Clark County is home to scads of hardworking, valuable nonprofit organizations that may not have the resources or know-how to get their message to the masses, and Pacific Continental Bank wants to help.
The bank hosted a networking event Sept. 28 to help local nonprofits connect with businesses that can aid the organizations in accomplishing their goals.
"We’re hoping to capture the imagination and attention from those on both sides of the fence," said Brent Anderson, private banking officer at Pacific Continental, who dreamed up the idea. "We’re calling it the first-annual for a reason. Hopefully it will take off."
Businesses were planning to attend that could offer nonprofits heavily discounted human resources consulting, professional coaching, insurance, advertising, marketing information-technology and business-development services.
More than 125 people were expected to attend.
Anderson said Pacific Continental has an affinity for nonprofits, and wants to be a resource for them. The bank encourages its employees to volunteer during business hours and pays them for their time.
"The business’ view is it’s O.K. to go ahead and write a check for nonprofits, but it’s another statement to take off your jacket and do the work with them," he said. "We can be a beneficial resource for them – they need volunteers and funding."
Helping local nonprofits also benefits the bank, Anderson added.
"It’s introducing the nonprofits to what and how we do our business," he said. "They can look at us and say, ‘It’s a bank and there are 22 other banks that do the same thing. But this bank will actually come to my nonprofit and work. That’s something different and it’s a resource.’"
—Megan Patrick
