Empowering Taunton Nonprofits: Mayor’s Office and ESC Collaborate for Sustainable Growth

Over the past two years, the Taunton Mayor’s Office, through its Office of Economic and Community Development, has expanded its support of nonprofit organizations in the city, particularly during the distribution of grants under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. To help Taunton nonprofits sustain their activities beyond the duration of ARPA funding, the Mayor’s Office reached out to ESC to develop a program to help local non-profits build and strengthen the skills to effectively manage and raise funds needed to fulfill their missions.

Staff from more than two dozen Taunton nonprofits attended the day long, series of workshops on April 2nd at Bristol Community College where consultants from ESC presented on four pivotal aspects of nonprofit management:

• Grant writing, Budgeting and Reporting (presented by Jen Cusack, Klare Shaw, Elijah Evans and Heather Rios, a Grant Manager for the City of Taunton)
• Messaging: Communicating Your Mission and Impact (presented by Toni Troop and Klare Shaw)
• Building and Working with a Strong Board of Directors (presented by Patty Hurley and Elijah Evans)
• Fundraising and Social Media (presented by Toni Hicks, Elijah Evans, and Toni Troop)

After each presentation, attendees broke into small groups to discuss successes and challenges their nonprofits have faced in these areas.

When participants were asked to provide feedback on the workshops and presenters, the responses were overwhelmingly positive. “The presenters were amazing and passionate about everything they were speaking on,” said one participant while another was grateful for the opportunity to meet staff from other nonprofits and network. “It was good information and it was great to meet others in the non-profit community.”

The program was sponsored by the City of Taunton, Office of the Mayor and by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South.