Entrepreneurial Approaches to Sustainable CBOs

Through Learn & Serve SIG:CARE grant funds via California Campus Compact, the American Humanics Program at California State University, Fresno, introduced a new course in spring 2010, "Entrepreneurial Approaches to Sustainable CBOs," using "Results Based Conversations." Combined with a fall semester Leadership Development class, the 2 courses provided 46 students--coached by 10 professional consultants--with theoretical grounding in CBO best practices based on 10 Standards of Nonprofit Excellence & applied learning opportunities. Through service-learning components, student consulting teams engaged 68 board members, CEOs, staff members, & volunteers from partner CBOs & assisted in capacity building, program assessment, technology enhancement, & board development efforts. From these efforts, teams produced 14 curriculum products, including program evaluation plans, board recruitment packets, board & HR manuals, marketing plans, event planning binders, mission & vision maps, fund development plans, & an ED succession plan.