Mission



The Sustainability Network is a support centre for environmental nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to enrich environmental leaders and nonprofit organizations through programs, services and support that help them increase their capacity to lead, manage and strategize.



Background



In order to be successful, nonprofit organizations need to demonstrate their relevance to the public and provide a clear demonstration of their value to funders and society as a whole. As sources of funding become scarce, organizations need to look for new methods of operating and creative ways of sharing resources.



Grassroots groups are often hampered by a lack of basic management and organizational skills, while some larger groups lack the funds to update the skills needed for organizational sustainability and long-term effectiveness. Groups may be formed around a particular mission or issue and encounter difficulties when issues and priorities change and a new set of skills is required to meet the new challenges.



Management and organizational skills are especially important in times of shrinking resources and increased competition for funds. More resources may be needed but equally important is the need to use current resources more effectively. Furthermore, many non-profit managers have backgrounds as program specialists with education and experience in their area of expertise, however, they often lack management, planning, and leadership skills.



The Sustainability Network is developing ways for environmental leaders to develop their management, planning, fundraising, and communication skills to increase organizational effectiveness in the environmental non-profit sector. Most organizations recognize the need for these skills but lack the resources to make this training or support feasible. A co-operative approach may be the solution to many of these problems.



We know that most environmental and community organizations cannot afford to hire the fundraising, strategic, legal, management, planning or other expertise that they need. Yet there are many interesting opportunities for organizations to share resources and work co-operatively. The delivery of support services can be co-ordinated in ways to maximize effectiveness and minimize cost.



To determine the most effective means for strengthening the environmental NGO sector, a needs assessment and resource inventory were undertaken and a support centre was developed.



The Sustainability Network is equipped to act as a broker service or `clearinghouse` to helps environmental NGO leaders, staff and volunteers define their needs, link with other groups with similar needs, and arrange the appropriate training or skills improvement program. Moreover, guidance will be provided on potential funding opportunities and sources to support capacity building.