AAFCPAs 2019 Nonprofit Seminar Keynote: Jo Ann Simons, CEO, Northeast Arc
Jo Ann is the Executive Director of AAFCPAs’ client Northeast Arc, a large multi-service nonprofit with an operating budget of $280 million serving over 10,000 people annually in Massachusetts. The goal of the Northeast Arc is to ensure that children and adults with disabilities are able to live, work, engage in civic life and play in the community.
Jo Ann shares her inspiring experiences successfully harnessing the power of positive disruptive ideas and creating a culture of innovation!
Jo Ann and Northeast Arc host an Arc Tank competition, similar to television’s “Shark Tank” which aims to change lives through innovation. In its second year, Arc Tank 2.0 gave away $200,000 in 2018 in a competition of proposals that positively disrupt the way services get delivered to people with disabilities. Winning proposals received awards from the Changing Lives Fund established through a $1 million donation from Steven P. Rosenthal, founder of West Shore, LLC.
“Some people say, ‘Wow, you didn’t keep the money?’ … because it’s really very unusual that organizations would get money, and then figure out a way to give it away,” said Jo Ann. “But our board is also very innovative and said, ‘This is going to change the industry’ … And, hopefully, it will inspire others to do the same.”
This audio session was recorded live at AAFCPAs’ April 25th, 2019 Annual Nonprofit Educational Seminar.