Cary Center Community and Collegiate Programming positively impacts hundreds of nonprofits following outstanding academic year

The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies is making an impact on lives across the state. Over the 2023-24 academic year, the Community and Collegiate Programs division served more than 325 nonprofits, included 47 featured expert speakers, provided training sessions and professional development and more across 29 different counties in the state of Alabama. 

Several nonprofits spoke highly of the Community and Collegiate Programs division which provides capacity-building resources to nonprofits to include educational programming, professional development and networking.

One of those organizations positively impacted was Quiet Storm Outreach Group, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving disadvantaged communities in the River Region of Montgomery by providing life necessities to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Founder and CEO of Quiet Storm Outreach Group Alvin Rowell said the Community and Collegiate Program training sessions helped the nonprofit’s strategic planning capabilities and much more.

“The most significant impact from the training sessions was the comprehensive understanding and application of strategic planning and communication techniques,” Rowell said. “Learning about the seven elements of strategic planning provided a structured approach to setting and achieving organizational goals. This framework has been pivotal in ensuring that Quiet Storm Outreach Group Inc. operates with clear objectives, measurable outcomes and a focused vision. Additionally, the training on crafting an effective elevator pitch has empowered our team to succinctly and compellingly convey our mission to potential supporters, partners and volunteers.”

In addition, the Community and Collegiate Programs division offered the Cary Center Nonprofit Professional Certificate program in partnership with the Auburn University Office of Professional and Continuing Education and Merit Nonprofit Professional Development. This online non-degreed certificate provides a tailored curriculum for nonprofit professionals and is being offered exclusively through the Cary Center in the state of Alabama.

Assistant Director of Auburn’s COSAM Stem Outreach Center Jessica Gilpin consistently attends the Community and Collegiate monthly virtual programs, networking events, and the Volunteer, Internship and Career Fair. Additionally, she is enrolled in the Cary Center's Nonprofit Professional Certificate program and discussed why she chose to enroll in the program and how she thinks it will be beneficial given her academic background.

“My background up until now has been in academia as a faculty member,” Gilpin said. “I am hopeful that this certificate program will give me more knowledge about running a successful nonprofit so that I can take the practices I do now and take them to the next level with the goal of increasing our outside funding sources, volunteer base and strategic planning initiatives. I have not taken courses focused on the proper tools and best practices to successfully administrate in the nonprofit world and this program is my chance to learn some of those skills.”

The momentum and outreach achieved from the Community and Collegiate Programs this past academic year will continue in 2024-25 as new programs and events will begin as soon as Tuesday, Aug. 27 with a Nonprofit Training Series in Auburn.

Throughout 2024-25, the Community and Collegiate Programs will conduct an in-person program and a virtual program every month. Additionally, they will host two mix and mingle networking events for nonprofit professionals and host the 6th annual Cary Center Meet Me at the VIC-volunteer, internship and career fair.

The Community and Collegiate virtual programs are free and will take place on the second Thursday of every month via Zoom from noon-1 p.m. central time. The Cary Center's Nonprofit Training Series, which will take place in various locations across the state, will be four hours in length and include lunch at a cost of $10 per participant.

The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies is an academic center in Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences with a focus on financial wellness, philanthropy engagement and nonprofit studies. The Cary Center inspires its participants to discover their purpose through learning, giving and growing while empowering all generations to leave an enduring legacy. The Community and Collegiate division of the Cary Center provides capacity-building resources to nonprofits to include educational programming, professional development and networking.