Group at grants assocation lunch meeting hears about SCANPO, GP&BP, and making meaningful connections with funders


A large turnout Monday at the Main Library welcomed guest speakers Madeleine McGee, president of SCANPO ( South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations) and Susan DuPlessis, South Carolina Arts Commission Participation Director and Arts Coordinator serving the Lowcountry area, at a special lunch meeting of the Charleston Association of Grant Professionals (CAGP).

The 75 participants heard about the recently released third edition of Guiding Principles and Best Practices (GP&BP) for nonprofits.   McGee also spoke about the mission of SCANPO, a statewide nonprofit organization.    It provides guidance, networking and resources for nonprofit boards, professionals,  and volunteers.  Input is being sought on the recently released third edition of Guiding Principles and Best Practices. 

There’s been tremendous growth in the number of nonprofits in South Carolina in the last 15 years, from approximately 8,000 in 1998  to 23,000 registered in the state in 2012.  Using GB&BP allows professionals and volunteers to guide themselves through the maze of operating a successful nonprofit.    There are 131 Best Practices, or recommended methods, activities, processes and structures for the 29 core elements.

These in turn are critical to implementing the 9 Guiding Principles, which over time, and in order to achieve the organization’s mission,  successful nonprofit boards will want to follow:  Mission and strategic direction; governance; legal and ethical accountability; financial management and stewardship; operations and evaluation; human resources; fundraising; marketing communications; and information management.

Using the GP&BP involves self-assessment for strategic decision-making; efforts to stimulate conversations between boards and staff; clarifying roles and responsibilities; and measuring accomplishments. 

Nonprofit leaders are using the GP&BP:
·              As an assessment tool to gain insight into organizational strengths and opportunities
·                   For  strategic decision-making, perhaps as part of a board retreat
·                   To encourage conversation on critical issues at board and committee meetings
·                   To measure progress and celebrate accomplishments.

For more information about this, or joining SCANPO, check out their Web page:

The second speaker, Susan DuPlessis, spoke on “Why Thanks Matters in Our Shared Environment:  A Funder’s Perspective."

According to  DuPlessis, the arts contribute to our sense of place and purpose in the community.   They improve all aspects of the quality of life in South Carolina.   We are not alone,  she said.  We in the nonprofit field are part of  networks such as SCANPO.

She recommended building a strong foundation for an organization’s mission and priorities.   “This is where you build a firm relationship with your funders.”

She emphasized the power of stories about programs, how they changed individual lives, and the importance of sharing  these stories.  How did your program change the life of an individual?  She is a strong advocate of  documenting  and collecting these stories.  It’s part of the act of truly giving thanks.

 Strong connections with funders can come about by sharing stories, anecdotes and reflections with boards and others in the organization, she said.  It’s a way of recharging our batteries and being thankful for what we do.

She mentioned that The Hub has been launched by the S.C. Arts Commission where you can upload your own personal stories about the impact your organization has made on the lives of individuals in the community.

You can check out their  Web site:



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