Formerly known as Nonprofit ”U”, the Nonprofit Utopia podcast is an extension of the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders. We use our podcast as an online forum where nonprofit stakeholders can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and build sustainable communities. Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational development is the host. Topics include nonprofit management, community development, capacity building…
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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.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
