Andrew Polter, CFRE

📅 Next Tuesday, join our CEO, Trish Dewald, as she co-hosts a national conversation with Candid and Co.act Detroit about engaging your nonprofit board in fundraising. Read more and register 👇 Join us to learn practical strategies for better engaging your board in fundraising. In this course, we’ll cover boards’ typical fundraising responsibilities, why some board members may be reluctant to fundraise, and how to overcome these concerns. We will also brainstorm new ways your board members can participate in fundraising activities and will share tips for strengthening your board and aligning on fundraising priorities. Whether you’re an executive director, board member, or development professional, this course will help you plan for your organization to fundraise better as one team. ✔ Register here for free and let us know if you'll be there. https://lnkd.in/gqqtSv2c #fundraising #professionaldevelopment #boardtraining

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It's never too early to start planning for 2025 grants and programs. Michigan nonprofit organizations can get ahead by laying the groundwork today. At River City Grant Writing, your trusted partner in grant funding and 2025 grants, we help your organization strategize, research, and develop strong grant proposals that increase your chances of securing vital funding in the future. #NonprofitFunding #GrantFunding #GrantProposals #MichiganNonprofits

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Key point from Susan Martinis —Senior research officer at one of #AmericasLeadingResearchUniversities— on a silent but growing challenge if we want to advance US science and innovation. It’s the elephant in the room: “As for challenges—hands down are the rising #cost of #research that are likely going to transform our academic research ecosystems over the next decade, with graduate students and post-docs, as well as supplies and sophisticated equipment, becoming #unaffordable. This will seriously compromise the scope of research grants and their critical role in building our #STEM #workforce pipeline.” #FundNSF #FundAmericanScience

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EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYERS TAKE ACTION FOR EARLY LITERACY: For nearly two years, the CEO members of TalentFirst have been collaborating with West Michigan K-12 leaders on a focused effort to improve reading skills — the foundation for success in education and life. That hard work is paying off as we develop a regional target for improved 3rd grade reading proficiency — and a plan for getting there. These leaders have collaborated to identify the challenges schools face, along with strategies to overcome them and to reach our targets. Some of these strategies, such as TalentFirst's initiative to promote regular school attendance, are already in place. As we prepare to unveil our regional goals and full set of strategies, it's a good time to recognize those who have stepped forward to accept this critical assignment. This includes the superintendents of four intermediate school districts: Ron Gorman from Kent ISD Jason Jeffery of West Shore ESD Randy Lindquist of Muskegon Area ISD, and Kyle Mayer of Ottawa Area ISD. And these members of the TalentFirst K-12 Education Working Group: Leslie Brown, chairman of Metal Flow Corporation Jon DeWys, CEO of DeWys Metal Solutions Mike Jandernoa, chairman of 42 North Partners, LLC John Kennedy, president and CEO of Autocam Medical Park Kersman, president of Lorin Industries, Inc. More work remains, and the challenges are significant as Michigan continues to fall behind in reading proficiency. But this partnership has responded with urgency to take action and set West Michigan students up for success.

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How precarious is the state of downtown St. Paul? What can the City of Saint Paul, Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, and #business leaders do to deal with a glut of vacant office space, public safety woes, and a decline in workers? Here's my report for Twin Cities Business. https://lnkd.in/gwmUhXgm

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Cornerstone continues to make news. Check out this piece, and if you watch the video you'll see some photos of me in action in the classroom! https://lnkd.in/gF4-tK3t

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As we grapple with population stagnation in Cleveland and the Midwest, it's crucial to acknowledge that our younger population seeks vibrant, amenity-rich, and culturally-rich environments. Immigrants have historically played a pivotal role in meeting these desires, revitalizing neighborhoods by bringing a piece of their hometown with them, be it a bustling café or a string of new businesses. Their contribution not only fuels the region's growth but also fosters bustling environments that attract young people, introducing them to diverse cultures through food, clothing, and other local amenities.   We must embrace the fact that international communities enrich the cultural fabric of cities. Cleveland already boasts a proud legacy of immigrant heritage, with vibrant neighborhoods representing cultures from around the world. Expanding on this legacy by investing in cultural districts and creating spaces where international communities can thrive will make the region more appealing to younger generations, who increasingly value diversity and global perspectives. With that said, if we want to become an international city, we must also begin to value global perspectives.    Furthermore, our immigrants also bring with them global networks that can open the Midwest to international business and investment opportunities. For example, Cleveland has partnerships with 20-plus sister cities that have helped connect us with the kind of opportunities that could help establish the international city we want Cleveland to become.   In conclusion, by investing in policies that support immigrant integration and entrepreneurial ventures, immigrants can be central to a strategy that helps foster an inclusive, vibrant community that appeals to younger generations. The Midwest can become a destination where young people from the U.S. and abroad want to live, work, and build their futures.

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In positive news for Downtown Madison, office vacancy rates are trending downward from a high last year. According to Downtown Madison Inc.'s 2024 State of the Downtown Report, for three quarters in a row, Downtown Madison's office vacancy rate has stabilized at 12%, eight points lower than the national average of 20% (according to Moody's Analytics). A healthy office market is key to an economically strong and vibrant downtown. By creating quality office buildings, with quality amenities Downtown, and never over building, Downtown Madison's office market is sitting in a strong position compared to many comparison cities across the country. #downtown #madison #office

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Are you a member of your local community’s leadership organization? What do you find valuable from attending those meetings? And, what advice do you have when it comes to attending similar networking opportunities? For me, when I was invited to attend last month’s luncheon for the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois, I jumped at the opportunity to network and learn from other women. That very same night, I applied to become a member because I felt the power of “being in the room” with other female leaders in our community. As my professional roles have shifted, I continue to look for opportunities to grow as a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, writer, educator, mom, wife, and the list goes on. Having this opportunity to connect locally with other women feels like such a gift. 💚 I’m sharing my takeaways below and would love for you to share your own learnings from events like these… Last month’s takeaways: - “Being in the room” fosters inspiration and is essential to networking. -There is so much to learn from people who are at various stages of their career.  -Practice listening to others and their stories. Look them in the eye. Listen with an open heart without thinking about how you are going to respond. Then, take time to respond and ask follow-up questions. -Be prepared to share your “elevator pitch.” In new situations, people will ask what you do. Consider what you want to share with that audience. And don’t be afraid to share your identity outside of your job title. I like to say this: “I was a burned out teacher-turned-professor and realized that I needed to focus on my health and being a mom and woman in this world. Now I write, speak, and inspire others to find balance in life.” You’d be surprised at how quickly that introduction sparks further conversation.  -Write down the names of people you meet (or get their business card), and send them a follow-up text or email. Sincerely telling them that it was nice to meet them opens the door for future connection. Today’s takeaways: -The guest speaker’s message reinforced the importance of self-compassion. Thank you Misty Klobucher for sharing your story.  -Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger.... You can open with questions like, What brings you here today? What do you do? How long have you been a member? What did you think of our speaker? Are you from around here? What do you like to do outside of work?  Or, begin the conversation with a statement. For example, today at the dessert table, I looked at the other woman standing there and said, “I couldn’t leave without trying some of the dessert!” She agreed, we talked about bringing it with us on our drive home, and that’s when I learned that she’s from the same town where my grandparents are from. When I asked her if she happened to know them, she exclaimed, “Of course I know them…” and then we dug into our small world connections. -Don’t leave without trying the dessert 😉

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Policy can be used to build more equitable school systems, which is why our local school boards are such an important lever for change. We encourage you to attend your school board’s meetings to hear how they discuss policy, and we were excited to attend Cincinnati Public Schools’ Policy Committee meeting with our current Cincinnati class. A big thanks to Cincinnati Public Schools board member, Kendra Mapp (Cincinnati Class 4), for talking with us after the meeting and sharing her insights about how policy helps lay the foundation for new systems. Curious about the difference between a policy and a practice? Want to know who’s in charge of each? Check out this quick overview: https://buff.ly/3Z1Fwf4

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2025 may seem far away, but the most successful grant applications are built on careful planning. Now is the time for Michigan nonprofit organizations to identify future opportunities and align their programs for maximum impact. River City Grant Writing, your trusted partner in grant funding and 2025 grants, offers the strategic planning needed to set your organization up for success. #GrantWriting #NonprofitFunding #2025Grants #Philanthropy

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I am happy to see my good friend Hermann Nehls still engaging with the Wisconsin Apprenticeship System. Our trip to Germany with Hermann in 2020 was so eye opening as a brand new State Director at the time and I see that those things we learned while there are continuing to be massaged out and implemented in Wisconsin in this write-up. With German Apprenticeship being a gold standard in the world, it was interesting to learn during that trip how Wisconsin Apprenticeship did things different than Germany and many of those things were what raised the bar for apprenticeship in the states. When I returned from the trip in 2020, I was energized knowing I was leading one of the premier apprenticeship systems (youth apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship) in the country but realizing that there was opportunity to be even better with very small tweaks; an apprenticeship system grounded by the illustrious Karen Morgan who operated as the Director for nearly 30 years. The German model is solid and strong, with true engagement in the system by all as a way to make their community better and that is something we still haven’t been able to achieve here in the American Apprenticeship system. It is one of the biggest things the system should focus on because it has the ability to change lives and drive growth in the American workforce. Imagine how powerful a national system would be when people aren’t afraid of engaging because they would be looked at as “less than” since they didn’t go to college? Hats off and wishing nothing but success to Wisconsin Apprenticeship as they continue to build on that strong foundation we’ve created. #apprenticeshipworks #apprenticeshipisforeveryone

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Michigan colleges and universities can get assistance applying for state grants. Check out our latest blog at The Michigan Center for Adult College Success !

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If you saw the story on ArtsJournal about Milwaukee arts organizations being in trouble, let me provide some important context as journalists are missing the real point. The WI Policy Forum reported out on 2022 data regarding earned revenue. Of course it was way down. That was the first season after organizations had reopened from the pandemic closures and at least for Milwaukee Rep, we canceled more than 60 performances that year due to Covid. In FY24, Milwaukee Rep was back to normal earned to contributed ratios for us -- 60% of our budget coming from earned revenue. HERE'S THE REAL POINT -- we are much more reliant on PRIVATE philanthropy, because there is virtually no public/government support of the arts in Milwaukee. Why is WI the worst in the country for public arts funding? Why is Milwaukee the worst major city and county in the country for public arts funding?

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Mark your calendars: Chicago Public Schools is mapping out its goals for the next five years and wants feedback from the public. Learn more in this article from Chalkbeat Chicago: https://lnkd.in/gZYVSSVq

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🌊🍒Michigan Businesses: How are you planning to leverage this opportunity in your business strategy? The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has just kicked off cycle 2 of the Going PRO Talent Fund, and it's an opportunity to take advantage of. With at least $11 million up for grabs, Michigan businesses can now access substantial funding to train, develop, and retain current and new team members. Why is this important? As we navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape, the need for skilled employees has never been more critical. This fund supports skills enhancement and strengthens our businesses from the inside out, promoting growth and innovation. I see this as a chance to advance our missions and empower our workforce through the transformative power of strategic training initiatives. This is a chance to elevate your game. Let's ensure our teams are not only prepared for today's challenges but also ahead of tomorrow's opportunities. 👉 Read more about how you can apply and transform your workforce: https://ow.ly/P5cZ50RlwVl ❓What innovative strategies are you considering to enhance your team's skills with this funding? #GoingPRO #TalentFund #EmployerResources #MichiganWorks #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Innovation

How can #collegesanduniversities contribute to increasing gender parity in the workforce, BEFORE students graduate? According to Jen Dirks of TEMPO Milwaukee, there is much that #highered can do now, while female students are still in the college classroom. #genderparity #highered #genderpaygap #equality #EdUP The EdUp Experience

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