ARC Pandemic Program Helps Brite Improve Operations

WARREN, Ohio – Brite Energy Innovators was among the inaugural class of the Appalachia Nonprofit Resource Center’s Cohort Training Program.

Representatives from the Warren energy storage incubator learned how to navigate funding, operational and management  challenges stemming from the COVID crisis. 

“This couldn’t have come at a more critical time for us,” said Sara Daugherty, director of partnerships at Brite. “We experienced a substantial decrease in anticipated funding during  the pandemic as we canceled events and provided rent forgiveness to tenants in our incubator, so learning new tools to diversify our fundraising will help us mature as an organization.” 

More than 50 organizations from 12 states participated in the program. To graduate, participants took part in group sessions, peer-to-peer exchanges, and individual organizational coaching sessions over two  months. 

Through the end of the year, Brite also has access to a directory of curated content for additional  instruction on important nonprofit management issues. All aspects of the curriculum equip  participants with the knowledge and network needed to continue their work.

“We recognize the important work our nonprofit organizations do for the communities they  serve,” said Tim Thomas, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. “Nonprofits are an important part of the broader community and economic development ecosystem and we are proud to have provided our nonprofits with the tools they need to not  only survive the crisis but also thrive beyond it.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.