The N.C. Center for Nonprofits and the American Marketing Association (AMA) are collaborating to provide marketing assistance to nonprofits. The Center, a statewide network for nonprofit boards and staffs, an information center on effective practices, and an advocate for the nonprofit sector as a whole, serves all 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Carolina.

The Center and AMA Triangle recognize that nonprofits often have marketing and public relations questions, but lack access to marketing professionals. Through this partnership, participating marketing professionals provide up to two hours of free assistance to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations:  nonprofit staff and board leaders receive timely assistance while marketing professionals have opportunities to volunteer in a satisfying but not overwhelming way. This is a service available only to current Center Members.

• Member nonprofits contact the Board and Staff Helpline of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits with their marketing question. Center staff contacts a marketing professional with the relevant expertise to inquire about his/her availability.
• The Center refers the nonprofit to a marketing professional who has agreed to accept the consultation of up to two hours. The nonprofit then contacts the marketing professional directly.
• The Center sends the nonprofit an evaluation form that asks for feedback on the consultation as well as on the referral program. The Center also requests that the volunteer complete and return a short evaluation form.

Marketing professionals can sign up for the Marketing Assistance Program by returning the attached form, or sign up online at http://www.ncnonprofits.org/mapinfoform.asp.

For more information on participating in the Marketing Assistance Program, please contact Adrienne Knowles at the Center (919-790-1555, ext. 123, fax 919/790-5307, aknowles@ncnonprofits.org) or Mihali Stavlas, AMA Coordinator for the Nonprofit Volunteer Program at (919-848-7755, fax 919-882-8417, mihali@mellonaid.com)

For information about the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, visit www.ncnonprofits.org.