Excellence in Action (EIA) is Mississippi's only core competencies certification program designed for the busy nonprofit professional and board member.

For nonprofit organizations small, large, new and established, EIA can help you gain attention from the state's top funders, help you use your resources more effectively, increase your partnership opportunities and provide much-needed personal development for your staff and board members.

EIA is also open to individuals who would like to personally be certified.

The best part of EIA is that it only costs $25 if you're a member of the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits!  For a $25 investment, your nonprofit will receive over $3,650 worth of training and $1,000 of consulting on your organization's areas of greatest need.

Currently, Excellence in Action is only available for nonprofits on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  We are working on expanding the EIA program to nonprofits across the state and hope to have a statewide program in place soon.

The next orientation dates for EIA are set for February 15 and 16, 2012.  Information Sessions will be held at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport on January 17th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. and on January 18th from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. 

Organizational Certification:

In order for a nonprofit organization to be certified in EIA, the following must be completed by the Executive Director and two board members (at least one officer).  Two other individuals may participate as well, but are not required to complete the program for certification.  Organizations have 18 months from the date of their orientation to complete the program.

• Register your organization
• Complete the FOCAS Entrance Survey
• Attend a 2-hour orientation
• Attend 3 workshops (2-3 hours each)
• Complete 4 self-paced online classes
• Complete 3 recorded webinars (1 hour each)
• Complete the FOCAS Exit Survey
• Complete the EIA Peer Review Checklist

Individual Certification:

• Register online
• Attend a 2-hour orientation
• Attend 3 workshops (2-3 hours each)
• Complete 4 self-paced online classes
• Complete 3 recorded webinars (1 hour each)

Once your organization is certified, it is eligible to receive up to 10 free hours of coaching from professional consultants.

Certification is valid for a 3-year period and organizations can be recertified by demonstrating that the Executive Director, a board officers and a board member have current EIA certification and the re-certification checklist is completed online and submitted to the peer review team.  Individuals can be recertified by showing evidence of 24 hours of nonprofit service (preferably on a board) in the 3-year period.  Individual certification is transferable to another organization.

For more information about EIA, please contact Mary Ellen Calvert via email.

You can mail or fax your application to:

MS Center for Nonprofits
c/o Mary Ellen Calvert
720 Sarazan Drive
Gulfport, MS 39507
Fax: 228-896-4549