“Patrick, a native of Phoenix, Arizona has served on both cultural and social service Boards. She has worked with more than 500 nonprofit organizations during her career. Prior to establishing the American Nonprofit Academy, Patrick published award-winning niche publications such as The Arts and Crafts Chronicle, The Wedding Chronicle, Food & Flourish and Frontdoors News over a 25 year span. Patrick’s work with nonprofits led her to realize these organizations were desperate for cost effective training and topic-specific education.

The process of philanthropy is a constant in communities across America, but it’s a changing sector. “Benevolence is no longer the only reason for giving. Donors are expecting more, demanding measurements and seeking solutions,” explains Patrick. “Today’s nonprofits need to operate from a place of passion and accomplish their missions using all the business tools of a professional organization.”

This is where the American Nonprofit Academy comes in. Using engaging panel discussions, lectures, on-line courses and workshops, with highly respected experts, Patrick and her team have developed innovative low-cost programs focused on educating nonprofits. “Our goal is to help nonprofits achieve their mission, vision and values,” adds Patrick. This includes working with nonprofit leadership level professionals, volunteers, donors and Board Members.

Training topics are wide ranging and thought provoking. The Nonprofit Board Boot Camp moves Board Members through a fast-paced course on leadership, stewardship and governance. Individual workshops include subjects covering donor relations, marketing, communications, accounting, human resource management, real estate, event planning, auctions, donor demographics, naming rights and even social venture management. “As organizations search for innovations and solutions, our curriculum continues to expand.”