Events

Mar
2
Sat
Board Training: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Mar 2 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Learning objectives include:

  • Non-governing boards and committees
  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • Bylaws
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Role of the lawyer on the board
  • Fiduciary duties
  • Conflict of interest
  • Directors & Officers insurance
  • Contracts
  • Strategic Planning

Price: $150

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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Mar
12
Tue
Annual Benefit Luncheon | Arts & Business and Capacity: Exemplifying Cultural Equity
Mar 12 @ 11:30 am


Pictured: Xavier Ramey

Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 11:30 a.m.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield Building, 300 E. Randolph St., 30th Floor Event Center

 

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC) invites you to Arts & Business and Capacity: Exemplifying Cultural Equity.

The arts sector has a major impact on Chicago’s culture and commerce, supporting thousands of jobs and adding value to our civic lives. But does it truly reflect the people who call our city home? How can we, as individuals and organizations, contribute to Chicago’s vibrancy by lifting up our cultural diversity? Keynote speaker Xavier Ramey, chief executive officer of Justice Informed, joins this year’s luncheon to share why cultural equity should matter to your business, how it benefits the communities we serve, and why Chicago’s success depends on it. Ricardo Gamboa, award-winning artist, activist, and academic, will moderate discussion.

Come discover how the fusion of arts, our demographic composition, and economic development all tell a story about the vibrancy and future of Chicago!

For more information, email info@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312-372-1876, ext. 101.

Proceeds from this event benefit A&BC’s capacity building efforts throughout Chicago.

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago recognizes the generosity and lead sponsorship of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Illinois, MERGE, Segal Consulting, Aon Hewitt, Goodman Theatre, Willis Towers Watson, Boston Consulting Group, the Joffrey Ballet, and Elkay Manufacturing.

Sponsorship Opportunities >>

 

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About Xavier Ramey
Xavier Ramey is the CEO of Justice Informed, LLC, a social impact consulting firm based in Chicago, IL. He is an award-winning social strategist, noted public speaker, and conflict mediator. Combining his background in economics, extensive management and social impact experience, and direct-action campaigning in the Black Lives Matter movement, Xavier leads a company that brings a wealth of experience and network to clients seeking catalyzed strategies for inclusion, philanthropy, CSR, and community engagement. A native Chicagoan, he is a recognizable voice on the topics of community and economic development, policing and policy violence, and connecting the Christian faith to our lived experience.

Xavier served as the lead of the Social Innovation and Philanthropy strategy in the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, managed multi-million dollar philanthropic portfolios to stimulate employment, and worked as a nonprofit Director of Development in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Xavier is a founding member of the #LetUsBreathe Collective, an artist-activist organization committed to addressing State violence against people of color. He is a Board member of Young Chicago Authors, and the newly opened Chicago Center for Arts and Technology.

Mar
23
Sat
Board Training: Fundraising Landscape @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Mar 23 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Charles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit arts organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • How to structure the “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation calendar

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Apr
2
Tue
Lab: QuickBooks Online @ WeWork State Street
Apr 2 @ 9:00 am – Apr 3 @ 12:00 pm

Tuesday, April 2 from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Wednesday, April 3 from 9:00am – 12:00pm

QuickBooks Online gives you many ways to improve your accounting efficiency and choose the processes and reports that are most important to your nonprofit organization. This hands-on Learning Lab will show you tips and shortcuts that’ll help you cut down on time spent working, while maximizing the accuracy of your accounting.

You’ll learn:

  • Overall settings and structure
  • User access
  • Memorized and automated transactions
  • Banking downloads and account reconciliations
  • Clients vs. vendors
  • Detail vs. summary transactions
  • Payroll setup, timesheets, and processing
  • Importing options to reduce data entry (i.e. from third-party payroll, PayPal, etc.)
  • Exporting data
  • Financial reports and notes
  • Audit preparation and attachments

And more! This Learning Lab is limited to 10 people. Registration will close once capacity is reached. Attendees must be available for both sessions.

Instructor: Yvonne Afable
Managing Partner, Accounting
Afable Consulting

Click here to read Yvonne’s bio.

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Presenter Bio:

Yvonne P. Afable is the Managing Partner of Accounting Services for Afable Consulting LLC, a firm providing accounting and technology support to not-for-profit organizations and small businesses. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting & Finance from DePaul University and is a Certified Management Accountant. After starting her career in public accounting, she decided to focus on the nonprofit industry and joined the management staff of American College of Surgeons and Rotary International.

For the past 18 years, she’s been consulting with nonprofit organizations and small businesses, helping them understand and tell their financial story. Using Intuit/QuickBooks and Sage products, she and her team offer services to meet each client’s needs: accounting system set-up and training, bookkeeping services including payroll processing, audit preparation, financial reporting and analysis, and documentation of fiscal policies and procedures.

Yvonne serves as Treasurer on the board of Kartemquin Educational Films and teaches the Financial Management course at the School of Art Institute and Zumba at LA Fitness, South Loop. She resides in Chicago, with her partner, Jose-Albin D. Afable. They have three children (Nicole, Gabrielle, and Justin) and two dogs (Kona and Kai).

Apr
13
Sat
Board Training: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Apr 13 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Speaker: Megan Angle, CPA & Manager, Porte Brown LLC

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight and safeguarding of assets and nonprofit status
  • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Understanding nonprofit financial statements
  • Taxes including payroll and UBIT
  • Filing with the IRS and other government entities
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For more information, or accessibility accommodations, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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May
15
Wed
Lab: Budgets and Boards @ WeWork State Street
May 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

What function does the annual budget play in your organization? What decisions should a board make in setting or approving an annual budget? Although budgeting is a central duty for many boards, the answers to these questions can vary between organizations and different perspectives can lead to confusion and conflict. This Learning Lab will explore several frameworks for organizational budgeting and practices that can make the budget a more useful tool for planning and accountability throughout the year. This will include the processes of creating, approving, monitoring, and amending a budget.

Who should attend:

  • Executive Directors & Finance Staff
  • Board Members & Finance Committee Members

What you’ll learn:

  • How board and staff can create, approve, monitor, and amend a budget;
  • How your budget can be used as a tool for planning, reporting, control, and accountability; and
  • Who among board and staff hold responsibility for these functions.

Instructor: Corrigan Nadon-Nichols / Corrigan Consulting

Click here to read Corrigan’s bio.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 x 105.

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Presenter Bio:

Corrigan helps people create healthy organizations where they can achieve their shared goals. He has assisted dozens of groups through initial formation, start-up, growth, and recovery phases. He provides training and consulting for boards to improve financial, management, and governance systems that suit the unique context and goals of each organization.

Jul
18
Thu
Summer Bash 2019 @ Bridgeport Art Center
Jul 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

 

 

Thursday, July 18, 2019, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W. 35th Street

 

Summer Bash is BACK!

This year’s festivities will take place at the spectacular Bridgeport Art Center, a working space peppered with artist studios, galleries, and sculpture.

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a summer soundtrack by DJ C (Jake Trussell). Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to sip on cool drinks, enjoy live entertainment from The Chicago Cuatro Orchestra Project, peruse a market of local creative enterprises, and mingle with fellow arts supporters – all in support of Chicago’s culture and commerce!

Food truck Tazacos Gourmet Tacos will be on deck with a variety of edible delights for purchase. For those who might find themselves wanting to capture the unforgettable evening, a Vivid Image photobooth awaits! Complimentary après performance sweets are also yours for the taking courtesy of Panache Ganache, culinary creators of decedent urbane cakes and confections.

And just when you think this evening can’t sound any better… The pièce de résistance: UNLIMITED ICED SHANDY, SANGRIA & BEER (brought to you by Marz Community Brewing Co., Aldi’s, and Aloe’$ Truck)!

Summer Bash celebrates the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s work and the many Chicagoans who make it happen. This year’s festivities also support our goal of reaching all 77 of the city’s community areas, by 2020. Grab your tickets and champion the city’s arts!

      

For more information, email info@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876, ext. 101.
Proceeds from this event directly benefit the Arts & Business Council of Chicago and the Bridgeport area nonprofits they serve.

Our Partners & Supporters

 

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago recognizes the generosity of Bridgeport Art Center and support from Paul Levy, former A&BC board chair and VP, Prairie Management Corporation.

Parking

 

Open parking is available at Bridgeport Art Center’s north parking lot.

About Bridgeport Art Center

 

The Bridgeport Art Center was established in 2001 and is a visually breathtaking creative home for artists, designers, and working professionals. Located in the former Spiegel Catalog Warehouse, this 500,000 square foot building features high ceilings with wood beams, exposed brick, and large windows with incredible city views.  This raw industrial work space is suitable for inspiration, woodworking, metal design, office spaces, and manufacturing / distribution.

Bridgeport Art Center also boasts two stunning event venues and three curated art galleries.  Our goal is to continually serve as a resource for imaginative minds and to be a home to the emerging and evolving Chicago area art scene.

Jul
24
Wed
Learning Lab: It’s Not All About the Give/Get @ WeWork Monroe Street
Jul 24 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 A superb board member brings a combination of time, treasure, and talent to an organization. So why do we continue to evaluate and prospect board members strictly on financial capacity? If a board of directors is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable models of assessment.

By considering the entire scope of what an organization’s board of directors contributes in a year, organizations can ignite a sense of self-governance that increases committee participation and reduces stress on the Executive Director – all while meeting or exceeding board contribution goals.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • To streamline your board of directors’ roles and responsibilities in the organization’s annual work plan;
  • To reduce board anxiety around giving capacities and prospecting new donors in their networks;
  • To create a framework for an equitable board of directors that is welcoming to marginalized groups (socioeconomic, gender identity, race, accessibility, etc.); and
  • To design a points-based assessment model that’s not all about the give / get

Presenters: Kristin Larsen / Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Joel Farran / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Click here to meet the presenters.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 x 105.

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Meet the Presenters:

Kristin Larsen rejoined the Arts & Business Council of Chicago in 2017 after serving as Director of Programs in the early aughts. Prior to returning to A&BC, Kristin was Executive Director of Stage 773 (2013-2017), a performance venue in Lakeview and  Executive Director of Remy Bumppo Theater Company from 2002 to 2012. From 1995 to 2000 Kristin was a business representative with Actors’ Equity Association after many years of being an Equity Stage Manager. Kristin has her BFA in production management from The Theatre School, DePaul University and her MA in facilitating organizational effectiveness in the arts from DePaul University’s School for New Learning. Kristin serves on Americans for the Arts Private Sector Council, The Actors Fund Central Region Advisory Council, Pivot Arts Advisory Council and volunteers with DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge program and the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee. Kristin is an active member of the Unitarian Church of Evanston.

Joel Farran is the Chair of the Board of the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. Farran is the former Chief Brand Officer of Health Care Service Corporation.

Aug
21
Wed
Lab: What Is Public Relations and Why is It Important? @ WeWork State Street
Aug 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Photo: Dawn R. Stephens

What is public relations? There are many different responses to this question, but arts and culture leaders should be most concerned with managing their organizations’ public image and reputation.

Whether you are connecting with media outlets, community members, or target audiences, a strong public relations plan can help increase your name recognition. By strategically communicating your mission your organization can build audiences and generate revenue like never before.

In this workshop, you will learn to:

  • Define public relations and understand how it affects your business;
  • Increase your brand recognition by using low cost (and no cost!) public relations tools;
  • Implement strategies to develop target audiences for your organization; and
  • Create credibility by managing your image and reputation.

Presenter: Vanessa Abron / Agency Abron Public Relations

Click here to read Vanessa’s bio. 

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Meet the Presenter:

Vanessa Abron is a public relations professional with expertise in securing positive media coverage for brands in national and local media outlets such as Good Morning America, Extra, The Insider, The Huffington Post, The Breakfast Club, the Associated Press, and ABC News to name a few.  Some of her past client work includes, but aren’t limited to, Aflac, Illinois Lottery, Chicago 2016, Pringles, Adidas, Salesforce.com, ComEd, American Optometric Association, Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Interscope Records, Def Jam Recording, Virgin Records and Reebok.  Vanessa’s experience represents a broad range of public relations initiatives in a variety of industries, making her a valuable asset to any campaign. She accredits her success on her passion for continuously building positive relationships with a broad spectrum of individuals combined with her steadfast commitment to ensuring that the media, community and the client all receive mutually beneficial rewards from any project.

Sep
10
Tue
Breakfast Club: Working at the Intersection of “Arts &” @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 10 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

It’s time for a reality check: “art for art’s sake” may be a thing of the past.

Arts and cultural nonprofits (as well as those who fund them) are shifting to uplift social causes in our communities. Organizations working in areas like arts & housing, arts & health, and arts & veterans’ affairs are now leading the way in America and reframing the role of art in our society. But are you prepared for this new funding landscape?

Join Breakfast Club to learn from organizations working in and exploring this new space: the “arts &” intersection.

Who should attend: nonprofit administrators, creative practitioners, board leadership, and artist-activists

Registration: $5
A cereal bar, coffee, and tea will be provided.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 105.

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About Breakfast Club
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Sep
14
Sat
Board Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Sep 14 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

Presenter: Kristin Larsen, Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Life cycle of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board—board governance, staffing and structure, income generation, and programming models
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

This training also features a panel of an arts administrator leaders and On BOARD alumni.

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations. For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Sep
25
Wed
On BOARD: Fall Meet the Boards
Sep 25 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Meet the Boards is a networking session for On BOARD candidates and arts organization boards to meet and learn about each other. Attendees discuss the mission and history of the organization, current and upcoming initiatives, and how new board members can contribute to the organization.

Interested organizations must fill out an arts client On BOARD application – the deadline for which is August 23, 2019.

Meet the Boards is by invitation only.

Oct
1
Tue
Breakfast Club: Board Coaching @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 1 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Each board of directors is unique; they carry varied skill sets, have different financial capabilities, and possess rare connections to the communities they live and work in. It’s no surprise that cookie-cutter board composition templates or governance best practices don’t always apply!

Experienced board coaches from the Arts & Business Council’s Business Volunteers for the Arts program will join Breakfast Club to provide focused board coaching and facilitate connections between peers on issues like:

  • governance and leadership;
  • creation of new policies;
  • creating cohesive understanding of the organization’s mission;
  • being an ambassador for the organization; and more!

Registration: $5
A cereal bar, coffee, and tea will be provided.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 105.

 

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About Breakfast Club
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Oct
16
Wed
Learning Lab: Making the Ask @ WeWork State Street
Oct 16 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Leaders in non-profit organizations – board members, executive directors and everyone else – should be comfortable asking for money.  But, too few of them are actively doing it.

In this fast-paced, interactive session, fundraising veterans Christopher Jabin (Dragonfly Advisors) and Charles Katzenmeyer (The Field Museum) will offer a practical framework for identifying and cultivating prospective donors, engaging them in the work of your organization, getting the meeting and finally, … making the ask.

Participants in this session will understand how to:

  • Identify prospective donors for a non-profit organization
  • Build cultivation efforts that help move distant prospects toward being top prospects
  • Request and structure a solicitation meeting
  • Make the ask and answer potential objections
  • Close a gift and begin donor stewardship

Presenters: Christopher Jabin / Dragonfly Advisors
Charles Katzenmeyer / The Field Museum
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Oct
19
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Oct 19 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Presenter: Megan Angle, CPA & Manager, Porte Brown LLC

Learning objectives include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance – filing with the IRS and other government entities

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For questions, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Nov
5
Tue
Breakfast Club: #GivingTuesday @ The Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 5 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

#GivingTuesday (December 3, 2019) is a global day of giving to nonprofit organizations and causes that are tackling critical issues and bettering communities all over the world. Arts, cultural, and creative organizations often find great success in their #GivingTuesday campaigns, but it can be hard to break through the noise and effectively tell your story to potential donors. Join Breakfast Club to connect with peers on preparing your campaign, hitting your goals, and setting a plan for continued stewardship for your donors.

Registration: $5
A cereal bar, coffee, and tea will be provided.

For more information, and accessibility accommodations, email Braden Cleary at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 105.

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About Breakfast Club
The Arts & Business Council of Chicago convenes a monthly morning gathering for arts administrators to discuss topics and share ideas relevant to the business of art. Breakfast Club is a dynamic opportunity for arts administrators to connect with one another and collaborate on solutions for navigating personal and industry challenges.

Nov
13
Wed
Learning Lab: Great Board Engagement and How to Get It @ WeWork State Street
Nov 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Merriam Webster defines “Engagement” as “something that engages;” “the state of being engaged;” an “emotional involvement or commitment;” or “the state of being in gear.”  Each facet of this definition speaks to a critical component of board engagement and knowing how to create the right mix of engagement opportunities for your board can be challenging.  This session will help you understand where your board’s engagement-sweet spot is in relation to its evolutionary status and the work you need it to accomplish going forward. 

Participants in this session will learn:

  • Phases of development of nonprofit arts, cultural, and creative organizations
  • How a board of directors typically functions at each phase of development
  • Tailored engagement strategies for boards at each phase of development
  • To motivate board growth

Presenter: Lisa Tylke / Illuminant

Founder and principal consultant with Illuminant, a consulting practice specializing in evaluation, organizational development, planning, governance and fundraising, Lisa has worked in the non-profit sector since 1987. Her background in arts, education and association management informs her consulting work which focuses on the areas of organizational development, assessment, strategic planning, board development and fundraising. As a consultant, Lisa has served over 40 nonprofit organizations. She has conducted independent evaluations of grant giving programs at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust as well as grant review for The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and Prince Charitable Trusts. In addition to her consulting work, Lisa has served as Executive Director for the Chicago Dance Coalition, Director of Arts DuPage for the DuPage Foundation and Chief of Staff for the UFHI Foundation. In 2018, Lisa joined Giving Tree Associates as an adjunct consultant working with their team on fundraising, planning and assessment projects. In 2011 and 2014, Ms. Tylke served as a member of the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, Civic Knowledge Project team of instructors supporting its Board Leadership Certificate. In her volunteer life, Lisa serves on the board for the Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center a literacy organization providing out-of-school educational enrichment services for low-income, immigrant and refugee families living within Illinois School Districts 41 and 89

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Nov
16
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities; Non-governing Boards @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Nov 16 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Presenters:
Patricia Marx, Attorney, Quarles & Brady LLP
Cris Beilstein, Consultant

Learning objectives include:

  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Bylaws
  • Understanding the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience
  • Conflict of interest
  • Executive leadership responsibilities
  • Committees and non-governing boards – associate, auxiliary, advisory
  • The importance and process of strategic planning

Price: $150

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

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Dec
7
Sat
Board Leadership Lab: Fundraising Landscape & Arts Advocacy @ Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Dec 7 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

BOARD MEMBER TRAINING

 

Speakers:
Charles Katzenmeyer, VP Institutional Advancement, The Field Museum
Jonathan VanderBrug, Policy & Research Director, Arts Alliance Illinois

Learning objectives include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • Identifying prospects and creating an “ask”
  • Creating a donor cultivation strategy
  • Understanding current cultural policies and advocacy tips and resources

Price: $150

Advance registration is required as space is limited. We will not accept walk-up registrations.

For questions about this training, please contact Noemi Garcia at ngarcia@artsbiz-chicago.org.

 

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Feb
8
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Chicago Public Library - Little Village Branch
Feb 8 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Life cycle of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board—board governance, staffing and structure, income generation, and programming models
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

This training also features a panel of arts administrators and artists from Little Village who will address emerging issues like governance practices, recruitment efforts, the importance of board diversity, fundraising, and more.

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Panel: William Estrada / Artist / Werdmvmnt Studios
J. Omar Magana / Founder & Executive Director / OPEN Center for the Arts

Price: $150

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Feb
12
Wed
Learning Lab: Working at the Intersection of “Arts &” @ Humboldt Park Cultural Center
Feb 12 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Art for art’s sake is a thing of the past. The arts, cultural, and creative sector (including institutional funders) is shifting to uplift civic causes in the communities it serves. Organizations working at intersections like arts and youth development, arts and health, and arts and veterans’ affairs are leading the way in using creativity and culture to improve the social and economic lives of their constituents.  

In this session we will discuss:

  • why artmakers are partnering with existing social service agencies
  • how artmakers are operating in divested communities where resources are scarce
  • the importance of arts, culture, and creativity in “non-arts” organizations
  • how you can thread social practice into your artmaking

Panelists: Calvin King / Founder and Executive Director / Free Lunch Academy

Cate Fox / Senior Program Officer / The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Lauren Krieg / Senior Program Officer / Albert Pick, Jr. Fund

Read the panelists bios.

Registration: $65

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Panelist bio: Calvin King III is a local Chicago business consultant and accomplished playwright with over 30 completed works for the stage. Calvin was very active in theater and writing for the stage during college. After becoming a father, educator, and youth pastor his creative work began to naturally center itself around children and youth. He set out to find ways he could use entertainment in an educational way to help coach and mentor young people to become the absolute greatest version of themselves, one choice at a time. Serving as the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Free Lunch Academy, Calvin has developed innovative teaching arts programs where children participate in their own learning and develop better social skills while having fun. Through mentoring his teaching artist staff and partnering with other organizations in the community, Calvin has made it a goal of the organization to eradicate bullying worldwide by October 1, 2025.

 

Panelist bio: Cate A. Fox is a Senior Program Officer at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. At the Foundation, Cate oversees: Culture, Equity, and the Arts and Community Capital awards as part of her work with the Chicago Commitment team.

Previously, Cate served as a senior consultant at The Alford Group, a consulting firm to the nonprofit community. Over seven years with Alford she helped nonprofit organizations, including those in the arts, evaluate programs, assess organizational strength, conduct strategic planning, and increase fundraising. Cate also worked with the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. to revise its international programs and structure.

Cate received a Master of Arts degree in Peace and Development Studies with first class honors from the University of Limerick (Limerick, Ireland), and a Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Hollins University (Roanoke, VA).

Panelist bio: Lauren Krieg is the Senior Program Officer for the Albert Pick Jr. Fund, a private foundation that supports Civic Engagement, Education, the Arts, and Violence Prevention Programming and Healthcare Access for Children and Youth. Lauren is also the Vice President of Iris Krieg and Associates, a philanthropic advisory firm that provides grant management and consultation services to foundations and individual donors. Through this role, for more than eleven years, she has worked for several other Chicago foundations supporting the arts and a variety of other issues. Lauren has served on the Steering Committee of the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development since 2008 and has been a strong advocate for the use of arts as a tool for improving communities and people’s lives in both traditional and unique ways.

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts degrees from Bryn Mawr College in Spanish and Cultural Anthropology and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Framingham State College.

 

Mar
7
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ WeWork Monroe
Mar 7 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Topics include:

  • Laws governing nonprofit boards of directors
  • The role of the director: responsibilities & restrictions
  • Bylaws
  • Understanding the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience
  • Conflict of interest
  • Executive leadership responsibilities
  • Committees and non-governing boards: associate, auxiliary, advisory
  • The importance and process of strategic planning

Presenters: Braden Cleary / Director, Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Patricia Spiccia Marx / Attorney / Quarels & Brady

Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $150

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Mar
16
Mon
Learning Lab: Sexual Harassment Training @ Webinar
Mar 16 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

This Learning Lab has reached capacity. To be placed on a waitlist, please contact Braden Cleary, Director of Arts Services at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or (312) 372 – 1876 ext. 105.

As of January 1, 2020, Illinois employers must provide sexual harassment training to all full-time and part-time equivalent employees on an annual basis in order to be compliant with Illinois employment law. This includes nonprofit organizations! The Arts & Business Council of Chicago has engaged the Illinois Department of Human Rights to deliver compliance training to our clients.   

Participants will engage in a series of thoughtful discussions and exercises about the different perceptions of appropriate and inappropriate conduct. Participants will learn about the two types of sexual harassment, i.e.quid pro quo and hostile work environment, as well as issues including third-party and bystander sexual harassment. The training will encourage employees to report sexual harassment and help build a culture of respect.  

Due to limited capacity, this training is only open to current clients of the Arts & Business Council of Chicago. If you have questions about your client status, please contact Braden Cleary, Director of Arts Services at bcleary@artsbiz-chicago.org or (312) 372 – 1876 ext. 105.  

Registration: Free 

Presenter: Marcio Mendoza / Human Rights Trainer / Illinois Department of Human Rights

Mar
19
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ Osito's Tap
Mar 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS SURROUNDING COVID-19.

 

Thursday, March 19, 2020, 6 – 8 p.m.
Osito’s Tap, 2553 S. Ridgeway Ave.

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this mixer’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend and open to all. Come for the networking, stay for the reposado.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

Happy Hour pricing will be available between 6 – 8 p.m.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Parking

A parking lot can be found next to Osito’s Tap (accessible from Ridgeway). Metered parking can also be found off 26th Street and Ridgeway Avenue.

Special thanks to Osito’s Tap and owner Mike Moreno.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Osito’s Tap

Osito’s Tap, established in 2019, is a speakeasy-style bar focused on the art of craft spirts, craft beer, and craft cocktails. This community-oriented space, set inside a historic grey stone building, was once the front to an underground bookie joint and, during the early 1900’s, home to a Bohemian bar for Czech immigrants. Today’s incarnation of the bar brings in a modern Latin flair and blend of the Little Village neighborhood’s rich cultural history, giving customers a unique experience filed with exotic and rare drink offerings. Osito’s Tap is a grant recipient of the City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.

Apr
4
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Webinar
Apr 4 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance – filing with the IRS and other government entities

Presenter: Megan Angle, CPAManager / Porte Brown LLC

Price: $150

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Apr
22
Wed
Learning Lab: Capital Campaigns (Webinar) @ Webinar
Apr 22 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Acquiring land, renovating buildings, and purchasing large supplies are huge projects that take careful planning. A capital campaign is a fundraising process that aims to raise enough money to make any of these facility-related purchases. Running a successful capital campaign is a surefire way for nonprofit organizations to own space in the community they serve and create community wealth as an anchor institution.

In this session we will discuss:

  • Understanding the feasibility of reaching a high-impact fundraising goal in your capital campaign;
  • Business planning and lending processes;
  • Marketing and communications strategies to advocate for donations to your campaign;
  • And getting to the finish line! How will you know if you were successful?

Presenter: Tracy Lewis / CEO / Lewis & Associates LLC

Meet the presenter!

Registration: $65

Fill out my online form.

Lewis & Associates LLC. intentionally & purposefully supports small businesses, nonprofits and government agencies, with strategic planning community engagement and project management consultation services. Lewis & Associates is lead by Tracy Lewis, who is a Detroit native with a passion for urban spaces, sensory experiences and politics. Tracy has a Masters in Public Administration from Wayne State University and has worked in communities of color for the past 12 years on a variety of community and economic development projects.

May
2
Sat
On BOARD® Lab: Fundraising & Arts Advocacy in the COVID-19 Crisis (Webinar) @ Webinar
May 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
On BOARD® Lab: Fundraising & Arts Advocacy in the COVID-19 Crisis (Webinar) @ Webinar | Chicago | Illinois | United States

Topics include:

  • Funding landscape for nonprofit organizations and sector-wide trends in giving
  • The role board members play in securing funds
  • Creating a donor cultivation strategy
  • The role of board members in arts advocacy
  • Emerging issues in arts & cultural policy including The CARES Act and the government’s role in COVID-19 response

Presenters: Suzanne Griffith / Navigate Nonprofits

Jonathan VanderBrug / Deputy Director, Civic Engagement / Arts Alliance Illinois

Price: Pay-What-You-Can

All dollars earned from this On BOARD® Lab will go directly toward our efforts to creatively and accessibly provide support and lend expertise to nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Fill out my online form.

May
11
Mon
Learning Lab: Rebooting Your Strategic Plan (Webinar) @ Webinar
May 11 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

The COVID-19 crisis has taken a huge toll on nonprofit arts, cultural, and creative organizations. Many have faced canceled programs, staff reductions, and financial loss; and have been forced to put their strategic plans to the side. Although we don’t know when or if our organizations will operate in the way they used to, this webinar will outline tools to help organizations reboot their strategic plans in a way that is responsive to our new environment and find pathways to move forward. 

In this webinar we will discuss: 

  • Clarifying your commitments to yourorganization, audiences, donors, and community constituents. 
  • Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on your organization. 
  • Generating ideas to address the most important gaps you now face.   
  • Identifying new opportunities in your business and artistic production with the changed world we now live in. 
  • Embracing an iterative mindset to reboot your strategic plan while the world continues to evolve. 

Presenter: Cris Beilstein / Elevation Collaborative

Meet the Presenter!

Registration: Pay-What-You-Can

Even $5 makes a difference! If you have a stable income, please consider making a contribution towards this webinar. All dollars earned from this Learning Lab will go directly toward our efforts to creatively and accessibly provide support and lend expertise to nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 crisis.

Fill out my online form.

With over two decades of business leadership experience in innovation, product development, training, and coaching, Cris is known for her ability to see new possibilities in challenging situations and for her coaching skills that bring out the best in people.  She has an open and inclusive style, and her fusion of creative curiosity and technical practicality benefits clients as she guides them from thinking big to strategic planning and action.

 

Jun
25
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ Motor Row Brewing
Jun 25 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS SURROUNDING COVID-19.

 

Thursday, June 25, 2020, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Motor Row Brewing, 2337 S. Michigan Ave.

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this event’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend. Open to all. See you there.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mashup of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

Jul
22
Wed
Learning Lab: Marketing Your Mission in a Post-Pandemic World @ Webinar
Jul 22 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Arts and cultural programming has drastically changed due to COVID-19 – maybe for good. As organizations rethink and reinvent their services and programs to respond to emerging challenges, they will need to move from project-based marketing to holistic, brand-driven “institutional marketing.” Strong missions and brands will help organizations engage audiences, maintain loyal donors, and recruit effective board members. By transforming the challenges of the pandemic into creative opportunities, organizations can find new strategies to meet their audiences where they are and emerge as arts leaders in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In this session we will discuss:

  • Definitions of project-based marketing and institutional marketing – and their challenges and benefits;
  • The mechanics of a clear and compelling mission;
  • Communicating a cohesive brand that represents your new and adapted program models;
  • And strategies for staying relevant and present.

Presenter: Ben van Loon / Communications Director / AFIRE

Registration: $25

Fill out my online form.

Sep
14
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Webinar
Sep 14 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities is part 1 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Phases of development of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Analysis of the board’s role in planning, governance, staffing & structure, income generation, audience development & marketing, financial management, and facilities management
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Relationship between the board and staff, and challenges posed by staffing and board transitions

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Sep
16
Wed
Learning Lab: Crafting a Thoughtful Fundraising Approach During COVID-19 @ Webinar
Sep 16 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Everyone can fundraise – even you! Although our environments have been reshaped by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the important calls for social justice by the Black Lives Matter movement, arts and cultural organizations can still find success by developing thoughtful strategies with donor cultivation at top of mind. Whether it’s a full annual plan or a shorter-term initiative, the current moment has taught the nonprofit sector that we must be ready to meet future challenges. Building clear fundraising plans with well-timed tactics can help us do just that.

In this session we will discuss:

  • An analysis of the current fundraising landscape for arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations;
  • What you need to know to develop a successful fundraising strategy;
  • A deeper dive into important fund development tactics like matching gifts and targeted email campaigns;
  • And the fundraising steps your organization can take to thrive during COVID-19

Presenters: Christine Grodecki / Consultant / CCS Fundraising
                        Laura Aikens / Senior Vice President / CCS Fundraising

Registration: $25

Fill out my online form.

Sep
28
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar
Sep 28 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members is part 2 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • General roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members
  • Key fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members
    • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience
  • Liability and protections for board members, the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Additional considerations for public charities and private foundations with 501(c)(3) status
  • Important reporting obligations at the state and federal level

Presenter: Patricia S. Marx / Associate / Quarles & Brady, LLP

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Oct
1
Thu
CANCELLED: Arts & Drafts @ TBA
Oct 1 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Thursday, October 1, 2020, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: TBA

What’s better than making new connections, sharing ideas, and having a local beer?

Meet us at Arts & Drafts, a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mix of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. If you believe in the power of the arts, want to make a difference in our city, or simply feel like getting to know Chicago a little better, this event’s for you!

Arts & Drafts is a casual opportunity to network, expand your circle, meet up with friends, and make new ones. Do you have a question about the Arts & Business Council of Chicago, our 77 Communities Initiative, or Business Volunteers for the Arts? Swing by and get it answered!

FREE to attend. Open to all. See you there.

For more information, email Kenneth Franco at kfranco@artsbiz-chicago.org or call 312.372.1876 ext. 102.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
About Arts & Drafts

Arts & Drafts is a quarterly networking event for Chicago’s arts, cultural, creative, and business communities. Each event brings together a unique mashup of people and companies, under one roof, for one night only. The goal: To encourage new partnerships and relationships.

Future Dates:

Oct
12
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Board Committee Structures & Strategic Planning @ Webinar
Oct 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Board Committee Structures & Strategic Planning is part 3 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • An exploration of typical standing and ad hoc committees on a board of directors
  • Appropriate times to form a committee and signs that a committee isn’t a good choice
  • Non-governing boards and their relationships to the board of directors and the organization
    • Auxiliary boards, associate boards, junior boards, advisory boards
  • Defining key vocabulary terms for strategic planning
  • Advantages of creating and using a strategic plan
  • How to approach the strategic planning process and the board’s critical role in planning

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Oct
26
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues (Webinar) @ Webinar
Oct 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues is part 4 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow at a nonprofit organization
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and recent changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance
    • Filing with the IRS and other government entities

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Nov
9
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Demystifying Fundraising for Board Members (Webinar) @ Webinar
Nov 9 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Demystifying Fundraising and the Role of Board Members is part 5 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Sources of funding: foundations, corporations, individuals, government
  • Uses of funding: restricted, unrestricted, sponsorship
  • Designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process
  • The three important roles that the board plays in fundraising
  • Developing a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive

Presenter: Suzanne Griffith / Vega Partners

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Nov
18
Wed
Learning Lab: Partnering for Impact During Uncertain Times @ Webinar
Nov 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

During times of great uncertainty, it’s natural for nonprofits to seek out efficiencies – particularly in the form of organizational partnerships. In this Learning Lab, we will explore two types of nonprofit partnerships; the Collective Impact Model and shared staffing collaborations. Whether you are looking to increase your demonstrated impact by aligning your evaluation metrics with like-mission organizations or offload administrative tasks from your program staff, the practices in this Learning Lab will help you build capacity and productivity with organizations with a common agenda.

In this session we will discuss:

  • Five conditions for success in building nonprofit partnerships for collaborative impact
  • Practical steps you can take to select an appropriate partner for your mission and needs during times of uncertainty
  • A case study of ArtCore – a nonprofit shared staffing collaboration
  • How shared staffing and back office support can promote cost savings and less “job suck” for organizations
  • Partnerships as a reliable way to continue critical work during the COVID-19 pandemic

Presenters: Kaitlyn Childs / Ph.D. Candidate / Network for Nonprofit and Social Impact at Northwestern University
                       Ivonne Romo / Director of Finance and Operations / ArtCore

Registration: $25

Fill out my online form.

Nov
23
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Advocacy for Board Members (Webinar) @ Webinar
Nov 23 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Arts Advocacy for the Nonprofit Board Member is part 6 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • The definition of advocacy
  • How to create your story to advocate for arts, culture, and creativity
  • Tactics for delivering your advocacy message to key decision makers or stakeholders
  • Current events and cultural policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels
  • Differences between advocacy and lobbying and the do’s and do not’s for board members

Presenter: Jonathan VanderBrug / Deputy Director – Civic Engagement / Arts Alliance Illinois

Price: $35 – Nonprofit and public sector employees use code NPO20 for $10 discount

Fill out my online form.

Dec
7
Mon
Learning Lab: It’s Not All About the Give/Get @ Webinar
Dec 7 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

A superb board member brings a combination of time, treasure, and talent to an organization. So why do we continue to evaluate and prospect board members strictly on financial capacity? If a board of directors is to reflect the community it serves, the sector must consider more equitable models of assessment.

By recognizing the entire scope of what an organization’s board of directors contributes in a year, organizations can ignite a sense of self-governance that increases committee participation and reduces stress on the Executive Director – all while meeting or exceeding board contribution goals.

In this session we will discuss:

  • Streamlining your board of directors’ roles and responsibilities in the organization’s annual work plan
  • Reducing board anxiety around giving capacities and prospecting new donors in their networks
  • Creating a framework for an equitable board of directors that is welcoming to marginalized groups (socioeconomic, gender identity, race, accessibility, etc.)
  • Designing a points-based assessment model that’s not all about the give / get

Presenters: Kristin Larsen / Executive Director / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Registration: $25

Fill out my online form.

Feb
15
Mon
On BOARD® Lab: Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities @ Webinar
Feb 15 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who participate in the On BOARD® Labs demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Topics in Arts Organization Structures & Board Responsibilities include:

  • Structures of arts and cultural organizations and their boards
  • Phases of development of nonprofit organizations, from the founding board to the working board and the governing board
  • Analysis of the board’s role in planning, governance, staffing & structure, income generation, audience development & marketing, financial management, and facilities management
  • Expectations of board contributions of time, talent, and treasure
  • Using committees and non-governing boards to amplify the work of your organization

Presenter: Braden Cleary / Director of Arts Services / Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Price: $35

Fill out my online form.

Mar
8
Mon
Ask CI Anything @ Webinar
Mar 8 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

What is the real impact of the pandemic on arts marketers? Erik Gensler, president and founder of Capacity Interactive, and CI team members will lead an interactive group discussion with Arts & Business Council of Chicago, See Chicago Dance, and The Chicago Cultural Alliance.

Date: March 8, 2021

Time: 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. CST

About: You’ll dive into key takeaways from the Arts Industry Data Analysis: Pandemic Response and have an opportunity to ask the Capacity Interactive experts all of your digital marketing and research-related questions.

REGISTER NOW

What is the Arts Industry Data Analysis: Pandemic Response?

This livestream, aired on 2/25, explores evolutions within the broader digital and media landscape and the impact on the arts. You’ll also learn about research and frameworks help you build stronger and healthier teams. Watch the full recording here.

Mar
31
Wed
Learning Lab: Marketing Your Mission for the New Normal @ Webinar
Mar 31 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

More than a year after the pandemic was declared, arts and cultural programming has been drastically changed. And as the worst of the crisis is now (hopefully) in the rear-view mirror, arts organizations have the opportunity to re-emerge into the world and even help define the “new normal.” To do this, organizations will need to move from project-based marketing to holistic, brand-driven institutional marketing, focused on concrete values and meeting audiences where they are right now. As various sectors of the economy come back online into 2021 and beyond, what are the marketing, branding, and other strategic tools organizations need to thrive as leaders—and healers—in a challenging competitive landscape?

In this session we will discuss:

  • Definitions of project-based marketing and institutional marketing, including challenges and benefits
  • The mechanics of a clear and compelling mission
  • Articulating the values that define your vision and speak to your audiences
  • Strategies for creative relevance in the post-pandemic world

Presenter: Ben van Loon / Communications Director / AFIRE

Registration: $35

Fill out my online form.

Apr
12
Mon
On BOARD®: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar
Apr 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
On BOARD®: Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members @ Webinar | Chicago | Illinois | United States

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

 

Legal & Fiduciary Responsibilities of Board Members is part 2 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To learn more about the full program curriculum, click here.

Topics include:

  • General roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members
  • Key fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members
    • Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience
  • Liability and protections for board members, the importance of Directors & Officers insurance
  • Additional considerations for public charities and private foundations with 501(c)(3) status
  • Important reporting obligations at the state and federal level

Presenter: Patricia S. Marx / Associate / Quarles & Brady, LLP

Price: $35

Fill out my online form.

May
26
Wed
Learning Lab: Back to Budgeting Basics @ Webinar
May 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Simply put, a budget is a document that reflects the priorities of an organization. 2020 saw major shifts in organizational priorities, which means we need to get back to the basics of budgeting. In this Learning Lab, we will dive into the importance of approaching the budgeting process with new assumptions rather than relying on the old form. As many of us will hang on to virtual programs, accessible pricing models, adapted staff structures, and remote work in the future, it is important to use our budgets to help us achieve our missions through the lens of finance.

In this session we will discuss:

  • Diagramming your programs to better understand who they benefit, what they do, and how much they cost
  • Building a budget model that supports your new assumptions about programs, funding sources, and overhead
  • Budget scenario planning to help you think about scale you can support in the future
  • Connecting your program evaluation to your budget with key performance indicators

Presenter: Corrigan Nadon-Nichols, CMA / Corrigan Consulting Services

Registration: $35

Jun
14
Mon
On BOARD®: Understanding the Numbers: Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues @ Webinar
Jun 14 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

Nonprofit Finances, Budgeting, & Tax Issues is part 3 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum. To register for the full program session, click here.

Topics include:

  • Financial oversight; policy creation and compliance; and safeguarding of assets
    • Policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention & destruction, executive compensation, etc.
  • Achieving financial accountability
  • What occurs during an audit and when you need one
  • Managing cash flow at a nonprofit organization
  • Taxes including payroll, UBIT, and recent changes to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles)
  • Maintaining nonprofit status through tax compliance
    • Filing with the IRS and other government entities

Presenter: Megan Angle / Partner / Porte Brown Accountants and Advisors

Price: $35

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Jul
14
Wed
Learning Lab: Media Power & Equity – Using Digital Storytelling to Support Your Mission @ Webinar
Jul 14 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Throughout 2020, about 72% of  U.S. arts and cultural organizations indicated that they would be transitioning some or all of their programming online. As arts organizations continue to increase our online and digital presence, it’s important that digital content has a strong, equitable understanding of how stories are shaped. This participatory workshop focuses on effectively utilizing film, media, and art to implement better digital programming and outreach. We’ll discuss how storytelling frameworks and media literacy are important guides in understanding institutional systems of oppression and current social justice issues. Participants will learn practical tools and best practices in the communication strategies that best serve their organization and their communities.

In this Learning Lab we will discuss:

  • Understanding film, media, and art as necessary branding tools in the digital age
  • Developing your media literacy within the context of systemic power, oppression, and privilege
  • Moving from micro to macro: how to utilize storytelling to better understand your organization within the context of emerging issues in the non-profit field
  • Implementing digital programming, outreach, and for your unique constituency and funders
  • Storytelling Frameworks 101: logistics, best practices, & common themes

Presenters: Caullen Hudson / Founder & Executive Director / SoapBox Productions and Organizing
David A. Moran / Multimedia Director / SoapBox Productions and Organizing

Registration: $35

Aug
16
Mon
On BOARD®: The Importance of Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations @ Webinar
Aug 16 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

On BOARD® is the Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s unique board governance and leadership training program that prepares individuals who are ready to engage as active board members of arts, cultural, and creative nonprofit organizations. Individuals who successfully complete the full program demonstrate an understanding and commitment to upholding high standards of nonprofit board governance.

The Importance of Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations is part 4 of 6 in the full On BOARD® curriculum.

Topics include:

  • Defining key vocabulary terms for strategic planning
  • Advantages of creating and using a strategic plan
  • How to approach the strategic planning process and the board’s critical role in planning

Presenter: Cris Beilstein / Consultant / Elevation Collaborative

Price: $35

Oct
18
Mon
On BOARD® Demystifying Fundraising for Board Members @ Webinar
Oct 18 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

There is always going to be chaos, a crisis, or disruption – an economic downturn, funders’ shifting priorities, and some years- it’s a pandemic.

How are you managing the moment?

Join us for this participatory workshop focusing on the tried-and-true principals of fundraising that will help you weather any storm.

In this moment, your greatest asset is your staff and board’s ability to communicate and steward stakeholders. In fact, the smaller you are the better positioned you may be to grow your contributed revenue.

Topics to be discussed:

  • Designing your organization’s strategic fundraising engagement process
  • The three important roles that the board plays in fundraising
  • Developing a culture of philanthropy that is intentional and inclusive
  • And with all the Relief funding being made available: Uses of funding: restricted, unrestricted, sponsorship

Presenter: Suzanne Griffith, Founder and Managing Principal of VEGA Partners a firm that focuses on leveraging companies and philanthropies social impact solutions.

Nov
10
Wed
Learning Lab: Generating Revenue by Creating Operational Efficiencies @ Webinar
Nov 10 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

With limited ability to generate NEW revenue, can you find a greater margin of profit by creating operational efficiencies?

Join us for this participatory workshop focusing on creative and innovative solutions for your business or organization to generate more earned revenue by maximizing operational efficiencies.

Topics Include:

  • Conducting an operational audit – assessing income and expense to ensure sustainability and growth
  • The role of values and organization culture in operational efficiency
  • Service areas that can be outsourced or shared to minimize expenses
  • Building Consensus and Change Management

Even before the pandemic, organizations struggled with maximizing operational efficiencies. The economic setbacks from COVID-19 including restrictions on gatherings, changes in consumer behavior (voluntary or otherwise), and severe unemployment have taken a devastating toll on our sector- further impacting earned revenue which has now made it even more imperative to revisit operations efficiencies for organizations.

Presenter: Rashmi Narsana- Founder & CEO of CGT Strategy. Rashmi is an A&BC smARTscope consultant and has 18 years of nonprofit experience in management and leadership roles. She leads capacity building strategy projects that help organizations create well-developed plans to achieve their goals through a research-informed and data-based process. Rashmi also serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont, where she teaches Nonprofit Management, and Fundraising and Development.