Nonprofit Excellence Program

At The Lumpkin Family Foundation, we believe that well managed, mission-driven nonprofit organizations produce more effective and sustainable programs. When organizations work collaboratively on matters of common concern they accomplish more, give greater voice to their concerns, have a more positive impact on their clients and, ultimately, create stronger, more vibrant communities.

The Nonprofit Excellence Program (NEP) was created in 2004 in response to the relative absence of affordable and appropriate professional and organizational development services in Central Illinois We believe that making these services available will strengthen individual nonprofits as well as the nonprofit sector as a whole.

Working in collaboration with the Steering Committee members listed below, the next phase of the Nonprofit Excellence Program, www.goodWORKSconnect.org - a nonprofit network and a virtual center has come into development.

• Sharon Alpi, Millikin University (Decatur)
• Claudette G. Baker, Donors Forum (Chicago)
• Jeanne Dau, Eastern Illinois University (Charleston)
• Joan Dixon, Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (Champaign)
• Larry Johnson, Sikich LLP (Springfield)
• John Kelker, United Way of Central Illinois (Springfield)
• Jeri Marxman, U of I Extension (Champaign)
• Lucy Murphy, The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County (Decatur)
• Amanda Standerfer, Helen Matthes Library (Effingham)
• John Stremsterfer, The Sangamon County Community Foundation (Springfield)
• Anne Heinze-Silvis, Lab for Community & Economic Development- Extension (Champaign)

We thank these thoughtful leaders!  Please visit www.goodWORKSconnect.org/about-us for more information.

goodWORKSconnect is currently comprised of:

• Nonprofit Resources that are pertinent to the area.  Click here for more information on these resources.
• Training Workshops on topics such as fundraising, board development and marketing. Click here for more information on training programs.
• Peer Networking and Collaboration Opportunities that provide staff and board members the chance to come together on topics of mutual interest. Click here for more information on nonprofit gatherings.
• Micro-Grants to support nonprofit staff and board member training and professional development. The Lumpkin Family Foundation is now partnering with four community foundations in the region to offer these grants. If your organization is not applying for a micro-grant, you are eligible to apply to be on the grant review committee. To learn more and apply, visit www.goodWORKSconnect.org/grants. Micro-grants will be awarded twice a year.

Nonprofit Excellence Program Eligibility

Any nonprofit organization in Central Illinois may participate in NEP programs. The Foundation gives special consideration to smaller (less than $1 million budget) organizations that reach out to rural under-served communities. We are particularly interested in supporting activities that promote staff and board member collaboration.

Please direct inquiries on the NEP to:

Annie Hernandez
annie.hernandez@consolidated.com
217-234-5702