and support tailored to the challenges nonprofits face – so that you can lead with confidence and create lasting impact in your community. JOIN NOW!
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