[vc_row padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]Media contact: Jessalyn Holdcraft, jessalyn@newbo.co
Cedar Rapids, IA, July 12, 2017 – NewBoCo, which operates Iowa Startup Accelerator and a number of other entrepreneurial and education initiatives in Eastern Iowa, is forming a new nonprofit innovation program. Partnered with United Way of East Central Iowa, the intent is to improve the capability of the region’s nonprofits to launch new products and services, strengthen financial viability, and make an even bigger impact in our communities.
“Our nonprofit sector is already very strong, and this project will equip our nonprofits with the same tools and capabilities that startups use to make them stronger,” CEO of United Way of East Central Iowa Tim Stiles said.
The programs will be available to nonprofits in the Corridor and consists of four components.
- A series of educational workshops on innovation strategy, execution, and cultural change, intended to provide access to strategies and techniques used by for-profit companies and inspired by startups.
- Agile coaching to help existing nonprofits maximize flexibility and learning and to build strong organizational cultures.
- Nonprofit coworking, providing discounted office space and a community for small and early-stage nonprofits, working alongside startups and small businesses in the Vault Coworking space.
- A social good accelerator for new nonprofit ideas to rapidly test them before launching. The accelerator will operate much like Iowa Startup Accelerator does: a time-boxed, highly selective program with grant funding available.
“Nonprofits need all of the same components as any business: a strong financial model, understanding of their customers and users, a great leadership team, and a strong organizational culture,” NewBoCo Director of Innovation Mandy Webber.
Organizational leaders representing 16 nonprofits attended the pilot nonprofit innovation event last month.
“Our region’s nonprofit sector can benefit from the same encouragement, investment and innovative support that is provided to entrepreneurs and startups. “The mission and impact of a nonprofit can be every bit as important to our community as commercializing a new technology,”NewBoCo Executive Director Eric Engelmann said.
For more about these new programs, visit our website at newbo.co/nonprofit-innovation/
About NewBoCo
The New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) is a nonprofit with the mission to accelerate world-changing ideas, from Iowa. The organization aims to create impactful startup businesses that grow here through its Iowa Startup Accelerator program and more; to foster world-class technical and creative talent via innovative educational programs for kids and adults; to assist thriving, innovative companies in developing new products and attracting the best talent through corporate innovation programs; and to make an outstanding social impact and make the world a better place. Since 2014, the program has grown dramatically, helping hundreds of startups get off the ground and grow and thousands of children learn to code.[/text_output][/vc_column][/vc_row]