Introducing…

The ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders.

Launching from
Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center
2150 South Canalport
Chicago, IL
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Theme: “The Power of Community”
 Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the following sponsors and advertisers for making this program possible.

Gold

Blue 1647
Bulletin Newspaper
Country Financial
Chicago Community Loan Fund
Institute for Cultural Affairs
Mighty Networks

Silver

Valerie F. Leonard
Nonprofit “U”

Bronze

The Chicago Community Trust

Forefront
Microsoft
Oracle + NetSuite Social Impact
Urban Partnership Bank

Advertisers

Rochelle Jackson/Farragut Alumni Association

Kate Pravera and Associates
Housing Action, Illinois
Door of Hope Rescue Mission
Sheila Bew
 Special Thanks

Essie Leonard Rochelle Jackson, Secretary

Retired Educator, My Mother Farragut H.S. Alumni Picnic Committee

The Late Theodis Leonard, Sr. Curtis Leonard

Retired School Principal, My Father Volunteer

Daniel Ash, Chief Marketing Officer Theodis (Theo) Leonard, Jr., Agent
The Chicago Community Trust Country Financial

Maritza Bandera, Manager of Civic Engagement Sharon Legenza, Executive Director

and Partnerships Housing Action Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Ronald Milsap, Manager, Non-Profit, Foundation
Sheila Bew, Independent and Mission Based Deposits
Sales Representative, Avon Urban Partnership Bank

Gina Bianchini, Founder Kathleen Murphy, Director of Communications

Mighty Networks Forefront

Emile Cambry, Founder and CEO Shelby Parchman, Founder

Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center Urban Strategies, LLC

Peggy Davis, Chief Officer of Programs and Eva Penar, Director of Marketing and Communications
Strategic Integration The Chicago Community Trust
The Chicago Community Trust
David Pendleton, Executive Director
Peggy Duvette, Senior Director, Social Impact Door of Hope Rescue Mission
Oracle + NetSuite Social Impact
Kate Pravera, PhD, President and CEO
Willie Cole, Board Member, St. John Church-Baptist Kate Pravera & Associates
Community Outreach Organization
Samantha Sainsbury, Program Coordinator
Carrie Corson, Public Relations Institute of Cultural Affairs
Project Manager
Country Financial Bronwen Schumacher, Account Executive
Oracle + NetSuite Social Impact
Peggy Duvette, Senior Director, Social Impact Oracle +
NetSuite Zina Simmons
Volunteer
Michael Fisher, Agency Vice President of
Community Business Development Morgan St. Clair
Country Financial Social Impact Communications
Manager, Oracle + NetSuite
Kristin Ginger, Communications Manager
Housing Action Illinois Eric Weinheimer, President
Forefront
Hurley Green, III, Managing Editor
Bulletin Newspaper Ted Wysoki, Executive Director
Institute of Cultural Affairs
Calvin Holmes, President
Chicago Community Loan Fund David Young
Technical Assistance Director
Housing Action Illinois
 Nonprofit Utopia
Founding Members

Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

Paula Brkich, Community Development Specialist, Microsoft

Estelle Carol, Co-Founder, The Deep Roots Project

Rev. Dr. Shawn Casselberry, D.Min., Executive Director, Mission Year

Greg Currence, COO, Maize Analytics, LLC

Willie Cole, Board Member, St. John Church-Baptist Community Outreach Organization

Princess Currence, Managing Director, Currence Solutions

Audrey Dunford, ED, Da Drop Inn

Kimberly George, OST Manager, Chicago Youth Centers

Ric Gudell, Executive Director, Illinois Manufacturing Foundation

Rochelle Jackson, Secretary, Farragut H.S. Alumni Picnic Committee

Deloris Lucas, Founder We Keep You Rollin'

JP Paulus, President, Do-Gooder Consulting

David Pendleton, Executive Director, Door of Hope Rescue Mission

Robert Porter, Founder, The Porter Group

Kate Pravera, President, Kate Pravera & Associates

Antoinette Ratliff, Co-Director, Celestial Ministries Association

Evelyn Ross, Executive Director, NEBC Employment Resource Services

Eboni Sampson, Founding Executive Director, Five Loaves Mobile Food Pantry, Inc.

Bronwen Schumacher, Account Executive, Oracle NetSuite Social Impact

Jackie Sharp, CEO, Lakeside Community Committee

Bob Simpson, Member, The Deep Roots Project

Wayne Stiles, Executive Director, Stand Up for Kids Chicago

Wanda Wright, CEO, Mission World Trade

David Young, Director of Capacity Building, Housing Action Illinois

 Nonprofit Utopia Launch:
“The Power of Community”
6:30 pm- 7:00 pm-Reception
7:00 pm-8:30 pm-Program

Opening Remarks…………..………………………………………………....…………………..Theo Leonard, Agent

Country Financial

Scripture Reading and Prayer…..….…………………………………..………David Pendleton, Executive Director

Door of Hope Rescue Mission

Remarks ..………..……………………………………………………...…………..Emile Cambry, Founder and CEO

Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center

Remarks……….……………………………………………………………………..………Shelby Parchman, Founder

Urban Strategies, LLC

Acknowledgement of Founding Members

Remarks……..……………………………………………………………………………….…Calvin Holmes, President

Chicago Community Loan Fund

Remarks……..…………………………………………………………………………..…….…Kate Pravera, President

Kate Pravera and Associates

Keynote Remarks…………………………………………………………………………………………..Gina Bianchini

Founder Mighty Networks

Remarks………………………………………………………...….……Bronwen Schumacher, Account Executive

Oracle + NetSuite Social Impact

Demonstration of Website….……………………………………………………...……. Valerie F. Leonard, Founder

Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

Audience Participation……………………………………………...……Samantha Sainsbury, Program Coordinator

Institute for Cultural Affairs

Remarks and Big Launch…...………………………………………………………………………Valerie F. Leonard

 About Nonprofit Utopia

If your experience is typical of what most nonprofit leaders are going through, there are times when you are so
busy working to fulfill your organization’s mission that you don’t have time to get out of the office. You miss the
simple pleasures of talking shop with other professionals that are having similar experiences and challenges.
What if you could be a part of a community where you can get your questions answered, from the comfort of
your own office, by people who have been there, done that?

We are building Nonprofit Utopia, the ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders. We have created a safe
environment in which our members can innovate, speak candidly about the issues and concerns they face daily,
and share ideas and resources.

The mission of the Nonprofit Utopia community is to provide ongoing professional development and networking
opportunities in which experienced nonprofit professionals can share expertise with the next generation of ethical
leaders. The overarching goal of the community is to give our members the tools they need to develop strong
organizations that will make a lasting impact.

Our vision is to strengthen the global nonprofit sector by providing training and development opportunities for
50,000 emerging nonprofit leaders throughout the world by 2033.

The Nonprofit Utopia community is hosted by Valerie F. Leonard, an expert in community and organizational
development, and host of the Nonprofit "U" podcast. Valerie is the former founding executive director of a
neighborhood grant making organization and played an integral role in the framing of a comprehensive planning
process for North Lawndale, a changing community on Chicago's West Side.

Sheila Bew
Independent Sales Representative
Phone: 773-680-8088
Email: sbew777@yahoo.com
Website: www.youravon.com/sbew
Shop with me for all your skincare & beauty needs
 What Makes Us Different
Most traditional social media platforms rely almost exclusively upon the news feed as a means of networking.
While the news feeds are dynamic and allow opportunities for everyone to participate, they are somewhat limiting
when it comes to "finding your tribe" and facilitating sustained learning experiences. The Nonprofit Utopia
community is powered by the Mighty Networks platform, which facilitates deeper conversations among members
and enhances the quality of your membership experience.

Membership Benefits
As they say, "membership has its privileges." The tangible benefits include invitations to free events, discounts
on paid events and programs, the ability to post your own organization's news and special events and the ability
to network with other professionals with similar job titles as yours. The intangible benefits include access to a
growing network of nonprofit leaders; the ability to keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening in the
nonprofit sector in real time and the ability to get instant feedback on your plans, programs, projects, products
and services.

Our Core Values

Inspired by Sir Thomas More's "Utopia", a perfect society in which everyone contributes for the good of society,
we strive to create an ideal online community in which everyone makes a meaningful contribution.

We exist in harmony, with minimal interference. Everything is done for the good of our members, and by
extension, our clients, communities and the nonprofit sector. While there is no perfect society, we have created
an environment with the following core values:

Every member has value and has something to contribute to the overall well-being of the
community. There is mutual respect between rank and file members, group facilitators and the host.

Our members' voices matter and will influence every aspect of the growth and development of the Nonprofit
Utopia community.

We comport ourselves with integrity in all we say and do.

We are accountable for our actions and words that we say and govern ourselves accordingly.

We strive for excellence. This is reflected in the quality of our interactions and the content we share.

We realize that, to maximize the value of the membership experience, we must give to "get." Reciprocity and
collaboration are critical.

We believe, that, over time, the knowledge we share and receive in this forum will ultimately help us to be
more innovative in our approaches and to make a greater impact on our clients, communities, organizations
and the nonprofit sector.
 Why You Should Join
• Nonprofit Utopia will provide a high-value networking experience at a reasonable cost. For $14.99 a
month, you will have access to what will eventually become a global network of emerging leaders of
nonprofits and NGO's that are grappling with similar issues. The answers to your most pressing questions
will be just a click away with multiple perspectives and alternatives to consider.

• The combination of peer-led conversations, training and workshops will provide ongoing professional
development.

• You can access the network, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from your desktop or mobile device. You will
never be alone.

• As a result of networking with your peers and other thought leaders, you will have access to "insider
information" that you won't be able to find on Google to give insights and ideas that you may never have
considered on your own.

• Because these conversations will be curated, there will always be someone available to make sure the
conversations stay focused.

• In the event you get stuck, you can always reach out to Valerie for help.

https://nonprofitutopia.mn.co
 What You Can Expect from
Your Membership Experience
The Nonprofit Utopia community was designed to optimize the community member experience. You can

• Start your own conversations. Ask provocative questions, share your expertise of local issues impacting
nonprofits and participate in discussions started by others. You can also share content, including
announcements, special events, job postings, sample documents, photographs, podcasts, videos and
links to external articles and resources. You don't need approval from the host before your start posting.
• Learn from your peers.
• Participate in live virtual and in-person learning events.
• Engage in live chats in the member chat room.
• Create your own polls to keep your fingers on the pulse of hot nonprofit issues that you care about.
• Solidify your position as a nonprofit thought leader by writing your own blog-style posts.
• Engage in virtual community organizing by geography, special interests, product or service launch,
special event planning, etc.
• Network with peers who share the same interests and job titles or live in the same city.
• Personalize your experience by following the topics that interest you.
• Invite other like-minded professionals to join the network.
• Join the Ambassador Program and be recognized for your level of engagement in the Nonprofit Utopia
community.

One Last Thing...

We are creating a safe space within which our members may speak candidly and brainstorm innovative ideas.
Therefore, what goes on in Nonprofit Utopia stays in Nonprofit Utopia. Be sure to join us so you don't miss out.
 Upcoming Events
Lasting Impact:
How to Build Sustainable Organizations
June 26, 2018, Ongoing
This members-only online course is accessible within the
Nonprofit Utopia community on demand. We will explore
• Characteristics of sustainable organizations
• How to create sustainable change
• How to build your organization’s capacity to
make a stronger impact to clients and
communities
The course includes a downloadable workbook with an
organizational assessment tool that will help you
determine your organization’s current capacity and
prioritize the steps you need to take to strengthen your
organization. For further information, email
info@nonprofitutopia.com.
Financial Education Workshop
July 25, 2018, 11:00 am- 1:00 pm
Sponsored by Prudential Advisors, this event will provide
lunch and networking opportunities as well as a
discussion of the implications of the re-write of the federal
tax laws upon the nonprofit sector. Whether you are a
donor or nonprofit organization leader, you don’t want to
miss this affair. We will meet at the Chicago Lake Shore
Café, 4900 S Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Space is
limited. For further information, email
info@nonprofitutopia.com.
“Finding Your Suite Spot”
August 2018, Date, Time and Location TBD
Oracle NetSuite representatives will provide an overview
of their product donation programs, with emphasis on
their Suite Capacity initiative. Suite Capacity supports
new software donation recipients as they onboard, helps
them better utilize NetSuite to achieve greater impact,
and provides a lifetime of learning opportunities for users
as they grow in their use of the platform.
Oracle NetSuite representatives will describe how
nonprofit organizations can apply for NetSuite software
donations and subsequently apply to participate in
learning cohorts and online learning opportunities,
focused on building confidence, skills and success. For
further information, email info@nonprofitutopia.com.
www.nonprofitutopia.mn.co
30-Day Compliance Challenge
September 5, 2018- September 26, 2018
10:00 am -11:30 am
This 4-part webinar series will provide an overview of the
major players in nonprofit compliance and present useful
information about the filing requirements and information
needed to prepare Form 990, and other annual reports and
filings required by state agencies. Fee: $10.00 per webinar
for Nonprofit Utopia members; $25.00 per webinar for non-
members. For further information, email
info@nonprofitutopia.com.
Nonprofit Utopia Podcast
September 17, 2018, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm CST
Valerie F. Leonard has invited Vivien Hoexter and Linda C.
Hartley, principals of H2Growth Strategies LLC, to discuss
their new book, Big Impact: Insights & Stories from America’s
Non-Profit Leaders. The book highlights nonprofit leaders
from the U.S. and abroad who have found solutions to some
of the world’s most vexing societal problems. Hoexter and
Hartley will also share insights on how these change-makers
are implementing solutions in their communities, the qualities
these leaders possess, and lessons learned that may be
useful to emerging nonprofit leaders. Email
info@nonprofitutopia.com to sign up for a reminder.
30-Day Disclosure Challenge
October 10, 2018- October 31, 2018
10:00 am-11:30 am
Stand out from the competition by using GuideStar tools and
your Form 990 to demonstrate organizational performance
and community impact. The 30-Day Disclosure Challenge will
provide you with an overview of everything you need to know
to qualify for the GuideStar Exchange’s Bronze, Silver and
Gold levels of disclosure. Fee: $10.00 per webinar for
Nonprofit Utopia members; $25.00 per webinar for non-
members. For further information, email
info@nonprofitutopia.com.
Emerging Nonprofit Leader’s Intensive
January 9, 2019-March 27, 2019
The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders intensive is a 12-week
coaching program for nonprofit leaders who are serious about
maximizing community impact. The interactive workshops
and webinars provide in-depth personal and organizational
assessments and a balance of instruction, case studies and
group activities designed to help you strengthen your
organization’s infrastructure and position it for long term
sustainability. We will explore your motivations for starting or
leading organizations and initiatives and provide an overview
of essential systems that must be in place to ensure
sustainability. For further information, email
info@nonprofitutopia.com.
 Valerie F. Leonard
Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

Valerie F. Leonard is an expert in community and organizational

development with a mission to strengthen the capacity of organizations
to make a positive impact on the communities they serve through
technical assistance, specialized workshops and organizational
development. Her clientele is diverse, and includes institutions,
emerging organizations, small businesses and churches.

Valerie is a member of the adjunct faculty of the University of Illinois’

Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program, where she has taught
courses in operations management, strategic management, finance,
program design and evaluation and proposal writing for government
grants.

Valerie is the host of Nonprofit “U” blog radio talk show, an online forum where nonprofit stakeholders
can discuss the latest developments in the sector and increase their capacity to serve their clients and
build sustainable communities. Topics include nonprofit management, community development,
capacity building and organizational development. Nonprofit “U” is downloaded in 64 countries around
the world and is top ranked in BlogTalkRadio’s non-profit category. The show is also among Player
FM’s Top 36 Nonprofit Podcasts for 2018.

Valerie is launching the Nonprofit Utopia online community, today, June 26, 2018. Nonprofit Utopia is
a community of emerging nonprofit leaders that provides a safe environment in which members can
innovate, speak candidly about the issues and concerns they face daily, and share ideas and resources.

Valerie has considerable experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Prior to starting her
consulting practice, she spearheaded the spin-off of a community-based grant making organization
from a family foundation and became its founding executive director; managed site planning and
development activities for Jewel- Osco stores in Chicago and the six collar counties; coordinated
financing in excess of $100 million for construction, renovation and major capital equipment purchases
for the Mount Sinai Health System; and developed marketing strategies for New York City’s $6 billion
general obligation bond program.

Valerie is actively engaged in the community and has played an instrumental role in developing the
infrastructure for North Lawndale’s first comprehensive planning process since 1958. She
spearheaded the Loving Lawndale to Life campaign, sponsored by Carey Tercentenary AME Church
and the Chicago Westside Branch NAACP. The campaign focused on improving community pride
through self-respect and civic engagement. She has also been involved in efforts to improve education,
voter registration and education and economic development.

Valerie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Spelman College and a Master of Management
with concentrations in finance and marketing from the Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate
School of Management. She is also the Vice Chair of the Cook County Commission on Social
Innovation’s Social Capital Committee.
 Blue 1647 Tech Innovation Center
Congratulates Valerie F. Leonard on
the Launch of Nonprofit Utopia.

We are a space
where ideas meet execution.
We foster a creative and collaborative environment, so that you can
produce your best work through education, business acceleration
and events.

Contact Us
2150 South Canalport Ave. Chicago, IL. 60608 2nd Floor
(312) 778-6374
https://www.blue1647.com
To solve the big challenges of tomorrow,
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0518-574HO
Chicago Community Loan Fund
Celebrates
Celebrates the
the launch
launch of
of

Nonprofit Utopia, LLC

“Introducing
“Introducing the
the ideal
ideal community
community for
for emerging
emerging nonprofit
nonprofit leaders”
leaders”

Chicago Community Loan Fund provides flexible financing

and technical assistance for community-based development
including:
• Nonprofit Facilities and Renovations
• Affordable, Supportive, and
Mixed-Income Housing
• Commercial Retail and Office Space
• Housing/Worker Cooperatives
• Social Enterprises

29 E. Madison Street, Suite 1700 • Chicago, IL 60602

www.cclfchicago.org • www.chicagocoop.net • info@cclfchicago.org
 Congratulations and Best
Wishes on the Launch of
Nonprofit Utopia, Valerie!

Bring Together Your

Community
Everything to keep your
community thriving is
available in a Mighty
Network––questions, polls,
events, groups and more.
www.mightynetworks.com
 Fostering Sustainability Participatory Processes Capacity Building
Who We Are
The Institute of Cultural Affairs works to build a just and equitable society in harmony with planet Earth through
empowering cultural dimensions of the social process. Our work is grounded in strategies that facilitate sustainable
community development by collaboratively drawing upon assets and social capital. Our programs strengthen the
capacities of individuals, organizations, and communities to create and implement innovative plans of action.

What We Do
ICA-USA is a member of ICA International (ICAI), a global network of 30 organizations
that use participatory processes to work on organizational and community
development initiatives. ICA-USA partners with our sister organizations to create
and implement programs that develop internal capacity and program
implementation. Learn more at ica-international.com.

ICA’s participatory processes are taught to others through our Technology of

Participation (ToP)® training program. ToP methods draw upon over 50 years of
ICA’s worldwide community development experience, and are designed to harness
the energy and wisdom of a group to build consensus and create and implement
strategic plans. The ToP Network consists of over 130 licensed trainers and 82
certified facilitators who deliver facilitation and training services nationally. Learn
more about trainings and facilitators near you at icausa.memberclicks.net.

ICA is the organizing sponsor of accelerate77, a project that works to enhance the
impact of local community action across Chicago. The key strategies are to identify
sustainability initiatives in all of Chicago’s 77 community areas, connect them with
one another to inspire new ideas and practices, and engage them in collaborative
action and peer interchange. accelerate77 work is currently activated through the
Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN). Learn more at accelerate77.net.

ICA GreenRise is a demonstration site for intentional, sustainable living and working.
The rooftop solar array hosts 485 panels, and retrofit plans aim to take the building
off the grid. Tenants include over 20 nonprofits serving the Uptown community and
beyond. Our local programming includes the Uptown Coastal Initiative and
Conversations on Social Justice, which facilitate connections with local experts and
organizations on community sustainability topics. Learn more at ica-usa.org.

Service Learning Youth Engagement Intergenerational Learning

4750 N Sheridan Road www.ica-usa.org
Chicago, IL 60640 773-769-6363
 The Chicago Independent

Newspaper
Wishes Valerie F. Leonard much success
on the launch of the Nonprofit Utopia
community!

Advertise With Us
Chicago Independent Bulletin
500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60611
312-286-9484
We can do more when we
work together.
That's why Housing
Action Illinois has been
uniting nonprofits to
protect and expand
affordable housing for
more than 30 years.

JOIN US: HOUSINGACTIONIL.ORG

 The Farragut H.S. Alumni Picnic Committee
Congratulates Valerie F. Leonard and Nonprofit “U” on being
ranked among Player FM’s Top 36 Nonprofit Podcast for 2018
and launching Nonprofit Utopia. Thank you for helping the non-
profits of the world to increase their capacity to serve their clients
and build sustainable communities in all areas of community
development, capacity building and organizational development.
The Farragut H.S. Alumni Picnic Committee brings communities
together through family events and education.
 Microsoft Store/Woodfield
Congratulates Non-Profit Utopia
At the
Non-profit

Forefront of Support

Workshops
Social Change. Training

SUPPORT

Forefront is building a vibrant social impact sector in

Illinois.

Forefront is the nation’s only statewide membership

association for nonprofits, grantmakers, public agencies,
advisors, and our allies.

We provide education, advocacy, thought leadership, and

facilitate collective action around issues that are important
to our Members and to the sector.
Microsoft Store Woodfield Mall
5 Woodfield Road, J-106, Schaumburg, IL
myforefront.org 630-881-0907 pabrkich@microsoft.com

5432 Any Street West, Townsville, State 54321

Tel 555.543.5432 Fax 555.543.5431
www.yourwebsitehere.com
 A Parting Thought

I just want to take this time to thank everyone who has had any role in making tonight’s launch a success. You
may have attended the event; given sage advice; “barked at me”, lol; had encouraging words and prayers;
provided sponsorship, spread the word, volunteered, or watched us on Facebook Live. Whatever you have done
to ensure that we have achieved our goal of celebrating the power of community, I want to thank you from the
bottom of my heart. If you have not yet done so, please take the time to join and actively participate. You will be
amazed at how the exchange of information can literally transform the world over time. Our community address
is https://nonprofitutopia.mn.co. If you have any questions, contact me at valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com.
I hope to see you on the other side of the landing page.

Sincerely,

Valerie F. Leonard
Founder and Host, Nonprofit Utopia
The ideal community for emerging nonprofit leaders.
www.nonprofitutopia.mn.co