If you need support making your non-profit organization stronger, this program can help you increase capacity, become more sustainable and become more efficient.
Program
This program can provide you with information resources. It can also connect you with an advisor who will assess your organization and provide recommendations. These services are free.
If the advisor thinks more specialized consulting support is needed, the program may also subsidize those services.
You can obtain advice in areas like these:
- planning and direction
- material resources
- human resources
- financial management
- legal/risk management
- administration/management
- governance
- community relationships.
The program does not provide grants or core funding, or fund activities like projects, professional development or training.
Who Can Access This Program?
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) in the Trust region.
Ineligible organizations include:
- groups interested in starting a non-profit; and
- member-funded societies.
How to Get Started
Fill out our online Non-profit Advisors Program Registration form here to help our Advisors learn more about your organization.
For other eligibility requirements, contact the program manager at:
nonprofit@ourtrust.org
1.800.505.8998
Societies Act
BC’s new Societies Act came into effect on November 28, 2016. Societies had two years to update their constitution and by-laws to comply.
During that time, the Trust shared resources and educational opportunities to support non-profits through the transition.
Information on the Societies Act changes can be found here:
- The New Societies Act: General Information
- Law for Nonprofits
- Information for Extraprovincial Non-share Corporations Note: federally incorporated Not-for-profit corporations and Boards of Trade operating in BC have new filing requirements under the new Societies Act as well.
If you have questions about the Act or other topics on non-profit operations, please contact us:
nonprofit@ourtrust.org
1.800.505.8998
Resources
Please click on the topic heading to find a variety of resources related to non-profit operations.
Administration
Community Relations
Consultants
Courses and Training
Financial Management
Governance
Grant Directory
Human Resources
Legal/Risk Management
Planning and Direction
Webinars
The Non-Profit Essentials Webinar Series explores important topics that non-profit societies face today. 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.
| Board Roles and Responsibilities | |
| Evaluation: Measuring Success | |
| Financial Governance | |
| Great Meetings | |
| Volunteer Engagement | |
| Risk Management |
Workshops
This fall we are hosting a series of workshops in partnership with the College of the Rockies and Selkirk College that could help build the knowledge and capacity of your non-profit.
Click the topics below for workshop dates and links to detailed session descriptions and registration information.
Building Effective Boards
Productive Board Meetings
Communications and Marketing
Financial Management
Fundraising
Grant Writing
Advisors
The Non-Profit Advisor 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.
Gary Ockenden
Gary is the coordinator of the Trust’s Advisor team. He is a long-time Basin resident and the owner and lead consultant for Withinsight, a Nelson-based company. He is an active volunteer in Nelson and is currently serving as Vice President of Amnesty International in Canada.
Kevin Allen
Kevin is a career non-profit administrator and the past Executive Director of the Alberta Media Arts Alliance (AMAAS). Kevin has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, specializing in non-profit management, from the University of Victoria. Kevin also works as a senior election official for the City of Fernie, Elections Canada and Elections Alberta.
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.
Andrew Jarrett
Andrew is the principal consultant of Ridgetop Consulting which provides organizational development services for organizations and individuals participating in the social economy. He was the senior consultant in the REACH division of the Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-op and worked with the Trust to support its Social Initiatives programs and the design and implementation of the Non-profit Advisors Program.
Becky Pelkonen
Becky is the principal of Handspun Consulting and has developed numerous Strategic Plans for not-for-profits and businesses across the Basin. She has 10+ years of direct experience working with indigenous organizations and in local economic development and is currently an instructor with the College of the Rockies in both the Business and Tourism/Recreation Management Programs.
