The NpDP was created in September 2003 to develop a support system, based upon national and regional models, to enhance and sustain nonprofits in Flathead County and the surrounding region.  

2003-2004 Overview – Forming the Partnership 

• Under the leadership of Sustainability Fund Managing Director Lex Blood, the concept of a local partnership to build nonprofit effectiveness was developed.  Kathy Hughes was recruited as a key partner in her role as Director of Continuing Education at FVCC, and the FVCC Foundation agreed to serve as fiscal sponsor for NPDP activities.
• The Steering Committee was formed to serve as the core planning group for the NPDP concept, and to begin program design.  The Steering Committee met monthly to continue work on the concept.
• The Advisory Committee was recruited to provide community input from diverse viewpoints.  Representatives from Chambers of Commerce, educational institutes, businesses, individual nonprofits, and community volunteers joined the group, and met twice a year to provide their perspectives on NpDP’s development and to help identify other potential partners. 
• Contracted staff conducted research into national models for capacity building activities, sought examples of institutes of higher education delivering services to the nonprofit community, and identified a variety of Internet-based resources for nonprofits.
• A strategic planning session was held in Fall of 2004 to “flesh out” the concept and develop options for delivering services to nonprofits in the Flathead region.

2005 Overview – Launching the Partnership
In 2005, the dream of the Nonprofit Development Partnership (NPDP) moved from concept to reality.  New educational programs were offered to local organizations, outreach activities were increased, and organizational structures were developed. 

• During 2005, NpDP’s Steering Committee synthesized the input of the Advisory Committee and other nonprofit leaders and began to shape our program.  Regular programming was launched to provide consistent educational offerings. Brown Bag workshops were offered, including:

• February 3rd: “Debut” Networking Event with training by FVCC instructor Linda Grinde-“Why Your Brain likes Nonprofits”.
• June 16th: Networking Event with a facilitated conversation about the rewards and challenges of leading nonprofits in the Flathead.
• September 8th: “The Signs of a Healthy Nonprofit Organization” with presenter Ned Cooney, local facilitator and consultant.
• October 13th: “Balancing Work and Life for Nonprofit Professionals” with presenter Rebecca Johns, personal coach.
• November 10th: “Managing Volunteers”, with a panel of local nonprofit managers.
• A Leadership Roundtable luncheon was held November 17th with Brian Magee, Executive Director of the Montana Nonprofit Association. NPDP invited local leaders from business, education, and nonprofit organizations to discuss the state of the regional nonprofit sector and explore connections to the state association.
• The first half-day Seminar was held November 17th, with Brian Magee of the Montana Nonprofit Association, discussing the benefits of MNA membership and the current national and statewide climate for nonprofit regulation and accountability.
• Monthly Steering Committee meetings were held.
• Advisory Committee meeting was held to gather input on NPDP programs and outreach activities.
• Six Spring Semester FVCC classes were held with 29 scholarships awarded.

Outreach and Infrastructure Development Activities in 2005:

• NPDP was the subject of two articles in the Daily Interlake in 2005, one in February announcing the first public event of the Partnership, and another in November coinciding with the visit by Montana Nonprofit Association Director Brian Magee.
• NPDP was the subject of a feature article in the client newsletter of Jane Lopp and Associates, a Kalispell financial planner.
• The master mailing list and email address book was updated and expanded, and now includes 274 names on the mailing list, and 96 email contacts.
• A Post Office box, e-mail account, and voice mail phone line were established.
• Ongoing discussions were held with Jane Karas, FVCC President and Ruth Ackroyd, FVCC Foundation Director to strengthen the relationship between NPDP and FVCC.  Model programs from other communities were discussed, illustrating the potential of structured programs and technical assistance offered to nonprofits by institutes of higher learning. 
• Outreach was ongoing to build relationships with other organizations and networking groups, including: the Flathead Prevention Alliance, and Flathead Conservation Roundtable.

2006 Overview – Enhancing the Partnership
NPDP “hit its stride” in 2006 and began offering consistent programming to support nonprofit staff, Board members, and volunteers. The Steering Committee developed an action plan and long-term vision, engaged two long-term independent contractors to increase NpDP’s organizational capacity, and developed new relationships to strengthen our service to the nonprofits of the Flathead region.

• Monthly Steering Committee meetings were held, and meetings of the Program and Communications Sub-Committees occurred on an as-needed basis. The Steering Committee also developed an Action Plan for 2006 in January, and developed a three-year Vision for NPDP in June.
• Ten Brown Bag workshops were offered.  Representatives of 56 nonprofit organizations participated in at least one NPDP event during the course of the year; many of those 56 organizations attended several of the workshops. 
• Two Seminars were offered:
• “Spread the Word: Tools You’ll Use in the Mass Media”, featuring an overview of the basics of working with various media, followed by a panel discussion with representatives of television, radio, and newspapers.
• “Board Service: Putting Passion into Practice”, which was the first NPDP event designed primarily for Board members, and was designed to emphasize vision, commitment, and an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Board members.
• Two Networking Groups were started mid-year, one for Fundraisers, and one for Executive Directors. Lively discussion at the monthly meetings has focused on various topics of nonprofit operations, including hiring practices, staff and board evaluation, donor-centered fundraising, and engaging the Board of Directors in fundraising.

Outreach and Infrastructure Development Activities in 2006:

• NPDP initiated an article in The Daily Interlake highlighting the contributions of various local nonprofits and encouraged charitable giving and volunteering. 
• Operational capacity was increased with the formalization of two contracted positions, (Program Director and Administrative Coordinator), the development of policies and procedures, and the improvement of data management (including the contact database and email utilization).
• A Three-Year Vision and Workplan was developed by the Steering Committee, articulating a longer-term set of expectations and possibilities.
• Outreach was ongoing to build relationships and coordinate programming with other organizations and networking groups, including:
• Flathead County One-Stop Workforce Development Center
• Chambers of Commerce in Bigfork, Whitefish and Kalispell
• Flathead and Whitefish Community Foundations
• Montana Conservation Voters
• FVCC Department of Continuing Education
• Flathead Prevention Alliance
• Flathead Conservation Roundtable