Events

*Beginning Grantseeking

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Where does the grantseeking process start? How do you find funders interested in your organization and your programs? There are proven tactics for finding funders that are a good fit for your organization–and plentiful resources online–many of them free! In this three-hour live online training, we...

Nonprofit Know-How: Perfect Your Pitch

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Every nonprofit has a story worth sharing—but can you communicate it clearly and confidently in just a few minutes? Join fellow nonprofit professionals for Nonprofit Know-How: Perfect Your Pitch, an interactive virtual learning session designed to help you refine your organization's elevator pitch...

2026 National Nonprofit Day Celebration

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
National Nonprofit Day is commemorated in August each year to recognize nonprofit organizations’ ongoing efforts to serve the local community. Join us to celebrate YOU – the organizations making a difference in Greater Des Moines. Stop by for delicious treats, coffee, networking opportunities and...

*Data for Grant Writing Workshop: Finding the Data You Need for a Successful Grant

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
This workshop will help you through finding the data you need for writing a successful grant proposal. You’ll learn how to: • Connect to 6+ data sites with useful and important data. • Understand the data, information, and tables in the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. • Navigate to the...

*OnBoard: The Basics of Being an Effective Board Member

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Serving as a board member is an incredible opportunity to lead within the nonprofit sector and put your passion for a charitable cause into practice. Along with an affinity for the mission, effective board members must possess a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities to keep your...

*OnBoard: The Basics of Being an Effective Board Member

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Intended Audience: Newly elected board members, volunteers interested in board service, seasoned board members seeking to re-familiarize themselves with the role and responsibilities, executive directors and nonprofit leadership staff. Session Facilitator: Angela Dethlefs-Trettin, Chief Community...

Small-Shop Fundraising: Punch Above Your Weight

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Teams made up of a few fundraisers — or even just one — know what it’s like to do more with less. Many of these shops are small but mighty. The most successful tend to focus on the fundamentals and prioritize tactics that have the greatest impact. How can small fundraising teams set their...

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Nonprofit Appreciation Day

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation will host Nonprofit Appreciation Day for Linn County nonprofit professionals and grassroots nonprofit leaders. Join us on Thursday, September 17, from 8 to 10 a.m. at 325 3rd Street SE in downtown Cedar Rapids. This open house-style event celebrates the...

Succession for Key Roles: Make a Plan

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Most nonprofits know they should have a succession plan. Far fewer have one in writing. When a key staff member leaves, steps away temporarily, or is suddenly unavailable, the challenge is rarely limited to filling a position. Leaders can find themselves scrambling for passwords, donor histories...

AI Governance for Nonprofits

When
-
Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Intended Audience: Nonprofit staff who are interested in learning more about building guidelines, best practices and context for AI (artificial intelligence) in their workplaces. Interested board members are also encouraged to attend. Session Facilitator: Luke Ifland, principal, Syntax Solutions...
Handshake in the form of a heart.

Nonprofit Training on Collaboration

In today’s rapidly changing environment, nonprofits are being called to work smarter, deeper, and more collaboratively. From informal cooperation and shared staffing to administrative consolidation and full organizational merger, there exists a broad continuum of collaboration. This interactive virtual session explores how purpose-driven organizations can assess, initiate, and sustain collaborative efforts that strengthen their missions and amplify community impact.

The session features national, state, and local leaders who offer insight, experiences, and resources to assist executives and boards as they explore collaborative opportunities. 

Format: Recording
Recording Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 9am to 11am. 

View the recording here


 

 

Boyd Law Building--University of Iowa College of Law

Introducing the Nonprofit Structure and Strategy Clinic

The University of Iowa College of Law is expanding its support for Iowa's charitable and philanthropic sector through the Nonprofit Structure and Strategy Clinic.

Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, law students, under the supervision of experienced attorneys, will provide legal services to eligible nonprofit organizations across Iowa. The Clinic will assist with matters such as nonprofit formation, governance, tax-exempt recognition, contracts, and additional legal needs.

Housed within the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, the Clinic combines hands-on legal education with the Center's longstanding commitment to strengthening Iowa's nonprofit community. In doing so, it prepares the next generation of lawyers to partner with nonprofit leaders in advancing their missions and strengthening communities.

The Clinic is now accepting client applications for the Fall 2026 semester. To learn more about the Clinic, the legal services it provides, and how to apply, visit the Clinic website.

Icon of a person raising their hand to volunteer.

Iowa Volunteer Time Now Valued Over $30/Hour

According to a 2026 report by Independent Sector, the average value of volunteer time exceeded $30 per hour in Iowa for the first time in 2025.

Iowa has long ranked among the nation’s leading volunteer states with more than one in three Iowans volunteering. From food pantries and youth programs to arts organizations and community health initiatives, volunteers continue to strengthen our communities from river to river. 

The report also reflects the important work of nonprofit organizations, schools, congregations, and community groups that successfully recruit, support, and retain dedicated volunteers. Strong volunteer engagement remains one of the defining strengths of Iowa’s nonprofit sector.

Individuals interested in exploring volunteer opportunities — and organizations seeking to connect with volunteers — may visit Volunteer Iowa's online volunteer matching system here.

You may view the 2026 Value of Volunteer Time Report here.

Staff collaborating

31,279

The number of nonprofit corporations in the state of Iowa.
Helping hand

Top ten

Iowa ranks in the top ten with 29.9% of Iowans volunteering.
Student group

25 Years

In 2025, the LAWINRC celebrates its 25th year of serving and supporting Iowa’s nonprofit sector.