Nonprofit"U"

Some 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

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. 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.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is in October, and the issue does not disappear just because the month has come and gone.  Domestic Violence continues to rear its ugly head on a number of fronts--child abuse; spousal abuse; domestic partner abuse and elder abuse.  Left unchecked, domestic violence can lead to a number of unintended consequences, including homelessness, loss of income, low self-esteem, and even death.  Dr. Dennis Deer, President of Deer Rehabilitative Services, Inc., a full service behavioral health company, will be our guest today. We will talk about domestic violence, how to identify people who have been abused, ways we may help them, 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.

  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. 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.  

Join us for a lively discussion on  how nonprofit organizations may increase their fundraising capacity through transparency and enhanced disclosure utilizing GuideStar Profiles.  Our special guest will be Jasmine Marrow, the Director of  Nonprofit Strategy for GuideStar. Jasmine develops strategy for and oversees the GuideStar Exchange program, GuideStar's primary initiative to engage nonprofits. She is also the Product Manager for  the TakeAction initiative, GuideStar's primary initiative to engage individual donors. Jasmine oversees GuideStar’s Philanthropedia program, which rates verified, financially responsible charities according to how much great work they're doing. Jasmine leads Philanthropedia's research efforts, including developing international expansion, rerunning old causes, and expediting strategy for continued growth into new causes. GuideStar USA, Inc. is an information service specializing in reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies. In 2010, their database contained over 5 million IRS Forms 990 on 1.9 million organizations.  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.

Michael McAfee, EdD, is the Vice President for Programs with PolicyLink in Oakland, CA.  In this capacity, he  joins the Executive Team and Program Teams in strategic planning, policy development, policy campaign strategy, and programmatic design and implementation at the local, state, and national levels. Michael is determined to create conditions that will allow equity to flourish all across America-- just and fair inclusion into a society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Join us for a virtual teach-in on PolicyLink’s evidence-based Promise Neighborhoods Institute (PNI). Based on the Harlem’s Children’s Zone, PNI provides resources to all communities, whether or not they have been awarded a federal grant, including technical support for planning, identifying quality approaches, building partnerships, assessing needs, and many more essentials for successfully building a cradle-to-career pipeline. 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. Download pre-reading and handouts at https://www.scribd.com/doc/289946539/Reading-Assignments-and-Handouts  

Robert M. Douglas Sr. is the Founder & Co- Director of the S.O.N Foundation. As a youth, Mr. Douglas participated in youth programs at Palmer Park, and played for Palmer Park Eagles Football and A’s baseball teams. In 1991, Mr. Douglas suffered the painful loss of his brother Anthony Darwin Douglas, who fell victim to the crime that is currently plaguing Roseland, called gun violence. Determined to ensure that the loss was not in vain, Mr. Douglas organized the S.O.N Foundation with the vision of making the Roseland community safer and supportive. Join us as Robert talks about  ways  to stimulate community revitalization and  promote self-determination, in low income 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 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.

Ralph Martire, the Executive Director for the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) believes it essential to have the commitment and ability to stay focused on resolving major inequities for the long term, and to work collaboratively with other experts, organizations, and opinion leaders to move the agenda forward. “Gone are the days when community leaders could gather a crowd, make an emotional appeal, and then step back and watch elected officials respond in a meaningful way”, Martire said.  “Not only must nonprofit leaders make the moral case for systemic change, they have to be prepared to back it up with evidence.” Join us as Ralph Martire talks about CBTA’s programs and services and ways community-based organizations can use data to drive policy, advocacy and programs to bring about social justice. 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.

When Eric Weinheimer accepted the President and CEO position at Donors Forum, he says, his friend Kate Maehr, President and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, gave him a simple and clear directive: “Create a movement.” If ever there was a time for a movement in the nonprofit sector, the time is now. Under Eric’s leadership, Donors Forum is eager to lead this movement, and works with all of its members – foundations, providers, advisors, corporations, and the government sector – and engaging other social purpose organizations to build healthier, safer, and richer communities in Illinois. 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 state of Illinois  has been without a FY 2016 budget for nearly 4 months. While the Governor and Legislative Leaders have agreed to meet to begin to discuss a budget, significant damage has been done to local communities, clients and social service agencies.  Hundreds of thousands of  youth, elderly, people with disabilities, working poor—and the people who serve them—have been impacted by the cuts. Some social service agencies have cut programs and services while the need for the services have grown.  Some private foundations have stepped in to try to fill the gaps by providing general operating support and other assistance.  Even so, many agencies will have to close their doors and the people with the greatest needs will suffer more.  Who will take care of the “Least of These”? Join the discussion with Michael Holmes, the Executive Director of the Illinois African American Family Commission, to share your views and recommendations. 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.

Angela Hall is a staff attorney at The Law Project, or TLP for short. She works primarily with the Small Business Program and the Homeownership Program. Prior to TLP, Angela was a solo practitioner whose legal practice consisted primarily of residential real estate transactions. She is also a licensed real  estate broker who was formerly affiliated with Lake Michigan Financial, Inc. Prior to having her own practice, Angela was an Associate at Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor, Ltd. and counseled and litigated municipal law, real estate and employment discrimination cases. Early in her legal career, she was a Litigation Counsel at the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission and a Cook County Public Guardian. Angie received her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University. 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 and Stitcher.  

Did you know that tax exempt organizations are 2 times more likely than tax payers to be late with filing annual returns with the IRS? There are approximately 1.4 million registered organizations in the United States (IRS, October 2, 2014). Of this number, 579,114 registered organizations, or 40%, lost their tax exempt status as a result of not filing Form 990 for three years in a row.  Just two years ago, there were approximately 1.2 million nonprofit organizations with about 32% losing their tax exempt status for failing to file Form 990 three years in a row.  In contrast, about 85% of individuals and corporations file their income taxes (Form 1040) on time. Make sure your organization has completed the necessary filings to maintain tax exempt status.  Valerie F. Leonard will give an overview of all the filings organizations need to file at the federal and state levels in order to maintain compliance. You may download a supplemental article at https://www.scribd.com/doc/74798266/Just-Checking-Nonprofit-Compliance 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 and Stitcher.

In June 1990, Donald J. Dew was selected from a field of over 150 candidates to fill the position of President/CEO of Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI).  HSI is a vital Chicago-based health and human services organization which currently operates over 40 programs for thousands of children and families in need. Under Dew’s tenure, HSI’s budget has grown to approximately $7.5 million in 2015, signaling a significant increase in services to Chicago area residents during an adverse economic period.  The Illinois budget stalemate makes it increasingly difficult to deliver high quality services to people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, but HSI is up to the 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 and Stitcher. Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU

 Revin Fellows has over 30 years experience in community activism and nonprofit management.  He is the current COO of Books Over Balls, a program geared to help inner-city youth make eduction a greater priority than sports. He has worked with Family Focus North Lawndale, managing programs to reduce teen age pregnancy and to prevent gang involvement and reduce truancy.  He has also been instrumental in advocating for the creation of the Illinois African American Employment Plan in an effort to bring the State’s employment of and contracting with African Americans on par with the percentage of African Americans living in Illinois.  Revin is an active participant in the Illinois African American Family Commission’s community advisory council, and Black Wall Street.  He has also been instrumental in the development of the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter's Museum on Chicago's South Side. Regaradless of where he worked, Revin's personal goals remains constant: to empower African American constituents with the tools they need to control their eocnomic environment and become self-sufficient.   He will share strategies on how nonprofits, community activists and elected officials can perfect the inside-outside game to effect sustainable commuity 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 and Stitcher. Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU

Kara Kennedy joined Lumity as executive director in 2009. Under her leadership, Lumity has rebuilt itself, achieving consistent high customer satisfaction and increased financial stability during economically challenging times. The nonprofit job board, NPO.net, the finance services, and the computer technology center services has grown and expanded and the technology services are now focused to help nonprofits make informed choices on their technology needs. In addition, Lumity most recently expanded into recruiting and matching skill-based volunteers to nonprofits and STEM schools via The Community Corps to help with mentoring, training, and time-limited tech projects.  Tune in on Monday to learn how Kara and the Lumity team help nonprofits use technology to build 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 and Stitcher. Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU