Business Leaders
Supporting Nonprofits
What is NANA?
The Nonprofit Advocates Networking Alliance (NANA) is a mission-driven community engagement program that connects nonprofits with the local business community through ongoing relationship-building and advisory support.
The first NANA Chapter is NANA Susquehanna, serving nonprofits in Harford and Cecil County, MD. In addition to functioning as a traditional networking group, each NANA group within the Chapter serves as a standing business advisory and advocacy panel, providing nonprofits with consistent access to professional insight, community connections, and mission-aligned supporters.
Furthermore, as more and more nonprofits come on board, a wide network of organizations is formed – where group members can visit and/or join other groups, widening the exposure of both the organization and the individual member!
NANA FAQs for Business Leaders & Mission Advocates
How much is it to join a group?
Joining a NANA group starts at $25/month, with a one-year commitment. Premium Memberships are available for $50/month. See the Table above for details.
Membership fees are paid to IXI to facilitate NANA infrastructure, administration, membership tracking, billing, and marketing. Twenty percent of the fees collected are subsequently donated to the host nonprofit. This membership fee also allows you to visit other NANA groups within the Chapter.
There is no cost to the host nonprofit.
How often do the groups meet?
Each Nonprofit has it's own group, which meets once a month at a set day/time (e.g. Third Friday of the Month at 9am). There are any number of groups in a given area, and group members can visit others when their schedule allows.
How long are the meetings?
Each group meeting is one hour long. Typically, the format will be as follows: 15 Minutes for mingling; 5 Minutes for Introductions; 30 Minutes for the Nonprofit Advisory Session and 10 minutes for Wrap-Up.
The Nonprofit Advisory Session is where the group functions as a sounding board for the organization. This could take different forms each week -- discussing upcoming events & sponsorship structure; various programs, volunteer recruitment, outreach efforts, etc.
Which group should I join?
Choose your group based on any number of criteria!
1) A mission & cause that resonates with you on a personal or professional level.
2) The most convenient day & time for your schedule
3) The most convenient location
Can I visit other groups?
Standard Members may visit all other NANA Groups within the Chapter, up to two times per year. (A Chapter is a geographical region (e.g. NANA Susquehanna is a Chapter comprised of Groups based in Harford and Cecil Counties, MD). Premium Members, Group Sponsors and Chapter Sponsors are allowed unlimited visits to each group.
Will it be the same people that I see at every other networking group?
There will always be a little overlap. but each Group will typically include three distinct types of participants:
1) Traditional networkers — including individuals who regularly attend networking events, local Chamber of Commerce gatherings, and visitors from other NANA groups who participate to build relationships and support fellow nonprofits;
2) Individuals recruited directly by the host nonprofit — such as donors, business partners, corporate volunteers, board members, and key supporters — who may not typically attend networking events but are present because of their direct connection to the organization; and
3) Mission-driven advocates — people who are personally invested in the cause itself and are passionate about advancing the nonprofit’s impact in the community, regardless of whether they have a formal role with the organization.
NANA FAQs for Nonprofits
How much is it to host a group?
There is no cost to the host nonprofit. Monthly membership fees from each Group member are paid to IXI to facilitate NANA infrastructure, administration, membership tracking, billing, and marketing. IXI will then donate 20% of the monthly membership fees to the Nonprofit that was chosen by the Group Member when they joined NANA. IXI will also donate 20% of Group & Chapter Sponsorships that your organization brings in.
Who runs the group?
A NANA representative will be the Facilitator of each Group. This eliminates any administrative burden from the Nonprofit. A representative from the Nonprofit is required to attend, and is responsible to steer the Nonprofit Advisory Session portion of the meeting.
NANA maintains infrastructure, administration, membership tracking, billing, and marketing to include:
1) Collection of membership dues and providing receipts; tracking member and guest attendance
2) Send a Monthly Group Meeting Reminder email to Group members
3) Send a Quarterly Chapter email that lets members know about what's happening with other Groups
4) Provide Social Media Marketing for the NANA Groups (If desired, we can add NANA Group posts to your Social Media properties as well).
5) Maintain the NANA Blog -- provide helpful articles on making the most of your group
6) Maintain the NANA Chapter Online Community
7) Host the monthly Downtime Networking meeting -- which functions as NANA Susquehanna's Chapter Happy Hour
8) Host the annual Nonprofit Advisory Group
9) Host the annual NANA Gala
Where are the groups hosted?
Ideally, to give members a deeper understanding of your mission, culture, and day-to-day challenges, each group meets on-site at the nonprofit’s location. That said, meetings can certainly be hosted offsite. Options could be spaces provided by group members, board members or other nonprofit organizations.
How long are the meetings?
Each group meeting is one hour long. Typically, the format will be as follows: 15 Minutes for mingling; 5 Minutes for Introductions; 30 Minutes for the Nonprofit Advisory Session, and 10 minutes for Wrap-Up.
The Nonprofit Advisory Session is where the group functions as a sounding board for the organization. This could take different forms each week -- discussing upcoming events & sponsorship structure; various programs, volunteer recruitment, outreach efforts, etc.
Can host Nonprofits visit other groups?
Members and Nonprofit representatives may visit other NANA groups, increasing mission awareness, partnerships, and community visibility, with an audience of civic-minded individuals.
How do we join?
To join, just complete the "Request a NANA Group" form. Then we'll:
1) Build your Nonprofit presence on the NANA website, select a Launch Date, and designate the Group as "Forming"
2) Begin to build your membership base. Ideally, we'd have a base of about 20 members before launching the group, with many of them recruited by the Nonprofit, so you'll have a core group of existing advocates. IXI will assist with recruiting members as well. The more members that you have in your Group the stronger your support from the business community will become.
