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University of Montana Project Addresses Needs of State’s Nonprofits

A 2005-06 American Humanics Cohen Grant awarded to The University of Montana will help to enhance professional development opportunities for employees of the state’s nonprofits.

UM was selected for the award for its project "Statewide Curriculum Coordination for Nonprofit Management Preparation."

The yearlong project has two phases, said Andrea Vernon, director of the University’s Office for Civic Engagement.

In the first phase, project personnel will work with statewide organizations, such as the Montana Nonprofit Association http://www.mtnonprofit.org and the Governor’s Office for Community Service http://www.mt.gov/mcsn/ , to establish an understanding of current professional development opportunities available for those who work in the nonprofit sector. Vernon said this phase of the project will help to determine gaps in what is currently being offered.

Research conducted last spring by UM students working with Professor Jonathan Tompkins in the University’s public administration program showed that nonprofit professionals in Montana indicated they need more training in areas such as fund raising, marketing and board development. The new project will expand on this research, Vernon said.

Phase two of the project will be to develop ways various groups and organizations can collaborate to fill the gaps in professional development opportunities. An important part of this phase will be to determine how the American Humanics program at UM can help address the unmet professional development needs of Montana’s nonprofit sector, Vernon said.

"Nonprofit organizations play a large role in Montana’s economy and in providing for the well being of our citizens and our environment," she said. "It is important that the sector is strong and vibrant. A critical aspect to ensure that it will be is the presence of high quality, accessible and affordable professional development for employees in the sector."

Aspects of phase two of the project could be implemented as early as fall 2006. Vernon also anticipates being able to share the project results with other rural states through the American Humanics national network.

The annual American Humanics Cohen Grant awards are supported from the endowment of Jeannette and Jerome Cohen.

Contact: Andrea Vernon, UM Office for Civic Engagement, (406) 243-5159, [email protected].

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