There is a vibrant Lowcountry nonprofit network providing programs and services for those most in need. Fortunately, we live in an extremely generous community that provides much-needed support to these nonprofits. But in order to succeed, nonprofits need much more than donations and volunteers.
In an effort to learn more about specific local nonprofits’ needs, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, a 501(c)(3) that serves Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties, distributed a survey to nonprofit leadership. In addition to fundraising, one of the top needs in the survey results was capacity building. The National Council of Nonprofits defines capacity building as “an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit.”
Ahmad Ward shares his CFL executive leadership training experience.
With that in mind, CFL set out to develop a permanent nonprofit resource that would focus on capacity building. The goal of having a nonprofit capacity building center became a reality due to Dave and Patty Ekedahl, longtime Hilton Head Island residents and supporters of numerous local nonprofits.
“Through CFL’s recent strategic planning process, our nonprofit partners identified capacity building as a top priority,” said Community Foundation of the Lowcountry President and CEO Scott Wierman. “The generous commitment from the Ekedahls allowed CFL to accelerate efforts to meet these needs through the Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence.”
On September 10, it was a full house at CFL for the Grand Opening ceremony of the Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence. The center is housed in CFL’s newly renovated offices, located at 4 Northridge Drive in Hilton Head.
The grand opening attendees included the Ekedahl family, nonprofit leaders, training program consultants, and CFL board members and staff. Featured speakers included Dave Ekedahl, CFL Board Chair Lynn Jennings Taylor, President and CEO Scott Wierman, and VP for Community Investment Debbie Cahoon, plus heartfelt testimonials from nonprofit executive directors Ahmad Ward of Mitchelville Freedom Park and Christina Wilson of Child Abuse Prevention Association.
“It is our honor to partner with CFL on this important project,” Dave Ekedahl said. “Nonprofits are critical to the well-being of our community, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to help nonprofits reach their organizational goals.”
From left, front are supporters Dave and Patty Ekedahl with their daughter Anne. Standing are Lynn Jennings Taylor and Scott Wierman.
The Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence builds on CFL’s commitment to local nonprofits and organizations. Since its inception 30 years ago, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has awarded more than $115 million in grants to support nonprofits’ programs, initiatives, and training.
There are a variety of programs and workshops scheduled this fall at the Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence, including the Nonprofit Excellence in Management and Operations (NEMO) program, with leadership from 15 local nonprofits registered. NEMO strengthens nonprofit capacities to enhance community impact and revenue through essential training and consulting. The consulting firm HIGOL (High Impact Growth Oriented Leaders) is leading the year-long NEMO program, which includes six intensive classroom-style presentations, along with one-on-one executive coaching sessions.
Fall workshops scheduled include Board Development, Leading Nonprofit Staff, and Interpersonal Relationship Management. Consultant Neil Sklarew, who currently leads CFL’s Executive Director Leadership program, along with consultants from the USCB Center for Strategic Planning and other organizations, will direct these workshops.
Programs and workshops will continually be added at the Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence, and nonprofit leadership and board members from all four counties will have the opportunity to participate.
The grand opening event was a true celebration of the generosity of the Lowcountry and the important partnerships the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has built with nonprofits.
To learn more about the Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence, visit cf-lowcountry.org or call (843) 681-9100.
