TRAVERSE CITY, MI, AUGUST 13, 2007 - In an innovative and unique partnership, NorthSky Nonprofit Network and Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) have joined forces to provide free business counseling to nonprofit organizations. NorthSky became an official satellite office of the SBTDC on July 1. They now offer nonprofits a mix of business support assistance, including business plan development, financial assessments, and market research.
These new services enhance NorthSky’s spectrum of programs and services. NorthSky already offered free consulting services where they share expertise and tools to guide self-directed work related to nonprofit capacity building and organizational development. They also offer a breadth of non-profit professional and volunteer development training and education programs designed to address the needs of both nonprofit organizations and the individuals that work on their behalf. In addition, they offer fee-based in-depth consulting services to further capacity building, organizational development, executive transition and strategic restructuring.
"Nonprofit entities operate similarly to for-profit businesses – they must adhere to best business practices, sound financial management and strategic planning," says Debra McKeon, Executive Director of NorthSky. "Many of these business counseling services are best presented in conjunction with nonprofit-specific industry expertise. Helping nonprofits increase their capacity is at the core of NorthSky’s mission, so our partnership with SBTDC is a perfect fit." Three staff members have been trained as certified SBTDC Business Counselors, including McKeon, who has twenty years of experience as a strategic management and business consultant. Nonprofit organizations can call NorthSky for an appointment at (231) 929-3924.
Chris Wendel, Regional Director of the SBTDC, says that this partnership will benefit the residents of Northwest Michigan. "Traditionally, nonprofits have had to pay for business planning tools that NorthSky can now provide for free," says Wendel. "It frees up resources that they can now devote to their primary services, helping to meet the needs of the people they serve."
With over 500 nonprofit organizations in the Grand Traverse region alone, McKeon and Wendel see this sector as a substantial part of the local economy. The counseling and tools offered by the NorthSky – SBTDC affiliation will become an economic driver for all of Northwest Michigan.
NorthSky Nonprofit Network supports the work of the nonprofit sector through advocacy, capacity building, and sustainability support. Its mission is to build strong communities by helping nonprofit organizations achieve and sustain excellence. For more information about NorthSky, please visit www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org or contact Debra McKeon at (231) 929-3924.
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center consists of a network of 12 regional offices and 31 satellite offices statewide. Certified Business Consultants provide counseling and training to small businesses, partnering with local resources to grow and strengthen companies. Northwest Michigan’s SBTDC regional office is hosted by Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, with satellite locations at Northern Lakes Economic Alliance in Boyne City, Manistee Economic Council & Chamber Alliance in Manistee, Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation in Traverse City, and NorthSky Nonprofit Network in Traverse City.
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