OBVB Role:  Lead Other Organizations:  Local non-profit organizations Timeline:  Immediate (2023 and Ongoing) Success Metrics:  Number of nonprofit partners, completion of an annual update meeting with each partner to discuss their goals and upcoming initiatives. Considerations:  When you meet annually, look for mutually beneficial ways to partner and advise each other. Be strategic about engaging with nonprofits that intersect with the work in this plan. Desired Result:  Improve diversity, equity and inclusion. PROGRESS : September 2024  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Outer Banks Community Foundation will host the 2nd Annual NPO Knowledge Series Workshop at College of the Albemarle's Dare Campus in Manteo. Sound Choice Consulting's Deborah Breen will provide insight into how non-profit professionals, board members and fundraisers can elevate their fundraising programs for success. April 2024  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Outer Banks Community Foundation hosted the 2nd Annual Outer Banks Non-Profit Mission Mixer at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, a networking event for local NPO professionals, board members and fundraisers. Mark Ballog, owner of Lucky 12 Tavern in Nags Head, discussed his recent collaborations with non-profits and the 12 Bars of Christmas holiday bar tour activation, which helped raise more than $28,000 for local organizations. March 2024  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau hosted the OBX Community Services Collaborative quarterly meeting, consisting of leaders from local non-profit organizations, and continues to attend such meetings regularly. November 2023  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau hosted its 9th Annual OBX Tourism Summit, with a “Tourism for Good” theme. In addition to providing NPOs with an opportunity to lead table discussions at lunch, a post-event social event followed at Swells’a Brewing to continue the discussion surrounding NPO collaborations and opportunities. October 2023  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau launched its monthly Non-Profit/Community eNewsletter updates. 2024: Aug | Jul | Jun | May | Mar/Apr | Feb | Jan 2023:  Dec | Nov | Oct September 2023  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Outer Banks Community Foundation hosted the inaugural NPO Knowledge Series Workshop. Jessica Barnes, Director at Outer Banks Forever, provided attendees with a variety of ideas for engaging new donors and cultivating existing relationships. April 2023  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Outer Banks Community Foundation hosted the inaugural Outer Banks Non-Profit Mission Mixer at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, a networking event for local NPO professionals. Non-profits professionals learned about the new NPO directory, as well as Dare County Tourism Board grant opportunities. 2023 and Ongoing  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau staff began leveraging strategic messaging surrounding inspirational, responsible and thoughtful visitation that better introduces and connects visitors to local non-profit organizations. Mediums included blog posts, social media campaigns and paid advertising efforts. 2023  – The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with the Outer Banks Community Foundation, launched a non-profit directory on OuterBanks.org. In addition to including general profile information and direct links back to organization’s website, the opportunity also exists for local non-profits to include a volunteer link to connect visitors with additional ways to get involved.