Nonprofit Partnership - Bangor Region Leadership Institute

Dear Bangor Region Nonprofits,

The Bangor Region Leadership Institute is seeking two nonprofit organizations to partner with the upcoming BRLI class on team projects. The goal of the nonprofit partnership is for a team of approximately 10-15 participants to work with a nonprofit to plan and execute a project that serves three purposes:

Advance the nonprofit’s mission in the Bangor Region.
Develop nonprofit leadership skills among the BRLI participants.
Forge lasting partnerships between the BRLI participants and the nonprofit.

The 2012 BRLI class split into two teams and partnered with Bangor Area Junior Achievement and Literacy Volunteers of Bangor.

“Bangor Area Junior Achievement is very thankful for the partnership with the 2012 BRLI class. A wonderful experience resulted in two new “classrooms” for us with the Bangor Y and Maine Discovery Museum. It is educational partnerships like this that enable us to inspire students and open their minds to their potential and help prepare them for the real world. Thank you BRLI!”

Karla Edney, Bangor Area Junior Achievement

If your nonprofit is interested in this partnership opportunity, please review the RFP instructions below and send a one-page proposal to [email protected] by Friday, August 31^st.

Should your organization be selected for this partnership, we request that a representative from your nonprofit be available to provide a presentation and if appropriate, a tour on Friday, October 5^th. This nonprofit representative is also requested to make themselves available as a coach/mentor throughout the project period (October through May).

Thank you for considering this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from some great local nonprofits.

Sincerely,

Matthew McLaughlin
Program Coordinator
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
www.brliexperience.org | www.bangorregion.com

Request for Proposal – BRLI Nonprofit Partnership

The Bangor Region Leadership Institute (BRLI), the area’s premier leadership program, seeks a partnership with two local nonprofit organizations for its 2012-2013 curriculum. The purpose of this partnership is for BRLI participants to help nonprofit organizations solve some of their most pressing problems and come up with ideas to take advantage of opportunities. This results in fortified leadership skills and nonprofit expertise for our participants, and an effective “ready to go” plan that your nonprofit can choose to implement.

We use a structured process in which participants develop innovative solutions that help the selected nonprofit partners address important problems and opportunities. BRLI participants work closely with nonprofit representatives throughout the year to brainstorm ideas and fortify a project that will be most helpful for the organization. At the end of the class, the participants will present their final recommendations and some form of model or prototype of the idea to the nonprofit partners.

Expectations of the nonprofit partner during the process include:

A tour or presentation of your nonprofit organization on Friday, October 5th.
Participation by staff and stakeholders in a 1.5-hour brainstorming session on Thursday, November 1st.
Mentors or coaches available for brief monthly check-ins with the team.
Participation in end-of-year meetings where teams formally present their projects.

Facilitators from the UMaine Foster Center for Student Innovation guide the brainstorming session and coach teams throughout the duration of the class, but we ask that your nonprofit be available for participants to check in regularly regarding project ideas and additional guidance.

To be considered, please address the following questions on no more than one page:

The mission of your nonprofit organization.
Opportunities your nonprofit organization wants to address.
Problems your nonprofit organization needs to solve.

Please send your letter of interest by email to [email protected] by Friday, August 31^st. Any inquiries and questions should be made with Matthew McLaughlin, Program Coordinator for the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, at 207-947-0307 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and for considering this partnership.