Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association

What Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association does

The Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) is a 501(c) non-profit professional association founded in 1918, headquartered at P.O. Box 748, Maumee, Ohio, and governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. It serves 300+ HR practitioners across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan as a local affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM, 300,000+ national members), with members designating NOHRA as their primary chapter through the SHRM directory. The organization has received SHRM's Platinum Excel Award (2024) and Superior Merit Award for chapter excellence, and was originally chartered as the Toledo Employment Managers Association before affiliating with SHRM (then ASPA) in 1972.

NOHRA's service portfolio spans certification preparation (SHRM-CP/SCP and HRCI study groups with pass rates exceeding national averages), two signature annual conferences (the 25th-annual THRAC conference and the Inclusion Conference), monthly general membership meetings, a structured HR mentorship program, workforce readiness services for underrepresented populations, an HR job and internship posting board, and monthly legislative updates on employment law. Pricing is tiered across member and non-member rates: membership dues are annual, job postings are $50 (members) or $100 (non-members), and sponsorship packages range from $250 (food sponsor per meeting) to $2,800 (THRAC Platinum). NOHRA delivers content through its toledoshrm.org website, email and SMS communications (via EZTEXTING), and in-person events at venues including the Hilton Garden Inn Levis Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio, with registration handled through the third-party mightevent.com platform.

The association's revenue model combines recurring membership dues, event and conference registration fees, sponsorship underwriting (Key Sponsors include Corporate Intelligence, Eastman and Smith Ltd., The Advance Group, Paylocity, Shumaker, and Crestcom), and transactional job-posting fees. NOHRA has no external investors, no parent company, and no proprietary technology platform — its infrastructure relies on third-party SaaS tools and a volunteer workforce drawn from the regional HR community. Student pipeline development is supported through scholarships (Roger Elrod Education Award and SHRM Certification Scholarships) and student chapter partnerships (notably the University of Toledo Student SHRM Chapter).

Name

Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association

Legal name

Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association

Website

https://toledoshrm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1918

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) is a 501(c) non-profit professional association founded in 1918, serving 300+ HR practitioners across Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Affiliated with SHRM, it delivers certification preparation, annual conferences, mentorship, legislative updates, and networking events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDANAIAK

Human Resources Certification Prep (SHRM, HRCI)

Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

SECONDARYEDAAANAE

Human Resources (HR) & Talent (SHRM/HRCI) Certifications

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Certification Programs

Keywords

• HR professional association
• Human resources membership
• HR certification training
• Professional networking events
• Workforce development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Perrysburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NOHRA generates revenue through annual membership dues. Members receive access to job postings, resume services, event discounts, certification study groups, legislative updates, networking events, and the annual conference at reduced rates. Membership designation is coordinated through SHRM's national platform.
2. Event and Conference Registration: Revenue is generated from registration fees for general membership meetings, the annual THRAC conference, the Inclusion Conference, and pre-conference sessions. Member and non-member pricing tiers are offered. Early bird discounts are available for conference registration.
3. Sponsorship Revenue: NOHRA sells sponsorship packages to HR-related businesses and resource partners. Sponsorship tiers include Key Sponsorship ($1,300/year), General Meeting Sponsorship ($400/event), Food Sponsorship ($250/event), website advertising ($300/quarter), scholarship fund sponsorships ($500), and THRAC conference sponsorships ($800-$2,800).
4. Job and Resume Postings: NOHRA charges fees for job postings and provides free resume posting for members. Job postings are priced at $50 for NOHRA members and $100 for non-members. The platform serves both HR employers posting positions and job seekers posting resumes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NOHRA is a not-for-profit HR professional association that delivers paid membership services, SHRM/HRCI certification study groups, monthly general membership meetings, the annual THRAC Conference, an Inclusion Conference, and an HR Mentorship Program to HR professionals in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. It also operates an HR job board, scholarship programs (Roger Elrod Education Award and SHRM Certification Scholarships), workforce readiness services for underserved populations, and monthly legislative updates on employment law. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues, event registration fees, tiered sponsorship packages, and transactional job-posting fees.

Product overview

The Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) is a not-for-profit professional association, not a unified software product. It operates as a membership-based organization offering a portfolio of services including educational programs (SHRM/HRCI certification preparation, study groups), major conferences (THRAC Annual Conference, Inclusion Conference), mentorship and scholarship programs (HR Mentorship Program, Roger Elrod Education Award, SHRM Certification Scholarship), workforce development services, an HR job and internship board, and networking events. These offerings are coordinated through the association's website and third-party event registration platforms, providing professional development, certification support, and community resources for HR practitioners in Northwest Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HR Mentorship Program A structured mentorship initiative connecting experienced HR professionals with students and early-career individuals (0-2 years experience) for professional development, guidance, and networking support through virtual and in-person one-on-one meetings.
• Annual THRAC Conference The 25th Annual Toledo Human Resource Associations' Conference (THRAC), a major regional HR conference featuring educational sessions, networking opportunities, and SHRM/HRCI recertification credits, held annually at Hilton Garden Inn, Levis Commons in Perrysburg, Ohio.
• Inclusion Conference Annual conference focused on fostering inclusive workplaces and diversity, equity, and belonging (DEI) initiatives, featuring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities for HR professionals.
• SHRM Certification Scholarship Financial assistance program providing SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification exam support including SHRM Online Learning System (valued at $605), Standard Exam Fee (up to $510), and enrollment in NOHRA SHRM Certification Study Group ($50 value).
• Roger Elrod Education Award Scholarship program established in memory of Roger Elrod, awarding two $1,500 scholarships annually to students (undergraduate or graduate) pursuing HR-related careers, with selection based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles.
• HR Certification Study Group Virtual study group preparation program for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certification exams, held weekly with continuous pass rates exceeding national averages; also offers PHR, SPHR, aPHR, and GPHR certification preparation support through HR Certification Institute.
• General Membership Meetings Monthly professional meetings held January through December featuring timely HR topics, SHRM/HRCI recertification credits, networking opportunities, and discounted pricing for members.
• HR Job & Internship Postings Online job board providing HR position listings for members and non-members; job postings priced at $50 for members and $100 for non-members, with free resume posting services for members.
• Workforce Readiness Services Program supporting workforce development through services including job search assistance, resume review, mock interviews, panel discussions, networking, and job shadowing, focused on students, veterans, people with disabilities, second-chance individuals, and the long-term unemployed.
• Legislative Updates Monthly legislative news updates covering employment law developments including marijuana legalization, AI in the workplace, joint employer status, EEOC requirements, non-compete regulations, FMLA updates, and other HR-relevant legal matters.

Quantifiable outcome

• SHRM Certification Study Groups consistently beat national pass rates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOHRA is a local affiliate chapter of SHRM. This affiliation provides NOHRA with the SHRM brand, national networking resources, access to SHRM certification programs (SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP), professional development content, and a referral pipeline of members. NOHRA members can designate NOHRA as their primary chapter through the SHRM website. NOHRA is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification.
• Ohio SHRM State CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOHRA is affiliated with the Ohio SHRM State Council, which promotes SHRM's purposes on a nonprofit basis throughout Ohio. The State Council provides programs and services that expand members' expertise and connects local chapters. The Ohio SHRM State Council sponsors the annual Ohio HR Conference in September.
• University of Toledo Student SHRM ChaptersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOHRA maintains a student relations program that connects with the University of Toledo Student Chapter of SHRM. Student Relations provides educational resources for professional development of students and builds a pipeline of future HR professionals into the association.
• Other Ohio SHRM Chapters (Akron, Cleveland, Findlay, Lima, Miami Valley, etc.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNOHRA is listed alongside other Ohio SHRM chapters on the SHRM Ohio State Council website and HR resource pages. These chapters share resources, cross-promote events, and collectively advance the HR profession across Ohio.
• Corporate IntelligenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Displayed on the organization's website as a supporting sponsor.
• Eastman and Smith Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Jim Yates from Eastman and Smith Ltd. serves as NOHRA's Legislative Chair, demonstrating an embedded sponsor relationship.
• The Advance GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Displayed on the organization's website as a supporting sponsor.
• PaylocityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Displayed on the organization's website as a supporting sponsor.
• ShumakerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Displayed on the organization's website as a supporting sponsor.
• CrestcomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKey sponsor of NOHRA. Displayed on the organization's website as a supporting sponsor.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• HR Certification Institute (HRCI): Independent HR certification body whose PHR/SPHR/aPHR/GPHR credentials are referenced in NOHRA's certification prep offerings. Ecosystem participant rather than chapter competitor, but closely tied to NOHRA's education services.

Direct peers

• Cleveland SHRM Chapter: Local SHRM affiliate chapter in Northeast Ohio, serving HR professionals in a larger metro market. Operates the same membership-based service portfolio (meetings, conferences, certification prep) as NOHRA in an adjacent geography.
• Akron Area Chapter SHRM: Local SHRM affiliate chapter in Northeast Ohio offering the same portfolio of monthly meetings, certification study groups, conferences, and member services as NOHRA. Direct business-model and audience overlap.
• Lima Area SHRM Chapter: Another small Ohio SHRM affiliate chapter operating the same local-chapter model – membership dues, monthly meetings, certification prep, regional sponsorship – as NOHRA in a comparable-size market.
• Findlay Area HR Association: Small local SHRM chapter in Northwest Ohio listed alongside NOHRA in the Ohio SHRM State Council directory. Operates the same affiliate model serving local HR professionals.
• Miami Valley SHRM: Ohio-based local SHRM affiliate chapter serving HR professionals in the Dayton region. Same model, same SHRM affiliation, comparable member-services portfolio to NOHRA.

Broad incumbents

• WorldatWork: National/global professional association focused on compensation, benefits, and total rewards – adjacent HR discipline. Membership and certification model similar to NOHRA but specialized to comp/benefits.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): National umbrella professional association for HR practitioners (300,000+ members). Operates the same membership, certification, conference, and advocacy model as NOHRA but at national scale; NOHRA is a local affiliate chapter.
• Association for Talent Development (ATD): Large professional membership association for talent development / L&D practitioners. Overlapping audience with HR professionals and similar local-chapter, conference, and certification model to NOHRA.

Emerging players

• HR.com: Online community and membership-style platform serving HR professionals with content, events, and resources. Represents the digital-native alternative model that competes with traditional local-chapter engagement models like NOHRA's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/toledoshrm
• Facebookfacebook.com/NOHRATOLEDO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/toledo-area-human-resource-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association