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.
View the program overview.
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.
Groups interested in starting a non-profit are not eligible.
For other eligibility requirements, contact the program manager.
Societies Act
Starting November 28, 2016, BC’s new Societies Act will come into effect. Societies will have two years to update their constitution and by-laws to comply.
We will be sharing resources and educational opportunities to support non-profits through this transition. Register for an East or West Kootenay BC Societies Act Transition Hub to find out about upcoming workshops in your area.
More 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@cbt.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
We’re planning our 2018 series of non-profit advisory workshops. Check back here for upcoming dates and locations.
Advisors
Andrew Jarrett
Andrew is the principal consultant of Ridgetop Consulting, a business he reactivated in 2013 and which he operated from 1987 to 2004. Ridgetop provides organizational development services for organizations and individuals participating in the social economy: community services, social enterprises, co-operatives, and other organizations with an emphasis on social benefit and community development. He was the senior consultant in the REACH division of the Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-op, which provided organizational development and capacity building support to organizations throughout the Columbia Basin, and he worked with the Trust to provide support to its Social Initiatives programs, including the Social Grants Program and the Non-profit Advisors Program (which he helped design).
Gary Ockenden
Gary is a long-time Basin resident and the owner and lead consultant for Withinsight, a Nelson-based company. His career included senior management positions in the International and Canadian Red Cross, BC Healthcare system and Columbia Basin Trust. Withinsight supports non-profits, local governments, First Nations and institutions—focusing often on planning processes, stakeholder engagement, board development and evaluation. He’s 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). He has previously worked in senior roles for the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF), NUTV, and the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. Kevin has a Masters Degree in Public Administration, specializing in non-profit management, from the University of Victoria. Additionally, Kevin 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, a non-profit association of 20 co-ops and credit unions based in Nelson. As a consultant, she works with established organizations on board development, organizational effectiveness, and strategic planning. Her work with emerging enterprises includes feasibility studies, group development, and business planning. She spearheaded the development of Kootenay Co-op Radio in 1997, and for the past 10 years has lived on an orchard outside of Nelson with her partner, their daughter, and their two fuzzy dogs.
