EntreEd’s Gene Coulson and Toi Hershman were among 88 participants who graduated from the inaugural class of the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center’s Cohort Training Program. This intensive coaching initiative, sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission and administered by Hargrove International, Inc., provided representatives from 53 organizations tailored instruction on how to navigate funding, operational and management challenges stemming from the COVID crisis.
“We recognize the important work our nonprofit organizations do for the communities they serve,” said Tim Thomas, Federal Co-Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. “Non-profits are an important part of the broader community and economic development ecosystem, and we are proud to have provided our nonprofits with the tools they need to not only survive the crisis but also thrive beyond it,” he continued.
The specialized technical assistance used a collaborative cohort learning model where nonprofits from 12 states focused on specific issues related to fundraising, financial management or nonprofit operations. To graduate, members participated in five Cohort group sessions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and individual organizational coaching sessions. All aspects of the curriculum equip participants with the knowledge and network needed to continue positive change in their respective sectors and communities. With another graduating class in Winter 2021, the network will continue to grow, connect nonprofit leaders, and facilitate continued learning and idea exchange across the Appalachian Region.
About the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center
The Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center is a unique, innovative partnership between the Appalachian Regional Commission and Hargrove International, Inc. to provide guidance for nonprofit organizations to sustain operations during and after the COVID crisis. Launched in September 2020, the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center includes a free online expertly curated directory of content related to financial management, fundraising and operations. Following a competitive application process, the more intensive multi-week Cohort Training Program was delivered to 170 participants from 101 organizations from across the Appalachian Region during Fall 2020 and Winter 2021.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
About Hargrove International, Inc.
Hargrove International, Inc. (www.HargroveInternational.com) is a Georgia-based consulting firm specializing in nonprofit management, governance, fundraising, and tourism.
