PREVIOUS AND CURRENT
FACILITATION AND PRESENTATIONS
Community Centered Feasibility Studies
Sioux Falls, SD - 2022
Minnesota Housing Partnership
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.
Building Native CDFIs Sustainability and Impact - Best Practices in Impact Tracking Workshop
Milwaukee, WI - 2019
ICF and The CDFI Fund
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.
2019 Capital Access - "OTIS Unleashed! Tracking Your Organization's Impact"
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=
In 2019 Sweet Grass presented “OTIS Unleashed! Tracking Your Organization’s Impact” and participated in a TA clinic for Native CDFIs.
Effective Data Collection and Database Development: Collecting Information, Data Storage, and Reporting to Show Impact Workshop
Onamia, MN - 2018
Minnesota Partnership for Housing, St. Paul, MN - https://www.mhponline.org/
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.
2018 Capital Access - "Impactful Storytelling" and "Impact Tracking 101"
Pacific Grove, CA - 2018
First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - https://www.oweesta.org/capital-access-convening/
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.”
Opportunity Finance Network Conference
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.
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).
Building Native CDFIs Sustainability and Capacity and Impact IMP Workshop
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.
Initial Steps to Building an Impact Measurement Program Webinar
2016
First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - www.oweesta.org
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.
Data Management and Reporting for an Impact Measurement Program Webinar
2016
First Nations Oweesta Corporation, Longmont, CO - www.oweesta.org
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.
Excel Webinars
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.
TLJII IMP Workshop
2014
Seven Sisters Community Development Group and Neighborworks America
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.