Interview with Zaia Thombre about Non-Profit Capacity Building

Are you looking to network with local non-profit organizations? Do workshops about IT without IT staff, fundraising, social media, and volunteer management sound helpful? Then we suggest you check out Marietta's Non-Profit Capacity Building conference on May 26th. Registration is open until May 16th and there is something for everyone on the schedule. We sat down with organizer and OCC VISTA at Marietta College, Zaia Thombre, to talk about her capacity building work with non-profits in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Erica: What inspired you to set up a conference for Southeastern Ohio Non-Profits?
Zaia: Getting to know our community partners this year has definitely inspired the motivation to set up the conference. The nonprofits in our area do such great work for other people that they often forget to think about their own needs. The conference serves as a means for our community partners to obtain the knowledge and training necessary to continue the important work that they do.

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Erica: What do you hope that attendees learn at the conference?
Zaia: More than anything else, I hope that the attendees learn that there are experts in our area who are more than willing to share their knowledge not just at the conference but outside of it as well. Further, I hope that the attendees realize the wealth of expertise and impact that comes from collaborating with other nonprofits in our community.

Erica: Why is building capacity important?
Zaia: Nonprofit capacity building is extremely important because in order to truly impact the community and achieve one's mission, a nonprofit must continue to grow and build upon their original mission. Many times nonprofits get so focused on serving others, that they do not focus on the items that will maximize their impact. Further, being able to obtain capacity building resources at a low to no cost is also important since nonprofit organizations often time do not allocate a large budget for professional development. Often times people overlook nonprofits as a structure and do not give nonprofit leaders the recognition they deserve for the immense amount of work that they do on a daily basis. I believe these workshops are important because we are recognizing the value and impact of that work on the Mid-Ohio Valley Region.

Erica: What is the most important thing that nonprofits need to do in order to succeed, in your experience?
Zaia: Based on my experience, strong leadership is one of the most important things a nonprofit needs in order to succeed. Every nonprofit varies based upon the area that they serve, the amount of funding they have and the age of the organization, but a strong leader can overcome most challenges and learn from his or her mistakes.

Erica: How and why is Marietta supporting your capacity building work?
Zaia: Marietta College and the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund have generously supported the capacity building work that our office has done this year. Namely, not only did the Sisters of St. Joseph's Charitable Fund provide the financial support for my position, but they have shown a great deal of support by coming to the workshops held this year and purchasing additional resources for nonprofits that were committed to learning more. One of Marietta College’s core values is service to the community and we believe that creating sustainable partnerships with the community is extremely important. Not only has the McDonough Center been a huge advocate in the creation of the newly formed Office of Civic Engagement, but also the other entities on campus such as the Legacy Library has helped by purchasing additional resources for nonprofits who are looking to build capacity.

Erica: How has your capacity building work altered your perceptions of nonprofits, the work they do, and/or the people they serve?
Zaia: I am thoroughly impressed with the amount of work that goes into running a nonprofit and the variety of nonprofits out there. A lot of the nonprofit organizations that we work with have been started by passionate members of the community who have had no formal training in the intricacies of the sector. The nonprofit sector has to worry about a myriad of items that most businesses do not such as finding funding sources, legal constraints and volunteer management.

Erica: How will your work this year affect your future plans / decisions?
Zaia: This year has taught me a great deal about the nonprofit sector and the power of change. I am certain that I will stay involved in the nonprofit sector throughout my life whether it is through being an active board member, philanthropy, or a volunteer. Spending a year working with the Mid-Ohio Valley community has also completely vested my interest in this area and I cannot wait to see it grow in the years to come.