Non-profit Advisors Program
The Non-profit Advisors Program supports non-profits in Columbia Basin Trust’s region with organizational development and capacity building through a range of resources including organizational assessments and recommendations, specialized consulting support, information-sharing, skill-building workshops and webinars and an online reference library.
Whether you are new to the program or have received previous support, our team is here to help. These services are free and if the advisor thinks more specialized consulting support is needed, this program may also subsidize those services.
You can obtain advice in areas like:
- planning and direction
- human resources
- financial management
- risk management and recovery planning
- administration/management
- board governance
- community relationships
The Non-profit Advisor program does not provide grants or core funding, or fund activities like projects or professional development.
Who Can Apply
You may access this program if you represent an organization that:
- is based in the Trust region
- is a registered non-profit
- actively delivers programs that support broad public good (not programs that primarily benefit membership, or new non-profits).
Ineligible non-profits include:
- groups interested in starting a non-profit and newly established non-profits
- groups that undertake activities of political parties, religious, advocacy or lobby groups and organizations that are exclusive in nature
- member funded societies as defined by the Societies Act.
How to Apply
To connect with an advisor and explore how the program can support your non-profit, complete our registration form here to help our advisors learn more about your organization.
If you have questions regarding eligibility or general non-profit questions, contact nonprofit@ourtrust.org.
Program Advisors
The Non-profit Advisors Program can connect you with an advisor who will assess your organization and provide recommendations, including whether you might benefit from the support of a consultant.
Wendy Booth | |
Wendy has extensive experience in board governance and strategic planning having served as an elected official with the RDEK and Trust board member for many years. Her passion for community development and working with communities, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit having owned a Whitewater rafting company, gives her a unique perspective in providing leadership and guidance to many organizations. | |
Pete Bourke | |
Pete brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience throughout the tourism, hospitality, customer service sectors, and non-profit sectors. He also has extensive board experience with local, provincial, and national organizations in a variety of roles. Through his work with Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development, along with operating his own business, Pete has a firsthand appreciation for what it takes to be successful in the Kootenays. | |
Alan Chell | |
Alan’s extensive non-profit and public sector experience has led him to his current Board Chair and Vice-Chair roles with Revelstoke Credit Union, Revelstoke School Board, BC Public School Employers’ Association, and Public Education Benefits Trust. He is retired as Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Revelstoke, and has provided consultancy support to many non-profit organizations in the Basin. | |
Zoë Creighton | |
Zoë has worked with non-profit societies and co-operatives around the Basin for the past 25 years. She is currently the Coordinator of the Upper Columbia Co-op Council and as a consultant, she works with established organizations on board development, organizational effectiveness, and strategic planning. | |
Lynda Lafleur | |
Lynda has extensive experience supporting non-profits throughout the Basin. A theme in her diverse work and educational background is community development, and she knows first hand the knowledge of working within the non-profit world. She has experience serving as a board member of Arts Councils, community theatres and the Arts Health Network, and has also taught non-profit management skills at the College of New Caledonia. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as an Advisor. |
Webinars
The Trust offers webinars, through our Non-profit Advisors Program, that could help build the knowledge and capacity of your non-profit. These webinars are free-of-charge to Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
Click here to see all the webinar dates, detailed session descriptions and links to registration information.
Workshops
The Trust, in partnership with College of the Rockies, Selkirk College and Okanagan College, hosts a series of in-person workshops that could help build the knowledge and capacity of your non-profit. These workshops are for Basin non-profits and their staff and volunteers.
Click here to see all the workshop dates, locations, detailed session descriptions and links to registration information.
Essentials Webinar Series
We also offer the Non-profit Essentials Webinar Series, available for immediate download. This series explores important topics for non-profit societies. Combining online videos with slide notes and workbooks, the series provides tools to expand the knowledge and build capacity in non-profit organizations across the Basin.
Take one or all sessions at your leisure. Explore the topics and start anytime.
Additional Resources
- Various other resources related to non-profit operations.
- Downloadable directory of other grants that may be applicable to your work. None of these grants are Trust programs.