Happy New Year from the Nonprofit Network!
In 2017, total attendance for Nonprofit Network peer groups was over 600! Whether you made it to one meeting or ten, thank you for your involvement in Nonprofit Network Peer Groups. I believe they are extremely valuable and enjoy this opportunity to provide a place for learning and networking for nonprofit professionals.

If you are working in a nonprofit and interested in joining or reconnecting with peer group, please contact me! 
2018 Peer Group Schedule:
Executive Directors (first Tuesday of the month)
Managers (Second Wednesday of the month)
CFO/Finance (Third Thursday of the month)
Marketing (Fourth Tuesday of the month)
Development (Third Tuesday of every other month, begins February)
 
Stay connected,
Carrie Walker, Nonprofit Network Coordinator
carrie.walker@gcrcf.org

News for Nonprofits
Community Foundation Grant Pre-App Briefing
Two pre-application grant briefings will be offered to grant writers that will highlight grant opportunities for the year and provide an overview of the application process. The optional briefings will be held on Thursday, January 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Friday, January 19, from noon-1 p.m. The briefings will be held at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation at 324 3rd Street SE, downtown Cedar Rapids. Please RSVP to grants@gcrcf.org.

Community Foundation Announces Winter Grant Cycle
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces its first grant cycle for 2018 for local charitable nonprofits. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Grants will be awarded to organizations that enhance the quality of life in Linn County.  The Community Foundation accepts grant applications online at www.gcrcf.org.  The online grant portal will open on Monday, January 15, 2018. Find more information about funding opportunities as well as a video tutorial to learn how to use the online application portal online here .

Iowa Volunteer Management Training Series Announced
Volunteers Centers of Iowa, in partnership with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, announces an online volunteer management training series that begins on January 11, 2018. The online volunteer management series will enhance best practices training and provide a consistent curriculum to be used throughout the state. The webinar series is live, interactive and the online classes are presented by leading experts across the state. The series is geared toward individuals that are fairly new to managing or coordinating volunteers for nonprofits, schools, government sector, faith-based organizations, or service organizations.  The six sessions begin January 11, and run January 25, February 8, February 22, March 8, and March 22, from 9-10:30 a.m. Cost for all six sessions is $125. Register here . Detailed information here .

Kirkwood Offers Volunteer Management Certificate Program
Kirkwood Continuing Education will offer a Volunteer Management Certificate program beginning on January 17 at the Coralville United Way. The certificate focuses on the specialized skills needed for managing volunteers and includes six sessions. Cost is $599 for the overall certificate; individual classes are also available. Find more information here

Visit the Nonprofit Network page at  www.gcrcf.org for our online calendar.

Training Opportunities
Upcoming Peer Groups
Please contact  Carrie Walker if you are  interested in finding out more
about  peer groups. These monthly or bi- monthly lunch meetings  provide a great  opportunity to discuss current  issues, discover new ideas, and create peer connections.  Lunch is provided for those who RSVP.

Wednesday, January 10, 12-1 p.m. Managers
Thursday, January 18, 12-1:30 p.m. CFO/Finance 
Tuesday, January 23, 12-1 p.m. Marketing
Tuesday, February 6, 12-1 p.m. Executive Directors
Tuesday, February 20, 12-1 p.m. Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Engaging Volunteers in Your Mission
Tuesday, January 9, 2018, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hills Bank, 590 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty
Presenters: Sue Driscoll, Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement at United Way of East Central Iowa; Leah Rodenberg, Senior Program Manager at Alliant Energy Foundation
Sue and Leah will present on effectively engaging volunteers in your nonprofit's mission and leveraging volunteers' professional skills to advance your organization.
Cost: Members free; Guests $25, includes lunch. 
Register here.

Volunteer Management Training Series
Begins January 11 and repeats every two weeks on Thursday until March 22.
The online volunteer management series will enhance best practices training and provide a consistent curriculum to be used throughout the state. The webinar series is live, interactive and the online classes are presented by leading experts across the state.
Cost: $125 for all six sessions
More information, including registration link, here.

National Council of Nonprofits National Webinar
Now What: How the New Federal Tax Law Impacts Charitable Nonprofits
Thursday, January 11, 2018, 2 p.m. CST
Learn what operational changes you may need to make right away, what you need to know about state and local policy changes, and other items that will affect your nonprofit and the people you serve.
More information and registration link here.

Into to Cloud
Presented by the Cedar Rapids Public Library
January 31, 2018, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Cloud computing allows you to store files remotely in order to access them from any computer any time! This time-saving, organizational tool will help you manage your files, share documents with others, and access information from both desktop systems and mobile devices.
Cost: Free
Register here.
January 2018
Website Links
Interesting Articles



Read an interesting article? Please share  it with us!
Library Resources
The Cedar Rapids Public Library has free access to many tools, including lynda.com and other reference databases. Check out the options  here.
 
LinkedIn
Connect with the Nonprofit Network on LinkedIn

Please note: when we receive job openings in local nonprofits, we post them on the Nonprofit Network LinkedIn page.
Nonprofit Network of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
324 3rd Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Phone: 319.366.2862  Fax: 319.366.2912
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