Learning Opportunity

Volunteer Engagement Strategies in Changing Times w/ Wendy Biro-PollardFor many, COVID-19 has turned lives and careers upside down. The new normal has become indefinite uncertainty and volunteer management systems that have been effective for decades are now in flux. In this session, we will take a look at what we’ve learned, emerging trends, challenges we face and resources that are available to help us maintain a high level of volunteer engagement and support.

Funder Focus Series w/ Susannah ErlerFunder Focus SeriesYour participation is invited as we learn more about Austin Community Foundation (ACF). Gain insights as we hear from an ACF representative who will describe the foundation’s philanthropic purpose including their grant-making mission to improve the quality of life for Central Texans. Bring your questions as we learn more about ACF’s grant programs: Community Grants, the Hispanic Impact Fund and the Women’s Fund.Series descriptionWhat do funders look for in a grant proposal: data, stories, both? What kinds of projects do foundations find inspiring? What choices do funders make in support of communities? Join us for Nonprofit Austin at ACC’s Funder Focus series to learn more about the funding and grantmaking process. Bring your questions for this exceptional opportunity to connect directly with those who make funding decisions that support nonprofit work.Funder Focus Host: Susannah Erler, Director, Greater Good StrategiesSusannah Erler started in a public radio career (including being Director of a National Public Radio affiliate) which later morphed into her current calling to support nonprofits. She earned her master's degree in Business with an Arts Administration (Nonprofit) specialization, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and is a Mission Capital Certified Interim Executive […]

Giving Effective and Meaningful Praise (to others and yourself)- Part 2Does the way you give praise really *land* with others? Is it motivating? Encouraging? Affirming? Connecting? While giving effective and meaningful praise seems simple enough - most people rarely use praise effectively or deliver it in a way that is the most impactful and meaningful. (This is often the case for ourselves internally, too. We may give nod to things we do well, but do we acknowledge and validate our work in ways that feel important?) Praise, positive feedback, and meaningful acknowledgement are important elements in maintaining healthy personal and professional motivation and development. In this training, you'll: -Be invited to question and evaluate the ways you currently incorporate this into your work and life -Learn various ways to maximize the impact of praise/positive feedback -Learn why some types of praise "work" and others don't -Learn how to best give motivating and aligning praise in a way that helps you and your team unite and work together most effectively

Strategically Engaging Volunteers w/ Kathy McCleskeyStrategically engaging volunteers is essential to a well-run program. The ability to intentionally examine where volunteers are needed and how to strategically integrate them into the overall nonprofit’s mission is a key to successful engagement. This course will enable participants to develop a clear path to incorporating volunteers into the overall mission and vision of their nonprofit.

Measuring Volunteer Program Outcomes w/ Kathy McCleskeyStrategically engaging volunteers is essential to a well-run program. The ability to intentionally examine where volunteers are needed and how to strategically integrate them into the overall nonprofit’s mission is a key to successful engagement. This course will enable participants to develop a clear path to incorporating volunteers into the overall mission and vision of their nonprofit.

Building Effective Volunteer Committees w/ Wendy Biro-PollardStrong committees contribute to strong organizations, and yet, in many nonprofits they are its weakest link. When committee members have clearly defined roles and direction, staff support and organized and experienced leadership, there are no limits to their effectiveness. In this course, participants will review committee roles and responsibilities, determine who should serve, and learn how to create committee work plans and monitor their progress.

Harnessing the Power of Organizational Storytelling - A great primer to our Ethical Storytelling Series!Humans are natural storytellers. We exchange stories to make and share meaning about who we are, the world around us, and our place within it. The way that stories are told by individuals and organizations drive relationship, connection, consumer action, and perception. This workshop series will explore foundational Organizational Storytelling tools, and will teach you to use storytelling to your individual and organizational advantage. Regardless of your professional role, this workshop will provide you with understand and tools that you can use to better understand and facilitate change within yourself and your organization.Expect: - Understand Organizational Storytelling Basics-Understand the role of organizational storytelling in internal relationships and collaboration- Understand how your personal story supports or challenges your organization's story-Understand the role of organizational storytelling in external relationships and consumer action-Identify gap areas between the spoken narrative within your organization and the actual narrative-Understand storytelling multitudes and how to hold space for various perspectives within an organizationA great primer to our Ethical Storytelling Series!

Get that Grant! The Series w/Susannah Ehler 4/7, 4/14, 4/21 & 4/28Can be taken as a 4-part series or as stand alone sessions! Learn what you need to "Get that Grant" w/Susannah Ehler.Join us and invite your colleagues!Week OneThursday, April 7th, 2022 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CSTTitle: The Art of Finding Grant OpportunitiesDescription:It is one of the biggest ‘grant writing secrets’: your chances of obtaining funding increase significantly when you find the right funding opportunity. Don’t spin your wheels; make sure you’re applying to funders that align with your nonprofit organization. This online class will clearly lay out the steps and strategies for effective grant prospecting. This can be taken as a stand-alone class or part of the April 2022 Grant series.Week TwoThursday, April 14th, 2022 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CSTTitle: Get that Grant I: Grant Writing Basics for NonprofitsDescriptionSo, you want to be a grant writer. Or maybe you’ve recently started writing grant applications for a nonprofit organization. This online class will describe the items funders are looking for and will provide a clear framework for crafting winning proposals. The focus is on writing grant applications for nonprofit organizations; join us if your level is anywhere from […]

Ethical Storytelling: Holding Vulnerability & Avoiding Exploitation-Part 1Storytelling is one of the most powerful currencies for human connection that exists. And it is one that is frequently used in the nonprofit and helping fields to amplify awareness, garner funding, create connection, validate donations and volunteering, and so much more. We tell stories to invite others in and to invite participation in the work being done. We often tell stories with great intentions. But, how do we ensure that we're not using someone's story or exploiting their experiences for our own gain? How do we ensure that we're empowering and amplifying someone's voice, rather than exploiting them and their vulnerability? How can we ethically tell someone's story while describing what we do? With the power of storytelling comes great responsibility. In this mini-series, we'll be exploring these questions, and the ways that you can ensure that you're ethically using storytelling in your organization and personal life without exploitation.This workshop is interactive and experiential, so you'll get a chance to engage in hands activities during the workshop, in addition to walking away with new knowledge.

Ethical Storytelling: Holding Vulnerability & Avoiding ExploitationStorytelling is one of the most powerful currencies for human connection that exists. And it is one that is frequently used in the nonprofit and helping fields to amplify awareness, garner funding, create connection, validate donations and volunteering, and so much more. We tell stories to invite others in and to invite participation in the work being done. We often tell stories with great intentions. But, how do we ensure that we're not using someone's story or exploiting their experiences for our own gain? How do we ensure that we're empowering and amplifying someone's voice, rather than exploiting them and their vulnerability? How can we ethically tell someone's story while describing what we do? With the power of storytelling comes great responsibility. In this session, we'll be exploring these questions, and the ways that you can ensure that you're ethically using storytelling in your organization and personal life without exploitation.This workshop is interactive and experiential, so you'll get a chance to engage in hands activities during the workshop, in addition to walking away with new knowledge.

Funder Focus Series w/ Susannah ErlerFunder Focus Series:Your participation is invited as we learn more about The City of Austin’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs). GTOPs provides three award pathways for Austin nonprofit groups to apply for funding or devices. Jesse Rodriguez, Interim Program Manager, will talk about how this funding program supports participation in the digital society and will share details about how funds and resources are distributed to area nonprofit organizations. Series description What do funders look for in a grant proposal: data, stories, both? What kinds of projects do foundations find inspiring? What choices do funders make in support of communities? Join us for Nonprofit Austin at ACC’s Funder Focus series to learn more about the funding and grantmaking process. Bring your questions for this exceptional opportunity to connect directly with those who make funding decisions that support nonprofit work. Funder Focus Host: Susannah Erler, Director, Greater Good Strategies Susannah Erler started in a public radio career (including being Director of a National Public Radio affiliate) which later morphed into her current calling to support nonprofits. She earned her master's degree in Business with an Arts Administration (Nonprofit) specialization, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) […]

Executive presence - Two Part Series Presence w/Alice Mar RocherExecutive presence is essential to successful leaders, and establishing it can sometimes feel elusive. It means making great impressions, having a keen self and other-awareness, demonstrating emotional intelligence, building strong relationships, and maximizing your influence for high impact, and so much more! Join us to build your leadership presence in this two-part series.Topics:Develop Your Credibility with a Unique Warm, Strong, and Valuable Leadership PresenceEnhance Your Self and Other-Awareness to Demonstrate Flexibility and Build Positive RelationshipsMaximize Your Influence Through Powerful Communication For Better Collaboration, Bigger Impact for Mutual Gain Shape and Manage Your Reputation and Brand in Good Times, and for Bad Times, When They Come

Navigating Resistance & Opposition (both internally & externally) - Part 2This series focuses on tools that you can immediately put into action to manage resistance and opposition - both within your organization and externally with clients, or others. We'll explore ways to:Build alignment with someone who is resistantUnderstand opposition more deeply (and how to work around it)Increase persuasiveness to get others on boardHow to manage it if someone just isn't ready for what you're offering (even if it would be good for them or the organization)

Empowering Charity: A New Narrative of Philanthropy w/ Dr. Froswa Booker-DrewPhilanthropy is steeped in myths that hurt communities of color rather than help them. Many current philanthropic strategies fail because they neglect the experience, wisdom, and gifts of those receiving help, and prioritize and perpetuate false myths. These myths fuel deficit-based models of philanthropy that do not work and will not change poverty. In this discussion, Froswa' will share more about her book and the role nonprofit leaders can play to change the narrative.Can't join us live? Sign up and receive the recording afterwards!

Person-Centered, Strengths-Based Case Management - 2 Part Series w/Lacy AlanaThis series will help you level-up and re-invigorate your case management practice. We'll cover ways to root your practices in person-centered, strengths-based and compassionate practices that will help you prevent or address burnout. Additionally, you'll be equipped with new tools and resources to use when approaching clients who seem "stuck," unmotivated, or challenging. Can't join us live? Sign and up receive the recording afterwards!

Building Your Network w/ Dr. Froswa Booker-DrewRelationships are critical to our personal and professional success. In understanding our story and our various identities, we can make stronger, more impactful connections. Although many of our relationships are transactional, our goal is to build transformative relationships. It starts with our understanding of who we are, the power of our narratives and the importance of building our network. It's not just networking, but building the community we seek.Can't join us live? Sign up and receive the recording afterwards!

Person-Centered, Strengths-Based Case Management - 2 Part Series w/Lacy AlanaThis series will help you level-up and re-invigorate your case management practice. We'll cover ways to root your practices in person-centered, strengths-based and compassionate practices that will help you prevent or address burnout. Additionally, you'll be equipped with new tools and resources to use when approaching clients who seem "stuck," unmotivated, or challenging. Can't join us live? Sign and up receive the recording afterwards!

Diversifying Your Board w/ Dr. Froswa Booker-DrewIt's not about checking a box, but recognizing the importance of living experience, those proximate to the work and different perspectives. Organizations thrive when there is intentionality and metrics in place to evaluate board diversity. In this workshop, learn more about creating expectations and metrics that are realistic, inclusive and align with the organization’s strategic goals.Can't join us live? Sign up and receive the recording afterwards!

Get that Grant! The Series w/Susannah Ehler 7/7, 7/14, 7/21 & 7/28Can be taken as a 4-part series or as stand alone sessions! Learn what you need to "Get that Grant" w/Susannah Ehler.Join us and invite your colleagues!Week OneThursday, July7th, 2022 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CSTTitle: The Art of Finding Grant OpportunitiesDescription:It is one of the biggest ‘grant writing secrets’: your chances of obtaining funding increase significantly when you find the right funding opportunity. Don’t spin your wheels; make sure you’re applying to funders that align with your nonprofit organization. This online class will clearly lay out the steps and strategies for effective grant prospecting. This can be taken as a stand-alone class or part of the April 2022 Grant series.Week TwoThursday, July14th, 2022 from noon to 1:30 p.m. CSTTitle: Get that Grant I: Grant Writing Basics for NonprofitsDescriptionSo, you want to be a grant writer. Or maybe you’ve recently started writing grant applications for a nonprofit organization. This online class will describe the items funders are looking for and will provide a clear framework for crafting winning proposals. The focus is on writing grant applications for nonprofit organizations; join us if your level is anywhere from beginner up […]

Connecting Your Community to your Cause: Partnerships w/ Dr. Froswa Booker-DrewWorking in isolation is damaging for both an organization and the community. Services are duplicated along with a lack of effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of programs. In this workshop, learn more about building powerful partnerships, the role of MOUs, and building strong collaborations. Can't join us live? Sign up and receive the recording afterwards!