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INAR's open house opens doors for local nonprofits

SHREVEPORT -- Dorian Ford isn't exactly a nonprofit newcomer as she's in her sixth year of operating Giving Education Your All (GEYA), an educational nonprofit that aims to encourage youth of all ages in their educational pursuits.

But when Ford walked into the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research's open house Monday at LSUS, she said her eyes opened to new possibilities for her organization that obtained 501c3 status earlier this year after operating under the umbrella United Nonprofits.

"I got into the nonprofit sector with a servant's heart, but as far as the business side of nonprofit sector, I'm still pretty new," Ford said. "To come in and see everything that (INAR) offers and can assist with, it means I can impact more children.

"Knowledge is power, and I learned so much today. For example, identifying and registering volunteers is always a struggle. So having access to INAR's volunteer database could really help with events like our Shreveport Family Christmas Festival coming up."

INAR is an LSUS entity that aims to elevate the local and statewide nonprofit sector through education, research, and professional development.

The volunteer database is part of the Serve Your City campaign which connects volunteers and nonprofits.

"This can be a big piece for local nonprofits that may only have one employee or need a big base of volunteers," said Stacey Hargis, manager of operations of INAR. "Nonprofits have limited funding and resources, and volunteers can come in with different areas of expertise."

INAR's formal education arm includes bachelor's and master's degrees in nonprofit administration as well as certificates in which nonprofit professionals can broaden their knowledge base without pursuing a full degree.

A robust professional development program allows nonprofit professionals to receive hands-on experience through workshops or capacity building cohorts.

INAR is accepting applications through Thursday for its third cohort in which 10 nonprofit leaders will receive weekly professional development on an array of topics from experienced nonprofit executives and scholars. This cohort is free because of support from the Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation.

Emily Jo Manchester-Sanden, the executive director of Renesting Project, participated in the first cohort and was part of Monday's open house to encourage others to apply.

"As an executive director, you have so many ideas and so many things that you know you need to be doing for your organization," Manchester-Sanden said. "The cohort was really great in breaking those topics down into 13 educational sessions.

"I was a new executive director when I started the cohort, and it really helped me identify where my focus should be."

A key piece of the cohort is that participants are paired with a personal mentor who serves as a sounding board and knowledge base.

That connection between INAR, veteran nonprofit executives and up-and-coming professionals strengthens the entire nonprofit ecosystem locally and creates a community around serving others.

"INAR is filling a gap in connecting local nonprofit organizations with each other," said Jeffrey Goodman, director of marketing and development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana and a member of the INAR Advisory Board. "The cohorts have been tremendous advertisement for INAR because it's allowed nonprofits locally to gain first-hand experience from INAR.

"It's one thing to tell people what you offer, but it's another thing for people to participate and learn first-hand. You're doubling down on your nonprofit exposure because you have mentors and mentees that are directly engaging with INAR and each other."

The formal education and professional development is underpinned by impactful research.

INAR produces an annual State of Nonprofits in Louisiana that paints a picture of nonprofits in Louisiana's largest nine metro areas as well as other research and consulting.

The organization also operates a call center that provides support throughout the state.

INAR's statewide profile has grown since becoming a co-host of an annual state conference with Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits.

To learn more about INAR, visit the organization's webpage.