AMC Net Content/Chicago
Content Spotlight: Nonprofits
Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Illinois Institute of Art, 180 N. Wabash, Room 235
Cost: Free for AMC members, $10 for non-members

The nonprofit world is a major force in Chicago, with more than 6000 nonprofit organizations and 1500 foundations in the area. As a general rule, nonprofits are filled with information: newsletters, publications, reports, applications and more. Unlike many other industries, information from these organizations is often smart and well-written. So, does that mean there are opportunities for writers and content providers in this field? It depends. Budgets and timelines are very different than in the corporate world, and if you're looking for steady clients, this may not be for you. But if you want to participate in work that makes a difference in the world, consider attending this meeting and joining the discussion.

Discussion topics:

• Dos and don'ts for developing content for nonprofits
• Tips for working with nonprofit organizations
• How nonprofits are evolving their print communications, email newsletters, websites, etc.
• What about funding?

About our speakers

Kristin R. Lindsey, Senior Vice President, Donors Forum of Chicago <http://www.donorsforum.org>
The Donors Forum is a membership organization serving 1,200 nonprofits and foundations in the greater Chicago area. In this position, Ms. Lindsey directs the communications, marketing, public policy and research activities for the organization and manages strategic initiatives for information management, technology and strategic planning. Prior to joining the Donors Forum staff in 1998, Ms. Lindsey directed public affairs at Gateway Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit substance abuse treatment provider. From 1989 to 1994, Ms. Lindsey was on the staff of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA); as Director of External Affairs at CHA, her portfolio included intergovernmental relations, public relations, marketing, development, and minority business affairs. She has held positions in the public and nonprofit sector, where she developed policy, communications, marketing and legislative programs around issues including race relations, housing, education, and the environment. Ms. Lindsey serves on the Editorial Board of the Chicago Reporter, the Committee on Legislation and Regulations at the Council on Foundations (Washington, DC), the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers Board of Directors, and the Association of Black Foundation Executives Program Committee.

Phoebe Stein Davis, Communications Coordinator, Illinois Humanities Council <http://www.prairie.org>
Phoebe received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Loyola University Chicago. Phoebe taught American literature, Women‚s literature, and Writing and Rhetoric at both Loyola and DePaul Universities for nearly 10 years before joining the Illinois Humanities Council in 2000. She also served as the Assistant to the Director of the Women's Studies Program at Loyola University and is the
author of numerous critical articles and reviews. Before moving to Chicago to attend graduate school, Phoebe was a Public Affairs Specialist at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

Sally Duros, web producer/editor for nonprofit and corporate clients <http://www.sduros.com>
Sally has worked at the The Wall St. Journal, Crain Communications, Mayor Richard M. Daley's office, The American Economic Development Council, iGive.com and Genesis House. She is currently serving as creative editor on a book about start-up business called, "You've Got to Be a Little Crazy," written by Prairie Angel co-founder Barry Moltz. Duros has a Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Illinois. A member of the WorldWit <http://www.worldWit.org/> steering committee, Duros writes a monthly column on Spirit and Business called "Sally's World." She has also served on the board of the Association of Consultants to Non-Profits and on the board for Genesis House. In her consulting business, Duros writes and produces communication materials that include newsletters, marketing kits, speeches, power-point presentations and websites. She also continues her work as a business journalist, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, The Wall St. Journal Online, TIME Magazine and BtoB among others.

Download the meeting notes (Word)

About Net Content/Chicago

Net Content/Chicago, a network of diverse content professionals, hosts monthly events covering topical issues for the online content industry. Net Content/Chicago is a Special Interest Group of the Association for Multimedia Communications <http://www.amcomm.org/scripts/content.cgi?page=SIG_content>. For more information about this meeting, please contact Hilary Marsh <hilary@contentcompany.biz>.

Back to Net Content/Chicago SIG archives