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The
Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center (INRC) was created at the University
of Iowa in 2000 to reach out to all parts of Iowa to help nonprofit
organizations.
The
INRC’s web site delivers information and service to community
organizations throughout the state and serves as a conduit through
which Iowa communities may easily access nonprofit resources. The
web site offers a complete calendar of courses offered by Iowa institutions;
a guide to the best nonprofit books in print; and a directory of
government contacts and legal and management resources.
Nonprofit
Organizational Effectiveness is the central course designed by the
Nonprofit Center that addresses all aspects of operating nonprofit
organizations and their community relations. The two-semester course
focuses on the operational and financial aspects of nonprofit management,
nonprofit organization leadership, and external relationships with
the nonprofit’s community constituencies, governmental entities,
and professional associations.
The
INRC serves the Iowa nonprofit community through a number of statewide
instructional programs. The INRC’s has provided training to
groups such as United Way agencies. We also co-sponsored a symposium
on faith-based charities entitled “Religion, Government and
Community Building, participated in “The Role of the Board”
to the Iowa-Illinois Red Cross Public Support Conference in Moline,
and presented the “Survey and Challenges Facing Nonprofit Organizations”
at the Region IX meeting of Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Des Moines.
Also the INRC brings more Iowa lawyers into the area of nonprofit
practice by presenting an annual CLE program at the University of
Iowa College of Law.
The
INRC has completed a survey of 138 Iowa nonprofits to ascertain
the needs of the Iowa nonprofit sector and inform the participants
of the Center’s mission.
Finally,
the Center has produced a video, “The Essence of Community”
which features interviews with a number of Iowa nonprofit entities
such as the Montgomery County Historical Society and the African
American Historical Museum in Cedar Rapids. Its message is that
nonprofits throughout Iowa serve their communities successfully.
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