Nonprofit"U"

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.