1. Genesee County Arts & Cultural Groups/Organizations Presented by Jennifer Acree - BEST Project, Flint, Michigan A presentation for

2. Mission To strengthen the nonprofit sector of Flint and Genesee County by providing capacity building support and technical assistance.

3. Capacity Building Capacity building is any activity that enhances the ability of an organization to achieve its mission, vision, goals, and objectives; it is both a process and a desired outcome. The process includes assessing and developing skills, systems, people and other resources that organizations use to meet critical community needs; it is focused on strengthening the ability to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world. The desired outcomes of capacity building are increased organizational effectiveness, adaptability, and sustainability.

4. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is expert consultation on specific management and operational areas, such as information technology, public relations, marketing and communication. Understanding the organizational culture, accessibility and reliability are key to the relationship between the group and the provider. Consultants and technical assistance providers tend to be hired to come in and perform a discrete service for a limited period of time.

5. Programs Third Cohort Michigan NOW! & Recover Michigan (in partnership with Michigan Nonprofit Association) ArtsConnection Building and Preparing the Boards of the Future (in partnership with BoardSource) BoardConnect® Genesee Technical Assistance Education and Peer Learning Resource Library Vetted Consultant Pool

6.  Cultural Planning Process  Arts Cohort Research  Cohort Agencies  Kresge Opportunity  Flint Funders Collaborative Support

7.  Increase the frequency of collaboration among arts and cultural organizations to deliver high-quality programs and reach diverse audiences.  Improve the management and leadership capacity of individual arts and cultural organizations, with an emphasis on small and grassroots organizations.

8.  Engage greater numbers of emerging and professional artists as members, participants, employees, volunteers and patrons in the local arts and cultural community; highlight success stories.  Provide greater access to organizational development resources and technical assistance beyond the two year initiative.

9.  Networking & Convening Events (8-12) July 2010-December 2011  Training & Workshop Stipend April 2010-December 2011  Assessments/Organizational Reviews July 19, 2010-September 24, 2010  Technical Assistance October 19, 2010-February 26, 2011  Multi-Agency Projects TBD

10.  Application Distribution May 7, 2010-June 17, 2010  Application Consultations May 10, 2010-June 14, 2010  Application Deadline June 18, 2010 at 5pm  Application Notification July 1, 2010 via email Week of July 5 via mail

11.  Genesee County entity  All budget sizes  All staff or volunteer sizes  501c3 nonprofit organization  Group in the process of applying for 501c3 status  Arts program with a nonprofit fiscal host  All others must contact BEST to discuss eligibility

12. 1. Provide a brief history of your group/organization (up to 1 page). 2. What is the mission of your group/organization? 3. What organizational development areas (up to 2) do you hope to strengthen through technical assistance from BEST Staff or a Consultant?

13. 4. Why did you select these areas as your top priority for your organization? What do you hope will be improved/different as a result of this work? 5. What is the staff structure of your group/organization? 6. What is the governance structure of your organization? Note: If you do not have a board of directors please describe who is involved in the leadership and oversight of your group.

14.  Letter of Commitment signed by the Board Chair and Contact Person The letter should articulate your group/organizational commitment to the program activities and timeline including organizational reviews, meeting with a consultant or BEST staff, participation in workshops and peer learning activities. Groups without a Board Chair should contact Jennifer Acree to discuss the governance structure.  Board Roster including name, contact information, length of time on the board, and area of expertise

15.  Be clear and concise  Assume the reviewer knows nothing about your group/organization  Answers are reviewed based on quality information not length  Do not provide materials beyond the requested information (i.e., brochures, flyers, etc.)  Contact BEST if you have any questions

16.  Check email for periodic updates and program related information  Be responsive to calls, email requests for information, etc. (no more than 48 hours)  Attend BEST workshops, peer learning sessions and ArtsConnection events  Commit time to do the work. Capacity building takes time and effort be prepared to take time with your internal stakeholders to get feedback and input for your projects.

17. Jennifer Acree jmacree@bestprojectonline.org 810.232.8000, ext. 13 810.869.1272 310 E. Third Street Flint, Michigan 58502 Questions