Sioux Falls, SD - 2022

Minnesota Housing Partnership

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THE TOOLS

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Sweet Grass developed and facilitated a session, “Community Centered Feasibility Studies: Impact, Research, and Strategy for Effective Place-Making.” The three hour workshop will began with a presentation, which covered the basic tenants of a feasibility study whether it be regarding housing, financial programs and service, workforce development initiatives, food sovereignty, and more. The presentation was broken up by mini-workshop sessions. Attendees left with knowledge of the various components that make-up an effective feasibility study in addition to useful tools and action items for completing several components internally.

Milwaukee, WI - 2019

ICF and The CDFI Fund​

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https://www.cdfifund.gov/programs-training/training-ta/Pages/BNCSII/BestPracticesinImpactTracking.aspx

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Sweet Grass developed and delivered a three day interactive workshop about impact tracking for Native CDFI participants. This workshop provided the opportunity to  learn from Native CDFI experts; learn from the experience of other Native CDFIs;  learn about industry best practices; share experiences, insights, and ideas with other Native CDFIs; build components of their organization-specific impact matrix; and develop action plans around impact measurement and reporting to implement when they return home.

Lihue, HI - 2019

First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - https://www.nativecdficonvening.org/event/f683a474-0596-452b-8e3f-601ed6dbeb9d/summary?5S%2CM3%2Cf683a474-0596-452b-8e3f-601ed6dbeb9d=

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In 2019 Sweet Grass presented “OTIS Unleashed! Tracking Your Organization’s Impact” and participated in a TA clinic for Native CDFIs.

Onamia, MN - 2018

Minnesota Partnership for Housing, St. Paul, MN - https://www.mhponline.org/

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In 2018, Sweet Grass hosted a workshop at Onamia, MN as part of Minnesota Housing Partnership’s Native Community Development Institute. The interactive workshop: “Effective Data Collection and Database Development: Collecting Information, Data Storage, and Reporting to Show Impact” provided tools and technical assistance advice for tribal entities engaged in various community and economic development processes.

Pacific Grove, CA - 2018

First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - https://www.oweesta.org/capital-access-convening/

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In 2018, Sweet Grass presented two sessions: “Impactful Storytelling” and “Impact Tracking 101” which provided tips and tricks to enhance data collection and reporting operations as well as allowed attendees to ask questions specific to their organizations. Sweet Grass also participated on a panel with First American Capital Corporation, First Nations Oweesta Corporation, and Wisconsin Native Loan Fund titled “Key Performance Indicators Dashboard.”

2018 - Chicago, IL

In 2018, Sweet Grass had a booth at the OFN Conference and co-hosted a panel with First Nations Oweesta Corporation that featured three OTIS users: First American Capital Corporation, First Nations Community Financial, and Wisconsin Native Loan Fund. 

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2016 - Atlanta, GA

In 2016, Sweet Grass participated in the Native Convening at OFN which hosted a session on Impact Tracking. Sweet Grass also helped to present a breakfast session about the Opportunity Through Impacts System (OTIS).

Denver, CO - 2016

Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Neighborworks America - https://www.neighborworks.org/Training-Services/Training-Professional-Development/Specialized-Training/Building-Native-CDFIs%E2%80%99-Sustainability-and-Impact

 

Sweet Grass worked with Natasha Shulman of Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Lakota Vogel of Four Bands Community Fund to develop and deliver an in-depth two day workshop in Denver, CO on Impact Measurement Programs with Native CDFIs around the country. The workshop was part of CDFI Fund’s “Building Native CDFIs Sustainability and Capacity and Impact Initiative,” a technical assistance program for Native CDFIs funded by the CDFI Fund.

2016

First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - www.oweesta.org

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Oweesta hired Sweet Grass to develop an interactive webinar to assist Native CDFIs to better develop an Impact Measurement Program. Participants concluded the webinar knowing how to create core competencies, outcomes, and indicators for their own organizations. Sweet Grass provided examples of creating metrics and building assessment tools as well.

2016

First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - www.oweesta.org

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Oweesta hired Sweet Grass to develop an interactive webinar to assist Native CDFIs enhance their data management and reporting processes. Participants asked questions and made comments based on their own personal experiences and professional needs. Participants concluded the webinar understanding the importance of electronic data management and knowing key considerations for choosing a data management platform and reporting processes.

2015

Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Neighborworks America - https://www.neighborworks.org/Training-Services/Training-Professional-Development/Specialized-Training/Building-Native-CDFIs%E2%80%99-Sustainability-and-Impact

 

As part of the Building Native Industries Institute, Sweet Grass delivered two webinars around using excel for data management, analysis, and reporting.

2014

Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Neighborworks America

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Sweet Grass worked with Natasha Shulman of Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Lakota Vogel of Four Bands Community Fund to develop and deliver an in-depth two day workshop in Washington, DC on Impact Measurement Programs with Native CDFIs around the country. The workshop was part of the CDFI Fund’s “The Learning Journey II,” a technical assistance program for Native CDFIs funded by the CDFI Fund.