Connecting You To Resources, Peers, and Community
This month's newsletter is full of information for our nonprofit community. Check out all the information below, and if you have questions or feedback, I enjoy hearing from you.
Stay connected,
Carrie Walker, Nonprofit Network Coordinator
[email protected]

Network Spotlight:  Peer Group Feature
Anna Patty,  Communications Manager at Four Oaks
What peer group/s do you attend? Marketing Peer Group
Why do you attend peer group?  I love getting the opportunity to network with other local nonprofit marketers.
How is the peer group valuable to you? While  other marketing groups in the area are  beneficial, the nonprofit Marketing Peer Group  allows me to collaborate and problem-solve with others who operate within the unique challenges presented in the nonprofit world. Many of us also wear multiple hats and the group often sparks ideas that translate into methods to better raise dollars and/or awareness in support of our missions. In Four Oaks' case, to assure children become successful adults.
If someone was interested in peer group, what would you say to encourage them to attend? One hour a month is well worth your time. If you are new to the area or new to the nonprofit world, peer groups are a great way to get connected within the nonprofit community and beyond.
Find more information about Four Oaks at www.fouroaks.org.
Email Carrie Walker f or more information about joining a peer group.
 
Reminders & Opportunities!
Community Foundation Announces Winter Grant Cycle
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation announces its first grant cycle for 2016 for local charitable nonprofits. Applications will be accepted through Friday, February 12, 2016. For more details about grant programs, please visit here.

Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer
United Way provides local organizations an opportunity to recognize their volunteers through the annual Outstanding Volunteer Awards. Volunteers can be nominated under five categories: youth, adult, senior, business, and group. Nomination deadline is February 19. The annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast will be held on April 15. Visit here for more information.

Downtown Farmers' Market Nonprofit Applications Now Open
Nonprofit organizations wishing to be considered for a stall on one of the 2016 season Downtown Farmers' Market dates must complete the Nonprofit Vendor Application by March 7. Spaces will be provided as available. More information about the market here. Find the nonprofit application here.

Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center Launches New Website
The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center has launched a new website at http://inrc.law.uiowa.edu/. The website includes the Iowa Grants Guide, the Iowa Register of Accountability, and other resources. The Register of Accountability is a voluntary listing of charitable nonprofits that have committed themselves to continuous improvement by implementing the Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence. If your organization is listed in the Register of Accountability, now is a good time to review and update the information on the website. For more information about the resources available and the Register of Accountability, please reference pages 3 and 4 of the Center's recent newsletter here.

Extension and Outreach Indicators Project
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Indicators Portal is designed to be a one-stop shop for finding, visualizing, and mapping data. The Indicators Portal provides the most up to date data, such as the Data for Decision Makers series. This four-page report is currently available for all counties in Iowa. See link here. Find more information at http://indicators.extension.iastate.edu. A recorded webinar is available to learn how to understand data, how to use the data, and gain a better understanding of your community.

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, February 2, 12-1 p.m. Executive Directors; RSVP here.
  • Tuesday, February 16, 12-1 p.m. Development; RSVP here.
  • Thursday, February 18, 12-1:30 p.m. CFO Learning Opportunity (open to all); RSVP here.
  • Tuesday, February 23, 12-1 p.m. Marketing; RSVP here.
Lynda.com and ReferenceUSA Database
Two options: Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 5:30-7 p.m. or Thursday, March 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library, downtown
Learn how to use Lynda.com and ReferenceUSA, databases the Cedar Rapids library recently acquired. Lynda.com helps anyone learn business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. ReferenceUSA's information on 24 million US businesses and 89 million residents helps users create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, raise funds and locate people.
Cost free.
Find out more and register here.

Leaders In Volunteerism
Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 12-1:30 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library Tech Learning Center
Topic: Google Analytic & Social Media for Strategic Community Engagement
For more information on LIV membership or registration, please contact President Jessica Link at 319-739-0403 or [email protected].

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Hills Bank & Trust, 590 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty
Topic: What's Ahead?: AFP Eastern Iowa and CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive). Learn the chapter's strategic plan, and CFRE requirements and benefits.
Cost: Members free; $25 future members. Lunch is provided.
RSVP here by Friday, February 5.   

CFO Learning Opportunity: CLA Roundtable "Reserves Follow-Up & FASB Exposure Draft Update" 
Thursday, February 18, 2016 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, 324 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids.
Presented by CliftonLarsonAllen
A follow-up to our discussion in November on developing and implementing reserves, including more examples and policies. Additionally, we will discuss the current status of the FASB exposure draft and what impact it may have on your organization.
Cost: free; lunch is provided.
RSVP here so we can order your lunch.

Changing Faces of Iowa: Implications for Human Service Professionals
Presented by Community Partnerships for Protecting Children in Linn County
Monday, March 7, 1-4 p.m.
Human Services Campus of East Central Iowa, 317 7th Ave SE, 2nd floor
This training will provide information about how the state of Iowa is changing from a racial, ethnic, and cultural standpoint, and will discuss how these changes are affecting child welfare. Presenters will emphasize ways to understand and work with families from a variety of cultures.
Presenter: Dr. Mark Grey
Cost: none, but space is limited.
Registration instructions and more information here.

February 2016
Network Spotlight
Reminders & Opportunities
Upcoming Trainings
Articles
Website Links
Interesting Articles
Tax Exempt Status & Campaign Activity: Knowing the Boundaries by Richard Koontz, Director at Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resources Center

Please share  your finds for interesting articles with us!
Library Resources
Did you miss the peer group meetings last October at the Cedar Rapids Public Library? The Library will hold a training session for two new databases: Lynda.com and ReferenceUSA. Both of these databases are free to use with your library card. Find out more 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 Linked In 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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