NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Nonprofits are often the backbone of communities. But they're not immune to challenges. A Newport News organization is working to help non-profits on the Peninsula overcome challenges so they can support people in need.
"Our nonprofits have to operate as small businesses. And even though they're not-for-profit, they still have to meet a budget. They have to manage people. They have to produce financial reports," said Cynthia 'Cyndie' Callaway, the executive director of NetworkPeninsula.
A nonprofit itself, the organization works to strengthen and support other nonprofits by raising awareness of their needs, encouraging people to get involved, and helping them operate more effectively.
"Our role is as a capacity builder for nonprofits," Callaway said. The group also advocates for nonprofits on policy issues.
The NetworkPeninsula Hub is a shared office space designed to support local nonprofits by offering a variety of resources. The facility is located at 749A Thimble Shoals Boulevard in Newport News.
"It is... not only a physical [space] but also a symbol of the work that we do," Callaway said.
The organization was originally founded as NetworkWilliamsburg in 2007 but expanded and rebranded in 2014 to include the surrounding areas.
Since its inception, the group has rallied people and businesses behind more than 350 nonprofits. They, along with local businesses, signed up for membership with NetworkPeninsula over the years.
Today, 143 nonprofit members and about a dozen business partners are part of a mutual support system on the Virginia and Middle peninsulas.
"We do represent nonprofits all the way from Hampton and Newport News up to Gloucester and Mathews," Callaway said. "There are so many nonprofits that are focused on the multitude of need. We want to bring them together and to be able to combine their resources and their efforts and support to maximize the impact."
Callaway said nonprofits and businesses can provide great benefits to each other.
"All of our nonprofits can receive referrals and know who in the community that they can go to who specialize in the nonprofit business world," Callaway said. "And our for-profit partners have to understand that for their workforce to be strong and to be healthy and to be effective that behind the scenes, nonprofits are serving their needs at the very basic level – from housing to childcare to food insecurity to substance abuse, mental health, and providing resources."
NetworkPeninsula also hosts events and workshops that aim to build up nonprofit teams and link them to vital resources, like volunteers, training, education and fundraising.
Callaway said the organization is currently hosting its first-ever leadership cohort for nonprofits. Nine executive directors and 14 other nonprofit leaders are learning effective strategies for challenges common to nonprofits, like staffing. Some sessions focus on preparing and attracting qualified college graduates.
"We have many, many vacancies among our nonprofits right now," Callaway said. "We are feeling at the nonprofit world the difficulty in attracting and retaining talented workers, the same as in the for-profit world. But then, you amp up the fact that our compensation is not at the same level."
The cohort also addresses succession planning, so nonprofits maintain stability and continuity during the transition of key roles.
"We're expecting to see leadership positions at many of our very strong nonprofits in this area to be available within the next 12-18 months," Callaway said.
There are also conversations about utilizing technology, like artificial intelligence and maximizing board relations. NetworkPeninsula also has a Board Match program that connects people with nonprofits seeking board members.
"I don't believe anyone goes into working for or forming a nonprofit because they necessarily want to run a business," Callaway said. "They go into it because of their passion for serving others and for being in the human services world."
But because of this, and the fact that nonprofits often operate with limited resources, Callaway said this level of training helps them handle potential challenges more effectively.
"They're not necessarily trained in people management, in financial management, in gross strategies, in strategic planning, in succession planning, and all of those really important sustainability operations that any business needs to have," Callaway said. "We're not seeking to be able to show a gross profit, but what we have to show is impact – impact on individuals, impact on our communities. And how we can articulate that on a balance sheet is a little bit different."
Callaway said it's crucial to empower local nonprofits because when they are strong, so are the communities they serve.
"I think we are all called to serve each other," Callaway said. "It does mean a great deal to our neighbors and to our communities, and our communities are better for it."
Membership with NetworkPeninsula is open to nonprofits and business partners in the Virginia and Middle Peninsulas. The organization hopes to especially connect with businesses that specialize in finance, human resources and leadership development.
If you'd like to support NetworkPeninsula, you can make a donation, sign up for volunteer opportunities, or inquire about serving as a board member for a local nonprofit.
For more information, call 757-791-3007, visit the nonprofit's website, or email Callaway directly at ccallaway@networkpeninsula.org. You can also follow the group on Facebook and Instagram.
NetworkPeninsula is part of the National Council of Nonprofits and a founding member of the Nonprofit Allies of Virginia. Both groups aim to advocate and provide resources for the nonprofit sector.