An Apology and Promise

Posted on 6/4/2020

We at QENO have witnessed the racial injustice in our world, country, and here at home. We have watched as black nonprofit leaders were not invited to the table when big decisions were being made and initiatives were being created. We have seen the drastic lack of black leadership among nonprofit boards, staff, and funders. We have seen black-led organizations receive less funding and respect. We have seen the negative impacts this has on our communities. This is not new. George Floyd’s murder and videos of police brutality are not new. We have all witnessed this time and time again.

While QENO has taken many steps to educate our team, explore ways to affect change, and recruit partners to help inform and shape our work, WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH. We haven’t even scratched the surface. As QENO’s Director, I apologize. I accept all responsibility in our lack of progress. You deserve better. We can do better. We see you. We hear you. We stand along side you.

We promise you that QENO will be bolder, more courageous, try harder, take more risks, give this work our highest priority, and work with you all to learn, understand, and create actions, services, and collaborations that move this work forward. We will increase our efforts to amplify your voice. We ask you to hold us accountable, share your stories and ideas, and help us evaluate actions and trainings we can provide and policy for which we need to advocate. We recognize QENO is not the expert in this. We look forward to learning from you and doing the work with you to determine how QENO can best serve as a catalyst to change.

Virtual Coffee Convos

These no-cost thirty minute Zoom calls can be used to get clarification on new policies, brainstorm, vent, get advice, problem solve, etc. Anything you need, we are here for you!

Sign up for a time slot now! If these dates do not work in your schedule, please reach out to QENO and we can set up an alternative time.

UNCW QENO COVID-19 Response

Posted on 3/13/2019

QENO is working with UNC Wilmington leadership and our partners to create a strategy that allows us to continue to serve southeastern North Carolina’s nonprofit sector. We ask for your patience as we develop a strategy that keeps your safety as a top priority. In the coming days and weeks, we will be asking you to help us create a strategy that works best for YOU, adheres to UNC System and UNCW mandates, and allows us to support your changing priorities and needs during this time. 

For upcoming trainings, please remain patient as we look at our options for alternatives to in-person classes and meetings. In the interest of transparency, we hope to have an action plan outlined and posted on our website within the next few days. 

For UNCW updates and resources, please visit the UNCW’s Coronavirus Information site at: https://uncw.edu/coronavirus/index.html. 

All QENO updates will be shared on our website, social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), and email newsletter. 

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits has created a comprehensive set of resources to assist nonprofit organizations in crafting their response to COVID-19. These resources can be found here: https://www.ncnonprofits.org/resources/pandemicresources 

We will be sending more updates as soon as we have them. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and especially for the work that you do to better our communities.