March 11, 2024— Knox Network of Nonprofits (KNN) is a collaboration between the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, the Knox County Foundation, and a steering committee of nonprofit professionals. KNN events provide training and professional development opportunities, connect nonprofits with peer organizations to share resources, information, and professional insights, and publicize access to Library resources.
By any measure, the first Knox Network of Nonprofits meeting in January of this year was a success, hosting about 100 attendees at Knox Memorial Ballroom for a kickoff luncheon on strategic planning. It all started, as many things do, with a need in the community. “People contact the Library with questions about nonprofit startup and grant opportunities on a pretty regular basis. Then, Lisa Lloyd from Knox County Foundation coordinated Charitable University, a one-day workshop for area nonprofits. There was a real hunger for more programming, and a post-event survey indicated areas of interest,” says Jamie Lyn Smith-Fletcher, Deputy Director of Development, Special Projects and Writing at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. “Each person on the steering committee pitched in something unique and necessary, but I fully credit Lisa for bringing us together and doing so much of the heavy lifting to make this happen.”
The KNN steering committee includes Sherry Williams, a retired nonprofit CEO, consultant, and active Board member with local organizations; Lisa Lloyd, Program Director at Knox County Foundation; Lori Jones-Perkins, Executive Director of the United Way of Knox County; Kara Ernsberger, Administrative Assistant at Knox County Foundation; Katie Ellis, a freelance grant writer with a background in nonprofit organizations, and Jamie Lyn Smith-Fletcher. Steering committee members have been involved in nonprofit development, governance, leadership, and board membership in the broader community, as well as at the state and national level. “We are motivated to strengthen the network of nonprofit support throughout Mount Vernon so our community can continue to thrive,” says steering committee member Katie Ellis. “It’s so inspiring to be part of this group.”
Each Knox Network of Nonprofits meeting features a “Funder Five” speaker, allowing local philanthropic organizations to share their mission and priorities with grantseekers and a networking session that encourage nonprofit staff and leadership to connect with other organizations. The next KNN meetup is at 9:30 am on Wednesday, March 13th at Knox Memorial Ballroom, where participants will learn and share their expertise in Board Roles and Development. Nonprofit Financials will be the topic of the May 15th meeting, also at Knox Memorial Ballroom at 9:30 am.
The Public Library recently acquired access to the Candid Foundation Directory. Candid is a tool for organizations seeking funding through grants and appeals to private foundations, state, and federal grant opportunities, and find up-to-date information that connects nonprofits with resources they need to build capacity and support programs. Visit the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County at 201 N. Mulberry Street in Mount Vernon to access Candid Professional for free, during Library hours. Resources and training materials that are shared at KNN events and trainings will be housed on the Library website, creating a public archive that is accessible 24/7 at www.knox.net.
Knox Network of Nonprofits events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. To register for an event, contact Lisa Lloyd at Knox County Foundation: (740) 392-3270 or lisa@knoxcf.org. For more information about Library resources, visit www.knox.net, email knoxwrites1@gmail.com, or call (740) 392-BOOK, extension 259.
