Forefront is excited to announce a new slate of skill-building workshops for nonprofits for 2018-2019. Watch your mailbox for a copy of our new catalog, your guide to all of Forefront’s professional development workshops throughout the upcoming year. Programming takes place in communities across our state, including: Chicagoland, Champaign, Decatur, Effingham, Galesburg, and Springfield!

1. 1. View the Chicagoland catalog
   2. View the Central Illinois catalog
   3. You can also browse our programs online!

Forefront offers affordable, accessible, comprehensive trainings that move us toward our vision: social impact organizations working at their fullest capacities and creating positive change in communities throughout Illinois.
Forefront has developed classes and educational workshops that prepare you and your team for the joys and challenges of doing good. And what you learn from our expert faculty (and your peers!) will help you do it better.

Forefront programs strive to reflect the following principles, which we believe are foundational to the success of the social impact sector:

» Leadership is an activity, not a position

» Cultural responsiveness and inclusivity contribute to higher impact

» Healthy partnerships contribute to increased sustainability

» Budgeting, fundraising, and funding practices must reflect the full cost of doing business

Organizational Assessments: Not sure where to start? Forefront and the Impact Capacity Assessment Tool can help you identify what’s holding your organization back and make a plan to go from good, to great. (Forefront Operating Nonprofit Members can take the iCAT free once a year as a benefit of Membership.) The iCAT is an assessment and planning tool that helps your nonprofit better understand its organizational capacity based on direct input from those who know you best – your team and your key stakeholders. Through an online survey, the iCAT collects anonymous input from your staff and board members on six organizational capacities. For more information about using this tool for your organization or your grantees, contact Lisa May Simpson at [email protected].

Custom Trainings: Want to bring Forefront’s trainings to your team? Our workshops can be delivered to your staff, board, grantees, or other stakesholders at your location. We offer onsite trainings for groups of learners. Choose one or more of the workshops offtered or contact us to discuss trainings customized to meet your needs. For more information contact Lisa May Simpson at [email protected].

Registration: Registration for all Forefront programs takes place on our website on the Our Programs tab. Search for workshops by topic or location.

Scholarships: Grantmakers: Interested in providing your grantees with the opportunity to grow and connect in the sector? Consider providing scholarships for your grantees to participate in Forefront workshops or training series. Contact Lisa May Simpson at [email protected].

CFRE Credit: The CFRE Professional Certification Program offers fundraising professionals with 5 or more years of experience an opportunity to earn recognition for their experience and professionalism.
The designation “Certified Fund Raising Executive” (CFRE) is a mark of distinction, providing heightened professional recognition plus greater career options and earning potential for fundraising professionals. Many of our workshops are CFRE credit eligible!

Membership: Forefront Members receive significant discounts on our professional development workshops. Interested in getting the discount but aren’t yet a Member? Click Join to become part of the Forefront community!