Nonprofit Initiatives

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce provides extensive support to local nonprofits by offering resources, networking opportunities, and strategic partnerships to help them thrive and make a positive impact in the community.

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Nonprofit Roundtables

The growing Nonprofit sector faces different challenges than for-profit businesses and we want to engage and support our nonprofit members and their staffs. We have recently developed a Nonprofit Council of local nonprofit executives that will guide our nonprofit initiatives moving forward.


The first event series they’ve developed are Nonprofit Roundtables, to be held on a quarterly basis from 11:30-1PM at the Chamber. These roundtables will include catered lunch, a training component on trending nonprofit topics, and will ultimately foster connections among nonprofits in our community.


This is a great chance for nonprofits to share brochures, business cards, upcoming events, current needs, and other pertinent information with those in attendance.


Visit our website calendar to register and learn about quarterly speakers and topics!

View Calendar

Nonprofit of the Year Nomination

The Nonprofit of the Year nomination serves as a platform to highlight the achievements and efforts of these deserving nonprofits, inspiring others to get involved and support their important causes. This prestigious award acknowledges the organization that has made a remarkable impact through its innovative programs, effective leadership, and significant contributions to the betterment of the Oak Ridge community.

Nominate

Nonprofit Wishlist

We want to do our part in helping spread the word about the needs for our Community! Whether you're an Oak Ridge Chamber member, a local business, or a resident looking to give back, please check out our Nonprofit Wishlist for ideas. This list is updated monthly, and our nonprofit members can submit a form to be added. Additionally, our ORHRA Advisory Board will assist in collecting these items at our monthly Oak Ridge Human Resource Alliance meetings. 

 

Wish list items can include (but are not limited to):

Gift Cards

Monetary Donations

Electronic Equipment

Professional Services

View the Wishlist

Are you a nonprofit with needs to add to the wishlist? Contact us!

Nonprofit Council Steering Committee

Community Champions

A new campaign, sponsored by Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, is now in full effect! This initiative was created to recognize the incredible support of local nonprofits by our for-profit members. To qualify as a 2024 Community Champion, you must be a for-profit Chamber Member that has contributed to a nonprofit in at least 1 of 3 Key Areas within the relative year: 

  1.  Financial 
  2. Volunteerism
  3. Promotion 


Qualifying companies will be visited by a member of our Nonprofit Council and presented with a quality window cling to proudly display on your storefront. A gold star will be added for each milestone of contribution listed above. Community Champions will also receive a photo and social media recognition. 

Nominate a Chamber Member - 2024 Community Champion

Nonprofit Resources

Here are some important resources that can help nonprofits & their boards be more successful:

boardsource.org

BoardSource's mission is to increase board effectiveness and strengthen organizational impact by providing educational resources, support from experts, and comprehensive board self-assessment through their Board Support Program. They serve as the national voice for inspired and effective board leadership, working towards empowering boards and inspiring leadership within the nonprofit sector. BoardSource is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to promoting excellence in nonprofit governance and leadership.

Go There

gailperrygroup.com

GailPerryGroup.com is a website where you can download a free cheat sheet of key questions that can be used to open up a gift conversation with potential donors. The Gail Perry Group provides resources and guidance in the area of major gift fundraising for nonprofits. The website offers additional information and services related to nonprofit fundraising and building relationships with high-net-worth donors.

Go There

amyeisenstein.com

AmyEisenstein.com is the official website of Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE, a renowned nonprofit consultant, author, and speaker. The website offers a range of resources and services aimed at simplifying nonprofit development and helping organizations raise funds to achieve their missions. Amy provides fundraising consulting services and empowers her clients to raise significant amounts of money. The website offers weekly tips, free e-books on major gift fundraising and board member motivation, and articles on managing nonprofit boards effectively and leveraging artificial intelligence for fundraising. Amy also invites feedback on organizations' goals for #GivingTuesday. Additionally, the website features an e-store where visitors can purchase books and programs endorsed or created by Amy Eisenstein, such as "Mastering Major Gifts," "Major Gift Fundraising for Small Shops," "Raising More With Less," "50 Asks in 50 Weeks," and "You and Your Nonprofit."

Go There

grantstation.com*

GrantStation.com is a social enterprise that offers tools, resources, and memberships to help organizations secure funding through grants. They provide affordable annual or two-year memberships and offer webinars on various topics, including securing funding for church programs and using artificial intelligence in nonprofits. GrantStation has partnerships with organizations like the Nonprofit Executive Alliance and AARP, which provide additional benefits to members. They also have a library of resources for grant professionals and highlight funding opportunities from various organizations, such as the Humane America Animal Foundation and the Fulton Forward Foundation. 


* Requires a subscription

Go There

techsoup.org

TechSoup.org is a nonprofit organization that provides technology solutions and resources to other nonprofits, charities, and libraries at discounted prices. It offers a wide range of technology products, including software, hardware, and services, from leading technology companies. Nonprofits can access products like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Cisco networking equipment at significantly reduced prices through TechSoup. They also provide educational resources and support to help organizations make the most of their technology investments. TechSoup operates in partnership with technology companies and philanthropic organizations to bring affordable technology to nonprofits worldwide.

Go There

tn.gov

What Every Board Member Should Know: A Guidebook for Tennessee Nonprofits, 2016. 

Go There

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