The Community Foundation partnered with online platform Resilia to bring new training and coaching opportunities to nonprofits in Central New York for the first time. Resilia offers technology and one-to-one coaching to support effectiveness, creativity and workflow in nonprofits across the country. Eighteen local nonprofit organizations led by and serving historically excluded communities were chosen to participate in the second cohort this year.
Written by: Monu Chhetri, Founder & CEO, Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc.
Resilia has been crucial to the success of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. (DNAA). Our mission is to provide a safe space for Deaf New Americans (DNA) to develop education, leadership, and life skills without limitation in a way that honors their culture and traditions.
Without Resilia and the unwavering support of the Central New York Community Foundation, we would not have been able to thrive and build such strength in the short two years since we became a nonprofit organization.
I will never forget when I had thirty minutes before a grant application closed and in a panic, I reached Anthony at Resilia. He patiently guided me through the submission process. We have done so much with Resilia’s help including: Establishing Asha Laaya, our financially productive “Farm of Hope,” which is thriving. Beginning as a 1-acre pilot farm, we have since expanded to a new 10-acre farm in Kirkville, NY.
We have also had success with our weekly DNAA Youth Program, in partnership with Syracuse University Impacts. The program has served as a resource for DNA families who have the opportunity to work with Syracuse University students, children of Deaf adults and Deaf children of Deaf adults.
We are grateful for the grant funding we have received to develop critical community partnerships. Strong relationships have been forged with key organizations, from whom we gather crucial information.
Through our participation in Resilia, our team has learned how to set goals, strategize, plan financial ambitions, write grant applications, host fundraising and community building events, write various communiques, and handle federal guidelines written in complex language for grants.
Thank you for everything!
