UNCW Partners in Collaborative Effort to Strengthen Non-profits
2/7/2006 11:23:07 AM
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Wilmington, N.C. - University of North Carolina Wilmington is partnering with citizen groups and community organizations to strengthen non-profit organizations in Southeastern North Carolina.
Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO), a regional partnership of funders, citizen groups and UNCW was announced Feb. 7 at the United Way office. The supporters include the Cape Fear Area United Way, the Community Foundation of Southeastern NC, the City of Wilmington, Southeastern Alliance for Community Change, the NC Discovery Alliance, UNCW and other funders and citizen groups.
The partnership announcement was made by Stephen Demski, vice chancellor for public service and continuing studies at UNCW. Stephen Meinhold Board Chair of Cape Fear Area United Way and professor of political science at UNCW, hosted the event. Wilmington Mayor Spence Broadhurst, NHC County Commissioner Nancy Pritchett, Steve Dillon of the Community Foundation of Southeastern NC, Griff Weld, a concerned local citizen and volunteer board member of numerous organizations and UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo spoke about why formalizing this collaboration is important for the community.
Chancellor DePaolo said, "This partnership is the embodiment of applying the intellectual capital of this university to meeting regional needs, and doing this in a way that is consistent with our mission of teaching, research and service."
The North Carolina Secretary of State has registered 1,526 non-profit organizations in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties, excluding homeowners' associations and churches. Four local funders (Cape Fear Area United Way, Cape Fear Memorial Foundation, City of Wilmington, and the Landfall Foundation) distribute approximately $5.4 million each year to non-profit agencies located in the three counties.
QENO is a three year initiative designed to improve the capabilities and competencies of nonprofit organizations and donor confidence in Southeastern North Carolina. In the counties involved there are hundreds of nonprofit entities, at vastly differential levels of funding and operational capability.
This particular initiative will focus specifically on nonprofit organizations. There is currently no mechanism in the southeastern counties that provides an effective resource for communication, technical assistance, training, or organizational development for nonprofits and this initiative, utilizing the resources local funders, community groups and the university will develop such a capacity.
QENO's kick-off educational event will take place at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the UNCW Warwick Center Ballroom. A continental breakfast will be served and opening remarks will be given by the Honorable James H. Faison, III. There is no fee for this event; however, reservations are limited to two per organization. One professional staff member and one volunteer officer until Friday, Feb. 17, after that, organizations can add additional attendees.
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Contact:
Stephen Demski, UNCW Vice Chancellor for Public Service and Continuing Studies, 910.962.7766
Stephen Meinhold, Chairman of the Board, Cape Fear Area United Way, 910.962.3223
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