Workshop: Learning the Fundamentals of Grant Writing & Program Evaluation

Monday, August 11, 3:30pm-5:30pm 
Columbia College Chicago
33 E Congress, Room 101

Speaker:
Dr. Rekha S. Rajan, Visiting Associate Professor of Research, Program Leader for Masters in Grant Writing, Management, and Evaluation, Concordia University Chicago 

Panelists:
Amanda Farrar, Executive Director, Barrel of Monkeys
Sejal Shah-Myers, Program Officer, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Ellen Pacey Wadey, Program Officer, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

This session gets back to the basics of grant writing while considering the importance of assessment and evaluation throughout the process.  You’ll learn how to match needs, goals, and outcomes for arts grants, what are the important components of the grant proposal, why assessment and evaluation are important when grant writing, and how to collaborate effectively with the program evaluator.  

Register here: http://bit.ly/1qjou3P

Workshop: Creating a Strategic Online Presence

Monday, July 14, 3:30-5:30pm Manifest Digital
35 E Wacker, Suite 600

Presenter:
Patrick DiMichele, Director of User Experience, Manifest Digital
Ashley Goldmintz, User Experience Consultant, Manifest Digital

Panelists:
Carole Deeter, Operations & Marketing Director, Fifth House Ensemble
Cheri Pentimone, Company Member, Webmaster, & Graphic Designer, 2nd Story
JC Steinbrunner, Editor, Chicago Artists Resource

Learn about how to develop and improve your organization's online presence.  This session will cover the basics of website planning and design. Topics will include outlining site structure, selecting a platform, integrating with ticketing and donation tools, and leveraging social media. A panel of nonprofit peers will also share their experiences on how a well-designed site forms the basis of their digital presence and marketing strategies. Attendees will leave with a solid understanding of the value of a strong online presence as well as the blueprint to start designing or revamping their own.

Register here: http://bit.ly/1vZLIys

Workshop: Building an Infrastructure for Sustainability

Monday, July 7, 3:30pm-5:30pm 
Chicago Community Trust
225 N Michigan Ave, 22nd Floor

Moderator:
Lisa Tylke, A&BC smARTscope Consultant

Panelists:
Jackie Banks-Mahlum, Managing Director, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
Matt Greenberg, Executive Director, Chicago a cappella
Mark Yonally, Artistic and Executor Director, Chicago Tap Theatre

This session will be led by nonprofit consultant Lisa Tylke and will focus on how to lay a solid foundation for growth and sustainability.  The session will cover how to ensure your organization has a clear mission/vision, articulated roles/responsibilities, and formalized policies/procedures.  You’ll hear from three Directors who will share their stories of how they’ve brought their organization to the next level both structurally and financially.

You must register by July 3. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

Register here: http://bit.ly/1nlJClZ

Workshop: Corporate Partnerships in the Arts

Tuesday, May 20, 9:00am-11:30am
Columbia College Chicago
Stage Two, 618 S Michigan Ave, 2nd Floor

Lead Presenter:
Jim Andrews, Senior Vice President, Content Strategy, IEG Consulting

Panelists:
Sharon Martwick, Director of Institutional Giving, Goodman Theatre
Amy Newkirk, Marketing & Community Relations, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Trent Sheridan, Sponsorships & Events, ComEd

There are great mutual benefits for corporations and arts organizations to partner together to build brand, audience and revenue.  At this workshop, you’ll learn from an expert consultant about best practices in targeting and pitching sponsorships to corporations.  You’ll also hear from both nonprofit and corporate panelists providing examples and insights of what they’re doing on the ground to effectively work together.     

Session Objectives:

• Discuss the difference between philanthropy vs. sponsorship
• Share strategies for researching prospective partners and how to prioritize targets
• Understand the solicitation process and how to build corporate relationships
• Learn how to articulate the value proposition of working together

Price: $65

REGISTER HERE: http://bit.ly/PiDCRe

Board Lab May 14: What to have in place before recruiting for your board

Wednesday, May 14, 12:00-1:30pm
Arts & Business Council of Chicago
70 E Lake St, 3rd Floor Conference Room

Before your organization begins recruiting new board members there are several crucial steps to ensuring a productive search and fruitful conversations. Board prospects seek a certain amount of structure and process already in place and there are some simple steps that your current board members can take to make sure that your organization is appealing to a prospective board member.

This session is geared toward organizations that do not have a formal, comprehensive board recruitment process in place.

In this session we will:

• Identify the “must have’s” in your board recruitment packet and process
• Discuss how to assess your current board and what types of board members you really should be looking for
• Share resources to make the most of your valuable and limited time

You will leave with:

• Templates and worksheets to get started on your own board recruitment packet
• Ideas for where to seek new board members
• Creative ways that other organizations have found new board members

This session includes a 45-minute presentation followed by 45 minutes of small group discussion including peer coaching and direct feedback from one of our Board Consultants. Organizations are encouraged to attend with two board members or a board and executive staff member.

Price: $20 (brown bag: bring your own lunch) or $30 (includes lunch)

Register here: http://www.artsbiz-chicago.org/events/2014/05/what-to-have-in-place-before-recruiting-for-your-board/

Lunch work session: What to have in place before recruiting for your board

Monday, March 31, 12:00-1:30pm
Arts & Business Council of Chicago
70 E Lake St, 3rd Floor Conference Room

Before your organization begins recruiting new board members there are several crucial steps to ensuring a productive search and fruitful conversations. Board prospects seek a certain amount of structure and process already in place and there are some simple steps that your current board members can take to make sure that your organization is appealing to a prospective board member.

This session is geared toward organizations that do not have a formal, comprehensive board recruitment process in place.

In this session we will:

• Identify the “must have’s” in your board recruitment packet and process
• Discuss how to assess your current board and what types of board members you really should be looking for
• Share resources to make the most of your valuable and limited time

You will leave with:

• Templates and worksheets to get started on your own board recruitment packet
• Ideas for where to seek new board members
• Creative ways that other organizations have found new board members

This session includes a 45-minute presentation followed by 45 minutes of small group discussion including peer coaching and direct feedback from one of our Board Consultants. $15 brown bag lunch, drinks will be provided. Organizations are encouraged to attend with two board members or a board and executive staff member.

Price: $15

REGISTER HERE

Workshop March 11: Using Analytics to Drive Strategy

Tuesday, March 11 - 9:00am-11:00am
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash Ave, Hokin Hall, Room 109

Moderator:

Philippe Ravanas, Chair, Arts, Entertainment & Media Management, Columbia College Chicago

 

Panelists:

Melanie Kalnins, Director, Sales & Marketing Analysis, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Aaron Andersen, Chief Financial Officer, Chicago Architecture Foundation

Diane Knoepke, Director, Mission Measurement

 

It’s hard to enough to balance the choices you make about the art and the commerce sides of your organization when you’re strapped for time and cash. It’s even harder to make fundamental behavioral changes when you know they’re needed. For an arts organization to stay relevant and viable you need to make smart, data-driven decisions and make changes based on strong foundational evidence, not whim. In this digital age there’s a real opportunity to use analytics to inform the planning process, the artistic product, the pricing and more accurately predict audience behavior. At this workshop, you’ll hear from organizations that are using data to be more strategic decision-makers about their overall programming and brand.

 

Price: $65
(Registration is nonrefundable)

Register here: http://www.artsbiz-chicago.org/events/2014/03/using-analytics-drive-strategy/

Basic Bookkeeping with Quickbooks

Wednesdays, January 22 and 29, 9:30am-12:30pm
A&BC Office building, 70 E Lake St,
3rd Floor Conference Room

A two-part introduction to nonprofit bookkeeping. As participants learn bookkeeping basics they will also be introduced to the corresponding Quickbooks entries relevant internal control issues for each type of transaction. The training will cover recording and tracking income and expense transactions, creating standard reports, and establishing internal controls to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud. The presentation will focus on the specific needs of nonprofit arts organizations.

 

Trainings will be led by a certified Quickbooks Adviser from The A.C.T Group LTD, a Chicago CPA firm and Dan Jacobson, Director of Operations for the Arts & Business Council of Chicago. Dan is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP), through the National Association of Nonprofit Accountants & Consultants (NPAC).

 

This course is meant for Managing Directors, Office Managers, Bookkeepers or anyone else who is new to bookkeeping and is responsible for their organization’s financial record using Quickbooks, Class size will be limited to 12 people.

 

Price: $199 for 2 class sessions

 

REGISTER NOW!

Workshop: Use Social Media for Audience Development

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
Columbia College Chicago
623 South Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109
Register Here!
Price: $45 (NPO budget <$250k); $65 (NPO budget > $250k/ for-profit/ individuals)

Speaker: John Armstrong, Senior Community Manager, Astek

Let's "get real" about social media. It's not free and it's not easy. At its worst, social media is a loud speaker pushing undifferentiated noise few will understand or even care about. At its best, it is the most effective and efficient way to have a meaningful conversation with you patrons and add value to their relationship with your company. This relationship is the foundation for building new audiences, attracting volunteers and developing long-term donors. At this workshop, you'll join John Armstrong in a discussion about creating targeted, resource-friendly campaigns designed to build loyalty and your brand. In addition, case studies will be presented from two organizations at different stages of development that have used social media beyond the traditional strategies and engaged their audience in a uniquely memorable way.

At this workshop, you'll learn:
- The myths and misconceptions of social media that create barriers to successful use of this creative marketing channel;
- How to target a social media strategy for two purposes; reaching a new audience and making your current audience more loyal;
- How to move social media from the computer screen into real-life and activate your audience (and your brand);
- Examples of both small and large campaigns that have created engagement, entertainment and brand awareness;
-How creating a simple social media campaign can be a fun, collaborative and mission-building experience.

Online registration will close at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9. 

Workshop: Alternative Sources of Revenue Generation

Tuesday, August 20, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Columbia College Chicago
33 E. Congress, Room 101
Price: $45 budget < $250k/ $65 budget > $250k or for-profit organization
Click to Register

In an environment where income sources for nonprofit arts organizations are flat lining and often declining, it's critical for groups to think creatively about generating new sources of revenue to ensure near - and long-term sustainability. At this workshop, you'll hear from three organizations at different stages of development that are experimenting with business models that venture beyond the traditional strategies of relying solely on grant support, fundraising events and ticket sales. The case studies presented will include examples of for hire work, rental income opportunities and the counter-intuitive model that has yielded financial growth through free programming.

You'll learn:
- How to reconsider your assets as an arts organization and determine your untapped value;
- How to challenge the traditional ways of doing business in the nonprofit world;
- What the possibilities are for growth relating to contract and commissioned work; and
- What questions need to be considered before testing out a new program.

Moderator: 
Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Stage 773

Panelists:
Alex Balestrieri, Director of Events, Redmoon Theater
Jocelyn Florence, Business Development, Redmoon Theater
Brad Little, Executive Director, Oracle Productions
Anthony Moseley, Executive & Artistic Director, Collaboraction Theatre Company

A&BC Workshop: Leveraging Community Connections

Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - 9:30am-11:30am
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109

Lead Presenter:
Carla Mayer, Arts & Culture Manager, Chicago Parks District

Panelists:
Josephine Lee, President & Artistic Director, Chicago Children's Choir
Elizabeth Levy, Program Director, Barrel of Monkeys
Mark Messing, Chief Creative Officer, Opera-Matic

Learn about how your organization can partner with the Chicago Parks District through: arts partners in residence, contractual cultural programming, split revenue partnership and short-term performances or rehearsals.  You’ll hear directly from arts nonprofits that are currently taking advantage of these opportunities in a variety of ways to address their space needs, to build new audiences, to engage the community and to support their outreach programs. 

At this workshop, you will learn:

• How you can benefit from partnering with the Chicago Parks District
• What tools and resources are necessary to nurture this relationship
• How the Chicago Parks District can help you build stronger connections with the community
• How relationships with other civic partners can be leveraged

 

Price: $45 (NPO budget <250K); $65 (NPO budget >250K/for-profit/individuals)
Workshops are nonrefundable

Register here: http://www.artsbiz-chicago.org/events/2013/05/leveraging-community-connections/

Workshop in June: Strengthening & Learning from your Organizational Impact

Good afternoon SMARTies, 

There's a great workshop coming up in June! Are you struggling with knowing how to evaluate your programs in a way that is both meaningful and manageable for your organization? This workshop will provide you with key terms, concepts and insights into how to think about and use evaluation to improve programs and better communication about your impact. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Donors Forum Large Conference Room

Register for this event

Fees: $250

Key topics include how to design or improve your evaluation process, how to collect data with measurable indicators, and key elements of process evaluation and outcome evaluation. The instructors for this workshop will be Susan Quern Pratt and Jenny Ellis Richards.  

Workshop: A.B.C. 20/20 MONEY

Coordinated by Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC), here's another great opportunity to start the year off on the right track!

A.B.C 20/20 MONEY
January 19, 2013
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Presentation Only: $5 CAC members + residents, $10 General public
Presentation + Consultation: $25 CAC members + residents, $30 General public
Click for more info/Register

20/20 Money is the second part of a 4-part series, which focuses on clarifying best practices in accounting and financial management for artists and also the tax impact of different business entities. This session is perfect preparation for tax season.

Consultants
Kelly Etting, President of Ledgers Inc.
Jenny Fitzpatrick, Bookkeeper for CAC and Asst. Treasurer/Lead Accountant of Nat'l Lewis University
Julie Herwitt, CPA of Herwitt & Associates LLC
Brian Hornstein, CPA, CGMA at Discover
Greg Teagues, Financial Connect Specialist at ComPsych, Accountant at Practical Financial Solutions

'Pay What You Can' option is available, contact programs@chicagoartistscoalition.org for more details.

FREE Webinar and Workshop reminder

Happy New Year! I hope everyone started the year on the right foot. There's a couple of webinars and workshop that may be of your interest.

1. This one is very last minute but it's FREE.
What's an Asking Style and How Do I Use Mine?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Info: Everyone has a unique way of asking for donations. At this webinar you'll learn why it's important to fundraise in your own style, how the Asking Style system will improve your fundraising results and how to choose the perfect prospects to solicit given your style.
Click Here for more info and to Register

2. Reminder: A&BC's workshop 
Building Cultural Corporate Partnerships
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109
Price: $45 (npo budget < $250K), $65 (npo budget>$250K/for-profit)
Info: The arts community if aware of the value to form alliances with local businesses and worldwide corporations to build support and visibility. However, arts organizations are often uncertain of how or where to start in developing such relationships. Don't miss the opportunity to learn practical and useful information of how to develop your own prospect list and case studies.
Click Here for more info and to Register

Happy Holidays & 1st workshop of January details

SMARTies,

As the end of year approaches and everyone is getting ready for the holidays season. We'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. May next year bring everyone more opportunities to grow and learn.

A&BC will be hosting a workshop in January focusing on building partnerships with corporations. See below  for details.

Upcoming Workshop:

Building Corporate Partnerships
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109
Click here to register and for more information

What you'll learn:

• Demystify the process of partnering with the private sector
• Develop a prospect list of companies to target
• Communicate the value of an arts partnership
• Design a compelling partnership package

Moderator/Panelists:

Sylvia Alston, Principal & Owner, Write2Win Communications

Beth Gallagher, Director of Community Involvement, Aon

Megan Smith, Director of Corporate Relations, Steppenwolf Theatre

Ruth Meberg Stine, Development Director - Special Projects, Chicago Human Festival

Workshop: Annual Appeals & Digital Campaigns

Are starting to think about end of year asks? Have you been thinking about digital campaigns? Then this workshop if for you! 

The last workshop of the year will focus on how to best utilize Email Marketing tools and Content Strategy techniques to develop effective Fundraising campaigns and End of Year asks. You will hear from an expert in digital media as well as from a panel of arts professionals who have development experience. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012. 5:30-8:00pm

Columbia College Chicago

623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109

Topics will include:

• How to construct an effective e-mail: content and design
• When and how to send emails
• How to measure impact and improve results
• The Who, What, How and Where of content strategy

Presenter:

Andy Crestodina, Strategic Director, Orbit Media Studios

Panelists:

Kaitlin Allen, Director of Individual Giving, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Amanda Delheimer Dimond, Artistic & Executive Director, 2nd Story

Bob Fiedler, Executive Director, People's Music School

Workshop: Working with Donors to Cultivate Major Gifts

Polish the skills you need to take your individual fundraising strategies to the next level and secure major donors - Thursday, October 4, 2012.


Register now for Individual Giving 201, an advanced - level Donors Forum workshop that will help you refine your individual fundraising strategies and secure major donors. 

A major gift is a big gift - how big depends on your organization and the state of your fundraising efforts. In this half-day, advanced - level course, you'll polish the skills required to take your individual fundraising strategies to the next level. We'll help you define what a major gift means to your organization and cover the strategies you need to secure them.

Individual Giving 201: A Major Necessity - Working with Donors to Cultivate Major Gifts
Thursday, October 4, 2012
9:00am - 12:00pm
Donors Forum Large Conference Room
208 S. LaSalle, Suite 1535

$90 for organizations that belong to Donors Forum
$150 standard fee

Register Now!

Sound Fiscal Practices: Budgeting & Planning

Are you looking to strengthen your organization's financial position or simply identify and implement best practices? Join the Arts and Business Council at an informative workshop to discuss topics such as strategic fundraising, building reserves, capital campaigns, the role of the board in it all and many more.

Detail:
Tuesday, September 11, 2012. 5:30-8:00pm
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109

Presenters:
Megan Angle, Accountant, Porte Brown
Tim Dunning, Representative, The Private Bank

Price:
$45 (NPO budget < 250K) / $65 (For-profit/NPO budget > 250K)

Click to Register.