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The 2011-12 Apprentices in Nonprofit Management and their Directors

Back row (left to right): Emily Stanfield ’12 (Imagine Grinnell), Julie Gosselink (Ahrens Foundation), Sarah Smith (Imagine Grinnell), Melissa Strovers (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Grace Carroll ’12 (POW I-80), Lea Greenberg ’14 (Arts Council), Maddie Gardner ’12 (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Angela Harrington (Chamber of Commerce)

Front row: Monica Chavez-Silva (Office of Community Enhancement and Engagement), Casey Strickler ’12 (Chamber of Commerce), Anna-Lisa Bowans ’12 (Ahrens Foundation), Judy Arendt (Arts Council)

Photographer: 
Ben Brewer ’11

Six Students, Six Organizations,  Six Degrees of Life Connection .  .  .

Background

Grinnell College's Apprenticeships in Nonprofit Management were created in 2010 to create stronger connections between Grinnell's key development organizations while providing a unique professional development opportunity for current students. 

Recognition

Receiving the "Outstanding Nonprofit Collaboration Award" for 2011, the program was recognized for "demonstrating excellence in collaborative efforts that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of services with the long-term goal of enhancing Iowa communities."

For an in-depth look at the award-winning Apprenticeships in Nonprofit Management program, check out the recent feature on our homepage.

Program Overview

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, apprenticeships aid postsecondary achievement and serve as a robust resume credential.  Grinnell's Apprenticeship Program adapts the traditional apprenticeship model to suit the unique characteristics of a liberal arts education and the realities of small town development through a unique, network-based approach.  The program:

  • pairs student apprentices with Grinnell township nonprofits where they work one-on-one with the executive management of one of six host organizations.
  • encompasses a range of work, from Economic Development to Art Education.
  • puts apprentices in direct contact with a few of Grinnell's most active community development organizations
  • gives apprentices a support group in which to share professional experiences in weekly lunch meetings that also increase collaboration between agencies.

This network-based approach multiplies opportunities for the apprentices and strengthens connections between the participating agencies.  Grinnell's apprentices help bring to life town-wide activities, such as International Walk to School Day.

Program Benefits

...For Partner Organizations

The Apprenticeship structure allows local non-profits to build capacity and strengthen programming.  Because the apprenticeships are funded and administered through Grinnell College's Office of Community Enhancement & Engagement, the program helps satisfy the staffing needs of Grinnell's prominent organizations at minimal cost to them.  The program provides an in-kind value to partner organizations of over $30,000 per year.   Equally important, because students have committed to a full year apprenticeship, the organizations are assured that they can take the time to fully train a student and engage them in core functions. 

...For Students

The selected students benefit from an in-depth professional development experience, working one-on-one witih a non-profit executive.  Students gain hands-on experience with day-to-day nonprofit operations, develop skills and insight into nonprofit management and contribute meaningfully to community enhancement efforts in Grinnell.  The network-based structure also allows apprentices to take part in special professional development learning opportunities, such as resume writing, website management or graphic design.

....For the Community

Perhaps the most important component of the program is its role in improving collaboration between participating agencies.  Each week, the apprentices meet for lunch to share their projects, challenges, and ideas.  This networking opportunity allows the students to develop close professional relationships with each other, in order to better understand and enrich their work.  The strength of the apprentice network also enhances collaboration between local agencies by helping to identify areas of common interest and opportunities to work together.  The program's motto is, "Six students, six organizations, six degrees of interconnection."

 

Current Apprentices

There are currently six Grinnell College students who have chosen to dedicate a full-year of their time to a local nonprofit:

The apprentices will be spending one full year with their respective nonprofits in Grinnell. See 2011-12 Apprentices to read more about their story.

Apprenticeship Organizations for 2011-2012

The program places apprentices with five local community development organizations as well as the office of community enhancement & engagement:

Organization Apprenticeship Details
 Grinnell Area Arts Council Arts Council Apprenticeship
 Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Apprenticeship
 Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation Ahrens Foundation Apprenticeship
 Imagine Grinnell Imagine Grinnell Apprenticeship
 Poweshiek Iowa Development POW I-80 Apprenticeship
 Grinnell College Community Enhancement & Engagement Community Enhancement Apprenticeship