About Us

     Active Learning Connection began with a simple idea born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The shutdown of in-person trainings led to increased requests for reduced-fee services. So, Marti, our founder and Executive Director, took action to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. ALC is committed to accessible lifelong learning, providing trainings, community education, and related services at below-market rates for nonprofits, animal shelters, veterans, seniors, and especially those in rural or poor areas. Our approach ensures quality and dedication to supporting lifelong learning and community support.

     Marti has many years of experience leading nonprofits and being hired as an internal change agent to help troubled nonprofits transform and manage change to emerge stronger and more stable. Most recently, she completed a certificate in Human Resources and another in Nonprofit Finance, both from Cornell University/eCornell. And she's halfway through completion of another Cornell certificate in Leadership.

     Marti loves lifelong learning! She earned her Ph.D. from UW-Madison in Adult Learning, a M.S. from Cardinal Stritch University in Management, and a B.S. from UW-LaCrosse  in Health Education, to provide a well-rounded approach to her work. And she has another certificate, the Professional Certificate in Online Education, from UW-Madison Continuing Education, which will be applied in 2025 to create online versions (on the Canvas platform) of ALC trainings.

     Marti managed Head Start preschools, taught K-12 ESL/English as  a Second Language as well as ESL for adult learners, and taught K-12 Health Education. Then she taught business management for adult learners at the associate's, bachelor's and master's levels. And most recently, she taught Mexican culture for statewide teacher outreach. 

     Marti has published newspaper articles, an article for NONPROFIT WORLD on monitoring nonprofit financials, a chapter for a book related to the history of adult education in the U.S., and is publishing two books on Kindle in 2025 -- a collection of short stories about growing up in Wisconsin, and a collection of short stories about how real couples met and fell in love. 

 

Community Support

     Active Learning Connection proudly serves nonprofits, animal shelters, veterans, seniors, and those in rural or poor areas. In addition, we can provide services such as  Fundraising and Revenue Generation, Budgeting/Budget Analysis, Staff Development, Consulting, Coaching, Strategic Planning, Marketing/Business Plan, Program Development/Needs Assessment, Volunteer management, Community Outreach, Community Organizing, Public Relations, and Evaluation -- and get you the help you need for Grant Writing, as well. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your organization or community!

    Check out our grant writing branch at https://www.center-for-active-collaborative-lifelong-learning.org