Nonprofit Peer Groups

The Johnson County Nonprofit Peer Groups were created at the request of many of our nonprofit partners who were looking for ways to connect and grow together. In 2022 we piloted 5 peer groups which met quarterly. Each peer group is focused around a particular topic – usually an article, podcast, or video – and after a short dive into that common topic/material, the conversation opens to current news and trends, challenges or new opportunities that need group ideation, or simply networking and connection with peers. The conversations are open to all and directed by those in attendance.

The goals of the Community Foundation of Johnson County’s Nonprofit Peer Groups are to:

• Provide learning opportunities relevant and timely for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and board members;
• Create space for open discussion and dialogue in a confidential and safe space;
• Bring the CFJC to the forefront of nonprofit leaders’ radar as a community connector and convener; and
• Raise awareness of the CFJC’s resources for nonprofit organizations.

The Johnson County Nonprofit Peer Groups are based on professional roles within nonprofit organizations. Please attend any/all groups which are relevant to you and your work. We welcome diverse voices, experiences, organizational foci, and organization sizes to attend these peer group sessions. Groups are based around professional roles to allow connection, resource and idea sharing, and networking among nonprofit leaders in similar roles across organizations.

• Executive Director/CEO Peer Group
• CFO & Finance Team Peer Group
• Development & Fundraising Peer Group
• Marketing Peer Group
• Program & Services Peer Group

Session Structure

The following is the anticipated structure for peer group sessions. They will be topic/content based and then open for networking and engagement as the group sees fit.

• Introductions (5-10 min)
• Topic/Content Specific Presentation or Guided Conversation (15-20 min)
• Open Conversation/Networking (30 min)

A Community Foundation staff member will facilitate peer group meetings, but conversation is always open to participant engagement.

Fees/Cost

Nonprofit Peer Groups are free to attend and open to all, though content is directed toward the specific group topic and professional position.

Peer Groups meet quarterly on Wednesday mornings from 9-10am. We will meet virtually via zoom. Links to register for each session will be updated before the year end. Thanks for your patience!

• Executive Director/CEO Peer Group
  • CANCELED!  Winter – TUESDAY, Jan. 24th
    • Pre-Read: New Employee Orientation (Joan Garry)
  • Spring – May 3rd
    • Pre-Read: Board Giving – 100% Participation? (NonprofitAF)
  • Summer – THURSDAY, July 6th
    • Pre-Read: Internal Controls (Council of Nonprofits)
  • Fall – Aug. 30th
    • Pre-Listen (2:12-13:53): Even Good EDs Need Coaches (Joan Garry)
• CFO & Finance Team Peer Group
  • Winter – Feb. 1st
    • Pre-Read: Sharing Financials with your Board (Propel Nonprofits)
  • Spring – May 10th
    • Pre-Read: Forecasting Fundraising Revenues (Joan Garry)
  • Summer – July 12th
    • Pre-Read: Preparing for an Audit (Nonprofit Information)
  • Fall – Sept. 6th
    • Pre-Read: Operating Reserves (Council of Nonprofits)
• Development & Fundraising Peer Group
  • Winter – Feb. 8th
    • Pre-Read: Stewardship & Donor Levels (NonprofitAF)
  • Spring – May 17th
    • Pre-Watch: Turning One-Time Donors into Recurring Donors (Donorbox)
  • Summer – July 19th
    • Pre-Read: Ethics of Fundraising (Council of Nonprofits)
  • Fall – Sept. 13th
    • Pre-Read: Gift Acceptance Policies (Council of Nonprofits)

• Marketing Peer Group
  • Winter – Feb. 15th
    • Pre-Read: Writing Tips from a Professional Nonprofit Blogger (NonprofitAF)
  • Spring – May 24th
    • Pre-Read: 10 Nonprofit Marketing Lessons (Classy)
  • Summer – July 26th
    • Pre-Watch (2:00-8:30): Improve Your Email Open Rates (Donorbox)
  • Fall – Sept. 20th
    • Pre-Listen (4:00-14:06): An Artful Approach to Social Media (Joan Garry)
• Program & Services Peer Group
  • Winter – Feb. 22nd
    • Pre-Listen (3:24-17:53): How Do We Ignite Our Volunteers? (Joan Garry)
  • Spring – May 31st
    • Pre-Listen (00:00-15:36): Simplify Your Program Evaluation (Joan Garry)
  • Summer – Aug. 2nd
    • • Pre-Read: Challenges (& Solutions) in Volunteer Management (Wild Apricot)
  • Fall – Sept. 27th
    • Pre-Read: The Knitting Factor: Making Skills-Based Volunteering Work for Your Organization (Nonprofit Engage)

Ellie Moore, Director of Grantmaking & Strategic Communications

ellie@cfjc.org | (319) 337-0483

501 12^th Ave., Suite 102

Coralville, IA 52241