February 9, 2026
Innovative NonProfit releases results of regional nonprofit needs assessment
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Innovative NonProfit (INP) has released the results of a first-of-its-kind comprehensive assessment identifying the most pressing needs facing nonprofit organizations across the Black Hills region.
INP has been offering Nonprofit Connections, a series of quarterly educational workshops, since 2021. In 2023, INP partnered with United Way of the Black Hills (UWBH), and expanded access to the workshops, which now serve nearly 200 nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
Using participant data from surveys and focus groups carried out since launching the Nonprofit Connections workshops in 2021, INP has been able to adapt and deliver subject matter that is most relevant for local nonprofits. The data from the most recent surveys informed the development of the 2025 Nonprofit Needs Assessment, making it the most comprehensive snapshot yet of nonprofit capacity in the Black Hills.
“We feel very confident in the responses to the survey,” said Emma Shears, CEO of Innovative NonProfit. “The results affirm that previous workshop topics have been valuable, while also clearly identifying where nonprofits need additional support moving forward.”
Survey questions focused on core areas essential to nonprofit sustainability: building a sustainable organization, building a sustainable team, building sustainable income, and building sustainable programs.
Findings highlight a common reality across the region: many nonprofits operate with limited staff and resources. This underscores the critical importance of efficient systems, strong operational practices, and well-trained volunteers and board members. Addressing these needs is vital not only for individual organizations, but for the long-term strength of the nonprofit sector and the communities it serves throughout the Black Hills.
The 2025 Nonprofit Needs Assessment results have been used to inform the current series of Nonprofit Connections, as well as the educational content provided through Nonprofit 360, a broader capacity building initiative delivered by INP and UWBH and funded by United Way of the Black Hills and the John T. Vucurevich Foundation. Nonprofit 360 provides individual professional development, group board training, and coaching and consulting services for nonprofits across the 6 counties served by UWBH.
Copies of the 2025 Nonprofit Needs Assessment are available on the INP website https://www.innovnp.com/nonprofit-needs-assessment
More information about Nonprofit 360 can be found on the INP website https://www.innovnp.com/nonprofit-360 or by contacting Innovative NonProfit at info@innovnp.com
February 26, 2025
Nonprofit 360 registration now open
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Nonprofit 360, a free program to provide a pathway to sustainability for area nonprofits, is now taking applications for participants, which can include executive directors, staff, board members and volunteers.
United Way of the Black Hills (UWBH), Innovative NonProfit (INP), and the John T. Vucurevich Foundation (JTVF) are partnering to offer this initiative.
Nonprofit 360 will help nonprofit staff and board members build leadership and organizational skills in group and individual settings, and through online and face-to-face sessions. The program is available at no cost to nonprofits in the six counties covered by the United Way of the Black Hills: Butte, Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington.
Nonprofit 360 consists of three capacity building paths.
Path 1 – Professional Development
Path 1 is focused on leadership training and will prepare key staff members to lead their organization. The hybrid delivery includes online instruction from DDI (ddiworld.com)
and live instruction from UWBH, focused on effective, research-based leadership development. Three instructor-led, one-day sessions will take place in the last three quarters of 2025 and will be offered in multiple locations for convenience. Registration for 2025 closes on March 31.
Path 2 – Group Training Workshops
Path 2 builds on Nonprofit Connections, the current quarterly educational workshops that address key aspects of nonprofit management. Each workshop consists of three hours of in-person training and is offered in three locations in the Black Hills region, in March, June, and October 2025. Sessions are designed to offer education, networking, and hands-on practice. Post-workshop action groups help attendees bridge the gap between learning and implementation. Registration for the March Workshops is live now and closes soon.
Path 3 – Board and Staff Training Program
Path 3 is the Bridges to Boards initiative, an innovative concept that connects nonprofits with local emerging leaders, and, builds board engagement for existing board members. Nonprofit leaders, board members and prospective board members participate in a five-month comprehensive training program. Two cohorts are offered in 2025, the first starting March 25. Registration for this cohort closes March 14.
A fourth path, the Nonprofit Co-op, is available solely for funded agencies of the UWBH and includes services and coaching for individual organizations, as well as group sessions. Partner nonprofits can select from a menu of topics to receive consulting services in their areas of greatest need, delivered by INP. UWBH partners are encouraged to apply now to make this most of this opportunity.
“Nonprofit 360 will help develop, encourage, and challenge our nonprofits,” said John Cass, UWBH Executive Director. “We encourage nonprofit staff and board to sign up now for this one-of-a kind, free initiative.”
To apply for Nonprofit 360, go to www.innovnp.com/nonprofit-360.
United Way of the Black Hills’ mission is to unite people and resources to improve lives in the Black Hills by delivering measurable long-term solutions to community issues in education, financial stability, and health.
Contact: John Cass, Executive Director
Email: john@unitedwayblackhills.org
Phone: 605-530-0413
Innovative Nonprofit provides services for nonprofits, small businesses, and higher education institutions including consulting, marketing, and fundraising software. INP works alongside clients to ignite growth, organize for efficiency, and illuminate their missions for long-term success.
Contact: Emma Shears, CEO
Email: emma.shears@innovnp.com
Phone: 605-530-0413
The John T. Vucurevich Foundation is committed to helping low-income individuals meet their needs one family at a time through grantmaking and community collaboration. Through key collaborations, JTVF works closely with communities, builds partnerships, and promotes positive change.
Contact: Jacqui Dietrich, President and CEO
Email: jdietrich@jtvf.org
Phone: 605-343-3141
DDI is a global leadership consulting firm that helps organizations hire, promote, and develop exceptional leaders. Built on five decades of research and experience in the science of leadership, DDI’s evidence-based assessment and development solutions enable millions of leaders around the world to succeed, propelling their organizations to new heights.
Contact: ddi@nextpr.com
Innovative NonProfit releases new Engage software
Mitchell, S.D. – Innovative NonProfit (INP), a software and consulting company, has released the latest version of Engage, its donor management and fundraising software.
“We think our clients will be thrilled with the new version,” said Emma Shears, INP CEO. “We have used client feedback and our industry knowledge to develop our most user-friendly software yet. We are also very proud of our concierge conversion service that takes the hassle and guesswork out of moving to Engage, whether from another system or if you are just starting to fundraise as an organization.”
Features in the updated software include:
Fully web-based, Engage is accessible via laptop, desktop, or tablet with a stable internet connection. Engage also has a version designed for mobile use to make it easy to get the data you need on your phone while on the road.
Updated and simplified user interface, making the software intuitive from day one.
Dashboards that help turn data into decision points, allowing clients to be proactive rather than reactive.
Over 250 standard reports, with custom report-writing and editing provided by INP’s hands-on support team.
No high-cost upgrades. All features are enabled for every client, including fully integrated event registration and check-in functionality, as well as online donation and pledge acceptance.
When clients need help, INP offers support from real people who are familiar with the customer.
INP’s concierge conversion service provides a dedicated Project Manager to guide the client through the conversion process and map and clean up their data efficiently.
“Our clients tell us that using Engage is like gaining a part-time staff member,” said Shears. “That is how effective and efficient this software is.”
Learn more about Engage here, or get in touch.
New Program!
We now offer a FREE board training program specifically for corporate employees interested in board service!
Bridges to Boards™ Boardroom Ready equips employees to lead beyond the workplace, and bring enhanced skills, perspectives, and commitment back to your organization.