Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava on Oct. 26 hosted a “Funders’ Forum,” the culmination of the District 8 Nonprofit Academy. Commissioner Levine Cava started the Nonprofit Academy in April to build the capacity of community organizations in South Dade. Thirty-five organizations graduated from the six-month program, which consisted of interactive workshops designed to give nonprofits the tools and information they need to increase organizational capacity, meet performance standards, and build resilience.
The Funders’ Forum, condcuted at the South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center, included an opportunity for these nonprofits to participate in “speed-dating” style networking with local funders.
“These community organizations are the lifeblood of South Dade and when they are strong, we all thrive,” Commissioner Levine Cava said.
“The objective of the Nonprofit Academy is to assist Miami-Dade nonprofits become efficient, effective and competitive in today’s third sector market. Nonprofits help our children, families, communities, environment and economy, by providing programs that engage our residents and improve our well-being.”
In addition to giving small organizations from the Nonprofit Academy the opportunity to meet face-to-face with funders such as The Miami Foundation and The Children’s Trust, Commissioner Levine Cava’s office will award $100,000 in capacity building funds to 10 qualifying organizations that have successfully completed the Nonprofit Academy.
At the close of the Nonprofit Academy, each participating organization developed an individualized capacity building work plan to enhance organizational performance.
“This academy has been absolutely phenomenal,” said Chaplain Vanessa Tinsley, Nonprofit Academy participant and executive director of Bridge to Hope. “My favorite part was the networking and the camaraderie. Every session was packed with powerful information to help us scale our nonprofits to have greater impact in South Dade.”
Commissioner Levine Cava also has a Small Business Academy and is launching an incubator, called Accelerate South Dade, to support emerging small businesses and nonprofits.
It was a great event. One that I’m proud to say I was a part of !