The CivicLab is deeply involved in delivering a rich array of learning and training services to nonprofits across Chicago and the Midwest! Contact us at info@civiclab.us or call us at 312-566-8180.
The CivicLab has a cadre of seasoned social justice leaders, civic educators, and nonprofit veterans to offer the following training and consulting services:
- Nonprofit management (special focus on grassroots organizations led by people of color)
- Fundraising and resource development
- Fiscal agency and mentoring for social justice/community service organizations
- Board training and development
- Visioning and strategic planning
- Base building, organizing, grassroots marketing
- Community organizing and public policy campaigning
- Running for local office, candidate recruitment/training, issue forums
- Executive coaching and peer-to-peer community building
- Servant-Leadership workshops & training
- Personal identify formation, self-care, resiliency as a justice champion
We are serving as Fiscal Agents for these fine organizations:
We have worked with/are working with an amazing range of justice champions and change-makers!
The CivicLab is providing extensive management and development consulting to Councilwoman Tarsha Jackson of Houston and her community organization, the Urban Community Network.
We designed and delivered over 50 workshops and executive coaching sessions for the 90+ front line social justice and community serving members of the ILA2J Coalition.
We worked with the DPP for over a year in training and consulting around the TIFs of Detroit and they are seriously organizing around TIFs and economic justice!
The CEJC and the Cincinnti Federation of Teachers brought us to town to help them organize a rash of new TIFs being jammed though City Council, See what happened…
We worked with the board of the Pilsen Alliance, a long-time community organization on extensive management and board development.
We have been providing training sessions for all incoming graduate students at Adler University on social justice for over five years. We have also helped design their last few Social Justice Summits and have presented many community organizing workshops there.
Testimony
“In the age of Trump and neo-liberal attempts to privatize and monetize all levels of government, it’s becoming more and more important for our communities to organize and become engaged. The CivicLab’s Power Institute lays the groundwork for exactly that. They have designed a curriculum for individual empowerment by arming participants with the power of knowledge of local history, policy, community organizing and political campaigning. I would wholeheartedly recommend Civiclab’s Power Institute for any aspiring or established organizer looking to bring real change and empowerment to their communities.” Ruth Maciulis (Co-Director of the Pilsen Alliance when the CivicLab presented their cycle of “Civics 101” workshops at their site on 18th Street, November 2019)
“Tom and Jonathan really came through! Their presentation on ‘Chicago 101’ made people mad about how Chicago works, and it made people curious, but most of all it got people engaged. This is exactly the kind of education every citizen needs in order to make meaningful change in our city. One of my favorite moments of the night was when one particularly engaged audience member literally threw her hands up and said, ‘Why doesn’t anybody teach us this stuff?’ Well, Tom and Jonathan are teaching this stuff – and I will gladly welcome them back to continue to inform, engage, and empower our community.” – Gabe Piemonte, Candidate 5th Ward Alderman
“As a Lecturer of Political Science at Saint Xavier University, I am always looking for new ways to get students excited about politics and participation…Tom came up with “Civic Engagement 101” to challenge participants to think about civics as action involving knowledge, passion, and courage. The workshop got participants excited about the taking the next steps – towards action. I would encourage anyone interested in increasing civic engagement in their community to partner with Tom and the CivicLab.” – Elizabeth Alejo, Lecturer, Political Science, St. Xavier University