Power of Good

Advanced Placement tests and receiving college credit for them, as well as the Teach for America program in Alabama's Black Belt. Cotton said Protective's foundation supports programs for pre-school, Cornerstone School and Holy Family Cristo rey High School. King said education "is one of our biggest target areas," with funding for programs that get children excited about learning. Among other information the three funders offered: G Be respectful of "the ask." In other words, don't ask for a huge amount of funding, particularly if there is no history between the funder and the nonprofit. Also, ask for a specific amount and explain plans to spend it. said, "If we see Protective or Alabama Power are involved, that's a huge plus." G Be able to show, through site visits and progress reports, if necessary, that the money you have received is being put to good use. G Funders can help in other ways besides giving money. For example, the Alabama Power Service Organization can provide volunteer support for programs, as can regions employees, who are given a day off to volunteer in the community for projects such as building a Habitat for Humanity home. POVERTY IS OUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE 22% 21% HEALTH ISSUES POVERTY UNEMPLOYMENT You said education, or lack thereof, is the biggest threat to the future health of Alabama. This is not surprising given that our future leaders are being educated today. Poverty and education are linked together in so many ways. Let's focus on both for a bright future. EDUCATION ALABAMA'S FUTURE % SUCCESS DEPENDS ON 53 IMPROVED EDUCATION G e three funders talk among themselves and, as Forney 4% Poverty is the issue that most affects the community you serve. It is also the root cause of so many problems Alabamians face. So much can be solved if, together, we begin to focus on poverty, and search for innovative ways to tackle it. ENVIRONMENT HEALTH 2% 6% 13% WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POVERTY 17% 37% EDUCATION 25% ECONOMIC 11 Strong boards a key to success Allison Black Cornelius, owner of the consulting company Blackfish Strategies, offers insight on how to build a better nonprofit board. L LISTENING TO ALLISON Black Cornelius, it's apparent she is full of passion and wisdom. Once she shares her story and her experiences, one starts to see why she is so passionate and how remarkable her journey has been. Living through a traumatic experience as a child, Cornelius turned her trials into action and advocacy as an adult. As the owner of her own consulting company, Blackfish Strategies (formerly Blackboard) since 2001, Cornelius led STORY BY ALLI SON WESTLAKE Elevate attendees in an engaging and insightful session on building a better board. An expert, she has trained thousands of board members throughout her career of both nonprofit and forprofit corporations, assisting the policy offices of 23 u.S. governors. Cornelius stressed the importance of a smart and healthy board, saying that an informed board is critical for an agency's success. Cornelius stressed the significance of a board being educated and well-versed on the organization's IrS Form 990. "Your bylaws are by the law; you have to have them." Attendees asked about engaging and developing their boards, recruitment and the relationships within the board and the organization. "We have to date people before we marry them," Cornelius said. "Don't put people in the director's seat before they have been on committees, adviBOArD continued on page 13 PowerofGood.com | Fall 2013

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