Nonprofit Resources
I follow numerous blogs and organizations to help me keep informed on the latest news in the nonprofit sector. I'm always looking for new resources to utilize in planning peer group meetings and learning opportunities.
Do you have a favorite blog, resource, or book? Please email me your favorites! I'll share responses next month.
Also, are you curious about the favorite networking tools and spots identified by peer group members in October? See them here.
Stay connected,
Carrie Walker, Nonprofit Network Coordinator
carrie.walker@gcrcf.org

News for Nonprofits
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Winter Grant Deadline February 15
Applications for the winter grant cycle 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 is open. Find more information about funding opportunities as well as a video tutorial to learn how to use the online application portal online here .

Mount Mercy Class Offers Employee Training Program Assistance
This Spring, Mount Mercy MBA students will participate in a Talent Development class, and are offering to develop a training program for your nonprofit. The training program is a fully designed and ready to be delivered at your organization. Previous year's projects have included: customer service, work/life balance, accountability, time management, and legal aspects for managers. To be considered, or for more information, please contact professor Marcie Van Note at mvannote@mtmercy.edu.

New Federal Tax Reform
Many nonprofits are working to understand the effects of the recently passed federal tax law. In February, the Nonprofit Network is hosting a CLA Roundtable on this topic. This learning opportunity reached maximum capacity within a week of the peer group invitation. If you would like to be on a waiting list for the February 15 training, or simply first to hear about any additional tax reform training opportunities, please email Carrie Walker at carrie.walker@gcrcf.org. For your reference, the National Council of Nonprofits has various resources available regarding tax reform here.

United Way Volunteer Award Nominations Open
Nominate one or several volunteers that deserve some community recognition. The United Way Volunteer Award nomination form and details can be found here. Nominations are accepted through Thursday, February 22.

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Approves Over $1.7 Million in Grants
The Board of Directors of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation recently approved $1.7 million in grants to 172 nonprofit organizations. The awards include competitive grants from the Funds for the Community; distributions from donor-advised, designated, scholarship, and agency funds. More information about funded projects here.

Nonprofits Invited to Apply for Downtown Farmer's Market Space
Non-profit organizations are offered the opportunity to participate in the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market at no charge, as space allows and at the discretion of Market Staff. Organizations interested in being considered for space must complete the application on ManageMyMarket.com in the same way that a traditional market vendor would. Find links and more information here.

Wellmark Foundation Grant Application Available
The Wellmark Foundation is accepting proposals for its large Matching Assets to Community Health (MATCH) grants until midnight on February 23. The large MATCH grants are for up to $100,000 and must be matched at 100 percent. Find out more 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.
Tuesday, February 6, 12-1 p.m. Executive Directors
Wednesday, February 14 , 12-1 p.m. Managers
Thursday, February 15, 12-1:30 p.m. CFO/Finance **CLA Roundtable (Full)
Tuesday, February 20, 12-1 p.m. Development
Tuesday, February 27, 12-1 p.m. Marketing

Nonprofit PRO Webinar: A Nonprofit's Go-To Guide to Optimal Financial Management
Wednesday, February 7, 2018, 1 p.m. CST
If you're considering a new accounting system and aren't quite sure what features and functionality you should look for, join this webinar. Learn how to: take advantage of new options
made possible by cloud computing; find the right vendor by following five best practices; and select the best system to maximize financial transparency and accountability to key stakeholders. Also available on-demand with pre-registration.
Cost: Free
Register and more information here.

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Best Practices in Planned Giving
Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hills Bank, 590 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty
Presenters: Susan Hagan, Executive Director, Planned Giving
As both a lawyer and a longtime fundraiser, Susan Hagan has vast experience in all areas of planned giving. Her presentation will include discussion about the nuts and bolts (like gift acceptance policies and gift counting policies), as well as marketing and stewardship for planned giving purposes. 
Cost: Members free; Guests $25, includes lunch. 
Register here.

Leaders In Volunteerism: LAP-AID
Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 12-1:30 p.m.
Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
Learn more about Linn Area Partners Active in Disaster's Emergency Volunteer Center and how your organization can either be a part of this and/or leverage their services in the event of a disaster.
For more information, email leadersinvolunteerism@gmail.com.

CFO Peer Group Learning Opportunity (Registration FULL)
CLA Roundtable: What Tax Reform Means for Nonprofits
Thursday, February 15, 2018, 12-1:30 p.m.
Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, 324 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids
CLA Roundtables are learning opportunities for our CFO Peer Group, and also open to others as the topics relate to your work.
Recently passed legislation has wide-ranging implications for tax-exempt organizations. In this session we will recognize the potential effect that changes to the standard deduction and estate tax exclusion may have on charitable giving; identify changes that will affect nonprofit organizations, including executive compensation, unrelated business income tax, higher education endowment income, taxation of fringe benefits, event tickets, and tax-exempt bonds; and describe the changes that will affect employers.
Cost: Free, thank you to CliftonLarsonAllen for sponsoring this learning opportunity.
Registration is full. Please email Carrie Walker to be placed on a waiting list or be first to hear about any additional tax reform training opportunities.

Guidestar Webinar: The Top 10 Things Nonprofits Should Be Doing in 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018, 1 p.m. CST
Set your organization up for success in 2018! Learn how to: streamline the processes to maximize your impact, diversify your fundraising portfolio, efficiently amplify your digital presence, and use tools and resources to increase the return of efforts.
Cost: Free
Register here.

Storytelling Workshop
Thursday, April 12, 2018, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Road, Cedar Rapids
Presented by: Flow Media
A day-long working session to gain powerful tools for effectively communicating your organization's story. Learn what goes into a powerful story, why stories engage your stakeholders, and how to clearly communicate the elements of your own brand story.
Cost: $150; Early Bird Ticket $100 until March 31.
Register here
February 2018
Website Links
Interesting Articles

What Facebook pages are important to you? KCRG-TV  offers directions to make sure you see content from your favorites here .

Common Website Structures for Nonprofits, a free guide for organizing website content.


Read an interesting article? Please share  it with us!
Library Resources
Need meeting space? Check 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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