MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

For Additional Information:

Mike Schechtman > 406/443-5860

BSI announces February 13, 2015application deadline for 2015 Excellence in Nonprofit Communications Grant Award

The Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of Nonprofits (BSI) announced the application deadline for the 2015 Excellence in Nonprofit Communications (ENC)Grant Award at a January 23 orientation meeting. Fourteenrepresentatives of nonprofits from Lewis and Clark County attended the meeting, held at the Lewis and Clark Library, tolearnabout this unique collaborative program. Six area communications businesses provide pro-bonoservices valued at $30,000to improve nonprofit communications of the award recipient. Attendees heard from ENC partnerand BSI staff about the program’s benefits,as well was how to apply for the award. In addition, Executive Director Nick Zullo and board member Julie Flynn of Family Promise of Greater Helena, the 2014 ENC grant award recipient, describedthe significant impact it had on their organization.

The ENC application deadline is 5 pm on February 13, 2015. Nonprofits interested in applying are encouraged to review the ENC program overview and eligibility criteria, description of ENC partners, ENC application form, and a case study of Helena Food Share’s ENC experience availableat Questions about applying should be directed to Bill Pratt, BSI’s Projects Coordinator at or 406-443-5860.

ENC showcases the transformational impact that targeted communications, strategic printed materials, and electronic presentations have on furthering a nonprofit’s mission, capacity and fundraising success. The grant provides a comprehensive set of servicesto assist Helena-area nonprofits using proven communication techniques to enhance their reach, messaging and their ultimate goal: helping people.The six ENC partners are:Allegra Marketing | Print | Mail of Helena; Articulink Services; Cinch Design and Communications;John MacDonald Consulting, LLC; Johnson & Associates, Inc.; andSigns Now of Helena.

ENC is a program of BSI’s Helena Development Initiative, a comprehensive program to improve the fundraising effectiveness of nonprofits and to expand philanthropic resourcesin the greater Helena area.

Founded in 1999, BSIbuilds Montana’s communities through strengthening nonprofits and expanding philanthropy. We collaborate with nonprofits, public agencies and family, corporate and community foundations to develop programs and resources that support organizational and network capacity building and expands philanthropic resources.

Big Sky Institute for the Advancement of Nonprofits ● P.O. Box 1514 ● Helena, MT 59624

406-443- 5860 ● FAX: 406-443-4046 ●