Since 2001 the Collaborative Alliance has helped leaders of more than 100 Fairfield County nonprofits improve their organizations’ effectiveness through collaboration, sharing best practices and providing professional development opportunities.

The Collaborative Alliance is delighted to announce that as of July 1, 2009 that work is being passed to the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence, launched in March.

The Collaborative Alliance’s goal to strengthen the nonprofit sector will be achieved more efficiently and effectively through the Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Susan Ross, president and CEO of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, said the Center for Nonprofit Excellence will provide nonprofit leaders with a year-round calendar of workshops, information about the sector, as well as opportunities to share best practices, network and collaborate.

In 2001, nonprofit leader Len Miller brought together leaders from several Fairfield County nonprofits to assess whether there was interest in creating an alliance to encourage collaboration. Rev. Richard Schuster, recently retired executive director of St. Luke’s Life Works, also played a key role in forming the new group. Goals were set and a meeting with over 40 organizations was held where strong support was expressed. The Collaborative Alliance was launched.

Since then, the Collaborative Alliance grew and held annual conferences and workshops focused on supporting both collaboration and the needs of the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits throughout Fairfield County have collaborated to build on strengths, increase knowledge and determine access to resources.

The Collaborative Alliance has been led by a volunteer steering committee, some of whom will serve on a new advisory committee for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Additional members are being recruited from Bridgeport, Norwalk and Danbury. The advisory committee will prioritize and create services that best meet the management needs of nonprofits in Fairfield County.

For more information about the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the Fairfield County Community Foundation, visit www.fccfoundation.org  or contact Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Program Director, 203~750~3200, ycaldera-durant@fccfoundation.org.