Strategic Guidance. Stronger Nonprofits.
In This Issue
Client Application - Deadline June 15
Compass Announces New Board Chair
Join Our List
2014-15 Clients
Vol. 12, No. 2
June 2015

FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

 

LET'S HEAR IT FOR CHEERLEADERS

 

Cheerleaders rule in Texas. Growing up there, I - like so many other young girls - dreamed of one day being a cheerleader. Maybe middle school, maybe high school, maybe college, maybe one day reaching the ultimate goal - not just any professional football team, but the Dallas Cowboys.

 

After high school, though, I went away to Smith College (no boys, no football team, no cheerleaders). I found out that women's colleges in the Northeast have a very different view of cheerleaders. There I was told that women can and should accomplish things in life that are more important than being a cheerleader. I heard the message loud and clear, and yet, here I am years later realizing that I became a cheerleader after all. More than that, I organize and send out into our community hundreds of cheerleaders every year - the Compass volunteers.

 

I came to this realization after a recent meeting when I walked out thinking that nonprofits need cheerleaders. As a nonprofit, what would we like? Someone to acknowledge that we're doing a good job. Someone to notice the hard work. Someone to say that we should keep on going when the odds seem against us. Someone to cheer us on in good times and bad. This, I thought, is what nonprofits need. And then I realized that this is what Compass does. Compass volunteers, in for just a consulting gig, often end up being the biggest cheerleaders for our nonprofit clients. I hear it again and again from our clients who have enjoyed not just the consulting work, but also the personal connection and engagement of the volunteers.

 

At our Volunteer Celebration on May 12, we thanked 70 volunteers for their service this year. These volunteers have dedicated countless hours to supporting nonprofits in Greater Philadelphia. They helped nonprofits identify opportunities, create strategies, increase funding, professionalize boards, and keep on going though the challenges that nonprofits inevitably face. They have supported, listened to, sympathized with, and become big fans of the Executive Directors with whom they worked. 

 

We all need to know that someone has our best interest at heart. At Compass, we recognize the hard work being done on the front lines by local nonprofits, and we are thrilled to cheer them on. So to all the nonprofits serving the Greater Philadelphia community from all the cheerleaders at Compass, know that we are on your side. We are proud to be your cheerleaders!

 

Have a great summer!

 

Suzanne

CLIENT APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 15

There's still time to complete the Compass client application for 2015-16. The deadline is June 15, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. 
Clients will be selected in August, and projects will begin in September.

 

Compass clients must meet the following criteria:

  • Have 501(c)3 status
  • Have a minimum of three paid staff members and a minimum budget of $750,000
  • Provide services that specifically benefit the Greater Philadelphia community
  • Not promote a specific religion, or religious or political beliefs
  • Have an active board of directors

Compass offers consulting services in the following service lines: Board Development, Funding Strategies, Strategic Alignment, and Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations.

 

The application is available on our website: Client Application 

 

If you have any questions about which project would be most useful for your organization or about the application process, please contact Beth Dahle ([email protected]) to discuss. 

COMPASS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR

Compass Philadelphia has elected Brent J. Martin, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, as its chairman effective July 1, 2015.  Martin succeeds Daniel E. Rhynhart, litigation partner at Blank Rome LLP.

 

"Compass provides an essential service to the Philadelphia area, leading to a stronger community for us all," said Martin.  "Each year, our teams of skilled volunteers from the accounting, consulting, finance, legal, technology, and other sectors work intensively with local nonprofits to develop targeted strategies and implementation plans. I look forward to building Compass' operations further so that we may generate an even greater impact with the nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in the region."

 

Martin has served as a founding member of the Compass Philadelphia Board since 2013.  He also serves on the boards of Visit Philadelphia and Central Philadelphia Development Corporation.  He is active with the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, Parkway Council, and the Broad Street Ministry Hospitality Collaborative.

INVEST IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Like our clients, Compass is a nonprofit that relies on donations to keep operations running. Since Compass doesn't charge for services, we rely on funding from generous supporters. This year, we've been able to provide consulting teams to nine nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia areas. If you haven't donated to Compass during this 2014-15 project year, please consider making a contribution now.

 

WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT

We couldn't put together our talented consulting teams without skilled volunteers. We couldn't recruit the amazing volunteers without the support of the local business schools clubs. Thank you to the following clubs that help spread the word about Compass. We are grateful for your continued support! 

 

Columbia Business School 

Cornell University Johnson School of Management

Duke University's Fuqua School of Business

Harvard Business School

Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

New York University Stern School of Business

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

University of Virginia Darden School of Business
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania 

 

We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our local partners: 

 

   

 

Thanks to these organizations for providing funding and/or support for our events:

 

Blank Rome LLP

Bryn Mawr Trust

Chuck Block

Pew Charitable Trusts

Scattergood Foundation

Towers Watson

STAY IN TOUCH WITH COMPASS

Please join one or all of our online communities: 

 

Like us on Facebook "Like" us and watch for fun announcements, pictures and videos.

 

Follow us on Twitter Follow us @Compassprobono.

 

View our profile on LinkedIn Join the Compass Volunteer Network 

 

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Compass | 1712 N Street, NW | Suite 302 | Washington | DC | 20036