Benefits for Nonprofits
Nonprofits today are being asked to do more than ever — often with limited time, staff, and resources. NANA was created to connect nonprofits with business leaders who want to support and strengthen their communities.
Through NANA, each nonprofit hosts a group of business leaders supporting the organization’s mission. These professionals bring their experience, perspective, and problem-solving skills to help the nonprofit think through real challenges and opportunities. Rather than brief introductions or occasional conversations, nonprofits gain a consistent group of advisors who are invested in their success.
This standing advisory group can offer practical insight on strategy, operations, fundraising, marketing, governance, and community engagement. Over time, members become familiar with the organization’s goals, constraints, and impact, allowing them to provide thoughtful guidance and meaningful support.
NANA also connects nonprofits to a broader network of civic-minded leaders and other mission-driven organizations. As the network grows, nonprofits gain access to additional relationships, ideas, and partnerships that strengthen their ability to serve the community.
Joining NANA means more than participating in a meeting — it means becoming part of a community of business leaders committed to supporting nonprofits and helping them thrive.
Key Benefits
Consistent access to trusted business and community advisors
Ongoing support — not just one-time networking
Strategic insight on fundraising, marketing, governance, and operations
Stronger relationships with mission-aligned leaders
Reduced isolation for nonprofit executives
Increased visibility in the local business community
Opportunities for collaborative advocacy
Peer learning with other nonprofit leaders
Time-efficient meetings designed for busy schedules
Access to multiple NANA groups as the network expands
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.
