POWERGRAMS

7 For Linda Hunnicutt, attending the 2015 Elevate Conference opened windows of opportunity. As one of two directors for Meals on Wheels in Anniston, the meeting came at the perfect time. Having joined Meals on Wheels 10 months ago – after 35 years in the private sector – she's learning the challenges of serving huge public needs through the nonprofit world. Hunnicutt was excited to join about 400 representatives of nonprofits at the Alabama Power Foundation event in Birmingham. The conference offered sessions about working collaboratively, fundraising and leveraging technology. Many attendees said the chance to network, make new contacts and share information was as valuable as the sessions. "I'm looking forward to information that will help Meals on Wheels meet its goals," Hunnicutt said. "We don't have additional money for training." She was among the roomful of attendees eager to hear the latest about information technology from TechBridge CEO James Franklin. TechBridge is a nonprofit that provides IT expertise to other nonprofits in all 50 states. It drives community impact through affordable business and technical expertise. "The innovation curve is increasing exponentially," said Franklin, who urged attendees to learn everything they can about IT. He's observed a real problem regarding the lack of IT know- how and said nonprofits need to glean data pertinent to their everyday business. "We mine data to ask questions that we don't even know that we should ask," Franklin said. "If we can get the data together, how do we move more people from homelessness? With data, we know how to move the food chain. It would be impossible for us to know these things if technology wasn't available. We need to work with the right subsets of data and know how to use and protect that information." He said nonprofits must capture consistent, complete data during intake, enrollment and provision of services. Community Initiatives Manager Hallie Bradley led a panel discussion featuring Shannon Ammons, CEO, Alabama Association of Nonprofits; Jeanne Jackson, president and CEO, the Women's Fund of Greater Birmingham; and Chris Nanni, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Jackson, Ammons and Nanni discussed how they are collaborating with nonprofits and the corporate sector to improve their communities. "We started the Collaboration Institute two years ago," said Jackson, whose group mission is to move women with families from poverty to being able to viably support themselves and their children. "We're bringing in experts from across the country to help. This is about having willing partners who want to help in this effort." During another breakout session, Alabama Possible Executive Director Kristina Scott discussed fundraising. Scott advised looking for support from long-established clubs such as the Kiwanis and Lions in rural areas. Learning about new ideas for fundraising and communication was an eye-opener for Lynne Hanner, executive director of the foundation of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB). Hanner enjoyed networking, and said it was valuable to learn about other nonprofit programs and how they may interact with AIDB. "I've gotten a lot out of the strategic planning and social media information," said Hanner, whose organization serves 22,500 Alabamians. She said the Alabama Power Foundation in 2011 provided a lead donation for the nurses' health center on AIDB's Talladega campus. Fundraising is getting more difficult, Hanner said: "All the same agencies are competing for the same dollars." For instance, AIDB competes with colleges for money from the Special Education Trust Fund. Darrue Sharpe said her second Elevate meeting was "inspirational." The executive director of the Family Support Center in Prattville works to help young women build better lives for themselves and their families. Her group helps women obtain high school equivalency diplomas and provides parenting classes. The Elevate workshops supplied beneficial training and information that Sharpe said she can use in her daily work. "We don't have money for conferences unless paid for by a grant," Sharpe said. "We're seeing funding cut each year. I feel like I leave here with lots of good ideas and new information that will really help me be able to provide more help for our clients." By Donna Cope Elevate boosts nonprofits through training, networking 100% CONNECTED TechBridge's Franklin led breakout session. About 400 representatives of nonprofit groups attended. Photos by Wynter Byrd

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