Author: Valerie F. Leonard
90 Days To A New Nonprofit Discussion
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Coming July 1, 2025: 90 Days to A New Nonprofit™ – A Clear Path from Idea to Impact You’ve got a vision for change—a nonprofit idea that keeps you up at night because you know the world needs it. But like so many others, you may find yourself stuck before…
Just Checking: Nonprofit Compliance Checklist
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Did you know that tax exempt organizations are 2 times more likely than tax payers to be late with filing annual returns with the IRS? There are approximately 3.05 million registered organizations in the United States (IRS, April 28, 2025). Of this number, 1.13 million registered organizations, or 37%, have…
Nonprofit Utopia Selected to Co-Lead Grant Writing Bootcamp for Community-Powered Newsrooms
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CHICAGO, IL — [May 24, 2025] — Valerie F. Leonard, founder of Nonprofit Utopia, and Noah Jenkins, fundraising strategist, were honored to co-facilitate Fund the Facts: A Grant Writing Bootcamp for Community-Powered Newsrooms, hosted by the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The interactive…
The Best Way to Start A Nonprofit
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Thinking About Starting a Nonprofit? Which Option Is Best—Do It Yourself, Hiring An Attorney, Or Joining A Class? When I started a nonprofit organization earlier on in my career, I was super fortunate to be in a situation in which I was heading an initiative of a family-run foundation, and…
Nonprofit Utopia Launches Nonprofit Founder’s Academy to Equip Emerging Leaders for Sustainable Impact
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Chicago, IL – May 19, 2025 – Nonprofit Utopia is proud to announce the official launch of the Nonprofit Founder’s Academy, a groundbreaking online platform designed to help mission-driven leaders start, manage, and grow high-impact nonprofit organizations. Built on the proprietary ASCEND™ model, the Academy opens enrollment on July 1,…
“We’re at a Fork in the Road”
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Nonprofit Leaders Warn of Dire Consequences from Federal Cuts Under DOGE CHICAGO, IL – March 6, 2025– Nonprofit leaders, policy experts, and elected officials convened for a virtual town hall, “The Nonprofit Fork in the Road,” hosted by Nonprofit Utopia founder Valerie Leonard, to address what many are calling an…
Grassroots Graduation Celebrates Community Healing At Its Best
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Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: January 4, 2025 Contact: Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com; 773-571-3886 Capacity Building For Community Healers Hosts Fall 2024 Graduation Chicago, IL – Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is excited to announce the recent graduation ceremony for the Capacity Building for…
Capacity Building For Community Healers
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For Immediate Release Contact: Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC Email: valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com Date: January 2, 2025 Nonprofit Utopia Launches Spring Session of Flagship Capacity Building Program Chicago, IL – Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is proud to announce that it has been selected by State Senator Lakesia Collins (5th District) to…
Valerie F. Leonard Accepted into Milestone Circles Program
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chicago, Illinois — December 4, 2024 — Valerie F. Leonard, Founder of Nonprofit Utopia, LLC, is thrilled to announce acceptance into the prestigious Milestone Circles program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center! This transformative 12-week program empowers women entrepreneurs with unparalleled access, resources, and expertise to accelerate the…
Nonprofit Utopia Becomes CFRE International Approved Continuing Education Provider
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Valerie F. LeonardFounder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLCvaleriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com | 773-571-3886 CHICAGO, IL — Nonprofit Utopia, LLC proudly announces its designation as a CFRE International Continuing Education Approved Provider. As the only Black-owned business in Chicago to achieve this distinction, Nonprofit Utopia joins a prestigious group of organizations committed to…