Nonprofit Know-How: Fast, Free and Focused Learning Opportunities
The Community Foundation is committed to providing continued learning opportunities for nonprofit professionals in our community. Each year, the Nonprofit Network schedules several fast, free and focused trainings in a learning series called Nonprofit Know-How. These workshops, presentations and training events cover a variety of topics of interest to nonprofit employees. Each Know-How event format, length and topic is unique.
Upcoming Events
Nonprofit Know-How: Library Resources for Nonprofits
Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Beems Auditorium A/B
Join Public Service Librarians Nancy Geiger and Rebecca Vernon with the Cedar Rapids Public Library to hear about the free resources available for nonprofits at the Library, including the grant search engine Foundation Center online and others that might be helpful for training and development. We will host an optional tour of the building with a stop at the Nonprofit Resources section and information about the meeting spaces available to nonprofits.
Registration information coming soon.
Nonprofit Know-How: Artificial Intelligence
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, Beems Auditorium A/B
Join the conversation about how Artificial Intelligence is impacting nonprofit work. More information soon about the presenter and format of this learning opportunity.
Past Nonprofit Know-How Events
Nonprofit Know-How: Strategic Planning
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Over 50 nonprofit professionals gathered to learn about strategic planning at the Nonprofit Know-How: Strategic Planning event held at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. President & CEO Karla Twedt-Ball shared the steps for strategic planning from the beginning planning stage through implementation. She also provided resources and shared her personal experiences with the process. After the presentation, participants gathered in small groups to learn and discuss next steps with peers.
Nonprofit Know-How: 2024 Grants at the Community Foundation
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Attendees of the Nonprofit Know-How: 2024 Grants at the Community Foundation had the opportunity to review grant opportunities offered in 2024; meet the grants staff and our new Vice President of Community Impact Joe Heitz; and engage in small group conversations with Program Officers to learn about each grant program.
Nonprofit Know-How: Equity in Action
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
A panel of local nonprofit leaders shared information about their organization’s equity goals and practices. This learning event was offered by the Community Foundation to support the equity efforts of nonprofits. The following leaders shared ideas and practices they have adopted to enhance equity: Jessica Altfillisch, Harmony School of Music; Theresa Lewis, The Arc of East Central Iowa; Alphonce O’Bannon, Leaders Believers Achievers (LBA) Foundation; and Melissa Walker, Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Nonprofit Know-How: Authentic Leadership to Improve Employee Wellbeing
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Emily Blomme, CEO of Foundation 2 Crisis Services, led this discussion on the value of leading from a place of vulnerability and authenticity. Attendees discussed a variety of ways to encourage employees to bring their authentic selves to the workplace.
Nonprofit Know-How: Creating Space for Equity Conversation
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
As a follow-up to the December 2021 Nonprofit Know-How: Prioritizing Equity in Your Linn County Nonprofit, this event was a chance for nonprofit leaders and staff to respond to the Community Foundation’s Grantmaking Equity Statement. Our grants team shared examples of equity at work in local nonprofits, and roundtable discussions focused on how to move this work forward. Because the focus of this event was small-group discussions, it was not recorded.
Nonprofit Know-How: Video Content & Creation
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
At this event, Courtney Ball from Flow Media shared how to get started producing videos. He explained the building blocks of every video (message, footage, graphics, music), important planning steps, what gear you need to shoot usable footage, rules of shot composition, how to frame and record interviews, and what editors need in order to create a finished product. He also provided tips for discerning what is realistic to do in-house and when it makes sense to hire professionals, so you can stretch your media dollars as far as possible.
Nonprofit Know-How: Prioritizing Equity in Your Linn County Nonprofit
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Community Foundation staff discussed efforts to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in our organization and community over the past several years. The event shared recent updates regarding equity at the Community Foundation to help provide a path for other organizations to engage. We shared the purpose of our Board Racial Equity Steering Committee; the new Grantmaking Equity Statement; the process we used to revise our vision, mission and values to reflect DEI; and a shared data from the recent racial equity survey of nonprofits. Documents and resources referenced at the event:
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
 Carrie Walker |