About

Our Mission

To maximize the impact of nonprofit organizations, develop their leaders and strengthen the community.

Leadership Council partners with many great service providers to help our nonprofit members reduce the costs of:

  • Office supplies, food products, medical supplies, copiers, courier services, drug tests, background checks and more, through our partnership with Advantage Trust.  Click more HERE to see how you can save thousands!  
  • Compensation & Benefits Survey - get the latest data to benchmark your teams Comp & Benefits. Click HERE for more info
  • Employee retention -help EE's reduce the stress of student loan debt.  Click HERE to see how they can cut debt 80%!
  • Workers Compensation - an easy way to reduce payroll related costs.  Click HERE to find out more. 
  • Unemployment - working with UST can save you tens of thousands, provide you with expert HR service and more.
  • Retirement Plans - offer 401k and 403b plans with no administrative costs!  Click HERE to find out more
  • Human Capital Management - working with ADP on HCM strategies, grant allocations can save you time, money and headaches! Click HERE to find out more

Board of Directors

Marketing & Membership Coordinator (part-time, hybrid)

Leadership Council for Nonprofits seeks a part-time coordinator to assist the organization with its mission of maximizing the impact of nonprofit organizations, developing their leaders, and strengthening the community. Our staff of two, plus a contracted administrative team, serves approximately 250 nonprofit member organizations and provides a wide variety of programs and benefits. This position will support many of the programs, with exposure to many types and sizes of nonprofit organizations and varied work duties.

Typical duties include:

Communications:

  • Establish and maintain marketing calendar, working with administrative team and ED
  • Plan and coordinate content with administrative team for monthly newsletter and other LC communications, including social media and website updates
  • Maintain regular schedule of media releases and list of relevant media contacts
  • Update and order printed materials and other marketing supplies
  • Coordinate information tables at events
  • Help coordinate marketing benefits promised to financial sponsors

Program & event support:

  • Attend some LC programs (live or virtual) to welcome and provide support (shared with ED)
  • In collaboration with administrative team, assist in planning and executing annual meeting, Securing the Future Conference and other events, including logistics, marketing, registration review, survey follow up, setup and clean up
  • Works with administrative team and ED to manage LC Calendar of Events
  • Help build positive relations within the membership and external parties

Database management:

  • Learn SalesForce data entry and reporting and work with administrative team on reconciling data from other sources (Constant Contact, proprietary member database)
  • Help expand SalesForce use to other LC programs and relationships

Other duties include:

  • Prepare correspondence, surveys, slides, spreadsheets as needed
  • Assist in managing cloud-based organization files
  • Other administrative activities as assigned

Candidates should have:

  • Previous experience in program or project coordination and administrative support
  • Excellent organizational skills, outstanding written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail and ability to work independently
  • Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, social media tools, and database or CRM, especially SalesForce
  • Writing and proofreading experience, photography, design experience all a plus
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education and training desirable

Work environment:  Hybrid work location, including some time in office at UC Digital Futures Building to overlap with other staff.

Schedule: 20-25 hours average each week; occasional weeknights, rare weekend events

Compensation:  $18/hour; compensation and hours reviewed after 6 months

This position reports to the Executive Director.

To apply: please send your resume with an email connecting your experience to the duties listed above to info@leadershipcouncil.us

Declaration of Ethical Philanthropy

Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)

An ethical philanthropic culture makes the world a better place. In Greater Cincinnati, our causes are diverse and distinct, but our passion and commitment to a better community are universal. We share a commitment that wherever we work and whoever we serve, we do so to the highest standards and we follow an ethical approach.

Furthermore, we understand that ethical philanthropy is rooted in and implemented through the lens of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA). Therefore the chapter encourages adopting a lens of IDEA in all we do in the community.

In this spirit, we invite you to join us in signing on to our pledge titled, Declaration of Ethical Philanthropy. This declaration outlines three values that we pledge to promote and uphold as members of a community who are committed to an ethically philanthropic culture:

  • Shared growth mindset in the spirit of collaboration and pushing beyond status quo.
  • Shared informed decision making that is inclusive of all who are impacted.
  • Shared community-wide responsibility to be transparent and accountable.

In recognition of the importance of ethical philanthropy toward the public good, the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) invites the Greater Cincinnati community to mutually pledge this shared commitment to ethical philanthropy.


Read our FAQ for clarifying questions


Declaration of Ethical Philanthropy Signers

Name Title Organization
Matthew Gellin, CFRE President AFP Greater Cincinnati
Matthew Gellin, CFRE Exec. Artistic Director & CEO American Legacy Theatre
Mike Moroski Executive Director Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County
Beth Benson, CFRE Executive Director Leadership Council for Nonprofits
Kate Schroder CEO Interact for Health
Jennifer Loeb CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
Chara Fisher Jackson Executive Director & CEO Cincinnati Preschool Promise
Beth Benson photo with city skyline

Elizabeth Reiter Benson - Executive Director

Beth has 30+ years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Development & Communications with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, working with the CEO, leadership team, and board to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and communications strategy to support this nine-county affiliate of an internationally known nonprofit brand.

Before joining Habitat for Humanity, she led communications and marketing strategy for the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, one of the nation’s largest community foundations. Her experience also includes communications and community relations positions with Metro/Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.

Beth has been involved in a wide range of volunteer activities in Greater Cincinnati, including allocation committees for ArtsWave and United Way of Greater Cincinnati, as well as the boards of Leadership Cincinnati Alumni Association, Know Theatre, Interparish Ministry, Procter Camp & Conference Center, and Bach Ensemble of St. Thomas.

Beth is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati (Class 32) and the YWCA Rising Star Board Leadership Program (Class 1). She was a member of the inaugural class of ArtsWave’s Business Volunteers for the Arts and Class 3 of United Way of Greater Cincinnati's Volunteer Leadership Development Program.

Beth earned a Bachelor’s in journalism at Miami University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at Union Institute & University. She has earned the certifications Accredited in Public Relations and Certified Fund Raising Executive. 

Connect with her at bbenson @ leadershipcouncil.us

Starting a Nonprofit: A Self-Guided Resource

 

Thinking About Starting a Nonprofit?

The nonprofit sector plays a vital role in strengthening our communities, but starting a new nonprofit is a significant commitment of time and resources. Before you begin, we encourage you to explore whether forming a new organization is the best path forward or if an existing nonprofit might align with your mission.

This page provides self-guided resources to help you navigate the decision-making process and understand the key steps involved in establishing a nonprofit.

Leadership Council for Nonprofits does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Jay Shatz

Jay Shatz - BOLD Program Director

Jay Shatz is Program Director for BOLD, our leadership recruitment and training program for people interested in serving on nonprofit boards. Jay has lived what he is teaching and brings more than 30 years of experience volunteering in the nonprofit sector.


Jay is on the board of ProKids, and recently served as Board Chair for Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio. He has been Chair of the Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Cincinnati, and served on the boards of Caracole and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.


Jay came to Cincinnati in 1990 to work for WCPO Channel 9, where he spent a decade as an Emmy Award-winning reporter and anchor.

 

Economic and Fiscal Impact Study

Starting a nonprofit is a major commitment that requires careful planning, long-term sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Before taking this step, consider:

Does a similar nonprofit already exist?

What’s your long-term plan?

  • Do you have a plan for long-term financial sustainability? Many new nonprofits struggle with sustainability. Consider funding sources and operational needs beyond the first year.
  • Are you prepared to manage legal and tax obligations? There can be significant consequences to not keeping up with filing requirements, state regulations, and employer law.
  • Can you build a strong board and leadership team? A group of enthusiastic friends and family is a start, but you will need a robust set of skills and access to networks to have a successful and engaged board. While you may be the founder, you report to the board, who sets direction, budget, and policy.

Are there alternative ways to make an impact? Many well-intended organizations struggle due to overlapping missions and limited funding. Consider these alternatives:

  • Collaborate with an Existing Nonprofit: Partnering with a like-minded organization can increase impact without duplicating efforts.
  • Fiscal Sponsorship: Some nonprofits can "host" your initiative, allowing you to operate under their umbrella without forming a new entity.
  • Volunteer or Join a Board: You might achieve your goals by supporting an established nonprofit rather than starting from scratch.
  • Advocacy & Fundraising: Support an issue by launching fundraising efforts or awareness campaigns without starting a separate nonprofit.

Our Vision

Inspired, visionary leaders champion dreams of those we collectively and collaboratively serve in a thriving community.

Officers

Steps to Establishing a Nonprofit

If you've determined that forming a nonprofit is the right path, here are the key steps. This list is not intended to be all-inclusive of the steps needed to start a nonprofit but rather some of the main items to help you get started. We recommend that you seek professional legal advice when establishing a nonprofit.

1.  Define Your Mission and Vision

  • Conduct a needs assessment: What problem are you solving? Identify the specific problem your nonprofit will address.
  • Who will benefit from your work? Research existing organizations working on similar issues.
  • How will your organization make a measurable impact? Develop a unique value proposition to avoid mission redundancy.
  • Draft a business plan and financial model. 

2. Incorporate and Register Your Organization

  • Choose a name and check for availability in your state.
  • File Articles of Incorporation with your state’s nonprofit division.

3. Apply for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

4. Build a Board and Governance Structure

  • Form a board of directors with a clear leadership structure.
  • Develop a board job description that outlines members’ roles and expectations.
  • Recruit members with diverse skills and commitment to your mission.
  • Draft bylaws outlining governance policies.

5. Develop a Financial & Operational Plan

  • Establish a startup budget and identify initial funding sources.
  • Open a nonprofit bank account and set up accounting systems.
  • Create policies for financial management and compliance.

6. Build Your Nonprofit’s Infrastructure

  • Develop a strategic plan outlining short- and long-term goals.
  • Create branding, marketing, and communication materials (website, social media, etc.).
  • Build partnerships and engage stakeholders.

Did you know that in addition to transforming lives, our region’s nonprofits play a key role in fueling the local economy? Beyond the direct services we provide, our sector contributes significantly to our community’s financial health—creating jobs, supporting wages, and creating vibrant economic activity.

The Human Services Chamber of Hamilton County, in conjunction with the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati, led a recent study of the economic and fiscal impact of the Human Services Chamber, Leadership Council for Nonprofits, and OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence. 

These three nonprofit organizations and their member organizations:

  • Directly produced $1.4 billion in economic output
  • Directly employed 24,003 individuals with wages that totaled more than $751.4 million
  • Indirectly sustained $1.5 billion worth of economic output
  • Indirectly supported an additional 17,020 jobs with $586.0 million in wages

In total, the organizations included in the study contributed $2.9 billion in total economic output and supported a total of 41,023 jobs with more than $1.3 billion in wages in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in fiscal year 2022.

economic output stats

Local & Regional Resources

Our Values

  • Committed to building inclusive and diverse nonprofit leadership
  • Committed to strengthening the impact and sustainability of the nonprofit community
  • Willing to take risks AND committed to having difficult conversations
  • Responsive to our membership needs
  • Inspire our sector through thought leadership and innovation
  • Hungry for continuous improvement

President: Megan Milstead

FAQs & Common Pitfalls

  • How long does it take to start a nonprofit? The process can take several months or more, depending on state and federal requirements.
  • Can I pay myself as the founder? Yes, but your salary must be reasonable and approved by the board.

Read the full report here.

Check out the Human Services Chamber Infographic for a summary of the report. 

Thanks to The Cincinnati Enquirer for their story about the study. 

 

You Might Also Like:

ArtsWave's Economic Impact of the Arts

Kentucky Nonprofit Network's More Than Charity

Leadership Council for Nonprofits does not provide legal advice or consultation for starting a nonprofit. The above is provided as a self-guided tool for general information only, and we recommend that you seek professional legal advice when establishing a nonprofit.

Who We Are

Founded in 1977, we are a network of regional nonprofit agencies who wish to build capacity, connect, collaborate with, and learn from each other in order to meet the needs of the community.

Our network of nonprofit agencies, with 200+ nonprofit members, represents more than 15,000 employees, and provides an economic impact of over $1.5 billion in our community.

The Leadership Council supports the nonprofit community by offering leadership development programs, training, cost savings (including retirement plans at no cost and group purchasing) and networking opportunities for its members.

Leadership Council serves the TriState region: Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southwest Indiana. All nonprofits in our service area are invited to join.

Immediate Past President: Vanessa Freytag, President/CEO, 4C for Children (retired)

What We Do

We strengthen the effectiveness of nonprofits, develop their leaders and strengthen the community through building capacity, connections, collaborations, and cost savings.

Vice President: Bralynda Watkins, Chief Operating Officer, HER Cincinnati 

Leadership Council is a proud member of:

Secretary: June Miller, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Brighton Center

Treasurer: Thuy Kolik, Chief Administrative Officer, Lighthouse Youth & Family Services

At-large Members

Mike Baker, Chief Strategy Officer, United Way of Greater Cincinnati

Valarie Boykins, Vice President Human Resources, Freestore Foodbank

Theresa Cruz, Executive Director, FIESTA Northern Kentucky

Meghan Cummings, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Impact & Operations, CFLeads

Rob Festenstein, Executive Director, Independence Alliance

Sanserrae Frazier, VP, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, First Financial Bank

Lakisha Higgins, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Colleen Houston, Chief Executive Officer & Artistic Director, ArtWorks Cincinnati

David A. Iyoha, VP Operations, Black Achievers

Chara Fisher Jackson, Executive Director & CEO, Cincinnati Preschool Promise

LaTonya Springs, Assistant Director, Housing Opportunities Made Equal

Kat Steiner, Chief Development Officer, YWCA Greater Cincinnati

Kim M. Webb, Executive Director, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky

Kent Wellington, Attorney, Bricker Graydon

Alexis Kidd Zaffer, Executive Director, Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses