501 Commons

Mission

We all rise when nonprofits thrive. At 501 Commons, we serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, and partners. Our passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits - so ALL people and communities flourish. We serve organizations that range from those with no staff to hundreds of employees. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve many organizations based in or predominantly serving BIPOC communities and organizations in most Washington counties each year.

Description

501 Commons makes it possible for nonprofits of all sizes and types to access the support, resources, and expertise they need. In 2022, we've worked on 1000+ engagements with 669 organizations, including 78 "by and for" organizations based in BIPOC communities. We have provided these organizations with accounting, data services, human resources, technology, coaching, management consulting, free advisory services, and more. We had 1000+ registrants for our training and leadership development programs. Last spring, 1,500+ organizations participated in GiveBIG, which we work hard to produce alongside our partners. Overall, 2,000+ organizations benefit from our services annually.

Your contributions make it possible for us to provide services such as:

• Free nonprofit advisory services 
• Management consulting and coaching on a sliding fee scale
• Low-cost quick consults in technology, finance, and HR
• 6 hours of free executive advising
• Affordable learning opportunities for staff, board members, and volunteers
• Our Next Level capacity building and mentorship program, which is free to BIPOC organizations.

Listen to the executive directors talk about the impact of the program:

Program Highlight:  Exec2Exec

During the last two years, nonprofit leaders have faced constant change that has impacted their staffing, funding, role in the community, internal focus, and much more. With the support of 501 Commons Executive Service Corps members and community members, we started Exec2Exec. Nonprofit executives pair up with a trusted advisor in a confidential and safe setting for up to 6 hours to talk through a challenge or try to see an issue from a different perspective.

Lulani Arquette, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation described the value of the Exec2Exec program: "It's sometimes lonely in the CEO position running an organization no matter how long one has been doing the work. Having someone like Jon to listen and confide in was immensely helpful, and his advice was spot on during a critical period of change in our organization."

Stories of Service

Cilia Jurdy; Operations and Development Director FEEST about her work with 501 commons to create a Development and Communications Plan and a Quarterly Fundraising Plan: "Thank you! Your generosity enables us to deepen our commitment to young people’s needs and visions for change, strengthening youth power to create a healthier, more equitable future. "

Lara Zarowsky, Executive & Policy Director, Washington Innocence Project had this to say about working with her Financial Services Associate: "Bonnie...is responsive and organized and does a great job of graciously moving us along when my plate gets overfilled (which is often). I have genuinely enjoyed Bonnie's kindness and appreciated her utter competence to guide us.... We're very grateful to have all of you as a resource."

Joy Sebe, Administrative Director, Open Doors for Multicultural Families expressed gratitude for HR Consultant Chris Carpenter:  "Chris invested the time to learn about our organizational culture and provided HR advice that was culturally responsive and supportive of our highly multicultural staff. He modeled compassionate, servant leadership....while giving us decisive and clear direction." 

Your donations will make it possible for us to continue to provide free executive advising, deploy skilled volunteers, and increase our Finance and Human Resources consulting teams to meet the needs of nonprofits.

Recognition

We owe immense gratitude to our board of directors, staff of 50+ dedicated professionals, and the 570 members of our Executive Service Corps who graciously share their time and talents with nonprofits.