The NPO Support Center (NPOSC) was born in 1993 as the first organization in Japan created by citizens to support NPOs. It aims to train people who can lead to solutions of social problems across the boundaries of nonprofits, the public sector and business, and to build a new social system through NPOs. According to its history, it established the "NPO Promotion Forum" in 1993 and changed its name to the current one in 1996.
Its work has five parts: developing human resources involved in NPOs, supporting NPO projects, promoting collaboration with local governments, promoting partnerships with companies, and research and recommendations. Its programs include "Good Business Studio," a training program; "N-Kore!," a web catalog introducing support services for NPOs; "Business to NPO," which connects companies and nonprofits; and "B-SAPO," which supports back-office administration.
It also supports the introduction and use of "Salesforce," a cloud application for managing members and supporters, which is introduced as being used by more than 1,300 NPO corporations and other organizations nationwide. It continues to try new initiatives, such as "NPO Campus" for teens and people in their twenties, and a sabbatical grant for leaders of nonprofit organizations.
Key points
- Born in 1993 as Japan's first citizen-created, privately run NPO support organization
- Five areas of work: human resource development, business support, collaboration, and research and recommendations
- Salesforce introduction support used by more than 1,300 NPO corporations and other organizations nationwide
Why this organization deserves attention
It supports nonprofits broadly on the management side, covering people, organizational management, funding, IT and administration. It also puts effort into developing "people who support NPOs," which can be called support that leads to lasting activities.
Through training for local government staff, the operation of collaboration hubs and efforts to connect companies and nonprofits, it promotes co-creation across sectors. There are also places for teens and people in their twenties to learn, so it is open to the generation that wants to get involved in nonprofits from now on.
Editor's comment
For organizations facing society's problems to keep up their work for a long time, specialized support is essential. The NPO Support Center feels like an organization that has played that important role.
The official website also keeps seminar and event information up to date. Why not start with a theme that interests you?