Wednesday, April 26, 2006

NONPROFITS

To help prevent burnout among the area's nonprofit leaders, a local foundation announced yesterday that it would funnel $2.2 million into a three-year program to increase training and professional development of executives for nonprofit groups in the Washington area.

Julie Rogers, president of the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, said the initiative was developed after the foundation and the consulting firm CompassPoint Nonprofit Services surveyed 2,000 nonprofit executives nationwide. Three-quarters of those surveyed said they plan to leave their current positions within the next five years, done in by relentless fundraising, low salaries and lack of management support.

In response, the Meyer Foundation said it will award two-year grants of $100,000 apiece to five executive directors of area nonprofits each year, to be used for such services as executive coaching, continuing education and support staff. It said it will also fund programs at the local Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington to increase training for nonprofit managers and opportunities to network and get support from their peers.

-- Jacqueline L. Salmon

Metro officials will hold a hearing at 7:30 tonight at the Montgomery County Council office building in Rockville to receive public comment on plans to construct a parking garage at the Glenmont Metrorail station on the Red Line.

At the county's request, Metro is considering building a structure to expand commuter parking at the station. Two plans for multi-level structures are under review: a 1,200-space one on the west side of Georgia Avenue and a 925-space one on the east side.

Metro asks that people who want to be heard on the topic provide their name, address, telephone number, and organization affiliation, if any, to the Office of the Secretary, WMATA, 600 Fifth St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, by noon today. Requests may also be faxed to 202-962-1133 or e-mailed to public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com . Others at the hearing may be heard after those on the witness list.

-- Lena H. Sun