A New Service for Lowcountry Nonprofits
I received an email about a new service that helps local nonprofits connect to local consultants and service providers. I wanted to pass along the information so you all could check it out yourselves.
You can visit the website www.pluffmudconnect.com but here is a quick summary from Laura Deaton of Full Glass Consulting of how it works:
* Nonprofits register for free. Once registered, they can search our database of enrolled consultants and service providers. Better yet, they can also fill out an online RFP (Request for Proposals) form and easily get multiple quotes from local consultants and providers.
* Consultants and service providers pay a small annual enrollment fee. Once enrolled, they can promote themselves by posting detailed profiles about the services they offer. They’ll also receive real-time email notification of RFPs that are posted by nonprofits so that they can immediately bid for their work.
* Because the emphasis is on local connections for coastal South Carolina, this service is currently only available to nonprofits and consultants/service providers in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.
The WIN/WIN for nonprofits and consultants is obvious, but the entire community also benefits. Not only do these connections strengthen the local economy, but we’re also taking a portion of the enrollment fees and creating a fund that will allow registered 501(c)3 organizations to use the fund to hire local consultants and service providers who are enrolled with us for small projects. (HINT: Nonprofits – forward this to your current service providers and consultants so that they are on our eligible provider list for project funding!)
If anyone has a vendor they could recommend…
“…send that person to www.pluffmudconnect.com . Even if they are from outside the area, they qualify if they’ve served a local nonprofit within the last 6 months. Also, make sure you register as a nonprofit. I’m starting a technical assistance fund that will have project-based funding for nonprofits who need to hire a local consultant from our site for small projects. It could even help you pay for service from an existing consultant or service provider if they are also registered. As soon as we’ve got critical mass for service providers, it’s going to be a great way for nonprofits to get competitive bids for everything from direct mail to plumbing to executive and board coaching.”
Although we don’t officially launch until May 15th, I’m encouraging friends and colleagues to sign up now. Any consultant or service provider who enrolls before 5/15 will receive an additional six months free, and if they use our friends and colleagues discount code “230EA” before 5/15 they will also get an additional 20% off. Nonprofits can always register for free and are also welcome to sign up now and begin using the service.
You can visit the website www.pluffmudconnect.com but here is a quick summary from Laura Deaton of Full Glass Consulting of how it works:
* Nonprofits register for free. Once registered, they can search our database of enrolled consultants and service providers. Better yet, they can also fill out an online RFP (Request for Proposals) form and easily get multiple quotes from local consultants and providers.
* Consultants and service providers pay a small annual enrollment fee. Once enrolled, they can promote themselves by posting detailed profiles about the services they offer. They’ll also receive real-time email notification of RFPs that are posted by nonprofits so that they can immediately bid for their work.
* Because the emphasis is on local connections for coastal South Carolina, this service is currently only available to nonprofits and consultants/service providers in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Georgetown, Colleton, Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.
The WIN/WIN for nonprofits and consultants is obvious, but the entire community also benefits. Not only do these connections strengthen the local economy, but we’re also taking a portion of the enrollment fees and creating a fund that will allow registered 501(c)3 organizations to use the fund to hire local consultants and service providers who are enrolled with us for small projects. (HINT: Nonprofits – forward this to your current service providers and consultants so that they are on our eligible provider list for project funding!)
If anyone has a vendor they could recommend…
“…send that person to www.pluffmudconnect.com . Even if they are from outside the area, they qualify if they’ve served a local nonprofit within the last 6 months. Also, make sure you register as a nonprofit. I’m starting a technical assistance fund that will have project-based funding for nonprofits who need to hire a local consultant from our site for small projects. It could even help you pay for service from an existing consultant or service provider if they are also registered. As soon as we’ve got critical mass for service providers, it’s going to be a great way for nonprofits to get competitive bids for everything from direct mail to plumbing to executive and board coaching.”
Although we don’t officially launch until May 15th, I’m encouraging friends and colleagues to sign up now. Any consultant or service provider who enrolls before 5/15 will receive an additional six months free, and if they use our friends and colleagues discount code “230EA” before 5/15 they will also get an additional 20% off. Nonprofits can always register for free and are also welcome to sign up now and begin using the service.
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