Emily Nettnin Earle
Director of development and communications, the Mariposa School for Children with Autism
The Mariposa School is a nonprofit organization created specifically to offer children with autism and other developmental disabilities year round, intensive instruction using innovative teaching techniques. Based in central North Carolina, the school has attracted international attention for its progressive teaching curriculum and various programming opportunities. Families from across the country and world have relocated so their children can attend the school. Each program is tailored to fit individual needs so that the student may realize his or her maximum potential.
How does your charitable work affect you personally?
Working at the Mariposa School is truly a wonderful experience. To see children who can’t talk or look at you when they first start school and then within just a few short months, they are talking in short sentences and saying “hello” makes my job so rewarding and makes me want to work harder to make sure that I am reaching out to the community sharing our story and our successes.
What are the "returns" for working in the charitable sector (personal, societal, monetary, etc.)?
Definitely the returns are making a difference! I know that each day I come to work, I am helping to further our mission and make sure that everyone in the Cary community knows about our program and the difference we make in our student’s and parent’s lives.
How can charitable giving be improved?
I think there needs to be more networking opportunities between nonprofits and local businesses. At Mariposa, we have received lots of support from local businesses who like what we do and want to help and I encourage all nonprofits to start to develop relationships within the business community. The dollars come more from local places that national chains!
What can nonprofits do to improve their fundraising or operations?
I think that nonprofits need to realize the importance of planning and time. So often I think that nonprofits want the “Sugar Daddies” to fall from the sky and give the organization a huge donation, but it doesn’t work that way. By strategically planning and building your donor base, you will get those folks, but you need to plan to meet your budget with the money and resources you have, not the money and resources you hope for!
How has your organization adapted in response to the recession?
The Mariposa School offers such a specific and needed program that we have not suffered too much. That being said, we have lost some students because parents couldn’t afford the program, and that caused the loss of a few jobs. But we still are meeting the needs of our students and continue to have new students interested in our programs.
What makes an effective leader?
I think what makes me an effective leader is my ability to listen to others, my passion for giving back and my sense of humor!
What changes would you like to see in the charitable sector?
I think the biggest change I would like to see in the charitable sector is for the people who work in these sectors to receive competitive salaries and quality benefits. Working in a nonprofit setting is tough work and I think by offering competitive salaries and quality benefits, an organization would get those passionate people who bring great skills and new ideas who don’t feel that they have to suffer to make a difference.
