A new organization aims to help Muskogee nonprofits become more effective.

The Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center, which holds its grand opening Tuesday, was created by Neighbors Building Neighborhoods and inspired by a citywide strategic planning process in the 1990s.

MNRC Executive Director Lisa Raasch said 350 nonprofits were invited to the grand opening. One purpose of the event is to zero in on future programs that will be most valuable to Muskogee nonprofits.

“We want to inform, inspire and involve,” she said. “We will provide access to resources; training, tools and information to help those nonprofits strive towards their missions in a more effective way.”

Raasch said nonprofits have differing missions, but there is a resemblance among the business side of each one.

“They all share common needs: fund-raising, volunteer recruitment, board development, resources and ideas,” she said. “Muskogee is a town of tremendous compassion and tremendous potential.”

Membership in the Muskogee Nonprofit Resource Center is open to nonprofits, churches, tribes, grant-making organizations, public benefit corporations, individuals, businesses and government agencies interested in promoting and supporting Muskogee’s greater good, Raasch said.

Membership fees will be: tax-exempt members, $100; associate members, $200 (businesses, consultants, etc.); individuals, $35; sustaining member, $1,000.

Seed money for MNRC’s start-up came from the estate of the late Russell Ruby, a former mayor.

Representatives of several local nonprofits said they were optimistic about having a new partner:

• Etter Nottingham, program director with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), part of Volunteers of America of Oklahoma — “One way in which they can be very beneficial is that we will not be duplicating our services. We can share what we can offer to the community. I think they’re headed in the right direction if they offer training. Another exciting thing about them is that I see this as a way to direct all those people from school children to people in their 30s and 40s who want to volunteer. My program is for people 55 and older, and I’m always getting calls from younger people wanting to help.”

• The Rev. Kevin Tulley, St. Paul United Methodist Church — “There is no shortage of information, in fact most of us have information overload. I would hope this group might sort the good from bad. This is a good possibility for some of us who want to pool our resources. I’m hopeful. Community and grass roots organizations are very important.”

• Rodslen Brown-King, director, Project A — “We would be interested in the grant-writing help and training. And having a database where we can go online, to help me to know what to look for. We need to network more. I’m on a mission; this will help us. We don’t have another resource like that around here.”

• Sharon Perry, office manager, Salvation Army of Muskogee — “One problem all over Muskogee is keeping shelters open. We are looking for ways to find the funding to keep the program going. One way they can help would be to help us find a grant to keep the shelter open.”



If you go

WHAT: Grand opening kick-off event (light breakfast provided).

WHERE: NSU-Muskogee Campus, Mike Synar Center, Room 228, 2400 W. Shawnee Bypass.

WHEN: 9 a.m. Tuesday.

ADMISSION: No admission fee, but participants are strongly encouraged to RSVP by today. Call 683-4600 or e-mail info@ muskogeenonprofits.org.

ETC.: Attendees who bring a 501(c) or 501(c)(3) tax exempt letter and complete a brief questionnaire will earn a chance to win $1,000 for their nonprofit group. Any church, government agency or other tax-exempt group is welcome to become a member and participate in the drawing.