Tenorio: Growing a nonprofit organization ‘can be lonely’

Speaking at the open house of the Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations last Thursday, MANGO chair Maisie B. Tenorio said that nourishing a newly established nonprofit organization can be lonely and scary, especially when there is no one else to show you the ropes of how to grow a non-profit.

Which is why Tenorio is upbeat about the role that MANGO will play in the community of nonprofit organizations in the CNMI as a mentor for those who are looking into being a nonprofit organization.

“As a nonprofit leader myself, I remember always wishing that we had some mentoring or some organization that can help guide us, and so it is so amazing to have MANGO be able to serve us that for our community and our nonprofits,” said Tenorio.

Tenorio is no stranger to nonprofit work. Aside from being the MANGO board chair, she also heads the Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence.

“We have learned over the past five years how important and impactful nonprofits can be, how life-saving and life-giving they can be. Nonprofits have seen us through Typhoon Soudelor, Super Typhoon Yutu, and currently with the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonprofits are serving our community in a way that is so different from any other agency serving our community today,” said Tenorio.

She said nonprofits serve the “community with love, compassion, holistically, and with the human approach.” “Nonprofits are so critical to the growth of our community and our community. Thank you so much for believing in me, and thank you for being here to learn more about the program,” she said.

Tenorio thanked people who are working for nonprofit organizations, or serve on the board of a nonprofit organization, and hopes that they will consider a membership with MANGO. She also thanked those who are an ally, or supporter, of a nonprofit organization, and hopes that they will continue their support for MANGO and all other nonprofit organizations in the CNMI.

Also speaking at the MANGO open house was MANGO vice chairwoman Felicidad T. Ogumoro, who stated that MANGO will provide leadership and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations to be successful.

MANGO currently has 21 nonprofit organizations that are registered with it.

“We are still encouraging others to please join us. I am excited about what MANGO is going to do now,” said Ogumoro.