Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

Staying Relevant: Why You Should Conduct a Community Needs Assessment

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

13 Reasons the IRS Denies Applications for Tax Exemption

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.

Eliminating Domestic Violence

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.

How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in the State of Illinois

 
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.