NPO Connect

NPO Connect facilitates skill transfer between people working or volunteering in the

non-profit sector by enabling them to connect with one another through a web-based platform.

Mission and Vision         

The mission of NPO Connect is to build the capacity of the non-profit sector by enabling individuals working in the sector to connect, to learn from one another, and to build their skills as non-profit professionals or volunteers. 

At NPO Connect, we envision a non-profit sector where individuals can more easlily:

  • Share Best Practices (or just what works) in particular operational areas by mentoring peers seeking to improve in those areas;
  • Gain the tools and knowledge to more efficiently and cost-effectively meet the needs of their constituents;
  • Strengthen the capacity of the sector as a whole by honing their skills and adding more value to their non-profit organizations.

Our Partnership   

NPO Connect is a collaboration between K. Weill Consulting Group LLC and Annkissam LLC, which developed the platform together in 2009.  

History

Kenny Weill of K. Weill Consulting Group came up with the idea for NPO Connect while working at a food bank. In his work with hundreds of food assistance programs, Kenny found that in many cases knowledge about how to start and operate a food program was not being shared as well as it could be. Kenny envisioned a platform that would allow nonprofit professionals to connect with each other and facilitate knowledge sharing in a way that would strengthen both their individual organizations and also the entire sector.

In the summer of 2008, Kenny discussed his idea with Gavin Murphy of Annkissam, who was looking for an opportunity to develop a technology platform that would in some way support the Massachusetts nonprofit sector. After several months of discussing the best way to implement the system, and getting feedback from many professionals in the field, the team began building in June 2009 with a goal to launch an initial release of the platform in July. 

In summer 2009, Kenny and Gavin reached out to both the Metrowest Nonprofit Network and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - Boston, to explore whether the networks would be interested in piloting NPO Connect.  NPO Connect and the Metrowest Nonprofit Network established a partnership to test the site for a six-month period, beginning November 2009.  A six-month parallel pilot with YNPN-Boston was launched February 2010.  Quantitative and qualitative feedback from users within both of these non-profit networks has enabled the NPO Connect Team to further shape the platform to serve as an effective tool for non-profit professionals.  NPO Connect was launched Massachusetts-wide in June 2011. 

If you have any ideas about how to improve NPO Connect, or would like to discuss becoming a partner in this effort, please contact us.