I founded the National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE Network - www.NICENetwork.org) in 2007 to connect social/civic entrepreneurs as well as volunteers and those supporting charities. I personally advise nonprofit leaders on fundraising and visibility strategies (social media, corporate partnering, and the press). I spent 10 years going nationwide on an interview/research trek for the book, The Power of One (currently being updated). Meeting the nonprofit founders and their supporters fueled my enthusiasm for connecting social and civic entrepreneurs to one another and to help them gain more exposure. Marketing is typically not their strong suit. I want to get the word out about what's working to solve our nation's social problems and assist these organizations with identifying resources so they can build to scale. I've had opportunities to share their inspirational stories and successes with live audiences, The Chicago Sun Times, Family Circle magazine over 80 radio and TV stations, and as host of VoiceAmerica.com's talk show, "The Power of One: What's Your Mission?" which attracted thousands of listeners in 2007.
Bio: I hold two degrees in political science and public management from the Univ. of Illinois. I'm also a Certified Nonprofit Consultant with the National Development Institute. My first actual job was researching the Watergate hearings in Washington, D.C. for a congressman after which I served as a legislative analyst on social programs for the Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota state legislatures. The largest Minnesota HMO hired me as a senior finance analyst after which I launched an international marketing and training company, TeamNet International, helping hundreds of entrepreneurs with promotion and public relations. More recently, I turned to training nonprofit leaders on the topics of marketing visiblity with social media, the press, and partnering. My thirty-year career coaching and training nonprofit and business leaders gives me a solid foundation to help those entering the nonprofit field or enhance their skills.
Please visit my site to learn how I can help you launch your cause, fund raise more successfully, partner with businesses and corporations to spotlight and fund your cause and more! http://www.nicenetwork.org/coaching.html
I'm always doing research for the NICENetwork which features successful human services causes. Please tell me about a human service nonprofit idea that you support that deserves a mention! Launch a new discussion, or add to a discussion at:
The National Institute for Civic Enterprise www.NICENetwork.org
There are two ways of shedding light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. - Edith Wharton
I coach nonprofit founders and leaders. The NICENetwork connects human service nonprofit leaders with each other both for mentoring and idea-sharing. I enjoy shedding light on the human service innovations that are being invented by everyday people all across America. It's a terrific new trend of social entrepreneurs. Their ideas are proven and replicating! These individuals give up personal lives, 401Ks, and 6-figure incomes to go and help people they don't even know. I wrote about them in The Power of One when few were talking about them. This is a trend everyone can get excited about because it's saving lives in amazing, innovative, and compassionate ways. And it's a trend of replication across the U.S. and around the world that's saving taxpayers billions!
With so many successful social initiatives being invented, why reinvent the wheel. If you have a heart for a cause but aren't sure how to begin ... or you have launched one that could use some refining, I or my counterparts at the NICENetwork can help you.
If you're thinking about launching a nonprofit cause, refining the one you have now to give it more visibility and funding. Or if you would like to learn how you can more effectively support a certain cause as a volunteer or donor, I can help. My skills span fund raising, strategic planning, online and social media promotion/visibility, and partnerning. I've mentored civic/social and business entrepreneurs for over 30 years and I'm constantly networking with experts in the field.