Nonprofit Utopia Podcast

What does it really take to build a fundable, credible, and sustainable nonprofit—especially in today’s uncertain funding environment? In this information session, Nonprofit Utopia Founder Valerie F. Leonard introduces the Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle, a working community for nonprofit founders and executive directors who want to strengthen fundraising systems and stop doing this work alone. This is not a training or a tactics-heavy webinar. Instead, this session explores: -Why many nonprofits don’t get funded—even when the work is good -The most common fundraising gaps holding organizations back -How leaders move from reactive fundraising to intentional strategy -What changes when nonprofits stop chasing money and start building systems -What the Impact Circle focuses on—and why the real work happens inside community -You’ll also hear about the monthly fundraising-focused themes, the structure of the Impact Circle, and who this community is (and is not) designed for. Who this session is for: -Nonprofit founders and executive directors -Leaders seeking to raise their first $25,000 or increase fundraising by 25% -Organizations ready to strengthen credibility, compliance, and sustainability -Leaders who value integrity, accountability, and peer learning Who this session is not for: -Shortcut seekers -Passive learners -Anyone looking for one-off tips without doing the work The Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle launches January 5 Learn more: Email [email protected] Important Note The frameworks and concepts shared in this session are proprietary to Nonprofit Utopia, LLC. This video provides an overview of focus areas—not the methods, tools, or processes used inside the Impact Circle. © 2026 Nonprofit Utopia, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Starting a nonprofit organization will require your team's attention to detail, and your ability to fund its mission and meet community needs while adapting to change. It can take nonprofit leaders years to get their organizations off the ground because they don't know where to start, or where to go to get help to keep the organization going. We created this webinar to help you cut to the chase and to decide whether or not to start a new nonprofit. We have also included a complimentary workbook to help you follow along during the webinar and to begin to think through critical issues. Answering these guiding questions will help you save time, money and effort. Whether you decide to start a new organization, put your ideas on hold, or even abandon the idea of starting a nonprofit, you will find that the time you spend answering these questions will be well-spent. -Clarify who you want to serve and why -Identify service gaps in your community -Uncover potential partnerships -Outline your unique approach to solving problems -Determine whether now is the right time to launch Download the workbook here: https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/qu...

Coming July 1, 2025: 90 Days to A New Nonprofit™ – A Clear Path from Idea to Impact You’ve got a vision for change—a nonprofit idea that keeps you up at night because you know the world needs it. But like so many others, you may find yourself stuck before you even start. The legal hurdles, the paperwork, the pressure to “get it right”—it all feels overwhelming.   Join us as we unpack a powerful new resource designed to change that. 90 Days to A New Nonprofit™ is a structured, founder-centered course launching July 1, 2025. It walks you through the entire process of launching a nonprofit—from validating your idea to filing your paperwork, building your board, defining your mission, and laying the foundation for long-term success. This isn’t just theory. It’s a step-by-step framework developed by nonprofit veteran Valerie F. Leonard, whose two decades of experience have helped nearly a thousand founders raise over $100 million.   The LEGACY™ Framework at the heart of this course is built on what actually works in the real world, with tools and guidance that simplify complex processes. In the video, we explore what makes this program so unique—from its weekly structure and practical templates to the support systems that keep you moving forward with confidence. Whether you're new to the sector or finally ready to stop spinning your wheels, this might be the clear starting point you've been waiting for.   If you’ve felt overwhelmed, uncertain, or just unsure of how to move forward with your nonprofit dream, this is your invitation to take that first confident step. We will be launching on July 1, 2025, with the first class starting July 18th. Learn more and get on the waitlist:https://bit.ly/4kyxIJF

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has had far-reaching consequences for the nonprofit sector, as many organizations rely on federal funding, regulatory stability, and government partnerships to fulfill their missions. With mass layoffs, budget cuts, and policy shifts under DOGE, nonprofits are facing significant challenges. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the impact of DOGE on nonprofits, and how they can pivot for success in this current environment.

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? According to the IRS, there are about 2.95 million registered nonprofit organizations in the United States. Of this number, 1.065 million registered organizations, or 36%, lost their tax exempt status because they didn’t file Form 990 for three years in a row. While the remaining 1.88 million registered organizations are still eligible to receive tax-exempt contributions there is a strong likelihood that they still may have compliance issues. In comparison, about 85% of individual and corporate taxpayers file their income taxes (Form 1040) on time. Filing annual 990’s with the IRS is only one piece of the compliance puzzle. You also have to follow your organization’s own policies and procedures, and funders’ grant agreements. On top of that, you should be concerned with following federal and local regulations and maintaining transparency with the public. The consequences of noncompliance include strained relationships with funders and regulators; loss of funding; loss of standing with your clients and community; difficulty attracting funding; loss of tax-exempt status; tax liabilities and paying penalties and interest. I have found in my experience that all roads lead to compliance. It doesn’t matter what the assignment involves—program development, strategic planning, board development—or what have you. At one time or another we are all confronted with compliance issues and challenges. I will share a checklist of the filings that Illinois nonprofits need to maintain compliance. Be sure to check with your own state’s requirements and consult an attorney if needed.. Let us help you bring your filings current. https://nonprofit-utopia.teachable.co... Check out our blog post here https://nonprofitutopia.com/just-chec... Download a complimentary copy of "31 Questions You Need to Answer Before Starting A Nonprofit https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/qu... Download a complimentary copy of "Nonprofit Resource Mapping On Steroids" https://nonprofit-utopia.lpages.co/no... Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/64324963...

Often called the personality of an organization, organizational culture is a shared set of workplace beliefs, values, attitudes, standards, purposes, and behaviors. It reflects both the written and unwritten rules that people in an organization follow. Your organization’s culture is the sum of all that you and your colleagues think, say, and do as you work together. If that sounds important, it is. (Bamboo HR) For our purposes, when we speak of toxic nonprofit cultures, we are speaking of environments that stifle creativity and productivity, and prevents organizations from making the maximum impact on clients and the communities they serve. We will talk about 12 signs that your nonprofit's culture is toxic, and strategies you can use to make improvements.

The nonprofit employee handbook can be used to support operations, communicate benefits and other employment retention policies and minimize risks that might arise from lawsuits and failure to comply with state and federal regulators. We will show you how to develop an employee handbook, what should go into it, and refer you to professionals who can review your finished product. If you are a member of the Nonprofit Utopia community, we will share templates and free and low-cost resources you can use to develop employee handbooks that create winning situations for your organization's board and staff.

Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana meaning “to retrieve" More commonly, it symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through the benevolent use of knowledge. Sankofa is often symbolized by a mythical bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth.   As we finish out the year in the Nonprofit Utopia community, we are taking stock of our wins, our losses and challenges in 2022 so that we can finish the year strong, and hit the ground running in 2023. One of our first steps is to use assessment tools to gauge our leadership styles and skills and organizational skills in order to get a true sense for where we are. Indeed, we believe that we can’t really know where we should be going until we know where we are and where we have been. Even if it means peeking through our fingers because the truth is so glaring that we could be startled into paralysis.   This podcast will help you understand   1. The power of assessments 2. How to use assessments to chart your professional course 3. How to use assessments to help your organization navigate community change Nonprofit Utopia community members will also have access to individual and organizational assessments and a members-only group coaching session to get answers to questions and draw from support of their peers.

I have worked with a number of nonprofit leaders who live by the adage, "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail." Often, when it comes to volunteer management, they don't pay quite as close attention. After all, volunteers are not salaried employees, and they are often brought on for ad hoc projects. The tendency is to give higher priority to processes that have greater budget impact. However, leaving volunteer management up to chance is doing your organization and volunteers a great disservice. The organization misses out on opportunities to leverage volunteers to grow capacity. At the same time, volunteers who are looking at volunteerism as a way to develop professionally are left feeling unfulfilled. Careful planning is necessary to create win-win situations for your organization and volunteers.   This session will show you how to assess your organization's readiness for volunteers, develop a volunteer management plan and develop policies and procedures. Nonprofit Utopia members will be able to download sample documents from the online community. SHOW LESS

According to Lawrence Wallack, a prominent health researcher, "media advocacy is rooted in community advocacy and has as its goal the promotion of healthy public policies. It can be differentiated from traditional mass media strategies in a number of ways. Media advocacy shifts the focus from the personal to the social, from the individual to the political, from the behavior or practice to the policy or environment. While traditional media approaches try to fill the 'knowledge gap,' media advocacy addresses the 'power gap'."   Join us for a lively discussion with Sarah Karp, a reporter with WBEZ in Chicago. We will talk about ways you can engage the media to bring about systems change in your own communities. You will learn   1. What makes a story concerning systems change newsworthy 2. The differences between a news story, press release and op-ed 3. The subtle differences between working with print media versus radio and other media 3. The do's and don'ts of working with the media 4. How to ride the news cycle

Generally speaking, when we think of organizational capacity building, we think of activities like board development, strategic planning and program evaluation. One often overlooked method for improving organizational capacity is developing issue advocacy campaigns. Not only do issue advocacy campaigns help develop leadership capacity for staff and stakeholders, but they can effect systems change, creating the environment to produce positive outcomes for your clients, communities and organizations. Valerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, will walk you through the process of creating issue advocacy campaigns and engaging community and public officials. Nonprofit Utopia members will have access to handouts to help them implement lessons learned immediately.

Generally speaking, when we think of organizational capacity building, we think of activities like board development, strategic planning and program evaluation. One often overlooked method for improving organizational capacity is developing issue advocacy campaigns. Not only do issue advocacy campaigns help develop leadership capacity for staff and stakeholders, but they can effect systems change, creating the environment to produce positive outcomes for your clients, communities and organizations. Valerie F. Leonard, the Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, will walk you through the process of creating issue advocacy campaigns and engaging community and public officials. Nonprofit Utopia members will have access to handouts to help them implement lessons learned immediately.

All too often nonprofit leaders are so busy focusing on program development and fundraising that they often overlook policy advocacy as an effective means of capacity building. In this episode we will go over the various forms of advocacy and show you how to develop community action plans to effect systems change where you live.

FBRK Impact House is Chicago’s first dedicated work club focused on serving and supporting the philanthropic sector by providing a place where granting organizations can work together, intentionally sharing ideas and resources, to operate with greater efficiency. Home to 18 philanthropic organizations, the center is working across multiple sectors to develop innovative solutions to some of the most entrenched problems in the state of Illinois. Join us for a lively discussion with DeJuan Kea, Co-Founder of FBRK Brands, and Revin Fellows, Co-Founder of NBAC to talk about the latest developments at FBRK House and ways real estate development may be used to facilitate comprehensive capacity building for nonprofits and small businesses.

Monique B. Jones, LCSW is the President and CEO of Forefront, Illinois’ statewide association representing both grantmakers and nonprofits, as well as their advisors and allies. She is a visionary leader with an extensive background in mental health, violence prevention, philanthropy, and gender & racial equity.  Join us for a lively discussion as Monique shares lessons learned from her 100-day listening tour and ways she's preparing to lead Forefront to its next level of development.

Regardless of your position in a nonprofit organization, your job is to communicate with the public. This means talking about your programs and services, your impact to the community, upcoming events, etc. We will show you how to develop a solid communications strategy so that you can attract volunteers and funders and arm your board members and employees with strategies they need to attract more resources to the organization.

When you start your nonprofit organization, it is so easy to focus on filing forms to establish your organization, and then start on your application for tax-exempt status. There is a very strong possibility that you didn't know about the other forms you need to fill out so that your organization can start out on strong footing. You are not alone. This is very common for new organizations--and some established organizations. You would be surprised at how many organizations there are that have been in operation for years without knowing all the forms they need to complete. Sometimes they find out the hard way--by finding out they need to pay payroll taxes or unemployment insurance premiums. In worst case scenarios, their organizations could lose tax-exempt status or be involuntarily dissolved by the state. Join us as we give you an overview of all the forms you need to complete andhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UzX5HfkRYg&t=613s when. You can also check out the video on YouTube at 

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, and how you can avoid common mistakes.

James Mueller, President of Mueller & Associates, will be a guest on the Nonprofit Utopia Podcast to talk about his latest book, Onboarding Champions, the the essential guidebook for nonprofit board members and executives. It challenges board members to become champions of governance and provides a roadmap to get there. We will talk about seven recruiting principles of highly effective nonprofit boards, including culture, character, competence, connections, composition continuity and collaboration. James will share a wealth of information on a number of topics, including how to use a disciplined approach to building diverse and equitable boards; managing your board and leadership team remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to confront board members who put their own self interests above the organization's best interests.

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.

Peter Hoy, the Founding Executive Director of the Stein Learning Gardens of St. Sabina was preparing for the organization's third season when the COVID-19 shutdown hit Chicago. Gardening supplies and materials were just delivered; schools were closed and everyone was sheltering in place. On top of that, the organization lost a much-needed $90,000 grant, jeopardizing the very existence of a program that served over 150 youth on Chicago's South Side. Tune in to find out how Peter, with the help of Orrin Williams, Executive Director, Center for Urban Transformation, successfully pivoted the organization to its next level of growth.

Earth Wind and Fire is one of the most influential bands of all time, transcending R&B and shaping pop culture around the world. With global sales of over 90 million records, the band has earned more than 50 gold and platinum albums, 7 Grammys, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and 4 American Music Awards. The group has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame, and Hollywood's Rockwalk, in addition to receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.   The band has also received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award, BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Soul Train Legend Award, as well as a NARAS Signature Governor's Award and the Congressional Horizon Award. Earth Wind and Fire members were celebrated during the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019, along with Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Sesame Street and Michael Tilson Thomas.   Verdine White, Earth Wind and Fire’s bassist and co-founder, was presented with Bass Player magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate degree from the American Conservatory of Music. He is ranked number 19 of Rolling Stone Australia Magazine’s list of the 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time. Verdine co-authored a book with Louis Satterfield, "Playing The Bass Guitar, A Beginner's Guide To The Electric Bass". He also wrote “Rhythm of the Earth: Advanced Bass Techniques” and “Rhythms of the Earth”.   In spite of all his achievements, Verdine and his wife, Shelly Clark White, continue to give back to the industry and the community through their advocacy, time and talent. Mayor John Hamilton of Bloomington, Indiana proclaimed February 1, 2021 as Shelly and Verdine White Day in honor of Black History Month, with a focus on appreciating the resilience of Black people and how they have used creative and artistic expression historically to overcome struggles.   The couple co-founded the Verdine White Performing Arts Center, which encourages students to reach their fullest potential as artists and people, equipped with a well-rounded performing arts education and the confidence to take on whatever path they choose within the arts.   Verdine was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club's Alumni Hall of Fame, and serves as an Ambassador, encouraging youth to get involved in the civic affairs of their communities. He was awarded the Walt Disney Motif Award for Excellence for his work with students.   Join us for a lively discussion of Verdine’s professional journey and ways he is preparing the next generation of musicians through the Verdine White Performing Arts Center.

I was scrolling down my Facebook feed and was totally amazed to read my Whitney Young High School classmate Vanessa McNorton's testimony: "1 year ago today Quadruple Bypass Surgery. Actually spent 8 hours pre-transplant taking all the EK,EEG and more E test, passed NO Heart Issues, Received Call to receive the Kidney Transplant on 2--20-20,heart attack 2 days later! That's Why I Praise Him!!! I GOT A TEST-A-MO-O-NY!!..." ("Testimony" purposely misspelled in reference to a popular gospel song) Vanessa went on to write about her journey to wellness over the past year; who was there for her and how she made it through with the Grace of God. Her story is so powerful that we can't just let it stay on Facebook. Join us as she gives an account of how her faith, mindfulness and informal network made the difference.

We will kick off Nonprofit Utopia's Resilience Month with an interview with John Emenecker, a peer support specialist and mental health advocate. John will share his wellness journey, including surviving cancer; coping with illness that threatens his vision; anxiety and depression. John will also share his vision and business model for Resilience House. Resilience House will be a wellness community to help members cope with challenges caused by adversity, including serious illness, depression and anxiety. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and react to John's business model and appeal for board members

Nonprofit Utopia hosted a CARES Act forum for nonprofits, churches, performance arts organizations and small businesses on March 6, 2021, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. The live streamed event was facilitated by Congressman Danny K. Davis, and included an update on the COVID-19 Stimulus Package. Mark Ferguson, Illinois Deputy District Director for the SBA, shared an overview of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. We also had a panel discussion featuring Daryl Newell, President of Seaway Bank; Ronald Milsap, Vice President, Mission Deposits and CRA, Providence Bank; Lupita Guerro, Business Banking Officer, US Bank and Christyn Freemon, Founder, Project Forward.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, passed in December, 2020, extends many relief programs from the CARES Act. It also creates several new programs and provides clarity around some of the questions brought about under the CARES Act passed last spring.  We will look at some of the major provisions of the legislation and how it impacts nonprofits, small businesses and communities.

Using examples from rural and urban communities, we will talk about how local networks may be used to develop plans and strategies to address environmental justice and sustainability issues. Featured Guests:  Romona Taylor Williams, Executive Director, Montgomery Citizens United for Prosperity (MCUP) Robert Fishkin, Executive Volunteer Match, Sharon "Sy" Lewis, Executive Director, Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization (MECRO)

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges, the likes of which we have never seen before.  Schools, churches, restaurants, nonprofits, local businesses, and nonessential government and health services are closing temporarily. The need for health and human services is increasing. We are practicing social distancing.  We are conducting business and hosting public forums online. In short, our economy and quality of life as we know it, have changed, and may never be the same again.    What does this mean for you as a nonprofit board member?  What should you be doing, right now, to help your organization navigate the "new normal"? Listen to the Nonprofit Utopia podcast today at 2:00 pm CST.  We will share Updates on the COVID-19 pandemicTips for nonprofit governance during a time of crisisCoping strategies from thought leaders in the corporate, nonprofit and faith arenasThe board's role in planning for business continuanceStrategies for increased civic engagement and policy and advocacy campaignsResources that you might find to be useful in your own journey

Partnerships can take on any number of forms, including co-locating, sharing back office or fundraising staff, permanent joint programming, and mission-based mergers.  Whatever form your partnership takes, there is always more to it than meets the eye.  While no two collaborations are the same, there are always financial, legal, cultural and other relational issues to consider. Forefront’s Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI) gives nonprofits the resources they need to sort it all out and position their partnerships for long term sustainability. Genita C. Robinson, Director of the Mission Sustainability Initiative for Forefront, will talk about MSI; ways organizations can assess their readiness to participate and case studies from some of their grantees. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.  

If you are a nonprofit practitioner, you should be very interested in the innerworkings of the Illinois Supreme Court—particularly if you work in the areas of family services or social, criminal and/or restorative justice.  The rules and practices surrounding evidence; access to competent counsel; sentencing guidelines and diversity, equity and inclusion determine the degree to which justice is truly served. Join Daniel Epstein, Esq., Candidate for Illinois Supreme Court, for a lively discussion on the issues surrounding the role of the Court; the negative consequences of faulty practices around preserving DNA evidence; restorative justice community courts and how community stakeholders can help create equal justice for all.

Lever for Change is a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Affiliate, whose mission is to unlock philanthropic capital and accelerate positive change around the world’s biggest challenges. Consistent with this mission, the Foundation recently launched the Economic Opportunity Challenge to award $10 million to scale a game-changing solution aimed to improve the economic health of low-income families in the U.S. Join us as Cecilia Conrad, PhD, CEO of Lever for Change and Managing Director of the MacArthur Fellows and 100&Change at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, shares an overview of the Economic Opportunity Challenge, and the application process

With average annual earnings from art projects of around $5,000, the term “starving artist” is closer to reality than cliche. As a result, it is not uncommon for artists to live in marginalized communities. Most arts organizations that create new work have annual operating budgets of less than $50,000; the artists themselves subsidize the bulk of community culture. Grants from government and corporate sponsors account for less than 15% of arts budgets. Ironically, local artists generate significant, measurable economic impact to their communities, returning $8 for every $1 invested. While artists are often the drivers of community re-development, they are not always able to capitalize upon the value they create, as rising real estate values make it difficult to stay. Join Kiela Smith Upton, Legal Shield Independent Associate, and Laura Weathered, Executive Director of the Near Northwest Arts Council, for a discussion on design/build strategies to prevent displacement of local neighborhood artists.

Since 1993, Woods Fund Chicago has awarded more than $65 million to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations in the Chicago region. Central to its grant-making approach is a belief that systemic change is the only way to eradicate poverty and structural racism, and that people most affected by poverty and racial inequity should lead and participate in the process of addressing issues that directly affect them. Consistent with that belief, the Woods Fund has been involved in the creation of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) framework, and has recently spun off the TRHT Chicago. The TRHT is a comprehensive, national and community-based process to “unearth and jettison the deeply held, and often unconscious, beliefs created by racism”.  Support for the effort was provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF). We will hear from Michelle Morales, the new President of the Woods Fund, and Jose Rico, the first Director of Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Chicago, as they share their vision for breaking down artificial racial constructs that keep us divided.

When Shelby Parchman, Founder of InUrban Strategies, LLC, started coaching small businesses for a local entrepreneurship program, he noticed that many of the businesses with whom he worked were also in urban food deserts--communities with limited access to grocery stores and fresh fruits and vegetables.  Shelby also noticed that the multi-billion local Good Food industry is expanding rapidly, and Chicago’s neighborhoods are uniquely positioned to capitalize.  What would happen if he narrowed his focus to food entrepreneurs serving Chicago’s South and West Sides? Tune in and find out!

What are some innovative methods that educators and activists are using to learn from activists from around the world, and engage in cross-border information exchanges? Join us as Dr. Nassim Abdi, PhD, CEO and Co-founder of Docademia/StoryBolt, talks about how she uses on-demand short documentaries and live video conferences with filmmaker-activists to take their organization’s commitment to DEI to the next level. She will also talk about the firm’s upcoming award ceremony celebrating documentary filmmakers who give voice to survivors of gun violence and to engage participants in action-based dialogue.  Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Last year, CIVICUS’ global SPEAK! campaign connected over 200 organizations from nearly 50 countries, allowing them to “speak” to one another  across lines of division, reversing the trend of increasing social and political polarization. Some of the results were truly amazing. Urgent peace agreements were signed, old prejudices were confronted and new relationships established.  This year promises to be even more impactful. Join us as Nic MacKay, SPEAK! Campaign Consultant at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Civic Participation, talks about SPEAK! 2019 and shares lessons learned from previous campaigns and ways we can get involved with CIVICUS’s work beyond the SPEAK! Campaign 2019. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Benefit Chicago is mobilizing $100 million in impact investments to finance the growth of impact enterprises throughout Chicagoland to: 1) build wealth in or for communities; 2) create jobs that are accessible to community residents; and 3) enhance job readiness and skills for those seeking to find, maintain, and advance in employment. Join us as Benefit Chicago’s Executive Director, William W. Towns, PhD, discusses Michael Porter’s shared corporate value strategy, a concept that allows companies to create sustainable business models that enhance their competitiveness, while simultaneously doing good in their communities. He will also share case studies highlighting successful social enterprises that have used shared value concepts to drive sustainable business and community impact Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

We have often heard people complain that government should stay out of business and let the markets run their course. What if, instead, we focused on how the power of government may be harnessed to facilitate business growth and promote equitable community development? Join us as Attorney Marc J. Lane, President of The Law Offices of Marc J. Lane, PLC, shares case studies of how the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation and other government bodies are crafting groundbreaking legislation to create opportunities for for-profit and nonprofit social entrepreneurs.  We will also discuss why you should attend the upcoming Social Enterprise Alliance’s Summit 2019 and join SEA. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.  

Have you ever experienced deep conflict or trauma and wished you could re-write a chapter in your life? For your community? For your organization?  Improv for Peace helps organizations, communities and professionals actively resolve miscommunication by facilitating guided improvisations workshops to help participants re-script their past  and provide opportunities for participatory community reconciliation. Join us as Founder Andrea Hummel Corrella talks about  the healing power of improv and the lessons she’s learned on her journey helping  organizations and municipalities resolve conflict.

Having launched its first 100&Change Competition in 2016, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced the launch of a second round, through which a grant of $100 million will be awarded to help address one of the world’s critical social challenges. Building on the momentum from 100&Change, MacArthur launched Lever for Change, a nonprofit affiliate committed to helping donors put their resources to work to accelerate social change.  In so doing, one of the organizations it is partnering with is the Pritzker Traubert Foundation to launch the Chicago Prize to award $10 million to a single initiative on Chicago’s South and/or West Side that uses physical development and revitalization to catalyze economic opportunities and improve the well-being of residents.  Cecilia Conrad, MacArthur’s Managing Director of Awards and Fellows Program and CEO of Lever for Change, will discuss lessons learned from the inaugural round of 100&Change and upcoming Lever for Change competitions. She will be joined by Cindy Moelis, President of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, to discuss the Chicago Prize and how you can assess your organization’s readiness to apply. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.  

“No man (or organization) is an island”, as they say.  We need partners to help us accomplish our goals with maximum impact.  However, establishing partnerships are not without risks, landmines and pitfalls. The best partnerships can have rewards that far outweigh the risks, and can be sustained over the long haul, if structured and managed correctly. Join us as Willie C. Cole, Director of STARS Tutoring and Host Valerie F. Leonard talk about best practices and lessons learned as they relate to collaboration on community-based initiatives.  They will talk about balancing the interests of the collaborative and its partners; various partnership models and ways to bring about clarity, focus and accountability. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

You have just been asked to join the board of directors of an organization, and you are weighing the opportunity to share your skills, time, talents and networks.  What should you do before you join? Join us as host Valerie F. Leonard, shares an overview of the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards; the questions you should ask before joining any nonprofit board of directors; some of the common issues you might face as a board member, and strategies you might consider using to address them. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Have you ever experienced deep conflict or trauma and wished you could re-write a chapter in your life? For your community? For your organization?  Improv for Peace helps organizations, communities and professionals actively resolve miscommunication by facilitating guided improvisations workshops to help participants re-script their past  and provide opportunities for participatory community reconciliation. Join us as Founder Andrea Hummel Corrella talks about  the healing power of improv and the lessons she’s learned on her journey helping  organizations and municipalities resolve conflict. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Before I started Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, I was very engaged in North Lawndale, the Chicago community in which I was born and raised. As Co-Founder of the Lawndale Alliance, I worked with my neighbors to advocate for tax increment financing district (TIF) policies that would make the program more transparent and be of better benefit to local residents, whose property taxes financed TIF projects.  One of our greatest victories was getting the City of Chicago to remove more than 300 units of occupied housing from the list of properties that could potentially be displaced as a result of implementing the TIF program. This was unheard-of at the time. Join me as I share some of the lessons we learned over the years, including what to do and what not to do in order to create win-win situations for all parties. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Every living organism has vital signs, or key indicators of health.  For us humans, these include blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature. Likewise, organizations have key indicators of health.Depending on the organization, its goals and objectives, these key performance indicators may vary.  However, regardless of where your organization is in its development, or what it does, you should have a set of financial key performance indicators, or KPI’s, including fundraising, donor retention, return on investment, etc.  Join us as Dan Doyle, Chief Evangelist of MarketSmart’s Fundraising Report Card, talks about how your organization can use data-driven fundraising as part of your performance management system and growth strategies. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.  

When Angelique Power was named President of the Field Foundation of Illinois, three questions guided their grant making: Is racial equity in philanthropy even possible? Can the fallacy of philanthropic expertise fall away to create room for the nonprofit visionary to lead? Can we ask more of ourselves in philanthropy, listen more, talk less, focus on areas that have been disinvested in and lift the powerful organizations that have grown in spite of and in abstraction to that disinvestment? Join us as Angelique talks about the Foundation’s priorities, approaches to grant making and the impact of their investments in underserved communities throughout Chicago.   Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

Forensic nursing is the intersection of medicine, law enforcement, policy and advocacy.  Forensic nurses work with victims of sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crimes to document their injuries  and provide evidence and expert testimony in court cases. They may also provide expert testimony and advocate for victims rights for the creation of more just laws and public policies. Kara Breeden, DNP, Founder and CEO of Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners (TXFNE), and Julie Sengstacken, MS-PSL, COO of TXFNE, will join host Valerie F. Leonard to talk about the work of TXNE and the roles forensic nurses and nonprofits can play in combatting violence. You will learn: The relationship between the roles of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO)How TXFNE ensures that their programs are relevant and impactfulHow forensic nurses work with victims, law enforcement and community stakeholders to fight domestic violence and human traffickingHow to transfer lessons learned from their experiences to your own organization, regardless of where you work Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat.  Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitUtopia, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.  

The Economic Innovation Group estimated that U.S. investors, collectively, had over $6.1 trillion unrealized capital gains by the end of 2017. What if these funds could be funneled to economically struggling areas? The recently passed Tax Reform Act included a potential tax break for investors, in which they may defer capital gains taxes on the sale of any asset by investing those gains through a Qualified Opportunity Fund.  Join us as our guest, Anthony Oliver talks about the $1 billion local investment opportunity and the implications for investors, neighborhoods, local businesses and nonprofits. Be sure to take notes, and call in with your burning questions. Call in live at (347) 884-8121 to join the conversation.. You don't need an account to listen. You can also participate in the live chat. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.

While there is no such thing as perfection,  the    7-year process that brought the Foundation Center and GuideStar together to become Candid, is pretty close, as mergers go.  The completion of the merger has not only resulted in the creation of Candid as a sustainable organization; it has also led to the consolidation of the most comprehensive array of tools for research, collaboration, grants and training for nonprofits in the world. Join us as host Valerie F. Leonard engages Jen Bokoff, Director of Stakeholder Engagement for Candid, in a lively discussion on the implications of the merger for the nonprofit sector. Be sure to take notes,and call in with your burning questions. 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. Visit Nonrprofitutopia.com. Archived episodes may be found at http://Valeriefleonard.com/NonprofitU, iTunes, Podcast Chart, Blubrry and Stitcher.