Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Using Maps to Facilitate Community Engagement Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

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.

Using the Law to Build Small Business and Grow Economic Opportunity Jul 31, 2017

Show notes

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.

Rebroadcast-13 Reasons the IRS Denies Applications for Tax Exemption Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

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.

Using History to Drive Positive Change Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

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.

Rebroadcast: Navigating the Winds of Change Jul 03, 2017

Show notes

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.

Rebroadcast- Staying Relevant: How to Conduct a Community Needs Assessment Jun 26, 2017

Show notes

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

Monday, June 19, 2017 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM CST Episode 67: Can West Side Tourism Ben Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

“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.

Re-Broadcast: Developing Promising Programs. Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

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.

Re-Broadcast: Developing Effective Grant Writing Strategies Jun 05, 2017

Show notes

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.

Organizational Capacity on the Ground May 08, 2017

Show notes

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.

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