Strong communities begin with strong partnerships. This interactive networking session will explore how to build and sustain effective early childhood teams by engaging a diverse group of stakeholders—from parents and educators to business leaders, healthcare professionals, and civic partners. Participants will learn practical strategies for fostering inclusive collaboration, aligning shared goals, and amplifying community voices. Whether you're just forming your core team or looking to deepen existing relationships, this session will offer valuable insights and peer connections to support your early childhood efforts.
A well-designed board is more than just a governing body—it's a strategic asset. Whether you're building a board from scratch, leading one through change, or looking to elevate your governance practices, this session will give you the tools and insights to make your board more effective—and why that effectiveness matters now more than ever.
Clear, compelling communication is essential to gaining community support for early childhood initiatives. This networking session will dive into effective strategies for marketing and messaging that resonate with diverse audiences—from parents and providers to policymakers and business leaders. Participants will explore how to craft messages that reflect community values, spark engagement, and build momentum for lasting change. Through shared examples and peer discussion, you'll walk away with practical tools to elevate your Core Team's visibility, credibility, and impact.
In an environment where families and stakeholders are overwhelmed with choices and unsure who to trust, early childhood programs need marketing strategies that go beyond basic promotion to build meaningful connections. This session explores the most effective and accessible marketing tactics for child care providers and advocates. From authentic storytelling and mobile-friendly websites to community engagement and reputation management, this session highlights real-world examples of what's driving enrollment and building trust with parents, funders, stakeholders and supporters. It also uncovers common missteps—like inconsistent messaging or generic branding—that can undermine credibility and connection. Whether you're a provider, an advocate or both, you'll leave this session with clear insights on how to make the best use of your time and energy, and how to maximize and low-cost tools to elevate your outreach.
Early childhood programs need more than passion—they need resources. This networking session will focus on how community Core Teams can identify, cultivate, and secure funding opportunities to support programming, workforce development, and capital expansion. From grassroots efforts to major gift campaigns, participants will explore creative approaches to fundraising that align with community values and priorities. Gain insights from peers, share challenges and successes, and leave with actionable ideas to strengthen your team's fundraising capacity and long-term sustainability.
This session will provide practical strategies for navigating effective fundraising conversations. From "Getting the Visit" to "Making the Ask," participants will gain actionable insights and tools to enhance their fundraising efforts. The session will also explore ways C4K Core Teams can collaborate with local Nebraska Community Foundations to build mutually reinforcing partnerships.