Nonoko Sato: The Capacity Builder

s nonprofits try to decipher what the Trump administration’s executive orders, lawsuits, and policy changes mean for them, many are turning to their state associations for answers. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and its CEO, Nonoko Sato, are leading by example.

The focus? Building strong organizations to navigate crises. MCN, one of the largest state nonprofit associations, has been ramping up resources to help its more than 2,100 members raise revenue, be good employers, build strong boards, and plan for uncertainty.

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“We wanted to make sure that whatever the crisis is, nonprofits have what they need in order to choose the right path,” Sato says. “These are things that nonprofits really need now, but also perennially.”

The council provides training and guidance on advocacy and lobbying to help nonprofits share stories of their impact. A research arm produces reports on the financial well-being and economic benefits of the state’s nonprofits that help inform state policymakers and philanthropies.

Later this summer, MCN and the nonprofit LegalCorps plan to launch a pro bono legal clinic for nonprofits, something few other state associations offer.

MCN also helps its members, many of which are small organizations, connect with coalitions of other nonprofits working on the same causes. The association shares relevant materials with other state nonprofit networks that have fewer resources.

As a leader, Sato spends most of her time traveling throughout Minnesota meeting with nonprofits and speaking publicly about their impact: “My role has become a lot more visible than it used to be.”