Nonprofit Excellence Fund

What is the Nonprofit Excellence Fund?

The Nonprofit Excellence Fund (NEF) was created in 2006 by CNM and a group of donors to provide funding for consulting projects with CNM experts. The NEF is made up of special funds, which require that the recipient be funded currently by one of the following organizations: The Healing Trust, West End Home Foundation, the Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund, The Memorial Foundation or the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance.

Is my organization eligible to receive NEF?

NEF funds are available on a first-come first-served basis. Organizations with a budget of $5 million or below are eligible to apply for the NEF. No organization may receive more than $5,000 in support during a given 12 month period. The percentage of funding available for a project is based on budget size and the nature of the project. A maximum percentage for support is available on a sliding scale based on budget. All consulting projects require an out-of-pocket commitment from the organization. For more information about your organization’s eligibility, contact consulting@cnm.org.

What is the J.D. Elliot Leadership Development Fund?

When J.D. Elliott, beloved and respected community leader and former president of The Memorial Foundation, passed away, The Memorial Foundation began wondering how to best honor his legacy. What nonprofit initiative was most important to J.D.? The answer came easily: board governance.

Generously supported by The Memorial Foundation, the Center for Nonprofit Management is honored to house the J.D. Elliott Leadership Development Fund. This fund supports opportunities designed to improve and enhance nonprofit board leadership.

The J.D. Elliott Leadership Development Fund supports governance consulting projects and participation in CNM’s Governance Catalyst. Contact our consulting department at consulting@cnm.org with any questions.

What types of projects are supported by the J.D. Elliot Leadership Development Fund?

Through this fund, CNM also offers a broad and deep array of board-focused consulting work to help nonprofit board leaders work through problems or opportunities. Our board-focused services include recruitment modeling, understanding roles and responsibilities, board engagement, and best practices for governance.

Specifically, these services could include establishing and maintaining effective bylaws, dealing with conflict and difficult organizational conversations, service enhancement plans, financial analysis, and more.

While these topics may serve as places to start, the governance consulting services are designed to be customized for each agency depending on the agency’s needs. These services are perfect for agencies and boards that want to tackle a specific topic in-depth.

The cost for these consulting services will be supplemented through scholarships provided by the J.D. Elliott Leadership Development Fund, which is part of the NEF program. The amount of total funding and the percentage of scholarship support are based on agency budget size as well as the nature and scope of your project. Requests are reviewed in the order in which they are received and funds are subject to availability.

Reach out to consulting@cnm.org with inquiries.

Which agencies are eligible for the J.D. Elliot Leadership Development Fund?

CNM-member nonprofits that have been recently funded by The Memorial Foundation are eligible to apply for any of the programs that are a part of this fund. Qualifying agencies may also participate in more than one of these programs.

Who is a part of the consulting team for board governance projects supported by the J.D. Elliot Leadership Development Fund?

CNM experts recommended for these three opportunities within the J.D. Elliott Leadership Development Fund include Meredith Sullivan Benton, Susan Chapman, Lydia Cox, Brad Gray, Belinda Dinwiddie Havron, and Noah E. Spiegel.

What is required to access The Healing Trust Fund?

The Healing Trust Fund is available to nonprofits who meet the basic criteria outlined below. Proposed projects are reviewed and subject to final approval by The Healing Trust to determine that the work is in keeping with the purposes of their NEF support.

1. The organization must be a currently funded partner of The Healing Trust or a funded partner within the last three years. To check your funding status, click here.
2. The organization must be a CNM member.
3. The organization must be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Individuals may not apply.
4. The organization must have 501(c)3 status for at least 3 years and be in good standing.
5. The organization must make a significant positive impact on the community and demonstrate successful outcomes.
6. The organization must be in good standing with the foundation.
7. Organizations who receive NEF funding will complete an evaluation at the completion of the consulting project.

The consultation must have the support of staff and board leadership required to be successful. Types of projects available for consulting support vary based on organizational need. Since funding is made possible by specific donors, information about the results of the consultation may be made available to those specific donors.

What is required to access the West End Home Foundation Fund?

West End Home Foundation Fund is available to nonprofits who meet the basic criteria outlined below. Proposed projects are reviewed and subject to final approval by West End Home Foundation to determine that the work is in keeping with the purposes of their NEF support.

1. The organization must be a current funded partner of West End Home Foundation. To check your funding status, click here.
2. The organization must be a CNM member.
3. The organization must be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Individuals may not apply.
4. The organization must have 501(c)3 status for at least 3 years and be in good standing.
5. The organization must make a significant positive impact on the community and demonstrate successful outcomes.
6. The organization must be in good standing with the foundation.
7. Organizations who receive NEF funding will complete an evaluation at the completion of the consulting project.

The consultation must have the support of staff and board leadership required to be successful. Types of projects available for consulting support vary based on organizational need. Since funding is made possible by specific donors, information about the results of the consultation may be made available to those specific donors.

What is required to access the Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund?

The Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund is available to nonprofits who meet the basic criteria outlined below. Proposed projects are reviewed and subject to final approval by The Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund to determine that the work is in keeping with the purposes of their NEF support.

1. The organization must be a current funded partner of The Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund.
2. The organization must be a CNM member.
3. The organization must be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Individuals may not apply.
4. The organization must have 501(c)3 status for at least 3 years and be in good standing.
5. The organization must make a significant positive impact on the community and demonstrate successful outcomes.
6. The organization must be in good standing with the foundation.
7. Organizations who receive NEF funding will complete an evaluation at the completion of the consulting project.

The consultation must have the support of staff and board leadership required to be successful. Types of projects available for consulting support vary based on organizational need. Since funding is made possible by specific donors, information about the results of the consultation may be made available to those specific donors.

What is required to access the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance Fund?

The Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance Fund is available to nonprofits who meet the basic criteria outlined below. Proposed projects will be reviewed on a case by case basis and are subject to final approval by the Meharry Vanderbilt Alliance (MVA) to determine that the work is in keeping with the purposes of their NEF support.

1. This fund is available to nonprofit partners involved with MVA’s Healthy Equity Workshop, other MVA grantees and/or community partners (including past and current grantees).
2. The organization must be a CNM member.
3. The organization must be a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. Individuals may not apply.
4. The organization must have 501(c)3 status for at least 3 years and be in good standing.
5. The organization must make a significant positive impact on the community and demonstrate successful outcomes.
6. The organization must be in good standing with the MVA.
7. Organizations who receive NEF funding will complete an evaluation at the completion of the consulting project.

The consultation must have the support of staff and board leadership required to be successful. Types of projects available for consulting support vary based on organizational need. Since funding is made possible by specific donors, information about the results of the consultation may be made available to those specific donors.