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Nonprofit Events & Opportunities in January and February 2020

agenda on table

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Valentine’s Day aren’t the only days worth recognizing in January and February. I like to help spread the word about all the awesome events, awards, and grants available in Iowa. There are so many great opportunities for nonprofit pros, board members, volunteers, and donors, that range from seminars to galas. But, life is busy, and it can be hard to keep track of what you should register for or put on your calendar. That’s why I compiled a list for your convenience!

Learning Seminars, Trainings, & Workshops

  • 1/9/20; 1/23/20; 2/6/20; 2/20/20; 3/5/20 – Hosted by Volunteer Iowa: “The online Volunteer Management series will enhance best practices training and provide a consistent curriculum to be used within your organization. The webinar series is live, interactive, and the online classes are presented by leading experts across the state. Registration fee to attend all six sessions: $125.”
  • 1/15/20 – Head to Cedar Rapids for “Nonprofit Know-How: Grants at the Community Foundation in 2020.” A taco bar followed by a panel discussion to offer insights about the grantmaking process at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Panelists include a former grant committee member, a former grant writer, and Community Foundation Program Officers. The event will also include a review 2020 grant opportunities at the Community Foundation for local charitable nonprofits that provide services in Linn County.
  • 1/21/20- At the Des Moines Fundraising Institute’s “Capital Campaigns I” class, participants will develop a framework for building a successful campaign that includes planning, timelines, and resources. This session will explore feasibility studies, hiring outside counsel, and creating a case statement for the campaign.
  • 1/22/20- Nonprofit staff and volunteers who have social media and digital marketing duties or those who are interested in exploring social media may want to register for “How to Succeed in Social Media in 2020 and Beyond” at Junior Achievement in Des Moines.
  • 1/28/20- Nonprofit professionals (executive directors, program staff and others) that train adult learners may want to register for “Train the Trainer” session covering everything that goes into planning a successful training session. Attendees will receive all the slides, handouts and a Train the Trainers toolkit. Morning coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided.
  • 2/17/19- At the Des Moines Fundraising Institute’s “Capital Campaigns II” class, attendees will focus on the implementation of the plan including the private and public phases of the campaign, unrestricted and restricted giving (purpose and time), pledge payments, and complex gift vehicles including blended gifts.
  • 2/29/20 – “Equity by Design: Using Equity-Centered Community Design to Co-Create Community-Engaged Projects” workshop will be hosted at Grinnell College by Iowa Campus Connect. The workshop is open to faculty, staff, community members/organizations, and students interested in beginning to develop a framework for their own collaborative community projects.

Events

Grants/Scholarships

  • 1/24/20 – Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact is seeking host sites for next year’s VISTA Community Corps program, which strives to eliminate poverty through community-campus partnerships by placing full-time capacity-building support in nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions. Deadline for applications is January 24.
  • 1/31/20- Applications are due at the end of January for the Bank of America Student Leaders Program, which connects community-minded high school juniors and seniors with paid summer internships with local nonprofits and a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
  • 1/31/20- Each year, dsmHack holds a 48-hour hackathon to help a local nonprofit organization solve their technology problems. This flagship event connects technology enthusiasts including developers, designers, and project managers and partners them with nonprofits selected through an application process. Nonprofit applications are open through January 31.
  • 2/28/20 – Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grants fund small-to-medium-sized projects with grants ranging from $100 to $99,999. These grants support qualified organizations seeking to improve the lives of those in their communities. Submissions are due by February 28.

There are so many great events and opportunities for nonprofits and the people that advance them that there is no doubt I missed some in the list above. Don’t hesitate to email me at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com to notify GFLF of any upcoming nonprofit-focused events and opportunities in the coming months.

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Nonprofit Events & Opportunities in April 2019

blackboard

April Fool’s and Easter aren’t the only days to look forward to in April! I like to help spread the word about all the awesome events, awards, and grants available in Iowa. There are so many great opportunities for nonprofit pros, board members, volunteers, and donors, that range from webinars to workshops. But, life is busy, and it can be hard to keep track of what you should register for or put on your calendar. That’s why I compiled a list for your convenience!

Learning Seminars, Trainings, & Workshops

  • 4/2- For those on the western side of the state of Iowa, young professionals can take advantage of the opportunity to learn about what it means to serve on a nonprofit board at this Board Training (in Omaha) presented by Share Omaha.
  • 4/3- Still not sure how search engine optimization can help your nonprofit, or what it is? Cedar Falls-based Red Lab Technologies will be helping the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa Marketing Meet Up group get answers and solutions to these questions and more.
  • 4/4- Attend the Central Iowa Chapter of Grant Professionals Association, “In It to Win It – Grant Writing, Management, and Everything in Between” workshop at DMACC. Pro grant trainers Johna Rodgers, GPC, and Amanda Day, GPC, share their knowledge of grant writing, management, and other topics.
  • 4/4- The Minnesota Planned Giving Council will lead community foundation participants in a one-day seminar through the nuts and bolts of planned giving instruments and strategies at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Registration is $25 per participant.
  • 4/9- Cedar Valley Nonprofit Association is hosting SuperSTAR Supervision to enhance your professional skill repertoire while heightening the intentionality of your supervision through the sharing of tips and strategies to make you a S.T.A.R. in your most important role. Presenter: Dr. Beth Triplett, Leadership Dots.
    Free for CVNA members/$25 non-members.
  • 4/9- The Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Iowa Chapter is hosting a program highlighting the Eastern Iowa successes with giving circles that reflect the generosity of community members and may offer insights into giving preferences of a relatively untapped demographic. Learn more from Leighton Smith, who helped found the Hawkeye Chapter of 100+ Men Who Care, which surpassed $500,000 in total cash contributions this past November.
  • 4/15- Hosted by World Renew in Pella, “Helping that Helps” workshop attendees will hear stories from practitioners, best practices from each other, and be inspired to confidently partner both locally and globally in a way that provides hope instead of unintended harm.
  • 4/25- For the quarterly membership meeting of the Iowa Council of Foundations, head to NewBoCo for an interactive session on how Power Moves can help you redefine risk to more effectively build, share and wield power for equity and justice.
  • 4/30- Here’s a great event in Des Moines: “A Fairytale for Fundraising: Storytelling Strategies to Inspire Donations.” The workshop is for nonprofit staff and board members who want to make a connection between marketing and development functions, lead fundraising or promotional efforts for the organization or want to gain a better understanding of how they can be an ambassador for their organization by telling the story of impact and opportunity. The cost to attend is $30 and the event will be held at Junior Achievement in Des Moines.

Events

  • 4/4- UNI’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association hosts the15th Annual Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards Luncheon to recognize the contributions of local nonprofits and nonprofit leaders.
  • 4/5- Put a spring in your step with eight rounds of trivia in Iowa City to benefit a community non-profit, the Antelope Lending Library Bookmobile.
  • 4/6- Join the Clinton Committee at the 24th Annual Clinton Benefit: Red, White, and Blue make wishes come true to benefit Make-A-Wish Iowa.
  • 4/6- Hops for Housing is a fund- and awareness-raising event at NewBo City Market to benefit Willis Dady Homeless Services, which provides shelter and prevention services to homeless and near-homeless households in Linn County. The event will feature beers from 35-40 local, state, national, and international breweries. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
  • 4/12- Eastern Iowa Corridor wine and beer tasting event, Uncork A Wish, returns to Cedar Rapids. All proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish Iowa to help grant wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.
  • 4/25- Attend the spring banquet benefiting the Dubuque Dream Center. The theme is Impacting Youth. In the keynote, “Telling Our Story,” teachers, parents & students will share how the Dubuque Dream Center has impacted lives and the Dubuque community. An individual ticket for this event is $75 and a table of 8 is $600.
  • 4/26- Putts for Prevention is an exciting and fun nine hole putt-putt course located at all of your favorite downtown eateries in Cedar Rapids. Your day will start at Greene Square Park and follow the course of restaurants and bars. The best part? The proceeds will go to Foundation 2 and support crisis services and suicide prevention efforts.

Grants

First Day of the Season: Spring Ahead with Nonprofit Success

There are so many great events and opportunities for nonprofits and the people that advance them that there is no doubt I missed some in the list above. If you would like to notify GFLF of any upcoming nonprofit-focused events and opportunities in the coming months, don’t hesitate to email me at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com.

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Join GFLF at Falls Prevention Awareness, Health & Resource Fair

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I would love to meet you this Friday at the Falls Prevention Awareness, Health & Resource Fair where I’ll have a table full of valuable estate planning information and time to get to know you and hear your about your goals for the future! The Fair will start at 10 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. Friday, September 21 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center (1220 1st Avenue, Coralville, IA).

This event is sponsored by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Trauma Program, the Visiting Nurse Association, Johnson County Livable Communities, and partially funded by The Community Foundation of Johnson County.

The free event is open to the public and includes the chance to win one of five door prizes!

Fall Prevention Fair

Planning to attend? Tell me in the comments below! Can’t make it? Don’t worry! I’m always available to assist with your estate planning needs from start to finish. Contact me via email (gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com) or by phone (515-371-6077). Plus, I offer a free one-hour consultation!

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Nonprofit Spotlight: Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

Hope Lodge Iowa City

From the outside looking in, with its lush landscaping and towering brick chimney, the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Iowa City gives an immediate impression that it’s a home. Which is what the facility does indeed become for the cancer patients receiving lifesaving treatments.

Hope Away from Home

Doors to the Hope Lodge opened in September 2008 following a $4 million donation from the Lodge’s namesakes, Russell and Ann Gerdin. (University of Iowa provided the land for the construction.) It was the first of its kind in Iowa and the 28th facility of its kind in the U.S. The Hope Lodge offers amazing service in the form of 28 private guest rooms free of cost to cancer patients (and their adult caregivers) undergoing active outpatient cancer treatment at area medical facilities: The Veterans Administration Medical Center, Mercy of Iowa City, or University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The guest rooms each have a private bathroom and two beds, but the bedrooms are just the start when it comes to the other welcoming, inviting spaces.

Hope Lodge; Hope Sweet Hope

Quinn Hackert, assistant manager of the Hope Lodge, said that the facility has a Midwestern “lodge-y” feel to it and has plenty of community spaces to encourage people to get out their rooms and “really get to know each other.” Guests can enjoy a community dining area, sit in two screened-in porches, computer room, laundry, library, exercise room, and cook meals in two complete kitchens. Musical groups and weekly potluck dinners are another community-building opportunity to take advantage of.

The level of service the Hope Lodge is able to offer is truly amazing with a small staff of 12 (most are part-time employees), they were able to offer 13,355 nights of free lodging in 2016. Hackert said the Hope Lodge is typically full; if that’s the case and a patient needs/qualifies for accommodations, the American Cancer Society hotel partner program is utilized until a Hope Lodge room opens up. The hotel partner program means hotels in the area can offer a room for free or a significant discount. “The average length of stay is 22 days, however that’s a little skewed since our radiation patients often stay for six to eight weeks,” Hackert said.

American Cancer Society - Hope Lodge

In order to stay at the Hope Lodge patients must meet some eligibility requirements, such as the patient must live at least 40 miles away from the treatment center, have an end date to their current plan, and be cleared by a physician of infectious diseases, among others. According to the Hope Lodge’s website, prospective guests need their physician or a member of their cancer health care team to fill out a Hope Lodge referral form.

Another major benefit for patients staying at the Hope Lodge is the breadth of cancer-related services and programs including support groups for general cancer support, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, as well as a group specific for female patients.

Get Involved

American Cancer Society’s 2017 Hope Lodge “10th Anniversary Dancing for the Stars” Gala

Hackert reiterated that the Hope Lodge is supported and funded entirely through donated funds and times. The nonprofit’s highly anticipated annual fundraiser—10th Anniversary Dancing for the Stars—is coming up on November 11, 2017 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. The black tie event features delicious food, enticing auction, and the main entertainment: local celebrities dancing in routines choreographed by professional dancers. Interested in attending? Tickets are $100/person and $1,000/10 person table. Hackert also indicated they’re still searching for additional sponsors.

Hope Lodge donations

On the general donations front, Hackert said, “We’re always in need of paper products like office paper, toilet paper, paper towels.” He added that those interested in donating time should contact Lynn Johnson at Lynn.Johnson@cancer.org or by phone at 319-248-5400. “We always need general volunteers and drivers that drive patients to the hospital in a Prius donated by Toyota,” Hackert said. “We have volunteers at guest services—the front desk and people can make and bring in meals for the guests.” Hackert added that the volunteers just need to go through a short orientation.

Note: GoFisch is happy to feature Iowa nonprofits and the great work they do in our community. A feature does not indicate any client relationship. If you’re interested in having your nonprofit featured, please don’t hesitate to contact Gordon.

Gordon works with nonprofits and the donors who support them in a number of different ways, including coordinating complex gifts. If you’re a donor or donee looking to maximize the benefits of your charitable gift, contact Gordon at any time by email, Gordon@gordonfisherlawfirm.com, or by phone at 515-371-6077.

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Free Workshop April 26: Basics of Estate Planning

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Gordon Fischer Basics of Estate Planning Workshop

Let’s be honest, estate planning isn’t the most enticing topic to spend your free time on. The last thing you want to do after a long week at work is to dive into the depths of the internet to attempt to understand what an estate plan actually is and why you need one. Even if you do get that far, it’s hard to know where even to begin to start making an estate plan. Can you write one yourself? Do you have to hire a lawyer? What information do you even need?

Lucky for you, estate planning is one of my passions and what I spend a good deal of time and focus on while achieving the mission of Gordon Fischer Law Firm: To promote and maximize charitable giving in Iowa.

Gordon Fischer Law Firm mission

On April 26 at 325 E Washington St, Iowa City (in the large conference room on the 1st floor), I’ll take the mystery and complicated leg work out of estate planning. We’ll keep it simple and easy to understand while we cover:

  1. Five major reasons you need an estate plan
  2. Six “must have” estate planning documents
  3. Seven common mistakes in estate planning (and how to avoid them!)

Bring your questions and I’ll stick around after the presentation until all questions are answered.

The hour-long workshop is free and open to the public. A light lunch will be served.

It’s been approved for one hour of CFP credit for financial planners AND for one-hour of CLE for Iowa lawyers.

Please RSVP to gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com. 

Choose “going” on the Facebook event and invite your friends, co-workers, and family to join you!

Can’t make it to the event, but still want to learn more? Contact me at any time via email at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com or phone at 515-371-6077.

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