Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Providing Strategic & Technical Support to Nonprofit Organizations
Established in 2023, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence provides strategic and technical support to nonprofit organizations. To achieve these goals, the Center leads five primary activities detailed below.
Nonprofit Visits + Funding Opportunities
Please expand the items below to learn more about our offerings:
Nonprofit Visits
Upon request, members of our team meet with nonprofit leaders to better understand their goals and key programs. We use what we learn to help educate the community on their work, increasing opportunities for investment. Please note that
Click here to request a visit with a member of our team.
Please note: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence does not take walk-ins; a visit must be scheduled in advance. Additionally, the Center does not directly introduce donors to nonprofit organizations unless a donor has requested that introduction.
Instead, nonprofits drive funding opportunities by delivering quality programs and services, and informing the Foundation by:
- regularly updating their Organization Snapshots,
- scheduling introductory visits,
- providing Nonprofit Directory listings, and
- emailing major updates to nonprofits@braf.org.
Donors initiate introductions by expressing interest in specific nonprofits or service areas to Foundation staff. The staff then use the nonprofit-provided information to keep donors who are interested in new opportunities informed.
This approach helps the Foundation support nonprofits in sharing current information with potential donors without obstructing direct connections.
Funding Opportunities
The Nonprofit Directory provides a platform to share your nonprofit’s work with our donors and the greater community. Philanthropists can browse the Directory to learn about causes that are important to them. Nonprofits in good standing with the IRS are eligible to submit their organization for the Foundation to review for consideration.
Click here to submit a request for a Nonprofit Directory listing.
Click here to browse the Nonprofit Directory.
We also manage competitive grants offered by donors at the Foundation. Nonprofits interested in applying for a competitive grant must first register their nonprofit with the Foundation.
Review our list of competitive grants here.
Please note: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence does not directly introduce donors to nonprofit organizations unless a donor has requested an introduction. Donors initiate introductions by expressing interest in specific nonprofits or service areas to Foundation staff. Our staff then use the nonprofit-provided information to keep donors who are interested in new opportunities informed.
Keeping the Foundation informed as you deliver quality programs and services is one of the best ways to help your nonprofit drive funding opportunities. Here are the best ways to keep our team updated on your activities:
- Regularly updating your Organization Snapshots
- Scheduling introductory visits
- Providing a Nonprofit Directory listing, and
- Emailing major updates to nonprofits@braf.org
This approach helps the Foundation support nonprofits in sharing current information with potential donors.
BRAF Fellows
The Foundation conducts professional fellowships throughout the year. While these programs are tuition-free, participation is selective and requires competitive application.
Development Fellows
One of the Foundation’s signature programs, Development Fellows is a workshop series that teaches fundraising fundamentals to enhance the skills and effectiveness of new development professionals.
Applications for the next cohort of Development Fellows will open in fall 2025
Nonprofit Board Fellows
This seven-session program is designed for civic-minded people who are new to or actively pursuing nonprofit board or committee service.
Applications for the next cohort of Nonprofit Board Fellows will open in summer 2025.
Nonprofit Board Chair
This program, consisting of six sessions, is designed to empower and enhance the leadership skills of nonprofit board chairs in the Greater Baton Rouge area.
Applications for the next cohort of Nonprofit Board Chair Fellows will open in summer 2025.
Nonprofit Membership
Nonprofit Membership allows your organization to build a formal partnership with the Foundation and strengthen your development network. Membership is $500 per year and includes:
- Continuing education opportunities
- Nonprofit networking events
- Invitation to BRAF’s Annual Meeting
- Foundation publications
Consulting Services
For more than a decade, Foundation staff has provided direct consulting services to nonprofit organizations across our region. In partnership with the Foundation’s Philanthropic Advancement team, we advise nonprofits on capacity building activities. We now offer consulting services to individual organizations and groups according to the following fee schedule.
1:1 Workshops
Workshops include two 4-hour sessions or one 8-hour session on strategic planning or board development.
Cohort Advising
Over a six-month period, the Center’s team may provide fundraising advice to nonprofits with similar goals or experience as a group. The department also offers breakout sessions for group participants for an additional fee.
Click here to request pricing for consulting services or get more information.
Organization Funds
Organization funds, sometimes called agency funds, are charitable accounts established by nonprofit organizations to support their mission-related work. These funds can be great tools for participating in the Foundation’s investment policies and tools.
All organizations who establish funds with us receive:
- Gift acknowledgment services
- Co-investment with the Foundation’s portfolio
- Fund performance briefings
- Regular reporting
