Pipeline Project + Nonprofits
Today’s blog is written by Zach Fox, Communications Manager, Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce
Broadening Your Board
Is your nonprofit organization looking to broaden its board? Look no further than the Pipeline Project.
The Pipeline Project, an initiative drawn from the five-year community and economic development plan OneSpartanburg and funded by the Duke Energy Foundation, was created with the goal of promoting broader and more diverse membership to boards of area nonprofit groups, creating champions for Spartanburg County that reflect its diversity.
How it Works
The Pipeline Project site shows a list of leadership program graduates who have opted into the database, listed in alphabetical order. From there, you can filter the database by keyword or by a list of skills or interests shown in a drop-down menu.
For example, if your nonprofit is looking for someone interested in or involved with the local arts community, there’s a drop-down choice for art. If you choose that option, click the search bar, it will bring up candidates who are interested in the arts.
The same process can help you find potential board members interested in politics, community development, technology, science, culture, and a host of other options designed to help your organization find a candidate best-suited for your board.
Finding the Right Candidates
The Pipeline Project’s searchable database has been stocked with more than 150 graduates of leadership programs countywide who are ready and willing to serve their community. The database includes recent graduates from:
- The Spartanburg County Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Development Initiative
- Spartanburg County’s Citizens Academy
- The City of Spartanburg’s Citizen Academy
- The United Way of the Piedmont’s Nonprofit Fellows
- The Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Spartanburg
Retaining Talent
The Pipeline Project works hand-in-hand with talent recruitment and retention efforts, which sit at the top of the list for many businesses and nonprofit organizations in Spartanburg County. As Spartanburg Chamber President and CEO Allen Smith put it when unveiling the Pipeline Project, when someone is engaged in their community, they’re much more likely to stay in their community. And the Pipeline Project is a great way to get involved in the community of Spartanburg.
To learn more about the Pipeline Project, or to scout talented future board members, head to www.spartanburgchamber.com/pipelineproject.
