Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

Building Sustainable Organizations

 
The state of Illinois has over 36,000 registered nonprofit organizations that are eligible for tax exemption. These organizations are at various points in their development.  Some are startups, and  will never achieve their full potential, while others are institutions that have stood the test of time for over a hundred years.  What are the characteristics that separate sustainable organizations from the proverbial “fly-by-night” organizations that are here today, and gone tomorrow? 
Organizations that have long term sustainability tend to exercise excellent stewardship, yield results and have strong brands. Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development, talks about ways organizations may strengthen their organizational capacity  to become powerful, productive and profitable.
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 http://valeriefleonard.com and http://valeriefleonard.com/nonprofitu
Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU
 

Sowing Seeds of Greatness: Helping Our Youth Succeed in College

If you could describe Kimberly George in four words, they would be “compassionate, committed, creative, and connector”.  This is her approach to her work as Teen Worker/College Readiness Specialist with CYC ABC Polk Brothers Center in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. With  over 25 years of experience, ranging from program development and implementation to administrative management and financial development, Kimberly’s approach is mission driven and based on the needs of the community she serves.
During Kimberly’s tenure at Chicago Youth Centers ABC Polk Bros Center, the College Readiness Program has assisted 80 West Side Chicago students to attend and succeed in college.   The high school graduation rate of students in the program is 100%; college attendance rate is 90%; college retention rate is 80%. Under Kim’s leadership, the Service Learning and Community Gardening programs have been recognized by The National Youth Gardening Association (2013), Muhammad Ali Peace Center (2014), Martin Richard Bridge Builder Foundation (2015), and GenerationOn – A Points of Light Foundation (2013, 2014).
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 http://valeriefleonard.com and http://valeriefleonard.com/nonprofitu
Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU

Capacity Building Blocks

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.  Organizations engage in capacity building activities in order to increase their effectiveness in serving their constituencies. Such activities include, but are not limited to, hiring new employees to meet increased demand for services; strategic planning to position themselves for changes in the environment; training board and staff on their roles and responsibilities, or automating financial systems.
 
Tune in as Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development, talks about ways organizations may strengthen their organizational capacity and better position themselves for fundraising. 
 

Making Community Assets Count: Learning to Navigate Census.gov

Ileana Serrano, Data Dissemination Specialist with the Census Bureau, will be the featured guest on Monday’s episode. “People tend to think about the Census as an event that happens every ten years”, Serrano said.  “They would be amazed at the resources we have for small businesses and nonprofits to make plans that will take them to the next level.” The American Fact Finder and Economic Census can help nonprofit leaders and small business owners develop customized data sets to develop business plans, proposals, programs, advocate for their communities and roll out new products.
The Census Bureau is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The U.S. Census Bureau is overseen by the Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) within the Department of Commerce. The Economics and Statistics Administration provides high-quality economic analysis and fosters the missions of the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
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 http://valeriefleonard.com and http://valeriefleonard.com/nonprofitu
Follow @VFLeonard and @NonprofitU