NPO CONNECT

The mission of NPO Connect (http://ynpn.npoconnect.org) 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.  At NPO Connect, we envision a non-profit sector where individuals can more easily:

• 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.

NPO Connect facilitates skill transfer between professionals in the non-profit sector by allowing professionals to connect with one another through a web-based platform. Once connected through this site, the peer mentorship is developed and carried out primarily offline - in face-to-face meetings, phone conversations and/or email communications.

A six-month pilot with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-Boston was launched February 2010 (in parallel with a pilot launched November 2009 with the Metrowest Nonprofit Network).  Quantitative and qualitative feedback from pilot users will enable the NPO Connect Team to further shape the platform to serve as an effective tool for non-profit professionals.  After the pilot period is complete (summer 2010), the goal is to expand NPO Connect over time to provide additional functionality and serve a larger geographic area.