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--It's The Manager by Jim Clifton
DESCRIPTION
It’s the Manager, published by Gallup, is based on the largest global study of the future of work. It presents data-driven insights and practical guidance for how effective management is the key to addressing nearly every workplace challenge—from employee engagement and performance to talent retention and development. The central premise is clear: the quality of managers is the most significant factor in an organization's long-term success.
Over the course of eight months, we’ll use this book to guide meaningful discussions and reflections around how our leadership and supervisory practices can adapt to better support teams, improve engagement, and align with the non-profit sector's mission-driven focus. We’ll focus on key themes including:
- The role of managers in shaping culture
- Shifting from boss to coach
- Strategies for engaging and retaining talent
- Strengths-based development
- Manager accountability and performance
- Creating environments where people do their best work
- Supporting well-being and preventing burnout
- Aligning purpose, brand, and culture
Each session will include a combination of chapter discussion, application to our day-to-day roles, and time for peer reflection.
Facilitated by Ryan Paul Carruthers, PhD, LADC, LMHP, CPSS, CenterPointe, Inc., Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
DETAILS
Monthly on third Tuesday from August 19, 2025-March 17, 2026 at 3:00-4:30pm
CenterPointe, Inc.
Individuals who supervise staff or have a supervisor.
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.
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 chan sign up during the training!
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 9:00-10:30amThe Foundry Community (211 N 14th St, Narnia Room on second floor)
Paul Durban--Filament Essential Services
AI-curious nonprofit staffers
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
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
Nonprofit fundraisers.
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.
Elevate: Empowering Nonprofit Professionals
DESCRIPTION
Join Cause Collective's newest program--to build connections with your peer nonprofit professionals! The new program aims to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem by fostering a network of professionals new to the sector/their role, and is designed to cultivate meaningful relationships and enhance leadership capabilities. The focus is on young or new individuals in the nonprofit sector; however all are welcome who are employed at a nonprofit in Lancaster County.
DETAILS
We'll gather monthly (trading off morning and happy hour time slots) at The Foundry, 211 N 14th St, third floor conference room. We'll see you there!
- 9/3/2025 at 8:00-9:00am--Register to Attend
- 10/2/2025 at 4:30-6:00pm--Register to Attend
- 11/5/2025 at 8:00-9:00am--Register to Attend
- 12/4/2025 at 4:30-6:00pm--Register to Attend