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Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations

Quality Enhancement for Nonprofit Organizations (QENO, "key-know") helps strengthen nonprofits in southeastern North Carolina through leadership & organizational development and providing connections to UNCW faculty and students.

For Nonprofit Leaders QENO supports nonprofit leaders like you – executive staff and board members – to sustainably grow the capacity of your organization. Our Cadence Program supports nonprofits at all stages of development through monthly workshops, dedicated consulting, and tools & processes customized for your organization. Learn more
For Students We support applied learning experiences for UNCW students interested in the nonprofit sector. We can help students find a nonprofit to work with for a community-based internship or hands-on class assignment. QENO also regularly hosts interns from a variety of degree programs to support our nonprofits, either directly or behind the scenes. Schedule a conversation
For Faculty QENO is a resource for UNCW faculty members who are involved with local nonprofits. Whether you do engaged research, are involved in community partnerships, or assign applied learning projects, we can help make connections, facilitate collaborations, and support students. We are also available to visit your class to make presentations on a range of topics related to the nonprofit sector and relevant careers. Schedule a conversation
2026 Kickoff: Info Sessions for NEW Programming
INFO SESSIONS 

QENO is launching new offerings to support local nonprofit organizations. In February, we're kicking off the two programs described below. To get more details, please join us for one of the following online information sessions.

SIGN UP HERE to RSVP and receive a Zoom link. Each session is open until 5pm the day before. 

Dates and times for info sessions
TUES,  JAN 13
10-11am		 THURS,  JAN 15
3-4pm		 TUES,  JAN 20
10-11am		 THURS,  JAN 22
3-4pm
Nonprofit Capacity Building

We offer a FREE, confidential organizational assessment that takes stock of your nonprofit’s current strengths and opportunities. The process validates existing capabilities and provides robust insight into capacity building needs.

Upon completion, your nonprofit qualifies to be a QENO client with access to FREE as-needed capacity building services for the following year. 

The next self-guided organizational assessment opportunity runs from the beginning of February to the end of April.  

  • Each week will focus on a different aspect of nonprofit management such as programming, advocacy, human resources, volunteer management, asset management, resource development, financial management, or board development.
  • Each week four management practices will be assessed: policies & procedures, data-driven decision making, annual planning, and continuous learning.
  • QENO provides easy-to-use materials and instructions for a streamlined process.
  • Optional drop-in Zoom session every Friday at 2-3pm for Q&A with QENO.
RESOURCE SHARING

QENO is facilitating a new collaborative effort to centralize resource sharing and data collection among local organizations. Standing resources will include:

  • Directory of nonprofits
  • Directory of local & statewide grantmakers
  • Nonprofit job openings
  • Board of Directors openings
  • Continuing education & professional development opportunities
  • Recommendations for third-party administrative service providers (accountants, lawyers, HR firms, IT firms, etc.) 
  • Recommendations for nonprofit consultants

 There will also be a different special topic each week, for example:

  • Compensation & benefits statistics
  • Trends in nonprofit funding
  • Nonprofit capacity building needs
  • Feedback for nonprofit grantmakers 

Starting the first week of February, information for both standing resources and special topics will be collected in two ways: 

  1. Weekly emails with survey links - SIGN UP HERE to get emails 
  2. Weekly Zoom calls - SIGN UP HERE to get calendar invites
    • Your choice of Tuesdays at 10:00-10:30 OR Thursdays at 3:00-3:30pm


Organizations that participate by email or via Zoom call will receive a summary of that week's data.                       

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Meet the Director
Sara Fletcher Daniels staff portrait

QENO Director, Sara "Fletcher" Daniels (she/they) holds a Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UNC Wilmington, as well as a bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Georgia. Previous leadership roles included Finance Director at Thalian Hall, Executive Director of Feast Down East, Interim Director of the NC Blueberry Festival Association, and Executive Director of the New Hanover Disaster Coalition. Fletcher founded the Cape Fear Food Council, which was integral in coordinating food assistance services across the community after Hurricane Florence and early in the Covid-19 pandemic. She also owned and operated a consulting firm that offered nonprofit management services and also taught Nonprofit Financial Management in the MPA program at UNCW. Areas of expertise and passion include program design and evaluation, organizational development, inter-organizational collaboration, equity & diversity, and public policy advocacy. 

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