For all who serve the greater good of Renton.

From food banks to the arts...
From charities to churches to service clubs to businesses...
Whether you're a staff member, board member, or volunteer...

Let's collaborate, learn from each other, and share.

Our Mission
We exist to bring together the diverse nonprofits, social organizations, and businesses serving the greater Renton community. Together, we will become more effective through increased collaboration, learning, and sharing of resources.

Our Goals and Objectives
1. Collaboration: Relationship is key. We will continually gain a better understanding of each other’s mission and the people we serve – who is doing what with whom. Strategic partnerships will form across areas of common focus (youth, housing, education, the environment, arts and culture, etc.), as well as with local businesses, churches, and
government. This will occur through monthly meetings and networking events.

2. Shared Learning: Marketing, fundraising, board development, volunteer recruitment, and management. These are things that affect us all, so why not learn together? This will be accomplished through training at monthly meetings and planned workshops. Activities are open to staff of all levels, board members, and volunteers.

3. Shared Resources: We will find ways to put our collective resources to even better use. These resources could include knowledge, time, people, space, technology, and money.

The next gathering of Renton Area Nonprofits Unite will be

Date:

Wednesday, November 30th.

(A week later than normal because of Thanksgiving.)

Time:

8:30-10am

Location:

Compass Veterans Center

419 S. 2^nd Street in downtown Renton

Topic:  

Changing the conversation about money.

Are you fed up, depressed, and demoralized about the current conversation surrounding our economy and its impact on nonprofits?  One way to stop feeling powerless is to take charge of what we can control, whether that’s our message to donors, our systems, or staff morale.  

Building on October’s presentation, Protecting Your Nonprofit’s Money, we’ll talk about the things in our organizations that we can control and how that translates into a larger impact.  Bring an example of how you’re changing the conversation.

For example…

Never say this at an auction: http://vivanista.com/2010/04/13/rules-of-benefit-auctions-avoidable-mistakes/

RANU meets the FOURTH Wednesday of every month from 8:30-10am.

There's a lot of interest in rotating locations -- holding them at different nonprofit sites so we can truly get to know each other better.

If you would like to host a meeting, please contact

Kellie Jordan

Renton Chamber of Commerce – Events Director

425-226-4560

kjordan@gorenton.com

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ABOUT RANU

RANU is sponsored by the Renton Chamber of Commerce and is open to all who are working to make a better community.  There's a place in RANU for charities, churches, service clubs, PTAs, government agencies, and businesses who give back.  And there's a place in RANU for staff, volunteers, and board members.  We can help you in your quest of educating and engaging each of those groups.

FOR DOWNTOWN NONPROFITS

There’s a surprising large cluster of us from Rainier to Mill – about 15.  As part of RANU’s goal of working better together, let’s use our voice in the city’s downtown revitalization plan.  This will ultimately raise awareness of who we are, improve our properties, and create new relationships with donors.

On Thursday, May 26, the city is holding a public meeting for input on its downtown improvement plan.  I’ll be there and strongly encourage you to send a staff or board member.  If you don’t have ideas to share yet, then at least come to listen and learn, and market your organization.

The meeting is from 8:30-9:30am at Renton City Hall in the 7th floor Council Conference Room.

To see the draft plan, visit: http://rentonwa.gov/business/default.aspx?id=25229.


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RANU IS MAKING NEWS  

Many thanks to Renton Patch and Susan Bressler for celebrating RANU’s one-year anniversary with us.  Check out the article here: http://renton.patch.com/articles/renton-area-non-profits-unite-to-share-resources.

Susan’s looking for more good stories.  Contact her here to tell her about your nonprofit or event: scbressler@comcast.net.

Contact Lynn Bohart to share a story about a great volunteer:  lbohart@rentonfoundation.org.

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LOCAL EVENT SERVICES

RANU is using our connection with the Chamber to connect you with businesses. 

Short-term, they can provide you with useful products and services.  Long-term, who knows where those relationships lead?  As more businesses become familiar with the great work of Renton’s nonprofits, we’ll develop a wider pool of advocates, board members, volunteers, and donors. 

Many thanks to these businesses for being part of March’s meeting:

Rain City Catering

Owner Kenny Rogers was a gracious host.  His team now runs the Renton Pavilion Event Center and wants to make it more accessible for events of all sizes.   For menu and rate info, click here or call Kenny at 206-395-5126.

Designs by Roxanne

Beautiful event flowers and centerpieces that don’t cost – or look like they cost – a fortune.  Owner Roxanne Hanson also helps with event planning.  425-221-2028, designsbyroxanne@msn.com. 

Morning Star Creative Group

Disappointed that your volunteer photographer caught everyone with their eyes closed?  Brian Morris provides event photography and video production.  The price is reasonable.  The peace of mind is priceless.  425-251-6763, brian@morningstarcreativegroup.com.

Renton Printery

The Sweeney family and their downtown print shop have a well-earned reputation for supporting local causes.  They offer high quality marketing pieces at nonprofit discounts. 425-235-1776, www.rentonprintery.com.

 ESP

Looking for a better way to invite people to your event and stay in touch afterward?  Joe Hauser can show you how to get the most out of email, Facebook, and Twitter.  Email him to learn more or get on the list for his next free seminar.   

And a shout-out to Everything Party, an event supply store at The Landing.  Great for a piñata, balloons, or 200 bingo cards.  Contact manager Jenni Marshall to learn about 10 to 20% organizational discounts. 425-282-0890, renton@everythingparty.com.

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EVENT TIPS

Eventbrite.com, Vivanista.com, and the Red Apple Auctions blog are good advice websites.  On a side note, Eventbrite sells event management software.  Many of their tips are geared toward the product, but you’ll find plenty of info to train and remind your event volunteers.

Here are links to my favorite common-sense-but-think-outside-of-the-box tips:

Media Relations Do’s and Don’ts

Are You Sabotaging Your In-Kind Donations and Sponsorships?

Never Say This at a Live Auction

Make More Money at Your Silent Auction

Increase Your Raffle Ticket Sales

Event Marketing Checklist