Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

Re-Broadcast: Developing Promising Programs.

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

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

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.
 

4 Steps 2 College

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.