New not-for-profit innovation program formed in partnership with NewBoCo and United Way

A new program aims to help not-for-profits launch new services, strengthen financial viability and make an even bigger impact in the communities they serve.

New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative and the United Way of East Central Iowa are forming a new not-for-profit innovation program. The program, Nonprofit Innovation, held its pilot not-for-profit innovation event last month attended by leaders representing 16 not-for-profits.

'I think it's a great way to give nonprofits the opportunity to explore and learn,” said Lois Buntz, former CEO of United Way of East Central Iowa. 'Many nonprofits do not have the time or the resources to practice innovation.”

The program was a project Buntz started before she retired in December and has continued to work on as a volunteer.

Its two components include:

' A series of educational workshops on innovation strategy, execution and cultural change that provide access to strategies used by for-profit companies and inspired by start-ups.

' Not-for-profit co-working, which provides discounted office area in the Vault Coworking and Collaboration Space so small and early stage not-for-profits can work alongside start-ups and small businesses.

Information on quarterly workshops can be found at newbo.co/nonprofit-innovation.

An Intro to Agile course will be held Thursday at NewBoCo.The daylong course cost is $199 per seat.

'It's a really unique opportunity,” Mandy Webber, NewBoCo director of innovation, said. 'We don't see a ton of other areas offering program like this and we're working on building an innovative ecosystem here in the Corridor, and this is a great way to do that because really nonprofit success is our success as a community.”

l Comments: (319) 368-8538; elianna.novitch@thegazette.com