Building Capacity When Conservation Needs It Most

Description

Andrea Keller Helsel, founder and Executive Director of the Conservation Capacity Project, spoke about free resources and expert support available to conservation nonprofits navigating an increasingly challenging operating environment.

The Conservation Capacity Project provides no-cost, personalized support to help organizations strengthen their operations, respond to uncertainty, and build long-term resilience. Friends groups can access expertise in areas including fundraising, cybersecurity, human resources, financial management, organizational strategy, governance, crisis planning, and leadership development.

Andrea introduced the Conservation Capacity Project, explained who is eligible for support, walked through the kinds of assistance available, and shared how Refuge Friends organizations can connect with the Project when they need help.

The Conservation Capacity Project was created to help conservation nonprofits navigate a period of significant uncertainty and increased organizational demands. It connects organizations with experienced professionals who can provide practical, individualized support in areas such as fundraising, cybersecurity, human resources, governance, strategic planning, leadership development, and more, all at no cost to participating organizations.

Importantly, this support is not intended to be permanent. The Conservation Capacity Project is currently expected to sunset at the end of 2027. That makes this an especially valuable window for Refuge Friends organizations to identify needs, ask questions, and take advantage of expertise that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to access. Whether your group is working through a specific challenge or simply wants to strengthen its operations for the future, we encourage you to explore the resources above and connect with the Project while this opportunity is available.

Materials

• Webinar Recording
• Presentation Slides
• Alliance for Justice: Game Time: Midterm Elections Hub – Alliance for Justice and free Technical Assistance – Alliance for Justice
• List of Conservation Capacity Project leadership coaches now available
  • Conservation leaders can access up to six 1:1 confidential sessions. No application required; just use the Calendly of the preferred coach in the flier linked above to book a confidential conversation. All at no cost to conservation leaders. 
• A meeting with our Conservation Capacity Project’s cybersecurity partners, Groundwire Advisors, can be booked via this tool: Groundwire 30 minute — Fantastical Openings
• Sign up for our Conservation Capacity Project 2-3x monthly newsletter to access webinars, tipsheets, and free 1:1 coaching with experts in fundraising, cyber security, HR, financial management, and crisis communications.
• Conservation Capacity Project Intake Form

Presenter

Andrea Keller Helsel founded and leads the Conservation Capacity Project, which provides free, wraparound support for Tribes and U.S. conservation organizations. She is also a philanthropic consultant. Previously, she served an eight-year term as a Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. There she developed and led the Foundation’s $40-million annual Western Conservation grantmaking strategy, supporting Tribes and nonprofit partners advancing community-driven conservation in the U.S. West. Before joining Hewlett, Andrea served as national director of strategy at the Western Conservation Foundation, led the media relations team at the National Parks Conservation Association, and worked in consumer marketing and public relations. Today, she serves on the boards of several conservation organizations.