Why do we talk about nonprofits and human services like it’s the 18th century? It’s time to redirect public thinking. The sector’s communications are stuck in a charity model from the past and so is public perception of the value of human services, which affects everything from adequate funding to fair policies to giving. Today, the demand for human services is greater than ever. The sector needs to take advantage of research-based strategies for connecting with the public in the current legislative landscape. In this presentation, you’ll learn about a powerful new communications strategy, that is proven through rigorous national research and testing to improve public understanding and support for human services. By changing how we talk about the sector you’ll learn a new way to engage the public in vital conversations about the power, value and importance of our work.

Does your organization have a BIG idea, initiative, goal or project and you’re trying to figure out how to make it a reality? In this session, you will learn how to distill your vision, package it into a program, build collaboration along the way and identify potential funding sources. Seema will share real examples from multi-partner projects where she follows the same process for successful outcomes.

We hear it all the time…. what is the IMPACT of your programs? Your organization has an intervention, project, program or policy which contributes results leading to ‘impact’, but how do you engineer during the planning stage to capture this impact, or how do you reverse-engineer it for a program you inherited? Susie will walk you through the basics of the Theory of Change framework and discuss how this critical tool can help nonprofits plan for, and evaluate their impact.  The session will draw on real-life examples, and will leave participants with a sense of how to take this framework home and put it to use in their own organizational setting. Kate will share her own case study of reverse-engineering a Theory of Change.

What if you knew the steps to secure larger donations on a regular basis? Seriously! You – knowing exactly how to fully fund your organization every year. In this session, we’re going to look at the steps you need to lead your donors through to secure their best gift. And then we’re going to demystify solicitations and talk through the scary questions that come up during the ask. Using the example of a $10,000 ask, Sherry will walk you through the methodology she’s designed to teach nonprofit leaders how to secure larger donations from mid- and major-level donors. This session is a step-by-step guide of making an intentional ask with specific solicitation steps. What does this look like? How do you solicit & ask using the gift chart? What are the answers to the scary questions that come up during the ask? What do you do after making the ask?

How do you feel about increasing revenue at your next special event without your hair falling out from stress? Don’t panic! Take a deep breath because you don’t need a super hero cape to see smart sustain growth during your fundraising portion of your event! In this session, we will discuss how to work smarter not harder all while empowering your team members to be their best and insuring a seamless supporter experience with the goal to move them from one time event donors to lifelong sustained donors. From creative underwriting opportunities to inclusive giving opportunities, you will walk out of this class energized and empowered to take your special event to the next level of success!

What is the nexus of volunteers and donors? What does the data say about these intersecting philanthropic circles? Learn how your organization can connect the critical link between both worlds and how to capitalize on potentially missed opportunities.

Do you wonder what it takes to build an efficacious board? To deliver greater impact, a board must be strategically built and led with the end in mind. Drawing from the best practices of dozens of high-performing boards, ‘Built for Impact’ has been uniquely designed to provide tools and approaches for Board Chair & Executive Directors to lead their board effectively. This session will help your organization define ‘impact’ for your agency, how to build a board that strategically to fit your mission & vision. Tom will also share his ‘cheat sheet’ to better built boards, an easy-to-follow checklist to save and pass one to your entire board team.

This session will focus on teaching skills to foster open dialogue around high stakes, emotional or risky topics. The skills taught in this session will help participants gain confidence to respectfully say almost anything to almost anyone. During our time, we will identify what constitutes a crucial conversation, explore strategies to manage emotions and “stories” within self that could derail the conversation and review the STATE model that’s used to share your perspective and invites others to share theirs.

A significant body of research implies that donating one’s time and money has positive benefits to both mental and physical well-being.  The act of giving makes people happy and charitable behavior influences others to give too. Even people with little to moderate income can make a huge difference in the world with giving and reap the benefits.  However, despite all of the research on happiness and giving, many nonprofits struggle with raising sufficient funds to support their mission.  This session will identify what factors elevate happiness levels, explore your personal philosophy of giving, offer a variety of ways to encourage donor generosity and happiness, and discuss how nonprofits can use the joy of giving to support their mission.