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Opportunities for Evanston-serving organizations

Thanks to our partnership with the Evanston Community Foundation,
Literacy Works currently has free coaching opportunities available for Evanston-serving organizations!

Writing for understanding

Training Information and Common Questions

About this training

Writing for Understanding is an intensive, hands-on training that teaches you how to apply plain language strategies in a supportive environment.  ​ 

Each cohort includes:

Before the first Zoom session, you'll complete a short self-paced lesson. This helps make sure we're all on the same page day 1.

Pre-work

about 1 hour

We'll meet on Zoom for 3 live training sessions. Each session is 2 hours and includes:

  • Sample texts

  • Group discussion

  • Breakout room activities

Zoom sessions

3 hours

Between sessions, you’ll complete reflection and practice activities that will help you apply what you're learning in a practical way.

Homework

1-2 hours total

After our 3 live sessions, sign-up for one-on-one plain language coaching. This is your chance to showcase what you’ve learned and receive individualized feedback.

1-on-1 Coaching 

1 hour

We have two levels of this training:

Writing for Understanding
Level 1

Level 1 is for folks who are relatively new to plain language and want to communicate more effectively with their community, colleagues, or other professionals.

​

Joining a cohort can help you:

✅ Develop your knowledge of plain language and information design practices

✅ Identify ways to prioritize cultural humility, accessibility, inclusivity in writing

✅ Review your own public-facing or internal documents in a supportive space (if you'd like!)

✅ Connect with others, including other professionals who are passionate about systems change

​

Participants work in a variety of sectors and roles, from marketing to programming and administration. Whether you're creating content on a daily basis, or just want to advance social justice in communication, this training could be a great fit!

Writing for Understanding
Level 2

Level 2 is for folks who enjoyed level 1 and want to expand their plain language skills. We focus on more advanced writing and grammar concepts, applying plain language to long-form documents, and systems change strategies.

 

Joining a cohort can help you:

✅ Reflect on where your communication is meeting your audiences’ needs and where there are gaps

✅ Hone your skills applying plain language strategies to materials from your work

✅ Build confidence providing plain language feedback to others

✅ Develop plain language strategies for your organization

 

We ask that participants complete Level 1 of Writing for Understanding or an equivalent course before registering for Level 2. Not sure if you meet this prerequisite? Email Sarah at sarah@litworks.org

Training cost

We have sliding scale options for this training. When you register, you can pick from one of the options below.

 

Here’s the most important thing to know about these rates: 

We want you to attend this training, so choose what’s best for your situation. These recommendations are guidelines. We don’t review who pays what, and we won’t follow up with any questions. 

 

Picking the highest rate you or your organization can reasonably afford allows us to offer free and reduced fees for those who need it most, increasing access for everyone.

 

Training Rates

Redistribution Rate

$450

We recommend this rate if either:

  • Your organization has an annual budget of $5 million or more, or

  • You feel like you can afford this rate and want to help keep reduced rates available.    

Full Rate

$325

We recommend this rate if either:

  • Your organization has an annual budget between $1 million - $5 million, or

  • You’re paying for this training yourself, and you can comfortably afford this price.

Solidarity Rate

$200

We recommend this rate if either:

  • Your organization has an annual budget below $1 million, or

  • You’re paying for this training yourself, and you can comfortably afford this price.

Reduced Rate

$75

We recommend this rate if either:

  • Your organization has an annual budget below $200,000 and focuses on social justice or advocacy work, or

  • You’re paying for this training yourself and are a full-time student or earn a limited income.

Common questions about Writing for Understanding

  • Applying plain language with confidence
    This 2-hour workshop builds on the basics of plain language to give participants practical experience evaluating and revising written content. Together we’ll identify opportunities to improve sample texts and work in groups to apply plain language strategies. This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with plain language strategies and are eager to get hands-on practice in a supportive environment. Cost: $1,700
  • Plain language for specific mediums
    This 1.5 workshop is designed to offer hands-on practice applying plain language strategies to specific mediums. If you routinely create content in the same medium or are preparing for a larger project, this training is designed to help participants get the most out of a specific medium. Options for this training include: Flyers Handbooks Slide decks Forms + Surveys Emails Newsletters This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with plain language and want hands-on practice applying strategies to a specific type of content, such as reports, slide decks, or handouts. Cost: $1,500
  • Speaking clearly to every audience
    This 2-hour workshop builds on the basics of plain language in spoken communication. We’ll use video examples and role playing activities to practice explaining ideas clearly and checking for understanding. This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with how to apply plain language strategies to spoken information and are looking for practice and feedback in a supportive environment. Cost: $1,700
  • Making numbers count
    This 2-hour workshop takes writing about numbers to the next level. Participants will work together to evaluate sample texts, and practice applying strategies to make numbers clearer and more usable for their audience. This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with strategies for writing about numbers and are eager to get hands-on practice and feedback in a supportive environment. Cost: $1,700
  • Introduction to plain language
    This session introduces participants to plain language. We’ll look at real world examples to share basic strategies for centering your audience and communicating clearly. We have both a 1-hour and 1.5-hour version of this training. This training is best for: folks who are new to plain language and looking for an overview of strategies they can apply to their work. Cost: $1,200
  • Writing about numbers
    This 1-hour session introduces participants to strategies for sharing numbers effectively. We share tips for writing about data, charts, and money in a meaningful way and how to support folks who might struggle with everyday math tasks. This training is best for: folks who are new to plain language and whose work includes writing reports, explaining data, or asking folks to do simple math. Cost: $1,200
  • Speaking for understanding
    This 1-hour session explores how plain language strategies apply to spoken communication. We’ll introduce basic plain language strategies to conversations, phone calls, and simple presentations. This training is best for: folks who are new to plain language and whose work includes talking to community members and folks outside of your organization. Cost: $1,200
  • Creating welcoming and accessible content
    This 1.5-hour session builds on the basics of plain language to help participants think about what welcoming and safe content looks like in practice. We’ll introduce the principles of Trauma-Informed Design and explore how they apply to communication. We’ll share tools to help make your content accessible to folks with disabilities. This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with plain language strategies and are looking to improve Accessibility and inclusivity in their communications. Cost: $1,400
  • Using visuals to support clear and effective communication
    This 1.5-hour session takes the basics of plain language to a new level through the addition of visual elements, such as images, graphics, and other design features. We’ll share strategies for using visual elements to increase readability and help readers understand new or complex information. This training is best for: folks who are already familiar with plain language strategies and want to include more thoughtful and effective visual elements in their communications. Cost: $1,400
  • What if I can't attend all three sessions?
    If you haven't registered yet, we encourage you to wait for a cohort that works for your schedule. We aim to have upcoming training dates posted at least 3 months in advance. If you've already registered for a cohort, you have three options: Transfer your registration to an upcoming cohort. If there's space, join an upcoming cohort just for the day you missed. Review the training materials on your own and schedule a quick meeting with your training facilitator to go over any questions you have. Whichever option you choose, please email your training facilitator or clearlanguage@litworks.org as soon as possible.
  • Can I request a scholarship?
    If none of the options above work for you, contact Sarah at sarah@litworks.org to discuss your situation.
  • Do you offer group rates?
    We do not offer separate group rates, because we use a sliding scale for this training. We ask that you only register up to 10 people from the same organization in each cohort. This keeps our groups diverse and participants get to learn from folks in other fields. When you register, choose the rate that makes the most sense for your organization’s budget. If your group is more than 10 people, contact Sarah at sarah@litworks.org. You can pay up front for your group. We'll provide a code that folks can use to individually register for the session that works best for them.
  • Do you record this training?
    No, we do not record Writing for Understanding sessions. Both levels are intensive, hands-on trainings that are designed for a live, group experience. The value of this training is getting to practice plain language strategies with real-time support and learning from your classmates. If you're more interested in self-paced learning, you can start by checking out our Lab Library.
  • Drink Reader's Brew Coffee from Luna Cafe
    Do you love Literacy Works a latte? Purchase Reader's Brew Dark Roast Coffee from Luna Cafe! $5 of every bag will help us advance literacy education and communication equity!
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    Direct a gift to Literacy Works from your Donor-Advised Fund. Select the "DAFPay" payment option during step 3 on our donation form to find your provider and recommend your gift. Or, reach out to your financial institution directly and provide them with our tax information. Literacy Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Tax ID (EIN): 36-4350749. 5401 W Lawrence Ave, #30223, Chicago, IL 60630.
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    Ensure our advancement of equity through quality adult education and clear information for years to come by including a gift or bequest to Literacy Works in your estate plan, such as your will, trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. This type of giving can potentially reduce estate taxes, and offers you the flexibility to adjust your intentions over time while retaining ownership and control of your assets during your lifetime. By specifying the assets or portion of your estate you wish to leave to Literacy Works, you ensure your philanthropic legacy continues beyond your lifetime. For more information on establishing a legacy gift, please contact development@litworks.org.
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    A Major Gift refers to a substantial tax-deductible financial contribution made in the form of cash, typically larger than standard donations and often designated for specific projects or initiatives. Cash donations provide immediate liquidity, enabling us to address pressing needs, invest in long-term initiatives, or expand our impact in the community. For Literacy Works, a Major Gift is a one-time gift of $5,000 and above. To learn more about major giving opportunities please contact development@litworks.org.
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    Make a one-time donation online or mail a check to Literacy Works at: 5401 W Lawrence Ave #30223 Chicago, IL 60630
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    Double (or triple) your support! If you or your partner works for a company that offers a matching gift program, you can ask the company to match your donation to Literacy Works. Employer matching gift programs are corporate programs in which the company matches donations made by employees to eligible nonprofit organizations like Literacy Works. It’s an easy way to double, or in some cases, triple your contribution. A $25 donation becomes $50, $50 becomes $100! Contact your human resources department for more information or to encourage your employer to start a matching gift program if they don’t already have one.
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