CNG presently works in partnership with the Galesburg Community Foundation serving nonprofit leadership teams within the foundation's Central Illinois service region. Read the CNG/Galesburg Case Study.

CNG provided the framework that the library board and library foundation board are currently lacking. As a result, trustees from both organizations will be developing a three-year strategic plan. The plan will provide the impetus to create measurable goals and objectives that will impact budget allocations and improved library services to the residents of Galesburg. I know from past experience that a long range plan can and does create opportunities for an organization and creates excitement for share holders. Shareholders can be donors or people who benefit from the services offered by the organization. Either way, you have buy-in from your community.

Pam Van Kirk, Galesburg Public Library

As a member of the Board of the Galesburg Community Foundation, I participated in the beta version of the Certificate for Non-profit Governance training. I found that the sessions helped me as a board member to keep my eyes on the mission of the Foundation. The training was straightforward and easy to understand. Beyond that, I was able to work collaboratively with other members of my organization to build consensus on roles and responsibilities, which will allow us to be even more effective. The Certificate for Non-profit Governance training is definitely time well spent and a unique opportunity for the Galesburg community.

Joel Estes
Vice-Chair, Galesburg Community Foundation

Case Study: Galesburg Community Foundation: Building Leaders in Knox / Warren County, Illinois

Challenge

Provide leadership and board development training to strengthen governance practices within the community of 300 plus nonprofit organizations serving Knox and Warren County, Illinois. In doing so optimize the impact of Galesburg Community Foundation funding to achieve outcomes to foster and promote a healthy community.

Take Action

The foundation in collaboration with the City of Galesburg selected LBL Strategies, Ltd. to deliver an all day / hands-on workshop in good governance practices for not-for-profit, government and social service leaders in the areas of effective communication, mission-driven organizations, cultivating leadership, measuring outcomes and board/executive roles.

Ready, Set, Govern!(September 2009) Sponsored by the City Of Galesburg, the Galesburg Community Foundation, Carl Sandburg College and the University of Illinois Extension Service “Ready, Set, Govern!” brought together eighty community difference makers made up of board members and executives from organizations across the City of Galesburg’s and Knox and Warren County’s public, private, or voluntary sectors. The event became a watershed moment for foundation learning about leadership development needs within area nonprofit and public sector organizations. Using what they learned the foundation built strategic focus on a new front… provide technical assistance to strengthen the governance practices of nonprofit boards.

Get Results

The Galesburg Community Foundation now serves its mission to “foster and promote a healthy community” providing technical assistance to build capacity of local nonprofit organizations. The foundation, through local partnerships, leverages private funding to underwrite the Certificate in Nonprofit Governance program; training area nonprofit leadership and senior staff in strategy, leadership and governance practices to:

Prepare current and future board members to serve on nonprofit boards.
Prepare senior executives to serve on nonprofit management teams.
Strengthen governance practices in the nonprofit sector.
Build inter-organization partnerships which improve the health of the greater Galesburg community.

Participating nonprofits have begun changing their governance practices improving their organization by:

Moving forward to develop a strategic plan.

Further developing board of director roles and responsibilities.
Evaluating and identifying optimum characteristics of board performance and using them to help identify and recruit new board members.
Incorporating strategic thinking into board meetings.