Nonprofit Utopia Podcast: Recent Episodes

Nonprofit Utopia

Formerly known as Nonprofit "U", the Nonprofit Utopia podcast is an extension of the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders. We use our podcast as an online forum where nonprofit stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and build sustainable communities. Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development is the host. Topics include nonprofit management, community development, capacity building and organizational development.

Often called the personality of an organization, organizational culture is a shared set of workplace beliefs, values, attitudes, standards, purposes, and behaviors. It reflects both the written and unwritten rules that people in an organization follow. Your organization’s culture is the sum of all that you and your colleagues think, say, and do as you work together. If that sounds important, it is. (Bamboo HR)

For our purposes, when we speak of toxic nonprofit cultures, we are speaking of environments that stifle creativity and productivity, and prevents organizations from making the maximum impact on clients and the communities they serve. We will talk about 12 signs that your nonprofit's culture is toxic, and strategies you can use to make improvements.

The nonprofit employee handbook can be used to support operations, communicate benefits and other employment retention policies and minimize risks that might arise from lawsuits and failure to comply with state and federal regulators. We will show you how to develop an employee handbook, what should go into it, and refer you to professionals who can review your finished product. If you are a member of the Nonprofit Utopia community, we will share templates and free and low-cost resources you can use to develop employee handbooks that create winning situations for your organization's board and staff.

Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana meaning “to retrieve" More commonly, it symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge. Sankofa is often symbolized by a mythical bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth. As we finish out the year in the Nonprofit Utopia community, we are taking stock of our wins, our losses and challenges in 2022 so that we can finish the year strong, and hit the ground running in 2023. One of our first steps is to use assessment tools to gauge our leadership styles and skills and organizational skills in order to get a true sense for where we are. Indeed, we believe that we can’t really know where we should be going until we know where we are and where we have been. Even if it means peeking through our fingers because the truth is so glaring that we could be startled into paralysis. This podcast will help you understand 1. The power of assessments2. How to use assessments to chart your professional course3. How to use assessments to help your organization navigate community changeNonprofit Utopia community members will also have access to individual and organizational assessments and a members-only group coaching session to get answers to questions and draw from support of their peers.

I have worked with a number of nonprofit leaders who live by the adage, "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." Often, when it comes to volunteer management, they don't pay quite as close attention. After all, volunteers are not salaried employees, and they are often brought on for ad hoc projects. The tendency is to give higher priority to processes that have greater budget impact. However, leaving volunteer management up to chance is doing your organization and volunteers a great disservice. The organization misses out on opportunities to leverage volunteers to grow capacity. At the same time, volunteers who are looking at volunteerism as a way to develop professionally are left feeling unfulfilled. Careful planning is necessary to create win-win situations for your organization and volunteers. This session will show you how to assess your organization's readiness for volunteers, develop a volunteer management plan and develop policies and procedures. Nonprofit Utopia members will be able to download sample documents from the online community.

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According to Lawrence Wallack, a prominent health researcher, "media advocacy is rooted in community advocacy and has as its goal the promotion of healthy public policies. It can be differentiated from traditional mass media strategies in a number of ways. Media advocacy shifts the focus from the personal to the social, from the individual to the political, from the behavior or practice to the policy or environment. While traditional media approaches try to fill the 'knowledge gap,' media advocacy addresses the 'power gap'." Join us for a lively discussion with Sarah Karp, a reporter with WBEZ in Chicago. We will talk about ways you can engage the media to bring about systems change in your own communities. You will learn 1. What makes a story concerning systems change newsworthy 2. The differences between a news story, press release and op-ed 3. The subtle differences between working with print media versus radio and other media 3. The do's and don'ts of working with the media 4. How to ride the news cycle

Generally speaking, when we think of organizational capacity building, we think of activities like board development, strategic planning and program evaluation. One often overlooked method for improving organizational capacity is developing issue advocacy campaigns. Not only do issue advocacy campaigns help develop leadership capacity for staff and stakeholders, but they can effect systems change, creating the environment to produce positive outcomes for your clients, communities and organizations. Valerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, will walk you through the process of creating issue advocacy campaigns and engaging community and public officials. Nonprofit Utopia members will have access to handouts to help them implement lessons learned immediately.

Generally speaking, when we think of organizational capacity building, we think of activities like board development, strategic planning and program evaluation. One often overlooked method for improving organizational capacity is developing issue advocacy campaigns. Not only do issue advocacy campaigns help develop leadership capacity for staff and stakeholders, but they can effect systems change, creating the environment to produce positive outcomes for your clients, communities and organizations. Valerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, will walk you through the process of creating issue advocacy campaigns and engaging community and public officials. Nonprofit Utopia members will have access to handouts to help them implement lessons learned immediately.

All too often nonprofit leaders are so busy focusing on program development and fundraising that they often overlook policy advocacy as an effective means of capacity building. In this episode we will go over the various forms of advocacy and show you how to develop community action plans to effect systems change where you live.

FBRK Impact House is Chicago’s first dedicated work club focused on serving and supporting the philanthropic sector by providing a place where granting organizations can work together, intentionally sharing ideas and resources, to operate with greater efficiency. Home to 18 philanthropic organizations, the center is working across multiple sectors to develop innovative solutions to some of the most entrenched problems in the state of Illinois.

Join us for a lively discussion with DeJuan Kea, Co-Founder of FBRK Brands, and Revin Fellows, Co-Founder of NBAC to talk about the latest developments at FBRK House and ways real estate development may be used to facilitate comprehensive capacity building for nonprofits and small businesses.

Monique B. Jones, LCSW is the President and CEO of Forefront, Illinois’ statewide association representing both grantmakers and nonprofits, as well as their advisors and allies. She is a visionary leader with an extensive background in mental health, violence prevention, philanthropy, and gender & racial equity. Join us for a lively discussion as Monique shares lessons learned from her 100-day listening tour and ways she's preparing to lead Forefront to its next level of development.

Regardless of your position in a nonprofit organization, your job is to communicate with the public. This means talking about your programs and services, your impact to the community, upcoming events, etc. We will show you how to develop a solid communications strategy so that you can attract volunteers and funders and arm your board members and employees with strategies they need to attract more resources to the organization.

When you start your nonprofit organization, it is so easy to focus on filing forms to establish your organization, and then start on your application for tax-exempt status. There is a very strong possibility that you didn't know about the other forms you need to fill out so that your organization can start out on strong footing. You are not alone. This is very common for new organizations--and some established organizations.

You would be surprised at how many organizations there are that have been in operation for years without knowing all the forms they need to complete. Sometimes they find out the hard way--by finding out they need to pay payroll taxes or unemployment insurance premiums. In worst case scenarios, their organizations could lose tax-exempt status or be involuntarily dissolved by the state. Join us as we give you an overview of all the forms you need to complete andhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UzX5HfkRYg&t=613s when.

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Filing for tax exemption is tedious, time-consuming, and not for the faint of heart. The process often requires applicants to “go back and forth” with the IRS for a number of reasons, including errors, clarification of statements and omission of key information. Clearly, following instructions is critical. Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard talks about some of the most common reasons the IRS rejects applications for tax exemption, and how you can avoid common mistakes.

James Mueller, President of Mueller & Associates, will be a guest on the Nonprofit Utopia Podcast to talk about his latest book, Onboarding Champions, the the essential guidebook for nonprofit board members and executives. It challenges board members to become champions of governance and provides a roadmap to get there. We will talk about seven recruiting principles of highly effective nonprofit boards, including culture, character, competence, connections, composition continuity and collaboration. James will share a wealth of information on a number of topics, including how to use a disciplined approach to building diverse and equitable boards; managing your board and leadership team remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to confront board members who put their own self interests above the organization's best interests.

Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard talks about how to start and manage a nonprofit business in the State of Illinois. Topics of discussion include conducting a community needs assessment; selecting your team; developing the bylaws; incorporating your organization, filing for tax exemption and managing the organization.

Peter Hoy, the Founding Executive Director of the Stein Learning Gardens of St. Sabina was preparing for the organization's third season when the COVID-19 shutdown hit Chicago. Gardening supplies and materials were just delivered; schools were closed and everyone was sheltering in place. On top of that, the organization lost a much-needed $90,000 grant, jeopardizing the very existence of a program that served over 150 youth on Chicago's South Side. Tune in to find out how Peter, with the help of Orrin Williams, Executive Director, Center for Urban Transformation, successfully pivoted the organization to its next level of growth.

Earth Wind and Fire is one of the most influential bands of all time, transcending R&B and shaping pop culture around the world. With global sales of over 90 million records, the band has earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums, 7 Grammys, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and 4 American Music Awards. The group has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood's Rockwalk, in addition to receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The band has also received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Soul Train Legend Award, as well as a NARAS Signature Governor's Award and the Congressional Horizon Award. Earth Wind and Fire members were celebrated during the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, along with Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Sesame Street and Michael Tilson Thomas.

Verdine White, Earth Wind and Fire’s bassist and co-founder, was presented with Bass Player magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate degree from the American Conservatory of Music. He is ranked number 19 of Rolling Stone Australia Magazine’s list of the 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time. Verdine co-authored a book with Louis Satterfield, "Playing The Bass Guitar, A Beginner's Guide To The Electric Bass". He also wrote “Rhythm of the Earth: Advanced Bass Techniques” and “Rhythms of the Earth”.

In spite of all his achievements, Verdine and his wife, Shelly Clark White, continue to give back to the industry and the community through their advocacy, time and talent. Mayor John Hamilton of Bloomington, Indiana proclaimed February 1, 2021 as Shelly and Verdine White Day in honor of Black History Month, with a focus on appreciating the resilience of Black people and how they have used creative and artistic expression historically to overcome struggles.

The couple co-founded the Verdine White Performing Arts Center, which encourages students to reach their fullest potential as artists and people, equipped with a well-rounded performing arts education and the confidence to take on whatever path they choose within the arts.

Verdine was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club's Alumni Hall of Fame, and serves as an Ambassador, encouraging youth to get involved in the civic affairs of their communities. He was awarded the Walt Disney Motif Award for Excellence for his work with students.

Join us for a lively discussion of Verdine’s professional journey and ways he is preparing the next generation of musicians through the Verdine White Performing Arts Center.

I was scrolling down my Facebook feed and was totally amazed to read my Whitney Young High School classmate Vanessa McNorton's testimony: "1 year ago today Quadruple Bypass Surgery. Actually spent 8 hours pre-transplant taking all the EK,EEG and more E test, passed NO Heart Issues, Received Call to receive the Kidney Transplant on 2--20-20,heart attack 2 days later! That's Why I Praise Him!!! I GOT A TEST-A-MO-O-NY!!..." ("Testimony" purposely misspelled in reference to a popular gospel song) Vanessa went on to write about her journey to wellness over the past year; who was there for her and how she made it through with the Grace of God. Her story is so powerful that we can't just let it stay on Facebook. Join us as she gives an account of how her faith, mindfulness and informal network made the difference.

We will kick off Nonprofit Utopia's Resilience Month with an interview with John Emenecker, a peer support specialist and mental health advocate. John will share his wellness journey, including surviving cancer; coping with illness that threatens his vision; anxiety and depression. John will also share his vision and business model for Resilience House. Resilience House will be a wellness community to help members cope with challenges caused by adversity, including serious illness, depression and anxiety. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and react to John's business model and appeal for board members

Nonprofit Utopia hosted a CARES Act forum for nonprofits, churches, performance arts organizations and small businesses on March 6, 2021, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. The live streamed event was facilitated by Congressman Danny K. Davis, and included an update on the COVID-19 Stimulus Package.

Mark Ferguson, Illinois Deputy District Director for the SBA, shared an overview of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. We also had a panel discussion featuring Daryl Newell, President of Seaway Bank; Ronald Milsap, Vice President, Mission Deposits and CRA, Providence Bank; Lupita Guerro, Business Banking Officer, US Bank and Christyn Freemon, Founder, Project Forward.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, passed in December, 2020, extends many relief programs from the CARES Act. It also creates several new programs and provides clarity around some of the questions brought about under the CARES Act passed last spring. We will look at some of the major provisions of the legislation and how it impacts nonprofits, small businesses and communities.

Using examples from rural and urban communities, we will talk about how local networks may be used to develop plans and strategies to address environmental justice and sustainability issues. Featured Guests: Romona Taylor Williams, Executive Director, Montgomery Citizens United for Prosperity (MCUP) Robert Fishkin, Executive Volunteer Match, Sharon "Sy" Lewis, Executive Director, Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization (MECRO)

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges, the likes of which we have never seen before. Schools, churches, restaurants, nonprofits, local businesses, and nonessential government and health services are closing temporarily. The need for health and human services is increasing. We are practicing social distancing. We are conducting business and hosting public forums online. In short, our economy and quality of life as we know it, have changed, and may never be the same again.

What does this mean for you as a nonprofit board member? What should you be doing, right now, to help your organization navigate the "new normal"? Listen to the Nonprofit Utopia podcast today at 2:00 pm CST. We will

share Updates on the COVID-19 pandemicTips for nonprofit governance during a time of crisisCoping strategies from thought leaders in the corporate, nonprofit and faith arenasThe board's role in planning for business continuanceStrategies for increased civic engagement and policy and advocacy campaignsResources that you might find to be useful in your own journey

Partnerships can take on any number of forms, including co-locating, sharing back office or fundraising staff, permanent joint programming, and mission-based mergers. Whatever form your partnership takes, there is always more to it than meets the eye. While no two collaborations are the same, there are always financial, legal, cultural and other relational issues to consider. Forefront’s Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) gives nonprofits the resources they need to sort it all out and position their partnerships for long term sustainability.

Genita C. Robinson, Director of the Mission Sustainability Initiative for Forefront, will talk about MSI; ways organizations can assess their readiness to participate and case studies from some of their grantees.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

If you are a nonprofit practitioner, you should be very interested in the innerworkings of the Illinois Supreme Court—particularly if you work in the areas of family services or social, criminal and/or restorative justice. The rules and practices surrounding evidence; access to competent counsel; sentencing guidelines and diversity, equity and inclusion determine the degree to which justice is truly served.

Join Daniel Epstein, Esq., Candidate for Illinois Supreme Court, for a lively discussion on the issues surrounding the role of the Court; the negative consequences of faulty practices around preserving DNA evidence; restorative justice community courts and how community stakeholders can help create equal justice for all.

Lever for Change is a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Affiliate, whose mission is to unlock philanthropic capital and accelerate positive change around the world’s biggest challenges. Consistent with this mission, the Foundation recently launched the Economic Opportunity Challenge to award $10 million to scale a game-changing solution aimed to improve the economic health of low-income families in the U.S.

Join us as Cecilia Conrad, PhD, CEO of Lever for Change and Managing Director of the MacArthur Fellows and 100&Change at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, shares an overview of the Economic Opportunity Challenge, and the application process

With average annual earnings from art projects of around $5,000, the term “starving artist” is closer to reality than cliche. As a result, it is not uncommon for artists to live in marginalized communities.

Most arts organizations that create new work have annual operating budgets of less than $50,000; the artists themselves subsidize the bulk of community culture. Grants from government and corporate sponsors account for less than 15% of arts budgets.

Ironically, local artists generate significant, measurable economic impact to their communities, returning $8 for every $1 invested. While artists are often the drivers of community re-development, they are not always able to capitalize upon the value they create, as rising real estate values make it difficult to stay.

Join Kiela Smith Upton, Legal Shield Independent Associate, and Laura Weathered, Executive Director of the Near Northwest Arts Council, for a discussion on design/build strategies to prevent displacement of local neighborhood artists.

Since 1993, Woods Fund Chicago has awarded more than $65 million to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations in the Chicago region. Central to its grant-making approach is a belief that systemic change is the only way to eradicate poverty and structural racism, and that people most affected by poverty and racial inequity should lead and participate in the process of addressing issues that directly affect them.

Consistent with that belief, the Woods Fund has been involved in the creation of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) framework, and has recently spun off the TRHT Chicago. The TRHT is a comprehensive, national and community-based process to “unearth and jettison the deeply held, and often unconscious, beliefs created by racism”. Support for the effort was provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF).

We will hear from Michelle Morales, the new President of the Woods Fund, and Jose Rico, the first Director of Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Chicago, as they share their vision for breaking down artificial racial constructs that keep us divided.

When Shelby Parchman, Founder of InUrban Strategies, LLC, started coaching small businesses for a local entrepreneurship program, he noticed that many of the businesses with whom he worked were also in urban food deserts--communities with limited access to grocery stores and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Shelby also noticed that the multi-billion local Good Food industry is expanding rapidly, and Chicago’s neighborhoods are uniquely positioned to capitalize. What would happen if he narrowed his focus to food entrepreneurs serving Chicago’s South and West Sides? Tune in and find out!

What are some innovative methods that educators and activists are using to learn from activists from around the world, and engage in cross-border information exchanges? Join us as Dr. Nassim Abdi, PhD, CEO and Co-founder of Docademia/StoryBolt, talks about how she uses on-demand short documentaries and live video conferences with filmmaker-activists to take their organization’s commitment to DEI to the next level. She will also talk about the firm’s upcoming award ceremony celebrating documentary filmmakers who give voice to survivors of gun violence and to engage participants in action-based dialogue.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Last year, CIVICUS’ global SPEAK! campaign connected over 200 organizations from nearly 50 countries, allowing them to “speak” to one another across lines of division, reversing the trend of increasing social and political polarization. Some of the results were truly amazing. Urgent peace agreements were signed, old prejudices were confronted and new relationships established. This year promises to be even more impactful.

Join us as Nic MacKay, SPEAK! Campaign Consultant at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Civic Participation, talks about SPEAK! 2019 and shares lessons learned from previous campaigns and ways we can get involved with CIVICUS’s work beyond the SPEAK! Campaign 2019.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Benefit Chicago is mobilizing $100 million in impact investments to finance the growth of impact enterprises throughout Chicagoland to: 1) build wealth in or for communities; 2) create jobs that are accessible to community residents; and 3) enhance job readiness and skills for those seeking to find, maintain, and advance in employment.

Join us as Benefit Chicago’s Executive Director, William W. Towns, PhD, discusses Michael Porter’s shared corporate value strategy, a concept that allows companies to create sustainable business models that enhance their competitiveness, while simultaneously doing good in their communities. He will also share case studies highlighting successful social enterprises that have used shared value concepts to drive sustainable business and community impact

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

We have often heard people complain that government should stay out of business and let the markets run their course. What if, instead, we focused on how the power of government may be harnessed to facilitate business growth and promote equitable community development?

Join us as Attorney Marc J. Lane, President of The Law Offices of Marc J. Lane, PLC, shares case studies of how the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation and other government bodies are crafting groundbreaking legislation to create opportunities for for-profit and nonprofit social entrepreneurs. We will also discuss why you should attend the upcoming Social Enterprise Alliance’s Summit 2019 and join SEA.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Have you ever experienced deep conflict or trauma and wished you could re-write a chapter in your life? For your community? For your organization?

Improv for Peace helps organizations, communities and professionals actively resolve miscommunication by facilitating guided improvisations workshops to help participants re-script their past and provide opportunities for participatory community reconciliation.

Join us as Founder Andrea Hummel Corrella talks about the healing power of improv and the lessons she’s learned on her journey helping organizations and municipalities resolve conflict.

Having launched its first 100&Change Competition in 2016, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced the launch of a second round, through which a grant of $100 million will be awarded to help address one of the world’s critical social challenges.

Building on the momentum from 100&Change, MacArthur launched Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate committed to helping donors put their resources to work to accelerate social change. In so doing, one of the organizations it is partnering with is the Pritzker Traubert Foundation to launch the Chicago Prize to award $10 million to a single initiative on Chicago’s South and/or West Side that uses physical development and revitalization to catalyze economic opportunities and improve the well-being of residents.

Cecilia Conrad, MacArthur’s Managing Director of Awards and Fellows Program and CEO of Lever for Change, will discuss lessons learned from the inaugural round of 100&Change and upcoming Lever for Change competitions. She will be joined by Cindy Moelis, President of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, to discuss the Chicago Prize and how you can assess your organization’s readiness to apply.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

“No man (or organization) is an island”, as they say. We need partners to help us accomplish our goals with maximum impact. However, establishing partnerships are not without risks, landmines and pitfalls. The best partnerships can have rewards that far outweigh the risks, and can be sustained over the long haul, if structured and managed correctly.

Join us as Willie C. Cole, Director of STARS Tutoring and Host Valerie F. Leonard talk about best practices and lessons learned as they relate to collaboration on community-based initiatives. They will talk about balancing the interests of the collaborative and its partners; various partnership models and ways to bring about clarity, focus and accountability.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

You have just been asked to join the board of directors of an organization, and you are weighing the opportunity to share your skills, time, talents and networks. What should you do before you join?

Join us as host Valerie F. Leonard, shares an overview of the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards; the questions you should ask before joining any nonprofit board of directors; some of the common issues you might face as a board member, and strategies you might consider using to address them.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Have you ever experienced deep conflict or trauma and wished you could re-write a chapter in your life? For your community? For your organization?

Improv for Peace helps organizations, communities and professionals actively resolve miscommunication by facilitating guided improvisations workshops to help participants re-script their past and provide opportunities for participatory community reconciliation.

Join us as Founder Andrea Hummel Corrella talks about the healing power of improv and the lessons she’s learned on her journey helping organizations and municipalities resolve conflict.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Before I started Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, I was very engaged in North Lawndale, the Chicago community in which I was born and raised.

As Co-Founder of the Lawndale Alliance, I worked with my neighbors to advocate for tax increment financing district (TIF) policies that would make the program more transparent and be of better benefit to local residents, whose property taxes financed TIF projects. One of our greatest victories was getting the City of Chicago to remove more than 300 units of occupied housing from the list of properties that could potentially be displaced as a result of implementing the TIF program. This was unheard-of at the time.

Join me as I share some of the lessons we learned over the years, including what to do and what not to do in order to create win-win situations for all parties.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Every living organism has vital signs, or key indicators of health. For us humans, these include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature.

Likewise, organizations have key indicators of health.Depending on the organization, its goals and objectives, these key performance indicators may vary. However, regardless of where your organization is in its development, or what it does, you should have a set of financial key performance indicators, or KPI’s, including fundraising, donor retention, return on investment, etc.

Join us as Dan Doyle, Chief Evangelist of MarketSmart’s Fundraising Report Card, talks about how your organization can use data-driven fundraising as part of your performance management system and growth strategies.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

When Angelique Power was named President of the Field Foundation of Illinois, three questions guided their grant making:

Is racial equity in philanthropy even possible? Can the fallacy of philanthropic expertise fall away to create room for the nonprofit visionary to lead? Can we ask more of ourselves in philanthropy, listen more, talk less, focus on areas that have been disinvested in and lift the powerful organizations that have grown in spite of and in abstraction to that disinvestment?

Join us as Angelique talks about the Foundation’s priorities, approaches to grant making and the impact of their investments in underserved communities throughout Chicago.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Forensic nursing is the intersection of medicine, law enforcement, policy and advocacy. Forensic nurses work with victims of sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crimes to document their injuries and provide evidence and expert testimony in court cases. They may also provide expert testimony and advocate for victims rights for the creation of more just laws and public policies.

Kara Breeden, DNP, Founder and CEO of Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners (TXFNE), and Julie Sengstacken, MS-PSL, COO of TXFNE, will join host Valerie F. Leonard to talk about the work of TXNE and the roles forensic nurses and nonprofits can play in combatting violence.

You will learn: The relationship between the roles of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)How TXFNE ensures that their programs are relevant and impactfulHow forensic nurses work with victims, law enforcement and community stakeholders to fight domestic violence and human traffickingHow to transfer lessons learned from their experiences to your own organization, regardless of where you work Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitUtopia, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The Economic Innovation Group estimated that U.S. investors, collectively, had over $6.1 trillion unrealized capital gains by the end of 2017. What if these funds could be funneled to economically struggling areas?

The recently passed Tax Reform Act included a potential tax break for investors, in which they may defer capital gains taxes on the sale of any asset by investing those gains through a Qualified Opportunity Fund.

Join us as our guest, Anthony Oliver talks about the $1 billion local investment opportunity and the implications for investors, neighborhoods, local businesses and nonprofits. Be sure to take notes, and call in with your burning questions.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation.. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

While there is no such thing as perfection, the 7-year process that brought the Foundation Center and GuideStar together to become Candid, is pretty close, as mergers go. The completion of the merger has not only resulted in the creation of Candid as a sustainable organization; it has also led to the consolidation of the most comprehensive array of tools for research, collaboration, grants and training for nonprofits in the world.

Join us as host Valerie F. Leonard engages Jen Bokoff, Director of Stakeholder Engagement for Candid, in a lively discussion on the implications of the merger for the nonprofit sector. Be sure to take notes,and call in with your burning questions.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Building effective boards is a developmental process and can be compared to a game. There are rules of engagement, players, strategies, time limits, winners and losers. Darchelle M. Garner, Managing Director of Vineland Consulting, LLC, has significant success working with faith-based organizations to help them master the game of developing effective boards and operations.

Join us as I engage Darchelle in a lively discussion on how organizations can go from Great to Greater. We will talk about how nonprofits can use organizational assessments, board development, strategic planning and annual planning to position themselves for long term sustainability. Be sure to take notes, and call in with your burning questions.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The Get Cleared Campaign reduces recidivism by making work possible for formerly incarcerated individuals who are eligible to have their records expunged. They help their clients focus on developing skills that would increase their chances of securing living-wage jobs, as opposed to spending inordinate amounts of time navigating the court system in hopes of clearing their records. In so doing, they have engaged stakeholders to impact systems change in the State of Illinois, Cook County Circuit Court, City of Chicago and local communities to streamline the expungement process.

Join Host Valerie F. Leonard ; Rev. Elena Calloway, CEO of T.R.E.A.D. and Rev. Otis C. Monroe, CEO of the Monroe Foundation to hear updates on the Campaign.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

There are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, with new entities opening “every day”. Well, maybe not every day, but you get the idea. With the growing number of nonprofit organizations competing for fewer dollars, how do you position your organization to stand out from the crowd? Join host Valerie F. Leonard and Mia Hillery, expert marketer, brand ambassador and coach, to find out.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Join Patrick Kirby, Founder of Do Good Better Consulting, and host Valerie F. Leonard, for a lively discussion on how to make your organization’s case for support; how to develop effective fundraising strategies and capital campaigns; how to assess your organization’s readiness for fundraising and capital campaigns and some of the common mistakes nonprofits make along their fundraising journeys.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Your human-service nonprofit exists to make a positive impact in the lives of the people you serve. But how do you get there, especially in the current environment?

Join Sarah Olivieri, Founder of PivotGround, and host Valerie F. Leonard for a lively discussion on breaking with traditional strategic planning processes; how to accomplish more without expending more money and how to get ahead of the fundraising curve using digital strategies.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

It is not uncommon to start a new initiative with the idea of “…if we build it, they’ll come.” What if, instead, we started the process with the end-users in mind, and built solutions tailor-made to their needs?

Join Alvin Schexnider, Erie Neighborhood House’s Senior Director of Operations, and Host Valerie F. Leonard, to learn how human-centered design can bridge the needs of those closest to the problem (clients/users) with those who have the power, privilege, and resources to design policy and initiatives in organizations and in communities.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Will your organization be ready?

Join us as Jessica Schneider, Director of Strategy and Collaboration for 92Y’s Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, shares a recommended timeline and strategies for implementing successful #GivingTuesday campaigns. We will share links to a recommended calendar of activities and other resources to check in and keep you on track.

Life after the military can be just as challenging for veterans and their families as serving in active combat. In their effort to transition back into civilian life, many struggle with a number of physical, psychological, social and economic issues.

Join Dumont Moore, Founder of Veterans Strike Force, and me for a lively discussion of life after military service. We will talk about the most common issues impacting veterans and their families, including housing, education, employment and behavioral health; coping strategies, the work of the Veterans Strike Force and available resources.

Sales and marketing are the lifeblood of any business—whether for-profit or nonprofit. Organizational leaders need a firm grasp of the changes in the marketplace and the implications for their organizations, clients and communities. At the same time, they must cultivate relationships with funders and a host of other stakeholders to maintain a steady flow of cash, volunteers and goodwill.

Join Shelby Parchman, CEO of InUrban Strategies, and host Valerie F. Leonard to discuss high-impact bootstrap sales and marketing strategies nonprofits and social enterprises can use to penetrate their local markets–quick, fast and in a hurry.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Today, a successful media relations strategy requires much more than press releases and posed photos... You need to build relationships, be accessible, and offer valuable information and insights to reporters and editors…

–Kivi Leroux Miller, Founder &CEO, The Nonprofit Marketing Guide

Peter Panepento and Antionette Kerr, authors of Modern Media Relations for Nonprofits, will join host Valerie F. Leonard to discuss what makes a story newsworthy; how to make your special events media friendly; the relationship between media and nonprofit disclosure and how to manage crises.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Nearly 4 years after shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald to death, Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted of 2nd degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated assault. Most people believed a conviction would be impossible, given our country’s track record with police-involved shootings. They were wrong.

What was it about this case that was different? What lessons can be learned that transcend police reform?

William Calloway, the activist who filed the lawsuit against the City of Chicago to release the dash cam video of the Laquan McDonald shooting, will talk about the importance of community collaboration in bringing about social justice and police reform. These lessons are applicable to any systems change work.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Will your organization be ready?

Join us as Jessica Schneider, Director of Strategy and Collaboration for 92Y’s Belfer Center for Innovation and Social Impact, shares a recommended timeline and strategies for implementing successful #GivingTuesday campaigns. We will share links to a recommended calendar of activities and other resources to check in and keep you on track.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Join us as Xavier Ramey,CEO and Lead Strategist, of Justice Informed, LLC, looks at the intersections of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); community engagement, philanthropy and corporate responsibility. We will examine the current environment and discuss strategies organizations can use to strategically align people, processes and culture to capitalize on changes in a globalized economy, including its workforce and production system.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Writing a compelling case for support is not always as easy as it seems. In Case Development 201, Communications Consultant Andrew Brommel writes “an organization’s case for support is ultimately ‘your message to your donors—why should they give to your organization?’ In this day and age of increased competition for fewer dollars, your answer to the funders’ question must be stronger than ever before.

Lauren Wesley, Director of Development for the North Lawndale Employment Network in Chicago, will share strategies for developing a case for support in times of change, and how we can dovetail those efforts with electronic peer to peer fundraising campaigns like #GivingTuesday. Again, we encourage you to call in with questions at the 30 minute mark.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Vivien Hoexter and Linda C. Hartley, principals of H2Growth Strategies LLC, will discuss their new book, Big Impact:Insights & Stories from America’s Non-Profit Leaders. The book highlights nonprofit leaders from the U.S. and abroad who have found solutions to some of the world’s most vexing societal problems. Hoexter and Hartley will also share insights on how these change-makers are implementing solutions in their communities, the qualities these leaders possess, and lessons learned that maybe useful to emerging nonprofit leaders.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Even when asked by their funders, organizational leaders are often reluctant to provide candid feedback to foundations, for fear of alienating them. As a result, foundations don't always have an accurate picture of what the grantee experience has been with them, while nonprofit organizations sometimes suffer in silence, or decide not to pursue a relationship due to things like, onerous application or reporting requirements. DonorAdvisor, a new platform that allows nonprofits to provide feedback to foundations anonomously, hopes to eliminate those barriers and improve the grantmaking process for everyone involved. Join Kari Aanestad, Development Manager at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Andrea Sanow, GrantAdvisor Coordinator at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, for a GrantAdvisor teach in.

You will: Learn what GrantAdvisor is, where to find it and how to use the tool.Better understand the roles and impact of transparency and reciprocity between grant making foundations and grantees in the feedback loopExplore how this information can improve the nonprofit sector. Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Today’s nonprofit funding environment is characterized by increased competition for limited funding and unfavorable tax laws that could potentially reduce incentives for middle class donors to make gifts to nonprofits. Now, more than ever, nonprofits must adopt financial capitalization models that include public and private sources of financing, including grants, private equity investments, loans, and tax credits. The most nimble nonprofits will also re-structure their organizations and partnerships to maximize their return on investment.

Join Stacee L. Lang, MA, PhD Practitioner, President, and Andrew Buoyae - CFO & Chief Development Officer of Lang Capital, NFP to discuss creative ways of structuring your nonprofit organization and financing to increase long term sustainability.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Peggy Duvette is an international thought leader in technology & social change and women’s leadership. As Senior Director of Social Impact at Oracle NetSuite, Peggy guides the donation of the Oracle NetSuite products to nonprofits worldwide, and manages a range of capacity building programs, including Suite Pro Bono. She is committed to helping nonprofits and social enterprises further their social impact.

Peggy will talk about Oracle NetSuite’s tools for measuring financial and social impact; programs for product donations and capacity building and how organizations may apply.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Do you ever wonder what role the Microsoft Stores play in community?

Paula Brkich is the Community Development Specialist based at the Microsoft Store in Schaumburg. In her role, she connects the store to the community through educational workshops and events for kids, seniors, businesses, gamers, and works with non-profits on volunteer events. Paula will talk about Microsoft’s educational programs and services for nonprofits and upcoming events.

Do you ever wonder what organizational capacity is, or why it’s important? Tune in to Nonprofit “U” for a lively discussion with Tom Fuechtmann, Senior Program Officer with the Community Memorial Foundation and me. We will demystify organizational capacity building, talk about Community Memorial Foundation’s investment in organizational leaders and the importance of building organizational capacity.

Do you ever wonder what role the Microsoft Stores play in community?

Paula Brkich is the Community Development Specialist based at the Microsoft Store in Schaumburg. In her role, she connects the store to the community through educational workshops and events for kids, seniors, businesses, gamers, and works with non-profits on volunteer events. Paula will talk about Microsoft’s educational programs and services for nonprofits and upcoming events.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Peter Gariepy is a Principal with Vora Certified Public Accountants, and a candidate for the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. Vora is the first CPA firm in the Midwest to become a certified Benefit Corporation, meaning that the firm seeks to generate a positive social and environmental impact through serving its clients. Peter is the treasurer of the West Town SSA, and a former member of the Auxiliary Board of Christ The King Jesuit College Preparatory High School in Chicago’s Austin community.

Peter will talk about how Cook County’s investment policies can impact social enterprises and nonprofits, and his new book, “Who Among Giants”.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Nonprofits are often concerned with having just the right social media messages to promote year-end giving campaigns. When the dust settles, they still need to maintain compliance with state and federal regulators. These disclosure requirements provide an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to tell their stories; demonstrate impact and market their organizations and services.

Join Holly Ivel, Director of Data Services for GuideStar, for a lively discussion on the importance of Form 990 and GuideStar profiles. Holly will highlight the Form 990 sections that may be used for marketing purposes and share excerpts from well- prepared Form 990’s.

Do you ever wonder what organizational capacity is, or why it’s important? Tune in to Nonprofit “U” for a lively discussion with Tom Fuechtmann, Senior Program Officer with the Community Memorial Foundation and me. We will demystify organizational capacity building, talk about Community Memorial Foundation’s investment in organizational leaders and the importance of building organizational capacity.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

As Cara’s Director of Student and Alumni Affairs and a 15-year Cara veteran, Jesse Teverbaugh is a firm believer in the notion that we transform our lives by transforming others. Cara helps men and women affected by poverty (and often the interrelated challenges of recovery, domestic violence, episodic homelessness and incarceration) to get and keep good jobs, rebuild hope, self-esteem and opportunity for themselves and their families in the process. Jesse will talk about Cara’s training and workforce development programs and social enterprises.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

David Young has been Housing Action Illinois’s (HAI) Director of Training since 2012. In this role, he is responsible for providing capacity building services to nonprofit developers and housing counseling organizations in order to increase these agencies’ ability to best serve their clients and communities.

Join David and me as we discuss HAI’s housing training programs and their upcoming full-day grant writing workshops in Springfield and Chicago.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center was created to fight the ravages of trauma and opioid abuse on Chicago’s West Side. While the Center is expected to open the first quarter of 2018, there is already a movement afoot to address the issues utilizing rank and file citizens, elected officials, healthcare providers, churches and community-based organizations.

Join Donald J. Dew, President and CEO of Habilitative Systems, Inc., and Dr. Rashad Saaphir, President and CEO of the Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center for a provocative discussion on the creation of the Center in partnership with the Cook County Health and Hospitals Systems and community-based approaches to trauma, violence and the opioid crisis.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Rebroadcast-North Lawndale Then and Now: What Has Changed Since Dr. King Walked Among Us?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. came to North Lawndale in 1966 to launch a fight for fair housing. Fast forward to 2017, what has changed? Join Valerie F. Leonard as she examines the issues that brought Dr. King to North Lawndale in 1966, and the overall state of the community today.

Valerie is an expert in community and organizational development with a mission of strengthening the capacity of organizations to make a positive impact on the communities they serve through technical assistance, specialized workshops, resource and organizational development and project management.

Nonprofits are often concerned with having just the right social media messages to promote year-end giving campaigns. When the dust settles, they still need to maintain compliance with state and federal regulators. These disclosure requirements provide an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to tell their stories; demonstrate impact and market their organizations and services.

Join Holly Ivel, Director of Data Services for GuideStar, for a lively discussion on the importance of Form 990 and GuideStar profiles. Holly will highlight the Form 990 sections that may be used for marketing purposes and share excerpts from well- prepared Form 990’s.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

How can nonprofits and other social enterprises deliver a better experience for customers and employees to increase value?

Join John Corrigan, Founder and CEO of Journimap, L3C, and me for a lively and me for a lively discussion on customer experience. John will explain how customer experience practices used by for profit businesses -- such as qualitative research, personal development and customer journeymaps -- can support mission attainment and measurable improvements in social impact.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Blocks Together (BT) empowers residents to work together for systematic changes that bring concrete improvement to their lives. They tackle social justice issues relating to education, housing, economic justice and the criminalization of youth.

Join Cecile Carroll-DeMello, Co-Director of Blocks Together, and me to discuss their upcoming community convention and meet and greet with Illinois’ gubernatorial candidates. We will hear updates on their work to ensure sustainable schools; promote cooperative economics and strategies for local village keepers.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Nonprofit storytelling is an essential part of fundraising. Join Daniel Ash, Chief Marketing Offcer, Chicago Community Trust, and Princess Currence, Director of the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program (CNM), for a lively discussion on the power of nonprofit storytelling to raise funds. Use your organization's mission, history and core values to develop a narrative with a sequence of events, villains and heroes that beat the odds to make a difference.

In this engaging hour, you will learn how to: Listen to prospective funder stories to craft organizational stories that are relevant to them and aligned with their interestsIntegrate your organization’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives into your storiesBlend human interest with organizational data that anticipates donor inquiriesAchieve maximum effect by crafting stories with a backdrop, a protagonist, and an antagonist

Life after the military can be just as challenging for veterans and their families as serving in active combat. In their effort to transition back into civilian life, many struggle with a number of physical, psychological, social and economic issues.

Join Dumont Moore, Founder of Veterans Strike Force, and me for a lively discussion of life after military service. We will talk about the most common issues impacting veterans and their families, including housing, education, employment and behavioral health; coping strategies, the work of the Veterans Strike Force and available resources.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

We are living in an environment in which immigration laws are being aggressively enforced. This has several implications in the workplace. Join Jody Adler, the Director of the Community Law Project, and me for a lively discussion on immigration rights in the workplace. We will discuss:

•I-9 audits

•ICE Raids

•What to do if ICE wants to detain certain people in your work environment

•How employers can prepare

•employers’ rights and responsibilities

•what employers can do after an ICE action.

•Additional resources

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

This communication is provided by the Community Law Project of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights as a public service solely for informational purposes, and does not constitutes legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship between the recipient and any other person, or an offer to create such a relationship. Please consult an attorney if you have questions regarding the contents of this communication or before taking any actions that may have legal consequences.

Even when asked by their funders, organizational leaders are often reluctant to provide candid feedback to foundations, for fear of alienating them. As a result, foundations don't always have an accurate picture of what the grantee experience has been with them, while nonprofit organizations sometimes suffer in silence, or decide not to pursue a relationship due to things like, onerous application or reporting requirements. DonorAdvisor, a new platform that allows nonprofits to provide feedback to foundations anonomously, hopes to eliminate those barriers and improve the grantmaking process for everyone involved. Join Kari Aanestad, Development Manager at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Andrea Sanow, GrantAdvisor Coordinator at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, for a GrantAdvisor teach in.

You will: Learn what GrantAdvisor is, where to find it and how to use the tool.Better understand the roles and impact of transparency and reciprocity between grant making foundations and grantees in the feedback loopExplore how this information can improve the nonprofit sector. Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Nonprofit storytelling is an essential part of fundraising. Join Daniel Ash, Chief Marketing Offcer, Chicago Community Trust, and Princess Currence, Director of the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program (CNM), for a lively discussion on the power of nonprofit storytelling to raise funds. Use your organization's mission, history and core values to develop a narrative with a sequence of events, villains and heroes that beat the odds to make a difference.

In this engaging hour, you will learn how to: Listen to prospective funder stories to craft organizational stories that are relevant to them and aligned with their interestsIntegrate your organization’s mission, vision, goals, and objectives into your storiesBlend human interest with organizational data that anticipates donor inquiriesAchieve maximum effect by crafting stories with a backdrop, a protagonist, and an antagonist

It has been over 49 years since Martin Luther King, Jr. and the SCLC organized the first Poor People’s Campaign, with mixed results. What were the lessons learned that will help us today?

Join Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Director of the Kairos Center, and Carolina Gaete, Co-Director of Blocks Together, for a lively discussion of their work on the Poor Peoples Campaign on the national and local levels. We will discuss the origins of the Poor People’s Campaign and its relevance today, give an overview of upcoming trainings and activities and let you know how you can get involved in the Movement.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season. #ILGive is a24-hour digital fundraising event that connects individuals with the causes that matter to them, and empowers donors to give to the local nonprofits that tackle our communities' most critical issues. Is your organization ready?

Learn everything you need to know about #GivingTuesday and #ILGive from the people that started the Movement. Asha Curran, Chief Innovation Officer and Director, Belfer Center for Innovation and Impact, 92Y and Kathleen Murphy, Director of Communications, Forefront, will provide a teach-in and share helpful hints to help you maximize opportunities for year-end fundraising success. Be sure to "try this at home”.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Join David Pendleton, the Executive Director of The Door of Hope Rescue Mission and me for a lively discussion. David will talk about the issues facing men in transition, share updates on the work of the Mission and ways to build capacity.

The Door of Hope Rescue Mission opened in 1954 on Chicago's South Side, providing Christian discipleship for homeless men with a focus on empowerment, selfsufficiency and a community mind. This has increased the success ratio of one leaving the Mission for stable housing, and improved outlook on life and renewed and reconciled family and other estranged relationships. They have also distinguished themselves in our approach as well as providing a clean and safe environment.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Join Peter Creticos, President/Executive Director, Institute for Work & the Economy, for a lively discussion on the Institute’s work and their upcoming conference, The Many Futures of Work: Possibilities and Perils. The participatory conference will crowdsource guests’ expertise and insights and create real solutions that grow the middle; promote innovation, and tear-down barriers to economic security. The ideas from this conference will inform conversations and decisions at all levels and places. Nonprofit “U” listeners will have an opportunity to share some of their concerns and challenges in workforce development as well.

With an emphasis on workforce development, Peter’s purpose in life is to conceive, develop and implement systems that enable people to achieve their own purposes and visions in the context of well-functioning community

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The UIC Certificate for Nonprofit Management (CNM) program is the longest running 100% online nonprofit management program in the country, and serves students around the world. Students going through the program have managed to cut years off their nonprofit learning curve and implement lessons learned in class as they go along, making greater impact to clients and communities in the process.

Join Princess Currence, PhD, MSW, Director of UIC’s @Work program and Coordinator of the Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program and me for a lively discussion on the UIC @Work program, and the Certificate in Nonprofit Management program. Princess is an experienced data-driven higher education leader and strategist with expertise in directing highly complex initiatives that increase access, academic success and graduation rates for underrepresented groups, as well as promote diversity & inclusion. She is an entrepreneur, consultant and nonprofit leader.

With Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia serving as the Chief Sponsor, the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation was established by ordinance on April 12, 2016. The Commission is comprised of Cook County government department heads, economic development experts and community builders who leverage public and private sector resources to address Cook County’s most entrenched economic and workforce development issues.

Join Marc J. Lane, Vice Chairman of the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation, and me to hear updates on the Commission’s accomplishments, including the adoption of resolutions to improve regional transit and create contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses, nonprofits and social enterprises.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. The environment can be very competitive and cut throat. Shelby Parchman, a serial entrepreneur and business coach, works with business owners to guide their ideas from concept to implementation through training and relationship building. Join Shelby Parchman, serial entrepreneur, and me to talk about how new entrepeneurs can navigate the business landscape and create economic opportunities in their communities.

In a December 2016 blogpost on the Tutor/Mentor.org website, Daniel Bassill, PhD, CEO of the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, wrote "I am one of those people who fear what will happen to our democracy and freedom, and the planet's health, over the next few years. In some of the posts I've read, writers say 'don't lose hope' and 'get involved locally with a cause you care about'".

Those kind of articles inspired Dan to build upon his work in connecting youth with tutoring, mentoring and careers to increase civic engagement around issues that present the greatest barriers to community improvement. In so doing, Dan has created maps and visualization tools to build youth service networks, as well as a planning tool to address issues such as community violence.

Check out links to handouts in the comments section.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The Community Law Project helps to build, strengthen, and support community-based organizations that are focused on economic development in Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods and that offer the delivery of social services to residents of these areas. They bring hope to impoverished neighborhoods by supporting small businesses and home ownership. Working with volunteers from Chicago’s top law firms, the Community Law Project's expert legal staff provides nonprofit leaders and small businesses owners the knowledge to sustain the quality of their programs, improve outcomes, and spur economic development.

Join us as Angie Hall, Staff Attorney with the Community Law Project, talks about the organizations small business and economic development programs.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Please note, that we have postponed today's episode of Nonprofit "U". Instead of a live discussion on Veterans' issues, we will discuss reasons the IRS denies applications for tax-exemption. The show on Veterans will be postponed for a later time. I will keep you posted.

Filing for tax exemption is tedious, time-consuming, and not for the faint of heart. The process often requires applicants to “go back and forth” with the IRS for a number of reasons, including errors, clarification of statements and omission of key information. Clearly, following instructions is critical. Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard talks about some of the most common reasons the IRS rejects applications for tax exemption.

Valerie is an expert in community and organizational development, with a mission of strengthening the capacity of organizations to make a positive impact on the communities they serve through technical assistance, specialized workshops, resource and organizational development and project management. She also teaches online courses in nonprofit management with the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program. She has designed a number of intensive workshops to help nonprofits build capacity, including Capacity Building Blocks, the 30-Day Disclosure Challenge and the 30-Day Compliance Challenge.

When Paul Norrington, one of the driving forces behind the creation of the K-Town Historic District, suggested that President Obama build his Library in North Lawndale, his neighbors laughed him to scorn. UIC eventually partnered with the North Lawndale community to submit a bid that made it to the final round of the Obama Presidential Library site selection process. As a result, there is heightened interest in redeveloping the community.

Paul is currently spearheading the celebration of North Lawndale’s 150th anniversary celebration and is working with the Chicago History Museum to re-write the Wikipedia article on North Lawndale. Join us for a lively conversation on how communities can focus on a community’s heritage to drive positive change.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The nonprofit landscape is changing dramatically. In spite of the fact that the national and state economies are in recovery, and foundations are giving more money, many nonprofits are finding it difficult to raise funds. The State of Illinois has unilaterally terminated nonprofit contracts and does not have a budget in place in order to make appropriations. Foundations’ priorities are constantly changing, and generally speaking, do not fund organizations for the long term. Nonprofits must position themselves for sustainability in the market place. Any discussion about sustainability must begin with strategy.

Join Valerie F. Leonard for a discussion on strategic planning. She will talk about what a strategic planning process is, and its relationship to business planning; how to develop a theory of change model; how to engage internal and external stakeholders to maximize buy-in; how to align strategies and programs with the organization’s mission, vision , goals and objectives and how to develop and monitor work plans.

Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

ome nonprofit leaders have a tendency to build organizations and programs around issues for which they have a passion. They believe in their hearts that, “…if they build it, people will come…” In other cases leaders continue to use program models that are no longer relevant to the communities they serve. These practices can lead to duplication of services, while other needs go unmet. Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard talks about community needs assessments.

Valerie is an expert in community and organizational development, with a mission of strengthening the capacity of organizations to make a positive impact on the communities they serve through technical assistance, specialized workshops, resource and organizational development and project management. She also teaches online courses in nonprofit management with the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program. She has designed a number of intensive workshops to help nonprofits build capacity, including Capacity Building Blocks, the 30-Day Disclosure Challenge and the 30-Day Compliance Challenge.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Handouts: https://www.scribd.com/doc/294135609/Episode-27-Handouts

“Chicago area heritage musicians still play today, often in obscure holes-in-the-wall for very little money, competing for limited spots in downtown clubs, or exporting their skills overseas. At home, blues is an undervalued cultural asset. Crain's business magazine in January pointed out the city is losing money for failure to promote it. Chicago's West Side has a deeply-rooted history of blues and soul music. What if we could promote it to help develop a local tourism industry?” --Barrel House Bonni McKeown

Join “Barrel House Bonni” McKeown, bluesman Larry Taylor and me as the discussion continues on Nonprofit “U”. We will talk about the history of blues on the West Side, and how it may be leveraged to develop heritage tourism.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

As the resources for social services become more competitive, grant makers are looking to invest in programs that provide the maximum impact at a reasonable cost. This often means funding programs that have demonstrated success that can be replicated in other communities and scaled to reach more people.

Join Valerie F. Leonard on Nonprofit "U" to talk about how to develop promising program models. Topics will include community needs assessment, logic models, evidence-based programs, data collection and program evaluation.

Valerie is an expert in community and organizational development with a mission of strengthening the capacity of organizations to make a positive impact on the communities they serve through technical assistance, specialized workshops, resource and organizational development and project management.

Noah Temaner Jenkins and me as we discuss grant writing strategies organizations can use as part of their sustainability toolbox. We will examine the complete proposal writing cycle; link proposal writing to the program design, implementation and evaluation processes and share strategies you can begin to “try at home” immediately.

Noah Temaner Jenkins is a freelance organizational development and writing consultant for nonprofits. Her project portfolio includes grant writing, fundraising planning, program evaluation, board development, and strategic planning. She is adjunct faculty at UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs. Ms. Jenkins teaches grant writing and related classes in the UIC Certificate in Nonprofit Management program. She holds a Master of Urban Planning and Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, both from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

When we speak of capacity, we are generally referring to organization’s potential to marshal their human, financial and other resources to effect positive change in the communities and clients they serve. Organizational capacity is impacted by a number of factors, including leadership, the organization’s stage of development and changes in the environment, to name a few. The Monroe Foundation was formed in 1991 to provide technical assistance in starting community and economic development projects within low-income communities, and provide emerging groups with seed grants through the PACT Project (Partnership For Assisting Community Transformation).

Otis Monroe, CEO of the Monroe Foundation, will share lessons learned in his experiences working with African American-led organizations to build capacity, and the call for organizations to engage in the Chicago Community Trust’s On the Table discussions.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

One of the greatest barriers to earning a college degree is the cost. Approximately 70% of college graduates have student loans averaging $37,172 (U.S. News and World Report, Kantrowitz 2017). The barrier of cost is compounded in low income communities, which typically have lower access to capital. JP Paulus, President of Do-Gooder Consulting, and I will discuss strategies to address financial barriers to college.

JP has 16 years of experience serving and resourcing families and youth workers. He served through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Uptown Baptist Church and Oakdale Covenant Church. JP has presented the Illinois College Access Network, Tutor/Mentor Conference and Christian Community Development Association conferences.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

“…Construction of the Obama Presidential Library itself is estimated to cost around $600 million, and could result in the creation of an estimated 1,900 permanent jobs. Surrounding neighborhoods could see $30 million in new food and retail development, which the report says could translate into as many as thirty restaurants, eleven stores, and a hotel.” (Uchicagogate.com)

Given the potential community impact, is a community benefits agreement necessary? The Obama Foundation argues “no”, as the construction of the OPL, in and of itself, is a community benefit. Some local community organizations agree, adding that the Obamas can be trusted, and that it’s an insult to ask them to enter into such an agreement. However, the Obama Library South Side Community Benefits Agreement Coalition feels differently, given the historic displacement of low-income Black residents through the construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway, the CHA Plan for Transformation and fallout from school closings. Join us for a lively discussion on the Obama Presidential Library and the prospects of negotiating a community benefits agreement to protect community interests. Guests include Allegra Cira-Fischer, Staff Attorney with The Law Project; Jawanza Malone, Executive Director, KOCO and Dominic Surya, Organizer, Prayer and Action Collective of the Obama-library CBA Coalition.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Join Amalia NietoGomez, the Executive Director of the Alliance of the SouthEast for a lively discussion about strategies the organization is using to build safe, healthy communities and to ensure that new developments benefit local residents. Over the course of her career, Amalia has been engaged in a number of issues, including predatory lending, affordable housing, equitable and sustainable community development, community benefits agreements, CRA agreements, public safety and youth development.

ASE is a multicultural, interfaith coalition of churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations, all working together to address the challenges facing the neighborhoods of Southeast Chicago. Formerly the Alianza Leadership Institute, the organization has grown from its beginnings as series of leadership skills workshops to a powerful network with over 40 community partners representing thousands of people. ASE builds the capacity of leaders, organizers, and associations that carry out community and social change.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

The UIC Certificate for Nonprofit Management (CNM) program is the longest running 100% online nonprofit management program in the country, and serves students around the world. Students going through the program have managed to cut years off their nonprofit learning curve and implement lessons learned in class as they go along, making greater impact to clients and communities in the process.

Join Princess Currence, PhD, MSW, Director of UIC’s @Work program and Coordinator of the Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program and me for a lively discussion on the UIC @Work program, and the Certificate in Nonprofit Management program. Princess is an experienced data-driven higher education leader and strategist with expertise in directing highly complex initiatives that increase access, academic success and graduation rates for underrepresented groups, as well as promote diversity & inclusion. She is an entrepreneur, consultant and nonprofit leader.

Have you ever been hired to lead a nonprofit organization and wished that someone had written a book to help you navigate the landmines? Joan Garry just wrote that book, and she will be a guest on Nonprofit “U”. Joan will share highlights from her book, observations from her consulting practice and lessons learned from running a nonprofit organization.

For nearly a decade, Joan Garry served as the Executive Director of GLAAD, one of the largest gay rights organizations in the country. She later acted as the co-chair of Barack Obama’s LGBT Finance Committee during his 2008 presidential campaign. Joan now works with nonprofit leaders, assisting with crisis management, executive coaching and the building of strong management teams to support the work of the CEO. She also teaches nonprofit media strategy as a professor at the Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a blogger for The Huffington Post.

Call in live at (347) 884-8121. You don't need an account to listen, but, if you want to participate in an online chat, open a listener-only account at https://secure.blogtalkradio.com/register.aspx?type=listener to participate in a live chat. Visit Valeriefleonard.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.