Author: Valerie F. Leonard
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What to Do When Organizations Refuse to Share Copies of Their Form 990’s
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I can remember applying for a job with a nonprofit organization, and I asked for copies of three years of their IRS Form 990’s so that I could prepare for the interview. Reviewing their Form 990’s would give me great insights into their mission, programs, board governance and management practices. …
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Illinois Nonprofit Compliance: The State’s Version of Form 990—and Why It Shows Up Earlier Than You Expect
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Most nonprofit leaders know that filing the federal Form 990 is part of maintaining tax-exempt status. What many do not realize—until a letter arrives—is that Illinois has its own parallel system of oversight that operates alongside the IRS. At the center of that system is the AG 990-IL, which functions…
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The Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle Is Going Live!
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We’re are super-excited to be entering a new chapter at Nonprofit Utopia. Starting Monday, January 5, we’ll be transitioning our online community into the Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle. This shift is intentional. Nonprofit leaders don’t need another short-term program. They need a serious, ongoing leadership environment where they can strengthen…
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Will AI Replace Humans? And What It Will Take for Us to Stay Relevant
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Every generation faces a moment when a new technology arrives and quietly—or not so quietly—reshapes the rules. Artificial intelligence is simply the latest version of that disruption. What makes this moment feel different is how personal it is. AI isn’t just changing systems or industries; it’s forcing people to ask…
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New Community Helps Nonprofit Leaders Strengthen Fundraising Systems to Raise Their First $25K or Increase Fundraising by 25%
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Chicago, IL — December 11, 2025 — Nonprofit Utopia, a trusted nonprofit capacity-building ecosystem, today announced the launch of the Nonprofit Utopia Impact Circle, a year-long learning and support community designed to help nonprofit leaders strengthen fundraising strategies, build durable systems, and grow more sustainable organizations. The Nonprofit Utopia Impact…
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Cultivating Nonprofit Leadership Resilience In the New Normal
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On November 7, 2025, nonprofit leaders from across Chicago gathered at Impact House for a full day of learning, reflection, and renewal at “Cultivating Executive Resilience: A Leader’s Guide to Sustaining Impact.”The workshop, hosted by Nonprofit Utopia and facilitated by Steven J. Casey, Founder of SJC Consulting, tackled one of…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…