The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP) has received a $24,428 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) READY Nonprofits program, which offers training and funding access to help nonprofit organizations strengthen operations and programming to better fulfill their missions and uplift economies.
SGP will use the funding to implement a Board Capacity Building and Strategic Development Project designed to strengthen the organization’s board of directors, improve governance practices, and build long-term organizational resilience.
Through the project, SGP will work with an experienced nonprofit governance consultant to assess its current board and committee structure, clarify roles and responsibilities, strengthen board engagement, and develop practical tools for ongoing governance. The project will also include board training focused on nonprofit governance, fiduciary responsibilities, strategic leadership, fundraising, and the distinction between board governance and staff management.
A key goal of the project is to ensure SGP’s board members have a clear, shared understanding of what it means to serve as a director and how they can contribute to the organization’s success. The project will include specific attention to officer roles and responsibilities, committee structure and accountability, board onboarding, leadership succession, and strategies for recruiting and engaging board members with the skills and capacity needed to support SGP’s future.
“A strong board is essential to a strong organization, and this project gives us an opportunity to be intentional about how we strengthen that foundation for SGP’s future. We want our board members to walk away with a clear understanding of their roles, how they can support one another and our staff, and how they can help move the organization forward. Ultimately, this is about building a stronger leadership structure so SGP can continue to be a reliable partner for communities throughout the Susquehanna River corridor,” said Alana Jajko, SGP Executive Director.
The project grew out of a period of significant organizational transition for SGP, which highlighted the importance of strong governance systems and active board leadership. By investing in board development now, SGP aims to establish systems that support leadership continuity, distribute organizational responsibilities more effectively, and strengthen the board’s ability to provide strategic oversight, financial stewardship, fundraising support, and organizational advocacy.
SGP was eligible to apply for the funding after successfully completing 10 intensive weeks of virtual training through ARC READY Nonprofits. The training covered topics including nonprofit programming and operations, strategic planning, board development, human resources, marketing and communications, and more. SGP participated in the virtual training alongside a cohort of other nonprofit organizations from across the Appalachian Region.
The project will ultimately help SGP strengthen the organizational foundation behind its work to connect people and communities to the Susquehanna River and its surrounding trails, parks, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
About Susquehanna Greenway Partnership
The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization working to connect communities, people, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Susquehanna River corridor. SGP collaborates with communities, agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and other partners to advance trails, river access, outdoor recreation, and related community development initiatives across the Susquehanna Greenway.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to invest and partner to strengthen economic development in Appalachia to help the region reach its full economic potential.