On Tuesday, February 26th, Chicago will be electing a new Mayor, 50 Aldermen, and a new city Treasurer.

The decisions made at City Hall have a profound effect on our organizations and the people that we serve.The Mayor appoints the Board of Education, who govern Chicago Public Schools. They propose a budget and makes decisions about allocations of city resources. Aldermen propose legislation, vote on the budget, approval of mayoral appointees.

We’ve done our best to compile a list of resources and links to some non-profit organizations doing great work around voter education and amplifying the voices of the nonprofit sector.

At the end of last year, we asked what you learned in 2018, and our community rendered some insightful responses that we all can take with us into 2019. Thanks to everyone who replied, and good luck to all on a fantastic new year!

YNPN Chicago is always on the lookout for the latest in professional development and career advancement opportunities. Recently, we were notified by staff of the Kellogg School of Management of the creation of the Nonprofit Management Essentials. We reached out to Amy Stewart Smith to learn more, and tried some NME courses for ourselves.

If you've never heard of donor-advised funds (DAF), check out my blog post entitled Donor-Advised Funds 101, which goes over the concept of DAF and how donors use these funds to make gifts to non-profit organizations.

This post will take a look at how these funds have grown over the past year. They are becoming an increasingly popular giving vehicle, and their growth shows no signs of stopping.

The figures used in this post are from the National Philanthropic Trust’s 2018 DAF Report unless otherwise cited.

Still haven't gotten your tickets for Holiday Social at Revolution Brewing? We've got 10 great reasons for you to attend next Tuesday, November 27 from 6-9 p.m. 

YNPN Chicago is pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2019 Leadership Institute. This 10-month intensive cohort program will be held from January through October 2019. The curriculum focuses on developing core leadership competencies through hands-on activities that allow participants to apply what they learn in the session.

I used to hate conflict. I avoided it like the plague. There’s nothing worse than that knot in your stomach when you feel that nothing good is going to come from a situation.

Recently, I realized that true growth can only come from discomfort. When I look back, I’ve learned something from the conflicts and challenges I’ve faced. Think about times when you have really grown and become stronger. It is almost never when you are in a place of comfort. It’s through discomfort that we grow and challenge ourselves.

Writing a resume is a challenge at the best of times, made even more difficult when it comes to writing one for a nonprofit organization. Where skill and experience are equally important, nonprofit organizations are also looking for someone who is passionate about their cause and can seamlessly fit into their existing culture.

So, if you’re planning to take your next step in the nonprofit world and need to write a resume, here’s everything you need to know to ensure you can secure that interview.

If I were to stop a nonprofit worker on the street and ask to see their to-do list, chances are self-care would be right under “Ask Oprah for money.”

Self-care is like that good idea that someone told you to do once that you just wrote down to get them to leave you alone. It seems like a waste of time and energy.  

You are receiving forms in the mail with strange titles like W-2 and 1099-MISC. The vacant storefronts in your neighborhood have been filled with places like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. This can only mean one thing. It’s time to file your taxes.