Educational Projects
Launch the media gallery 1 playerCause Collective organizes many educational opportunities throughout the year. We hope there is something for all members at every staff level.
BOARD 101 TRAINING
The Cause Collective Board 101 Training is a free 1 to 1.5 hour training for our member agencies. This preentation is a review of basic roles & responsibilities of a nonprofit board.
To request a training, click the link below to complete the request form.
If you have any questions you can email us at director@causecollectivelincoln.org
SKILL SHARE PROGRAM:
The Cause Collective Skill Share program connects member agency staff with a specialist to discuss a nonprofit topic or would just like a bit of mentoring in a confidential 'one to one' setting, for one hour.
Once we receive the form, you will be matched with one of our specialists within 2 weeks to set up a meeting. If none are available for a particular topic at that time, we will reach out directly to discuss any other options we may have.
This is a new program, and we welcome feedback in the process.
REQUEST A SKILL SHARE SPECIALIST
SKILL SHARE PLUS PROGRAM
The Skill Share Plus Program is a new pilot program to help members with those issues that may take just a few more hours than the traditional one hour skill share.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS:
Through a partnership with Ingrid Kirst Consulting and generous local funders, Cause Collective offers the Successful Transitions program. This highly-recommended program covers all aspects of succession planning including both emergency planning and long-range leadership development. A small cohort of organizations participates in interactive learning sessions. They also each receive individual coaching to address their organization's situation.
Alec Gorynski, Lincoln Community Foundation says, 'Successful Transitions helped me think about how we structure our team now so that our staffing model can continue to effectively run our organization well beyond any one member of the team. I learned so much, and highly recommend the program for anyone, especially if you have no succession planning in place.'
Lynne Lange, past executive director at the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, said "The Successful Transitions program is an opportunity that every organization should embrace. It allows for planning that embraces our ever-changing times, including Executive Director transitions; shift in staff member roles, responsibilities and growth; and solidifying a path for the Board of Directors to be mindful regarding their tasks and future leadership plans."
MORE INFO AND WAITING LIST SIGN UP
CURRENT TRAININGS AND NETWORKING EVENTS:
Unless otherwise indicated, trainings are $15 for any staff/board member of a member agency and $45 for all others
Bridges Out of Poverty Book Club
DESCRIPTION
Join the Book Club and meet with other nonprofit professionals to read Bridges Out of Poverty. This book goes beyond monetary considerations to address the root causes of poverty by equipping participants with essential tools and resources for enhancing health, education, and opportunities for those in need. You'll gain a powerful framework to tackle poverty comprehensively.
Intended audience: those who want to better understand the causes of poverty to inform their work with those experiencing/experienced poverty.
Bring your own book or borrow one from us.
TRAINER
Georgann Roth, Food Bank of Lincoln, Community Resource Manager
Georgann is a Lincoln, Nebraska native who earned her degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With a heart for service, she has dedicated her career to nonprofits in Lincoln and currently serves as the Community Resource Manager at the Food Bank of Lincoln. In this role, she is passionately re-igniting the Bridges Out of Poverty Initiative, leads the SNAP Outreach team, and serves as the Food Bank's Grant Writer.
Having personally navigated the complexities of poverty, and enjoyed the stability of middle class, Georgann brings a unique perspective to her work and is committed to sharing her experiences through training and workshops on the Bridges model. Her values of authenticity, kindness, and helping others shine through in everything she does. As a Professional Life Coach, she enjoys walking with individuals on their journeys and aims to build a Bridges Community across Lincoln and its 16-county service area. Georgann envisions a collaborative effort where everyone works together for the greater good, believing this is essential for our community to thrive.
DETAILS
February 4, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
March 4, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
April 1, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
May 6, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
June 3, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
July 1, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
August 5, 2025 from 3:00-4:00pm
Food Bank of Lincoln, 1221 Kingbird Rd
Making the Workplace More Equitable
DESCRIPTION
Equity in the workplace is a common topic in today's work experience. Most organizations share their core values boast they are committed to ensuring all employees access the same opportunities, resources, and treatment.Equity means employees are valued based on their skills, knowledge, and abilities in a workplace, rather than their characteristics, demographics, affiliations, spirituality and other personal beliefs. How do we know our work environment can pass the "Equity" test? How do you assess your organization on equity domains for fairness? When should this assessment occur and who has the responsibility?
This workshop will offer conversations on the necessity or making an equitable workplace central to employee satisfaction , the implications for attracting and retaining top talent and cohesiveness and how do we measure the ROI (Return on Investment).
TRAINER
Karen Bell-Dancy, Executive Director, YWCA Lincoln
Karen Bell-Dancy serves as the Executive Director at YWCA Lincoln. This is a position she took after serving on the Board and Co-Chair of the Financial Development Committee. Bell-Dancy holds an Executive MBA in Management Degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Bloch School of Business and a bachelor’s in psychology from Clark Atlanta University.
She has over 30 years of experience that consist mainly of higher education and all levels of work in public schools from elementary to high school. This includes 13 years working with UMKC's TRIO programs and six years as Director of Distance Education for UNL. She briefly left the public education sector to work for two years as Vice President of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives with a private female-owned consulting firm, LGC. N 2022, Karen completed the Allstate Foundation Non-Profit Leadership Certificate from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and in 2023, the Advancing Racial Justice Equity Certificate Program from Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University.
Bell-Dancy is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and has a passion for working and advocating for women, youth, and social justice issues. She is a firm believer of "lest we forget," which serves as a personal testimony and platform for her work.
DETAILS
Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Community Health Endowment, 250 N 21st St
KickOff Event for the Program With No Name
DESCRIPTION
Join us to launch Cause Collective's newest program!
The new program aims to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem by fostering a network of professionals new to the sector/their role, and is designed to cultivate meaningful relationships and enhance leadership capabilities. The focus is on young or new individuals in the nonprofit sector; however all are welcome who are employed at a nonprofit in Lancaster County.
Join us for some light refreshments and good times with you peer nonprofit professionals. AND we will let the people decide--we'll name the new program at the KickOff event!!
Kate Bolz--President of the Community Health Endowment--will offer a brief keynote.
DETAILS
Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4:30-6:00pm
Foundry, 211 N 14th St, third floor conference room
How to Write a Winning Grant
DESCRIPTION
In this course we will tackle the specifics needed to write a winning grant, from ensuring your mission is aligned with the funder you are seeking money from to the details of writing a great grant to the importance of grant reporting and everything in-between. Bring your specific questions and concerns and we will address them at the end of our time together!
TRAINER
Katie LeDoux--Sunflower Grant Writers
I spent the first 18 years of my career living and working in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and then at the Kennedy Center. While at these amazing places, I spent many hours getting grants for and working on programs and public art projects.
Since launching my own company in Omaha in 2019, I have been able to secure grants that helped to fund wish lists for our clients including arts programs, city expansion, youth development, agriculture, health care projects and more. We have assisted organizations and small businesses obtain federal funding and state funding. To date, Sunflower Grant Writers has raised over $16.4 million in funding.
DETAILS
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Cause Collective's office with United Way, 6900 Van Dorn St
Guidance for First Greeters
DESCRIPTION
As a first greeter of your agency, you are the fist person that consumers, other community agencies, and professionals have contact with. You provide guidance, information and ensure people and information get to the correct place. This training provides guidance for managing critical situations and being aware of your responses during crisis so that you are able to get through difficult situations safely and confidently.
TRAINER
Bridget Thompson, MA, LIMHP, CPC
Bridget is an Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Certified Counselor. She graduated with her degree from University of Nebraska -Lincoln in Psychology. She then earned a Masters in Counseling from Doane College, allowing her to better serve her community. Educated in Health Coaching through the American Council on Exercise and educated in the mind, body, spirit connection, she uses a holistic approach. She loves helping people develop into their best selves, whether it be through trainings, public speaking events, or individual/family sessions. She is currently working with Lincoln Wellness Group and Avant Total Health to provide mental health support to the community of Lincoln, Nebraska.
DETAILS
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Cause Collective's office with United Way, 6900 Van Dorn St
Getting Grant Ready!
DESCRIPTION
In this course we will cover the seven basic building blocks an organization needs to have in place before they are fully ready to apply for grants. These building blocks are designed to set your organization up for success and make the grant application process easy.
It is critical to be Grant Ready before you start asking for funding from donors and foundations who will have several expectations of how your organization is running. There will be plenty of time to ask specific questions and go through model examples after we discuss each building block in detail.
TRAINER
Katie LeDoux, Sunflower Grant Writers
Katie spent the first 18 years of her career living and working in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and then at the Kennedy Center. While at these amazing places, she spent many hours getting grants for and working on programs and public art projects.
Since launching her own company in Omaha in 2019, Katie has been able to secure grants that helped to fund wish lists for clients including arts programs, city expansion, youth development, agriculture, health care projects and more. We have assisted organizations and small businesses obtain federal and state funding. To date, Sunflower Grant Writers has raised over $16.4 million in funding.
DETAILS
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Cause Collective's office with United Way, 6900 Van Dorn St
Networking with Cause Collective
After 20 years as tenants of Region V Systems, Cause Collective has moved our office! We have a new home as a tenant of United Way. Come see our new digs and connect with your nonprofit pals. We'll provide FREE drinks and hors d’oeuvres to keep us warm! This is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow Cause Collective Members and bring staff at any level! This is also a great opportunity for a Member to bring a "potential member" guest.
DETAILS
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 4:00-5:30pm
Cause Collective's office with United Way, 6900 Van Dorn St
Nebraska Nonprofit Lobby Day
DESCRIPTION
Nonprofits and the people they serve are impacted by policy-making everyday. The Nebraska Nonprofit Lobby Day is a great way to learn about how your nonprofit can engage with the legislature.
Our purpose is to help those with little or no experience see what happens at the State Capitol. This is done by viewing a legislative session and committee hearing, meeting with Senators, and training registrants on the basics of advocating/lobbying.
We are also providing education to the Legislature about the positive economic and social impact of nonprofits.
SPONSORED BY
EVENT PARTNERS
- Senator George Dungan
- Coalition for a Strong Nebraska
- Give Nebraska
- Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
- Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Anyone new to the world of advocating and lobbying and wants to experience being in the State Capitol to view a session, listen in on a hearing, speak with Senators, or to learn more about the legislative process! Everyone is welcome, but priority will be given to registrants with less advocacy experience.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
This is a free event for any staff/volunteer of a Member organization of Cause Collective, Coalition for a Strong Nebraska, Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, or Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.
DETAILS
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 8:30am-1:30pm
Nebraska State Bar Foundation (Hruska Law Center), 635 S 14th St
Unconscious Bias
DESCRIPTION
The workshop will help you to gain awareness of the mental shortcuts that lead to snap judgments about people's talents and/or character. Reduce bias in attitudes and behaviors and learn to assess your behavior and broaden your mindset to ensure a workplace that is welcoming of diverse viewpoints.
The workshop will take place in two parts and attendees are expected to attend BOTH sessions.
-
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
-
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
TRAINER
Leticia Meitzen--Community Action of Nebraska, Training & Public Relations Coordinator
Leticia Meitzen is currently the Training & Public Relations Coordinator for Community Action of Nebraska. She has been a part of the Non-Profit world for over 20 years and has had the privilege of working with the following communities: Omaha, East LA, South Chicago, San Antonio, Washington DC, New York City and many more. In the mid 2000’s, she worked as a VP & lobbyist of the #1 Child Advocacy Agency in Washington DC. She is certified in Effective Communication, Active Listen, Body Language, DEI, and Racial Healing Facilitation. She is currently working to receive her certifications in IDI and has over 15 years of Training experience.
DETAILS
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
AND
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Community Health Endowment, 250 N 21st St
Purpose Palooza! - Nonprofit Marketing Conference
DESCRIPTION
Purpose Palooza! is a capacity-building event for local nonprofit leaders - executive directors, marketers, fundraisers, volunteer coordinators, and board members alike. The focus is on delivering marketing tips, tools, and connections to boost the good works of local nonprofits in fulfilling community needs.
DETAILS
March 28, 2025 from 8:30am-4:00pm
Auld Pavilion Recreation Center, 1650 Memorial Dr
Case Managers' Training--Supervising from a Trauma-Responsive Lens
DESCRIPTION
This 90-minute training equips supervisors with practical principles and strategies to implement trauma-responsive supervision effectively. Participants will explore the core principles of Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Invested frameworks and their application in fostering safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration within their teams. The session emphasizes balancing compassion with accountability, examining how these dynamic shape leadership styles and organizational culture. Through guided reflective practices, supervisors will develop actionable strategies to enhance relationships, promote self-regulation, and maintain accountability. This approach fosters environments that prioritize staff well-being, resilience, and professional growth. (Supervision/Ethics CEUs)
TRAINER
Jessyca Vandercoy, LICSW--Executive Director NASW-Nebraska Chapter, and Co-Founder Whole Collective
Jessyca Vandercoy, LICSW has spent the last 20 years as a social worker in various roles, as an administrator, a clinician, an educator, and a policy advocate. In each of these roles Jessyca prioritizes the development of responsive infrastructures and system transformation. Jessyca is co-builder of Whole Collective, a coaching and consultation firm that utilizes micro, mezzo, and macro interventions to create workplace environments centered on employee wellness and company culture goals. Jessyca currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers, South Dakota and Nebraska Chapters. Ms. Vandercoy is also an adjunct faculty member for the University of Nebraska- Kearney in the area of social work and social welfare policy.
DETAILS
Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 8:30-10:00am
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Rd