Arlington Nonprofit Assistance Network

Nonprofit Resource Center grand opening at the Arlington Central Library - Friday, March 30, 2007.

If you are an existing nonprofit organization or are interested in starting a nonprofit in the Arlington community, Arlington’s Nonprofit Assistance Network is designed especially for you. The Nonprofit Network is led by Arlington Economic Development and is comprised of organizations and individuals who are committed to assisting nonprofits whose missions are to provide direct assistance to Arlington citizens, and to Arlington’s cultural and socio-economic community.

Launched in the spring of 2007, the Nonprofit Assistance Network strives to assist Arlington’s nonprofit community by providing:

• Strategic capacity building initiatives through its Executive Coaching program;
• Nationally recognized experts to train nonprofit leaders and staff through seminars and workshops focused on current issues facing nonprofits through its partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement;
• The Nonprofit Resource Center in partnership with Arlington County Public Library; and
• Additional resources and references to assist nonprofits through partnerships and alliances.

Program Background

Nonprofits are an important aspect of the Arlington community because they are able to directly assist the government via outreach initiatives to charitable organizations that provide social services, business assistance and cultural enrichment to local residents and businesses. Nonprofits are an essential part of the social, economic and cultural fabric of the community.

The Nonprofit Assistance Network seeks to maintain and build upon the foundation of existing nonprofits – and to assist new nonprofits as they form. It is of great importance to provide programming and resources to organizations who require direct help with board governance, grant-seeking, marketing, volunteers, fundraising initiatives, strategic planning and more.

Arlington County devised the Nonprofit Assistance Network to address both the governance and the management of community-based nonprofits. Through a number of strategic partnerships, Arlington’s Nonprofit Assistance Network has built a comprehensive program: organizational assessments, training, direct technical assistance, increased capacity and sustainability programs.

View the structure of Arlington's Nonprofit Assistance program

The Arlington Nonprofit Assistance Network is a multifaceted capacity-building program for nonprofits. Its components include:

• NonProfit Coordinating Council (NPCC)
• Nonprofit Resource Center
• Nonprofit Curriculum: Five Core Courses
• Nonprofit Executive Coaching Program

The program maximizes the use of existing County resources for partners with other organizations to provide customized help to Arlington’s nonprofit community. Assistance will also be provided to groups in the process of forming, or who are considering the formation of a nonprofit organization.

In addition to General Fund support for this initiative, the Arlington Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) capacity-building funds are earmarked for nonprofits delivering community development supported services.