Nonprofit Management Academy Returns to Linn County
The ISU Extension and Outreach Nonprofit Management Academy, a comprehensive educational program for the nonprofit sector, will be held in Linn County this year. Classes begin in April, and can be taken as a series for credit towards a Nonprofit Management Certificate, or individually. All classes will be held at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Linn County, 383 Collins Road NE, Suite 201, Cedar Rapids. Find detailed information, including ten course descriptions and cost for ten courses, in the brochure here .

Be sure to check out all of the great opportunities for training  this spring ! Details below. Also, tell us how your organization plans to participate in the Library's Take On Literacy campaign to create a culture of literacy in Cedar Rapids! Your story could appear in our next newsletter. Tell us here.

Stay connected,
Carrie Walker, Nonprofit Network Coordinator
[email protected]

Reminders & Opportunities!
Salesforce User Group Forming
Are you a Salesforce for Nonprofits user? Join your cohorts during this user group meeting to learn, share experiences, and even lament and your trials and tribulations. The user group will be a regularly occurring meeting with future dates and locations to be determined. The first meeting is Thursday, March 16, 3-5 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library downtown in the conference room. If interested in participating, or to RSVP for March 16, contact Norah Hammond at [email protected].

Volunteer Iowa Promotes Give Back Challenge Iowa to Area Employers
The Give Back Challenge is an eight week competition to engage Iowans in employer-supported volunteering. Competing in the challenge is a great chance to see how volunteering can positively affect employees at companies of all sizes. For more information, including FAQs and participation toolkit, visit here.

Iowa Nonprofit Summit in October 
Iowa Nonprofit Summit is scheduled for October 24-25, 2017, in Altoona, Iowa. This biennial conference provides essential learning opportunities for the staff and volunteers who direct Iowa's nonprofit organizations and the volunteer programs they rely on to fulfill their missions. More information here and registration opens in August.

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

Ready...set...learn
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; please RSVP.

Tuesday, March 7 , 12-1 p.m. Executive Directors
*NEW* Wednesday, March 8, 12-1 p.m. Managers
Thursday, March 16, 12-1 p.m. CFO/Finance
Tuesday, March 28, 12-1 p.m. Marketing
Tuesday, April 18, 12-1 p.m. Development

Association of Fundraising Professionals
How to Engage Your Board in Fundraising
Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hills Bank, North Liberty, 590 W. Forevergreen Rd, North Liberty
Presenter: Ben Snyder, Copper Black Services
All too often nonprofit board members shy away from fundraising. Join in on the conversation to learn about setting up a great board culture and specific actions that create board engagement.
Cost: Free members, $25 non-members. Includes lunch.
Register here.

Leaders in Volunteerism
Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 12-1:30 p.m.
Hy-Vee Club Room, Oakland Road & 32nd Street, Cedar Rapids
For more details, email [email protected].

Impact CR All aBoard
Thursday, March 23, 2017, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, 501 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids
This annual event is designed to connect young professionals with organizations in the community that resonate with their passions. Board members from local organizations answer questions and speak with attendees about board involvement.
Register here.

Economic Alliance Business Support Program: Branding
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 8-9:15 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance, 501 First Street SE, Cedar Rapids
Presenter: Joseph Matar, Product Manager at Fusionfarm
Branding. It's a word that often associated solely with the communications world, but branding your company's culture is a crucial aspect of recruitment. A strongly branded company culture leads to a successful recruitment strategy, which in turn brings in and retains the best employees.
Register here. 

Youth Philanthropy Toolbox: Equipping Tomorrow's Leaders
Iowa Youth Philanthropy Conference
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Marshalltown Community College, 3700 South Center Street, Marshalltown
A day of learning with youth philanthropy students and leaders from across the state. 
The conference is sponsored by Iowa Council of Foundations and is free to attend.
More information and register here.

Communicating With Meaning
Thursday, April 20, 2017, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
ISU Extension & Outreach, 383 Collins Rd, Suite 201, Cedar Rapids
Presenter: Terry Whitson, TW Training
Let's talk about communication! Please join us for this interactive session to discuss overcoming obstacles and filters that keep us from communicating effectively. You will better understand the importance of active listening, asking the right types of questions, deciding how to deliver a message, and the impact of your non-verbal messages. We will also explore how to make the cross-generational workplace more productive by understanding their core values and communication preferences.
Course Fee: $75; CEU Fee: $25; CEUs: 0.6
More information here.
Register here.

CFO Peer Group Learning Opportunity: CLA Roundtable Going Paperless with Back-Office Accounting
Thursday, April 20, 2017, 12-1:30 p.m.
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, 324 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids
Presenter: David Little, CliftonLarsonAllen
This roundtable will address some of the more common systems being used to electronically process accounting transactions. Also, examine related internal controls that can safeguard your assets, improve operational efficiency, and maintain adherence to policies.
Cost: Free, lunch is provided to those who RSVP.
RSVP here. 

How to Write Winning Grants and Smile While Doing It!
Presented by the Grant Professionals Association, Central Iowa Chapter
Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
DMACC Student Activities Center, 2006 South Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa
Featuring Dr. Bev Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies
Cost: $75
More information, including detailed agenda, here.
Register here.

CFO Peer Group Learning Opportunity: CLA Roundtable Nonprofits and Iowa Sales Tax
Thursday, May 18, 2017, 12-1:30 p.m.
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, 324 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids
Presenter: Connie Lira, Director at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Iowa sales tax can be a complicated topic for nonprofits, so we've broken it down into three steps.  Step One: What rules and exemptions are out there and who is eligible for what? Step Two: What is the application proces? Step Three: how do you file?  The primary focus of this training is step one, but take away resources will be provided on all three of the steps. Discussion will provide explanations of the regulations and example scenarios to facilitate discussion. 
Cost: Free, lunch is provided to those who RSVP.
RSVP here.

March 2017
Reminders & Opportunities
Upcoming Trainings
Articles
Website Links
Interesting Articles


Read an interesting article? Please share  it with us!
Library Resources
Have you heard about the Cedar Rapids Public Library's challenge to Take On Literacy in celebration of their 120th year? Help the library connect with the community to find unique and inspiring ways to create a culture of literacy in Cedar Rapids. Find more information here. How will your nonprofit or group participate? 
Tell us how your organization plans to Take on Literacy here and you might see your story featured in April!
 
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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