At RCRG, a big part of what we do is capacity building. When we say that, though, we're often met with blank stares. What does it mean to build community capacity? Well, our focus, specifically, is the voluntary sector, where building capacity means growing Richmond's volunteer base, and enhancing the ability of local non-profit organizations to recruit, train, and engage volunteers.
We created Leadership Richmond - which comprises three programs - to carry out this important work.
Launching in the fall of 2023, Community Accelerator is a unique leadership program for youth between the ages of 15 and 25. Modelled on startup accelerators, which provide mentoring, support, and networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs, Community Accelerator will help youth develop a range of professional skills and competencies, from public speaking to financial literacy.
Rather than starting a business, however, participants will each identify an unmet community need, and come up with a novel solution. From there, they'll receive support developing their proposals, which will cover everything from program design to budget requirements to partnership opportunities.
Community Accelerator will conclude with a pitch presentation event, where participants, using the skills they've learned throughout the program, will present their ideas to a group of non-profit professionals, who will offer feedback, advice, and potential support in bringing the ideas to life.
Richmond is full of generous businesses that support a wide range of community causes. But how can they ensure that their support is resulting in the greatest possible impact? That's where the Richmond Caring Companies program comes in. We work with local businesses to develop and implement community engagement strategies, tailored to each company's resources and philanthropic goals.
As part of the program, we also organize an annual Day of Caring, giving businesses, their employees, and their families a chance to take part in a volunteer service project.
To find out how the Caring Companies program can help your business enhance its community involvement, call 604-279-7020.
Under the umbrella of Community, we offer a variety of training opportunities for the non-profit sector - everything from two-hour workshops to our six-week Volunteer Management Training Series. Whether you're a seasoned non-profit professional, or are just getting started in the field, attending our training is a great way to gain new knowledge and skills that you can put into practice at your organization.
To view a complete listing of our workshops and courses, and to register, visit our Training Centre.