Educational Projects
Launch the media gallery 1 playerCause Collective organizes many educational opportunities throughout the year. We hope there is something for all members at every staff level.
BOARD 101 TRAINING
The Cause Collective Board 101 Training is a free 1 to 1.5 hour training for our member agencies. This preentation is a review of basic roles & responsibilities of a nonprofit board.
To request a training, click the link below to complete the request form.
If you have any questions you can email us at director@causecollectivelincoln.org
SKILL SHARE PROGRAM:
Cause Collective's Skill Share program is a service for staff at member nonprofits who are looking for one-on-one coaching. We connect them with a "Mentor" who can offer confidential mentoring.
There are three categories of Skill Share:
- Skill Share (one hour, one session) - topic prompted by the mentee
- Skill Share Mentoring (one hour/month, six sessions) - generalized nonprofit professional development for those new to the sector/their role
- Skill Share Plus (four hours of content in one-two sessions) - in-depth technical assistance
Requests for Skill Share matches are rising...so we are seeking volunteers to serve as Mentors. Will you help nonprofit staffers be successful in their jobs?
VOLUNTEER AS A SKILL SHARE MENTOR
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS:
Through a partnership with Ingrid Kirst Consulting and generous local funders, Cause Collective offers the Successful Transitions program. This highly-recommended program covers all aspects of succession planning including both emergency planning and long-range leadership development. A small cohort of organizations participates in interactive learning sessions. They also each receive individual coaching to address their organization's situation.
Alec Gorynski, Lincoln Community Foundation says, 'Successful Transitions helped me think about how we structure our team now so that our staffing model can continue to effectively run our organization well beyond any one member of the team. I learned so much, and highly recommend the program for anyone, especially if you have no succession planning in place.'
Lynne Lange, past executive director at the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, said "The Successful Transitions program is an opportunity that every organization should embrace. It allows for planning that embraces our ever-changing times, including Executive Director transitions; shift in staff member roles, responsibilities and growth; and solidifying a path for the Board of Directors to be mindful regarding their tasks and future leadership plans."
MORE INFO AND WAITING LIST SIGN UP
CURRENT TRAININGS AND NETWORKING EVENTS:
Unless otherwise indicated, trainings are $20 for any staff/board member of a member agency and $60 for all others
Book Club--Bridges Out of Poverty
DESCRIPTION
Join the Book Club and meet with other nonprofit professionals to read Bridges Out of Poverty. This book goes beyond monetary considerations to address the root causes of poverty by equipping participants with essential tools and resources for enhancing health, education, and opportunities for those in need. You'll gain a powerful framework to tackle poverty comprehensively. Bring your own book or borrow one from us.
Facilitated by Georgann Roth, Food Bank of Lincoln
DETAILS
Tuesdays and Mondays from September-December, 2025 at 2:30-3:30pm. The first session, September 2, will last 2:30-4:00pm.
- 9/2/2025
- 9/16/2025
- 9/29/2025
- 10/14/2025
- 10/28/2025
- 11/10/2025
- 12/2/2025
- 12/9/2025
We'll meet virtually.
Individuals who work low income individuals or who want to better understand poverty in our community.
Networking for Welcoming Week
DESCRIPTION
Lincoln is celebrating Welcoming Week and the rich cultural diversity of our city. And Cause Collective doesn't want to miss the fun, so we are going to visit one of our member nonprofits (ECHO Collective) to celebrate services to immigrants. You're invited to connect and support each other as we work to strengthen out community! We'll provide some light refreshments. This is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow Cause Collective Members and bring staff at any level! This is also a great opportunity for a Member to bring a "potential member" guest.
DETAILS
Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 4:00-5:30pm
ECHO Collective will host us at Turbine Flats (2124 Y St)
Staff/Board of Directors volunteers at Cause Collective member organizations
Business Continuity: Planning for Turnover, Outages, and Crises
DESCRIPTION
Keep your nonprofit running smoothly during leadership turnover, technology outages, and unexpected crises. We'll walk through how to build a practical Business Continuity Plan, including what key elements to include, how to identify and prioritize critical operations, and how to plan for leadership and staff transitions. We’ll also explore strategies for testing your plan, keeping it current, and ensuring your team knows their role when disruptions happen—so your mission continues without pause.
DETAILS
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 from 3:00-4:30pm
Filament Essential Services (1300 O St)
Art Provost--Filament Essential Services, VP of Security Services
Nonprofit administrators/leaders/governance.
Leveraging AI to Amplify Your Nonprofit's Impact
DESCRIPTION
Paul Durban, Assistant Vice President-Nonprofit Services at Filament Essential Services, will help nonprofit leaders of all technical backgrounds explore how AI tools can help save time on administrative tasks or create engaging content. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting with these technologies, you'll leave with practical, immediately applicable ways to incorporate AI into your nonprofit's work.
And, BONUS, this training also offers each attendee a free individual consultation, this fall or winter, with a Base Camp student developer from The Foundry Community to fine-tune your game plan. Attendees can sign up during the training!
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
The Foundry Community (211 N 14th St, Narnia Room on second floor)
Paul Durban--Filament Essential Services, Assistant Vice President-Nonprofit Services
AI-curious nonprofit staffers
Board Masters with Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
Nonprofit boards need strong skills and a thorough understanding of their role to serve effectively. In this interactive, intensive session, we cover the most important aspects of board governance. You'll leave with clarity about the roles and responsibilities of the board of directors as a governing body, a thorough understanding of the roles of staff members versus board members, and tools you can use to make your board the best it can be.
Participants will learn:
- What it means to be legally and socially accountable for your organization
- Principles of sound financial oversight
- The board’s role in fundraising The role of the board as "employer”
- Board conduct and how to develop a well-rounded, effective board of directors
DETAILS
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 4:00-8:00pm
Cause Collective office (6900 Van Dorn St)
PRESENTER
Matt Martin--Nonprofit Association of the Midlands, Director of Programs
Jason Varga--Cause Collective, Executive Director
TARGET AUDIENCE
Current and potential nonprofit Board of Directors volunteers.
Right-Fit Boundaries: Healthy Selves and Healthy Workplaces
DESCRIPTION
This session will explore how a healthy self is inseparable from healthy workspaces, teams, and communities. Collective wellness isn’t accidental. It grows through intentional choices about care, accountability, and boundaries. Boundaries are central to both safety and self-preservation. When emotional, physical, or financial boundaries don’t fit, we become depleted and disconnected, unable to fully engage in relationships, purpose, or joy. In a culture that rewards speed and “more,” finding right-fit boundaries is both courageous and necessary.
Participants will:
- Explore their own wellness and reflect on how it connects to collective wellness.
- Understand the types of boundaries and how porous or rigid ones affect wellbeing.
- Learn effective techniques for setting and maintaining right-fit boundaries.
- Identify barriers that make boundary-setting difficult and explore new places where healthier boundaries are needed.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 9:00-11:00am
CenterPointe's Campus for Health & WellBeing (2202 S 11th St)
Jessyca Vandercoy, LICSW--Whole Collective, Co-Founder & NASW-Nebraska Chapter, Executive Director
Alicia Webber, LICSW--Whole Collective, Co-Founder
Case Managers and other service providers.
Training offers: 2 hours CEUs for CSW/CMSW who attend.
A Vision, Mission, Values That Work For You
DESCRIPTION
Executive Directors, COOs, Administrators, Board Presidents - or anyone curious and eager to grow - are all invited to join this strategic training.
Discover the unique and essential role that vision, mission, and values play in every successful organization. Learn how to clearly distinguish each one within your own context and receive step-by-step guidance to strengthen their practical application across your organization.
If you’ve ever wondered whether vision, mission, and values are more than just buzzwords for impact reports or generic office posters - this is your chance to clarify your purpose and captivate your team with A Vision, Mission & Values That Work For You!
DETAILS
Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am - What They Are, How They're Different, And Why You Need 'Em All
Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am - Vision: Having A Dream For Beginners
Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am - Mission: From Impossible To Inevitable
Thursday, November 33, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am - Values: Lines In The Sand
Cause Collective office (6900 Van Dorn St)
Jeremy Pape, ANCHOR & COMPASS
An ANCHOR & COMPASS strategic training in partnership with Cause Collective.
Nonprofit administrators/leaders/governance.
Friendraising 101: How fundraising is like making a new friend
DESCRIPTION
Fundraising isn’t just about asking for money—it’s about building authentic, lasting relationships that inspire support. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to connect with potential donors, volunteers, and community partners in ways that feel natural and genuine. We’ll cover practical strategies for identifying prospects, starting meaningful conversations, and cultivating trust over time. Whether you’re new or looking to refresh your skills, you’ll leave with actionable tools to grow your network and turn connections into champions for your cause.
DETAILS
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 11:30am-1:00pm
Cause Collective office (6900 Van Dorn St)
Jena Lambert, CFRE
Nonprofit fundraisers.
People First: The HR Essentials Every Leader Should Know
DESCRIPTION
This interactive session introduces business leaders to core HR concepts through the lens of leadership, culture, and practical problem-solving. Rather than diving into legal jargon or technical policy, it focuses on real-world scenarios leaders encounter every day—hiring, retention, performance management, employee well-being, and workplace culture.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Cause Collective office (6900 Van Dorn St)
Ralph Kellogg--Lutheran Family Services-Executive Vice President, People & Training
Nonprofit administrators/leaders/governance.
Retain your Staff with Succession Planning
DESCRIPTION
Strategic succession planning will help you retain staff and increase your agency's impact in the community. This interactive session challenges traditional approaches, positioning your people as the most crucial part of your agency’s success.
Agency and board leaders will learn to craft equitable retention strategies that foster growth and define clear career paths, implement robust succession plans to minimize disruption during staff transitions, and design a streamlined executive transition framework for seamless leadership changes.
You will leave with actionable strategies, practical tools, and customizable templates to immediately develop your comprehensive plans.
DETAILS
Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 9:00-10:30am
Community Health Endowment (250 N 21st St)
Ingrid Kirst, Nonprofit Leadership Consultant
Nonprofit administrators/leaders/governance.
Engaging your Elected Officials
DESCRIPTION
This training will help nonprofit professionals understand the ways to stay compliant while leveraging lobbying as a tool to advance your organizations' missions and the concerns of your constituencies. We'll address questions specific to your issues and do some practice/preparation.
Topics will include
- defining the types of lobbying,
- responsibilities at the state and federal level,
- calculation of an organization's lobby limit, and
- how to engage safely as a 501(c)(3) in ballot initiatives
DETAILS
Monday, December 1, 2025 from 12:00-1:30pm
Foundry Community (211 N 14th St)
Meg Mikolajczyk--Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, Executive Director
Nonprofit staff at all levels.
Elevate: Empowering Nonprofit Professionals
DESCRIPTION
Elevate aims to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem by fostering a network of professionals new to the sector/their role, and is designed to cultivate meaningful relationships and enhance leadership capabilities. The focus is on young or new individuals in the nonprofit sector; however all are welcome who are employed at a nonprofit in Lancaster County. Join your nonprofit peers at one (or ALL!) of the events this year!
DETAILS
Elevate meets monthly and trades off between morning and afternoon gatherings.
No RSVP required from Cause Collective members--all are welcome!
Foundry Community, (211 N 14th St), third floor conference room
- 9/3/2025 at 8:00-9:00am
- 10/2/2025 at 4:30-6:00pm
- 11/5/2025 at 8:00-9:00am
- 12/4/2025 at 4:30-6:00pm