Jennifer Darby

“[#CHILDCARE] COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TAKE ROOT” Yes, they are! Quite a lot, actually. Over and over again, when I read about promising progress in addressing childcare affordability, quality, access, and equity, I see one common theme: LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS. The mix of public-private partnerships varies considerably: sometimes state, county, municipal, and/or school districts; sometimes nonprofits; sometimes philanthropy: increasingly, #business; and, sometimes, someone or something that I’ve never thought of…but almost ALL locally-responsive, locally-designed, and locally-leveraged partnerships. This time it’s Northeast #Indiana. 👏 "We want to foster collaboration and ensure childcare is viewed not just as an #earlychildhood issue but as a community-wide concern," says Allie Sutherland. "By bringing together schools, nonprofits, local governments, and funders, we're building solutions that are not only practical but sustainable." Input Fort Wayne, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Indiana Early Childhood Coalition, Brighter Futures Indiana 👏 Follow Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education and learn more about how #childcare + #workforce = #jobs + #economicgrowth for ALL! #MassBiz4EarlyEd

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Grant Managers: The unsung heroes of nonprofit success. We're not just paper pushers. We're strategic partners. My day as a Grant Manager at the Michigan Science Center: • Collaborating with program staff on innovative projects • Decoding complex funder requirements • Ensuring our financials align with grant budgets • Building relationships with grantmakers The most rewarding part? Seeing how our work directly impacts science education in Detroit. Grant management is a team sport. We work closely with HR, Finance, and Programs to make magic happen. What's the most fulfilling aspect of your role in the nonprofit world? #GrantManagement #NonprofitLeadership #GrantProfessionals #NonprofitImpact

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In recognition of National Voter Registration Day, Educated to Empower releases a new discussion and reflection-based lesson plan where students will learn more about elections and write about their opinion on changing the national voting age. Click the link to access and download for free. Please share with your network! https://lnkd.in/g9kgJMig #StudentVoices #EducatetoEmpowerNY #NationalVoterRegistrationDay #VotingAge #StudentVoice

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Hey K Alum! Remember that survey I told you was coming? Well it's hitting your inbox TODAY! Please take a moment and share with us how your K experiences have impacted your career path! Look for your personalized email link, or connect to the survey from the link below! 🧡Happy Homecoming week!🖤 #GoHornets

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Local School Councils (LSCs) are a defining and unique aspect of Chicago Public Schools, playing an important role in school governance and community engagement since 1988. With Chicago’s public schools experiencing significant change, including the transition to an elected school board and the end of federal COVID-19 funding, strong LSCs are more important than ever in ensuring that school-level decisions are grounded in the needs of each community. Our new report shares insights into the important role LSCs have in Chicago. Discover how LSCs can empower schools and improve student outcomes here: https://bit.ly/3VC3JqH #LocalSchoolCouncil #DecisionMakers

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Do you have a favorite part of your job? This. Is. Mine! Working with donors who want to impact our students’ lives by creating scholarships to help them further their education, is the best! When you are able to bring the donor and the student together at a scholarship reception, so they can meet, talk about the student’s classes, dreams, and aspirations and receive a heartfelt “thank you” from the student…this is AWESOME! This event humanizes the scholarships for the students. They are able to learn more about “why” the donor established their scholarship. Scholarships can honor the memory of a loved one or preserve the legacy of an individual, family, or organization; these scholarships serve as a lasting tribute while helping students succeed. Many donors want to support education and make a positive impact on students' lives; they may have benefited from scholarships themselves and want to help the next generation. Businesses or organizations may establish scholarships to support students who could potentially become future employees. This is common in fields facing talent shortages, like skilled trades and technical industries. We are so grateful to all of our donors for their gifts that help our students succeed!

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Attending the Creative Convergence Workshop was a reminder of what’s possible when we embrace creativity and community. We explored how the arts can: ► Bring communities together ► Spark authentic connections ► Shape a positive, forward-thinking future For Pulaski County Tribe, it’s about more than projects. It’s about building relationships that matter, fostering creativity that inspires, and creating spaces that bring us together. When head, hands, and heart align, truly transformative things can happen in arts, in leadership, in business, and in community. This workshop reinforced the principles that guide our work: ► Who Not How We achieve more by leaning on the unique strengths and creativity of others. It’s about finding the right people to make the difference. ► Collaboration is Key When we come together, our impact multiplies. Creativity thrives in connection, and our collective efforts go much farther than individual ones. ► Together We Rise By lifting each other up, we create a foundation for resilience and growth. This experience strengthened my belief in creative collaboration as a force for growth and connection. The arts are a catalyst, but the vision extends further. It's about what happens when people choose to be inspired and take action. Through Pulaski County Tribe I'm excited to keep partnering with our community to spark meaningful projects, build local pride, and shape a future where creativity leads the way. Whether it’s through art, business, or the connections we cultivate daily, we all have a role to play in shaping our future. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆?

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A big thanks to KCCI’s Jodi Long for the great piece she did on the Black Iowa Voter Guide. In the piece, I mentioned the disparities facing Black Iowans as one of the reasons to vote. Facebook commenters on KCCI’s post predictably decried the mention of disparities, saying there aren’t any. But here are a few off the top of my head: ♦️ Black Iowans are six times as likely as white Iowans to die during pregnancy or within the first year of giving birth. ♦️26.3% of Black Iowans own their home, compared to 74.2% of white Iowans. ♦️Black people make up 4.5% of the population, but represent 23% of the prison population. ♦️ Waterloo ranked 8th on a list by 24 Wall St. (2024) of the worst cities for Black Americans to live based on gaps in income, homeownership and unemployment rates. Davenport/Quad Cities ranked 9th. Des Moines/West Des Moines ranked 14th. I could go on all day. These disparities exist for a variety of complex systemic reasons —including the isms that many people seem loathe to acknowledge. That’s why Black Iowa News brings attention to the issues and cultivates solutions. Black Iowa News highlights Black perspectives, showcases the Black community and amplifies the voices of Black Iowans. 🔸 Voting deadlines from the Iowa Secretary of State: 🔴 Wednesday, Oct. 16, is the first day of in-person absentee voting. It’s also the first day absentee ballots will be mailed out to those who requested it. ⚪️ Monday, Oct. 21, is the deadline to request an absentee ballot by 5 p.m. 🔵Monday, Oct. 21, is the deadline to pre-register to vote by 5 p.m. Nov. 4 is the last day to vote early in person. Election Day is Nov. 5. 🔸Download a PDF of the Black Iowa Voter Guide (https://lnkd.in/guVBYaYj) #insideblackiowa #election2024 #vote

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Reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While we've made progress, Columbus City Schools vendors need more support and equity. Let's stand together! ✊🏾 Read the full column at OhioMBE.com #CivilRights #BlackBusinessMatters #ColumbusOhio #OhioMBE

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As a fundraiser, one of the biggest parts of my job is connecting with others. But I have a little secret: I’m not great at remembering names. I can see someone across the room and KNOW that I know them. Then a name pops into my head, and I think, "Nope, that's definitely not their name." Now the wrong name is stuck in a loop, and I’m walking up to them anyway, praying the right name will surface. Ever been there? This makes me reflect on the best ways to engage in big, crowded situations. Enter the name tag. Think about it: how awkward is it to approach someone you know you’ve met before, only to draw a blank when trying to recall their name? I know I’m not alone in this. Whenever I admit my struggles with name recall, people respond with, “Oh my gosh! Me too!” It’s normal, it’s common, and it’s definitely solvable. So, let’s embrace the name tag at these events and spare someone else the discomfort of trying to fish your name from their memory. Then we can dive into the real connections!

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It's not to early to think about how you will celebrate Indiana Women in Tech Week, September 15 - 22nd. Acknowledge the amazing women in tech you know, mentor a young woman, or plan an event. How you celebrate is up to you. #representationmatters, #indianawomenintechweek, #womenintech, #womenleadtech, #girlsintech. #womenworkingintechnology

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Local friends, it's time to RSVP for our upcoming Nonprofit Development Meet-Ups! Please mark your calendars for - Columbus-area Meet-Up: Monday, June 24th, 2024 -12 noon - Our host is Jamie Thomas, CCAP at Enrichment Services - Benning Hills Child Development Center -190 Munson Drive, Columbus, GA. 31903. LaGrange-area Meet-Up: Thursday, June 27th, 2024 -12 noon - Our host is Zsa Zsa Heard, CEO of the City of LaGrange Housing Authority - 204 Calumet Center Road, LaGrange, GA. 30240. Lunch will be served as well! For our topic this time, I propose this: Let's all come prepared to share a few of our favorite free or low-cost resources for nonprofits. What training, blogs, websites, free marketing or development tools, grant research tools, books, etc. have you benefited from? Let's share these with each other! Please come with your questions and ideas, and plan to join the conversation! Don't forget a notepad, to write down all the good ideas you will hear. The goal, as always, is for us to know each other better, stay connected, foster collaboration, and be a professional resource for each other. Also, if you have any important updates you'd like to share from your agency, this is a great time to do so. Please spread the word about our Meet-Up! We love to meet new nonprofit development professionals. An RSVP is requested so that we can plan for the meal. RSVP now by replying to this post. Please indicate which meeting you plan to attend. Thank you!

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For Michigan public universities and community colleges looking to apply for the grants from the Office of Sixty by 30, be sure to check out our upcoming webinar on navigating the EGrAMS application system and pick up some other great tips for your grant application.

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The best time to prepare for 2025 grants is now! Michigan nonprofit organizations can ensure long-term success by developing a clear strategy today. River City Grant Writing, your trusted partner in grant funding and 2025 grants, offers expert support to help your organization find and secure the right grants for your programs and future impact. #GrantWriting #2025Grants #GrantStrategy #GrantFunding

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It is always inspiring when your staff has opportunities to grow and help your business expand its impact. So, we are sharing great news about one of our child advocates. The Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) recently chose Christy Nunley to take part in its second annual Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship. She will join thirty-five other exceptional Indiana youth workers of color who are involved in the cohort, which starts in January. The program is part of the Indiana Youth Worker Well-Being Project. That collaborative statewide program focuses on ‘caring for those who serve our kids.’ More specifically, it serves youth development professionals employed with community-based agencies, such as Child Advocates, that support the educational, social, emotional, and physical development of Indiana youth aged five to 18. 👉And the program also helps ensure that youth organizations increase and sustain progress toward being welcoming and inclusive workplaces and closing equity gaps in leadership.  Christy and other professionals working with youth will participate in an intensive six-month training and development series designed to enhance leadership capabilities and provide opportunities to cultivate robust community networks. Christy said, “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity being provided by Indiana Youth Institute. I believe it will be an opportunity to grow and advance my skills as a leader. I look forward to learning different approaches and techniques that will help further develop and enhance my ability to be a successful leader.” Our CEO, Phyllis Armstrong, said, "It's wonderful that IYI’s Indiana Youth Worker Well-Being Project awarded Christy with this leadership training and development opportunity. She has dedicated her career to serving youth. Her participation in the cohort will enhance Christy’s leadership." Learn more about IYI's next Emerging Leaders of Color Fellowship coming up in 2025 and how and when to apply here: https://bit.ly/3ViFtJy #leadership #diversity #equity #inclusion #dei #fellowship #growth #opportunity #nonprofit #youth #youthworkers

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KPL is evolving as an organization. And services like this are shining examples.

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How are you #showingup for kids? At Communities In Schools of Michigan and Communities In Schools National Office we are #allinforkids knowing that #beingpresentmatters in the lives of Michigan students. 📕 The spike in chronic school absenteeism that began in the pandemic’s wake shows no sign of receding. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Education, 14.7 million U.S. students—more than one in four—were chronically absent in 2021-22. That means they missed 10 percent or more of the school year, almost a full month of classes There are many reasons that students don’t regularly attend school. Many students face challenges with safety 🦺, transportation 🚌mental or physical health, 🩺access to clean clothes👚👖, food insecurity , or have household responsibilities such as childcare or needing to work. Schools that have been served by CIS for three or more years have significantly lower rates of chronic absenteeism than schools that have been served by CIS for less than two years, as compared to schools that do not use CIS services. Chronic absenteeism rates continue to fall the longer CIS works with a school.

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