Data Management Workshop - March 19

Here’s the questionnaire regarding your data management needs so that we can focus the March 19^th workshop with Brian Worrall: CLICK HERE .  The questionnaire should only take you 5 minutes to complete.  If you’re planning on attending, please complete the questionnaire and RSVP to Katie Kurcz at kkurcz@artsbiz-chicago.org by next Friday, March 9.  However, this workshop is NOT mandatory; attend only if you feel you need assistance with this area.  FYI, only one person per organization can attend due to capacity issues. 

As a reminder, the workshop is scheduled for Mon, March 19 from 9:30 – 11:30am at CCT (111 East Wacker, Suite 1400).        

Capitalizing Your Organization to Achieve Artistic Vision and Impact

Interesting article by Susan Trapnell, Senior Consultant at Arts Consulting Group.

Capitalizing Your Organization
to Achieve Artistic Vision and Impact

Susan Trapnell, Senior Consultant

The current economic and cultural climate is clearly difficult for the arts. In response, some arts and culture organizations will spiral downward in the losing battle of seeking some "sustainable," but often unachievable, levels where revenues always exceed expenses. Many other organizations, however, will stay on course, sharpen their focus on mission, vision and values, keep their long-term health in mind, and adapt thoughtfully and strategically to changing external conditions. The freedom to think and act strategically, to take big risks, or to make big changes depends upon the organization’s underlying financial health, not its annual operating budget, and upon its reserve funds rather than the annual fund.

In this issue of Arts Insights, we will look at the significant benefits of capitalizing your organization and how to go about it. The undercapitalized organization is at a huge competitive disadvantage no matter how strong its artistic work. And organizations that look to solve their financial stresses through the annual operating budget alone will, at best, simply persist but to no real community benefit, or at worst, spiral downward to the ... Read More

FREE: How to Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out from the Pack

FREE: How to Make Your Grant Proposal Stand Out from the Pack

Monday, March 5 1:00PM - 2:00PM EST Webinar Description  With more than $40 billion in grant money given away each year in the U.S. by private foundations alone, you know that there’s competition for those dollars. But how can you make YOUR organization stand out from the crowd and make that grant funder want to fund YOU? What can you do to find favor with grant funders and how do you even make them notice you – much less fund you? Your proposal is normally the first impression a grant funder has of your organization. Learn how to make the best impression you can so that funders will sit up and take notice. This is finally your opportunity to learn valuable tactics that will take your grant proposals from so-so to great! The following questions will be answered during this free webinar: What are the ten things grant funders always look for? What words should be avoided in proposals? What should be included in a stand-out cover letter? How can a proposal be formatted for maximum chance of funding? What steps can be taken to ensure grant continuation? Presented by Betsy Baker, MPA Betsy Baker is President of YourGrantAuthority.com. She is an author, trainer/coach, public speaker and grant writing consultant having raised $10 million in grant funding for her clients. Betsy has spent her entire career in the nonprofit world and understands both the rewards and the challenges that grant writing presents. She is dedicated to demystifying the process and encouraging fund raisers to write winning grant applications. She also coaches fellow grant writers in becoming grant writing consultants. Betsy is a regular presenter for the The Foundation Center, the Grant Professionals Association, Centers for Nonprofits and United Way agencies and is a regular contributor to Opportunity Knocks! and CharityChannel.



Weathering the storm

Sturdier than the mail carrier making his/her way through rain, snow, sleet, and hail are the arts!
Check out the article in the arts section of today's Chicago Tribune.

Enjoy Leap Day this week!

Your friends at DanceWorks Chicago

SMART Growth Grantee Orientation - Wed, Feb 29 from 3:30 - 4:30pm

The Arts & Business Council is hosting an orientation on Wed, Feb 29 from 3:30 – 4:30pm at 70 East Lake Street, THIRD FLOOR conference room to clarify the role between CCT and A&BC.  Please RVSP to Katie Kurcz at kkurcz@artsbiz-chicago.org by Wed, Feb 15.  It will be an opportunity for A&BC to review our services that are available that may help you achieve your Year 1 proposal goals and develop next steps for Year 2.

Also, save the date for Mon, March 19 from 9:30 - 11:30am at CCT’s office (111 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1400).  The aggregate results from the smARTscope assessment tool indicated this was a common lagging area for this cohort of organizations.  The training will be led Brian Worrall, Director of the Annual Fund & Development Services at MCGAW YMCA.  We will be sending out a quick survey to get your feedback on what would be the most valuable focus for this training.  More details will be coming shortly.    

New Plan to Enhance Chicago Culture - Community Invited to Plan

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is asking residents, cultural organizations and community groups for their input in developing the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan. The plan will deliver a set of recommendations to support the arts and artists throughout the city, as well as enhance economic growth and Chicago's reputation as a global cultural destination.

Chicagoans can easily participate in shaping the plan and can submit their ideas through social media, town hall meetings and public forums. The plan will provide a list of recommendations and serve as a blueprint for the future of Chicago's arts and culture community.   The strategies of the plan will also help implement key goals such as extending the arts into the neighborhoods.

Public engagement will play a key role. Town Hall meetings will be held in four locations beginning February 15 and continuing on February 16, 18 and 21. To participate in the conversation, attend one of the following meetings:

                Wednesday, February 15: Columbia College from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

                Thursday, February 16: Nicholas Senn High School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

                Saturday, February 18: DuSable Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

                Tuesday, February 21: National Museum of Mexican Art from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

To learn more, visit www.chicagoculturalplan2012.com.

Board Building - The Nominating Committee's Role

An interesting article from the Arts Consulting Group.  Check it out!  http://artsconsulting.com/pdf_arts_insights/insights_feb_2012.pdf.