Seeing Through the AI Hype: Useful Ways to Use AI

Learn how AI can have a practical impact on your work through real-world examples of how nonprofits are leveraging AI's ability to bring structure to unstructured information, enabling new automation, streamlining workflows, and ultimately saving precious time and resources.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Explore various case studies that showcase successful AI implementations.
  • Understand the fundamentals of where AI can and can't help.
  • Grasp the "Do's and Don'ts" of rolling out AI as a change process.

Session:
Category: Operations and Technology
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Ryan Knight - Insource Services, Inc.
Ryan Knight - Insource Services, Inc.

Inclusive Leadership: Actionable Practices

Inclusive Leadership means that anyone impacted by results of decisions has their voice heard and respected. In this session, attendees will learn tangible tools to ensure staff, volunteer and program stakeholder voices are lifted up to inform major strategic decisions.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn new tools to ensure all voices are at the table with major strategic decisions.
  • Tweak their leadership styles in a way that deeply listens to all levels of staff, volunteers and program participants.
  • Think about how technology innovations can help implement an ongoing feedback loop.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Tim Smith-Gerding - Granite Impact LLC
Tim Smith-Gerding - Granite Impact LLC

AI Strategies for Powerful Personas and Impactful Content

Your audience is out there—but are you really connecting with them? Understanding your audience is the key to meaningful connections—and we're here to help you unlock it. Using cutting-edge AI strategies and proven techniques, you'll learn how to: Pinpoint EXACTLY who your ideal audience is and where you can find them (no more guessing). Build detailed personas that feel like you're speaking directly to their hearts. Create content so tailored it grabs attention and inspires action. This isn't theory—it's a blueprint you can put to work immediately. Whether you're growing your nonprofit, boosting engagement, or driving donations, this session will give you the tools to make it happen. Join us to learn how to connect with your audience on a deeper level and build relationships that last. We're excited to share these strategies with you!

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify their core audience and develop detailed audience personas on their own with ease.
  • Leverage AI tools and techniques to gain insights into audience behavior and preferences.
  • Leverage AI tools to help create engaging content for marketing and communications.

Session:
Category: Fundraising/Development
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Shawn Dixon - Clover Creative Group, LLC
Shawn Dixon - Clover Creative Group, LLC

The Non-technical Side of Cybersecurity: Creating a Cyber Aware Culture

Small organizations are increasingly facing cyberattacks—but why? While they may lack the robust IT security departments of banks or large health systems, small organizations still hold sensitive data that’s highly valuable on the dark web. While attacks are becoming more sophisticated, one of the keys to avoiding costly cyberattacks is to become a difficult target. In this workshop, we’ll focus on tips for smaller organizations to prepare and educate staff about the various scams and cyberthreats they may see.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify one of the main causes of the cyberattacks you see on the news.
  • Identify how hackers use emotions to trick individuals.
  • Identify ways to prepare your staff for cyber risks with better security awareness.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

David Danielson - Catholic Charities New Hampshire
David Danielson - Catholic Charities New Hampshire

Elevating Careers Through Personalized Experiences

Unlock your potential and take charge of your career in our workshop, "Elevating Careers Through Personalized Experiences." Tailored specifically for small nonprofits, this session highlights the unique opportunities for personalized career development and meaningful employee experiences that larger corporations simply can't provide. We'll explore how smaller, mission-driven organizations can foster growth through individualized career plans, stronger employee engagement, and empathetic leadership—empowering you to make an impact while advancing your professional journey. If you're ready to thrive in a workplace where your voice matters and your growth is a priority, this workshop is for you!

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Develop personalized career plans: learn how to create and implement individualized career development strategies tailored to your goals within the unique framework of small nonprofit organizations.
  • Enhance employee engagement and experience: discover tools and techniques to foster meaningful employee experiences, improve workplace satisfaction, and strengthen commitment to your organization's mission.
  • Empower through empathetic leadership: gain insights into empathetic leadership practices that inspire empowerment, collaboration, and growth in small, mission-driven teams.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Tamera Carmichael - Partnership for Public Health
Tamera Carmichael - Partnership for Public Health Courtney DeVost - Partnership for Public Health
Courtney DeVost - Partnership for Public Health

Show Me the Money: Keys to Successful Grant Budget Development

You've designed the program and identified possible funding streams – now you must develop a compelling budget that fully funds your proposed activities. A well-structured budget details how funding is allocated and is essential for demonstrating to funders the thorough preparation and viability of your project. This session will share approaches to developing a budget, including projecting revenue, identifying start-up costs, calculating overhead to support administrative costs, and identifying capital expenses, as well as special considerations for philanthropic versus government funding and common mistakes to avoid. Participants will leave with tools to create their own comprehensive foundation and government grant budgets.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Create a budget that accurately reflects the costs of start-up and/or implementation.
  • Identify budget line items to include in program and operational budgets.
  • Communicate to funders the rationale for expenses through a compelling budget.

Session:
Category: Financial Management
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Lara Quiroga - Larksparre Consulting LLC
Lara Quiroga - Larksparre Consulting LLC

Audits, Assurance & More: A Roadmap to Navigating Accounting Services

Understanding accounting services can act as a roadmap for your nonprofit, determining where, when, and how the organization manages resources. Join us as we navigate nonprofit accounting with a deeper dive into audits, reviews, compilations, preparations, and agreed-upon procedures - answering your questions about each service. What is the purpose? Why do you need it? When do you need it? How does it work? Amplify your organization's mission by understanding how these services can support your goals and help strengthen the financial health of your organization.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Gain knowledge and confidence for engaging with an accounting firm.
  • Understand the various accounting services and how they can guide decisions.
  • Know what to expect when accounting services are required.

Session:
Category: Financial Management
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Abby Lamothe - Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA
Abby Lamothe - Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA Molly Burns - Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA
Molly Burns - Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA

Tech Tapas: Super Helpful Tips To Make Life Easier

So often in the nonprofit world you are expected to know how to use technology without getting any training. With the speed of new apps and tech updates, there's ALWAYS an easier way to do what you're doing, yet most of us waste hours of time because we don't know the shortcuts or the new functionality, and absolutely don't have time to research it. "Because that's the way we've always done it" is a dangerous and demoralizing phrase. Presented by a tech expert and a nonprofit professional who's been there, give yourself a gift and take home some timesaving and jaw-dropping tech tips. Because every minute counts; don't waste them living in 2006 technology.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Take home at least 10 new technology tips to make their workday more efficient and less frustrating.
  • Learn at least 5 new resources for quick answers to frustrating technology problems.
  • Share and gain tips from peers.

Session:
Category: Fundraising/Development
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Becky Kates - Becky Kates Development Consulting
Becky Kates - Becky Kates Development Consulting Lee Germeroth - Germeroth Consulting & Creative
Lee Germeroth - Germeroth Consulting & Creative

Fostering a Supportive and Caring Workplace: Mental Health in the Workplace

As awareness of mental health in the workplace grows, fostering a supportive culture is more important than ever. This workshop will help participants better understand the experiences of those facing mental health challenges and explore the impact of inclusive language. Through small group discussions, attendees will learn practical strategies to encourage open communication and create a workplace where employees feel comfortable seeking help. Gain the tools to recognize signs of struggle, support colleagues, and promote workplace wellness.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify signs and symptoms of a co-worker struggling with mental health.
  • Understand how workplace culture affects mental health.
  • Use communication strategies that foster a supportive workplace.
  • List resources and crisis support for mental health challenges.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Liz Hodgkins - NAMI New Hampshire
Liz Hodgkins - NAMI New Hampshire Sarah Horne - Easterseals NH
Sarah Horne - Easterseals NH

Leveling the Playing Field: Retaining Professionals with Disabilities

The workshop educates leadership and HR professionals about disabilities, legal accommodation requirements (like those in the ADA), and respectful interaction with individuals with disabilities. The training aims to foster an inclusive workplace and typically includes: 1. Definition of Disability: Understanding what constitutes a disability and its various types, including physical, sensory, cognitive, and developmental impairments. 2. Communication Skills: Learning respectful language and adapting communication styles to diverse needs. 3. Reasonable Accommodations: Identifying and providing necessary adjustments to tasks, schedules, or environments for employees with disabilities. 4. Interactive Process: Engaging in collaborative discussions between employers and employees to determine appropriate accommodations. 5. Unconscious Bias: Addressing and overcoming biases about individuals with disabilities.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Increase awareness of disability diversity in the workplace.
  • Improve relations and foster an inclusive environment.
  • Reduce staff overturn by attracting and retaining qualified individuals with disabilities.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Kendra LaRoche - Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley
Kendra LaRoche - Special Needs Support Center of the Upper Valley

Connecting to DAF Holders and Access 250Bil in Charitable Donations

Ever find yourself navigating unfamiliar waters with Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)? Curious about insider strategies for engaging DAF holders and tapping into the over $228 billion housed within these accounts? This session is designed to demystify DAFs, outlining their purpose and function. We'll delve into the pivotal roles of philanthropic advisors and financial intermediaries in this realm, reshaping your approach to connect with DAF holders creatively. Join Alyssa Wright from Wright Collective to explore innovative strategies including #HalfMyDaf and other movements, and discover how to optimize your database to effectively incorporate DAF holder and advisor data. This session aims to equip you with actionable insights to navigate and leverage the substantial opportunities within the DAF landscape.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Define Donor Advised Funds (DAF) and learn who holds the keys to their access.
  • Learn effective strategies for engaging DAF holders and fostering connections with them.
  • Learn ways to connect with and stay connected with community foundations and their clients.

Session:
Category: Fundraising/Development
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Alyssa Wright - Wright Collective
Alyssa Wright - Wright Collective Sara Janjigian Trifiro - Wright Collective
Sara Janjigian Trifiro - Wright Collective

Seven Great Questions for Coaching Leaders

Remember that person/people who helped form your values and responsibilities? Chances are they not only told you good information, but they also asked you good questions. When we are asked questions we have to think, process and evaluate, rather than just take in information. When we are asked good questions about our values and leadership, we think, process and evaluate, and become better, more resonant leaders. Coaching is about helping others see more deeply into their own actions, patterns and influence, connecting with their real values and learning how to live and lead with them intentionally. In this engaging and interactive presentation you'll learn seven great questions you can ask to help develop leaders, and yourself, as well as tips, insights and a few stories.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the value of the coaching model of leadership development.
  • Engage in appreciative inquiry to dig deeper into questions and challenges that they and others face.
  • Learn what makes great questions and how to ask them.

Session:
Category: Executive Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Douglas Babcock - Counterparts Coaching & Consulting
Douglas Babcock - Counterparts Coaching & Consulting

Addressing Today's Labor Market Challenges

New England's workforce crisis is at a tipping point, presenting challenges with recruiting, retention and overall employee satisfaction. This workshop will explore how Ascentria's PeopleFirst Pathways program is addressing these challenges by better understanding the issues facing employers and measuring the impact of targeted solutions/approaches. The focus of PeopleFirst Pathways is a dedication to the well-being and success of our own employees. This pioneering initiative aims to provide pathways to employment, professional growth, and personal fulfillment. By understanding our employees' aspirations along with the obstacles they face, we offer 1:1 confidential coaching and we are crafting a set of wraparound services to support our employees. By removing stress-inducing obstacles, we enable our employees to be more engaged, productive, and healthier, benefiting both their professional and personal lives.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Explore the power of investing in a nonprofit workforce.
  • Learn to effectively advocate for this approach to their organizational leaders and secure funding through workforce development grants.
  • Learn about innovative strategies and discover how to implement them within their organization to overcome workforce challenges and boost employee satisfaction and well-being.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Gary O'Neil - Ascentria Care Alliance
Gary O'Neil - Ascentria Care Alliance Jason Matthews- Ascentria Care Alliance
Jason Matthews- Ascentria Care Alliance

Step Into the Light: The Powerful Impact of Partnership Models

Many small to mid-size non profit organizations have committed to an operating model that leaves them struggling to remain sustainable and impactful. For small non profits under $1M, the struggle to sustain best practices and attract the talent needed to ensure governance, fundraising, program development, finance, HR, strategic and legal requirements are adequately managed is real and trim consuming, pulling the organization away from its vital mission. This workshop will help leaders explore alternative operational models - collaborations, partnerships, mergers, and more - that can help broaden impact, energize donors, develop new advocates, and strengthen financial stability.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Clear away any misconceptions of the value of strategic partnership.
  • Assess if a partnership could provide a strategic advantage and improve sustainability and impact.
  • Understand how to determine the most effective partnership opportunities.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

David Ports - LPA
David Ports - LPA Artie Lang - LPA
Artie Lang - LPA

From Financial Freakout to Prosperous Nonprofit

This session provides nonprofit leaders with a comprehensive guide to mastering essential financial tools and strategies. You'll learn which financial statements are crucial to review regularly and how to interpret them effectively. Gain the skills to calculate key metrics that reveal your organization's financial health and use them to tell a compelling financial story to stakeholders. The session also delves into building a practical, accurate budget that aligns with your strategic goals and equips you with techniques to incorporate forecasting into your monthly financial routine. These insights will help you proactively navigate financial challenges, make informed decisions, and create a sustainable plan for growth and impact. Whether you're new to financial management or looking to refine your existing practices, this session offers actionable steps to enhance your organization's financial clarity and confidence.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Analyze financial statements: Participants will be able to identify and interpret the key components of essential financial statements, such as the statement of activities and the statement of financial position, to assess their organization's financial health.
  • Calculate and apply key metrics: Participants will learn to calculate critical financial metrics, such as liquidity ratios and operating reserves, and use these insights to make data-driven decisions and effectively communicate their organization's financial story to stakeholders.
  • Develop and implement strategic budgets: Participants will gain the skills to create accurate, mission-aligned budgets and incorporate forecasting techniques into their monthly financial routines to ensure sustainability and adaptability in changing circumstances.

Session:
Category: Financial Management
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Stephanie Skryzowski - 100 Degrees Consulting
Stephanie Skryzowski - 100 Degrees Consulting

Live Donor Journey Assessment: Scorecard & Improvement Plan

What's preventing people from becoming your avid fans? When it comes to digital marketing and fundraising, most nonprofits struggle to identify what's working, what's falling flat, and what's stopping people from becoming loyal supporters. When you're deep in the work every day, it's nearly impossible to catch the messaging and technical snags that are deterring people. And there may be great-fit digital channels for your organization that you're not tapping into yet. In this interactive workshop, we'll do a holistic review of your organization's digital presence, complete a donor journey scorecard, and create mini donor journey improvement plans. You will leave with a roadmap to upgrade your online donor experience at every stage, from awareness to email sign-ups, making a gift, and beyond.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand how their online donor journey stacks up to best practices.
  • Think like a prospective donor when creating or editing digital content.
  • Bring a mini-improvement plan back to their teams.

Session:
Category: Marketing and Communications
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Caroline Griffin - Marketer on a Mission
Caroline Griffin - Marketer on a Mission

Managing Conflict and Having Difficult Conversations

Conflict is an inevitable part of any workplace, but effectively managing it can lead to stronger relationships, improved collaboration, and a more positive work environment. "Managing Conflict and Having Difficult Conversations" is a comprehensive training designed to equip professionals with the skills and strategies needed to handle conflicts and engage in challenging discussions with confidence and competence. This training will help you turn potentially negative situations into opportunities for growth and understanding.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand conflict.
  • Learn conflict resolution strategies.
  • Learn effective communication skills.
  • Learn how to navigate difficult conversations.
  • Explore emotional intelligence in conflict management.

Session:
Category: Management/Supervision
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Toni Runci - BlueLion, LLC
Toni Runci - BlueLion, LLC Alison Milioto - BlueLion, LLC
Alison Milioto - BlueLion, LLC

Getting Unstuck: Overcome Roadblocks to Success in 3 Steps

Feeling stuck? When complex challenges are mounting, where do you even begin? Whether it's personal or organizational, big or (seemingly) small, wicked issues sap your energy. Take it from someone who's been there, and helped dozens of leaders get unstuck! Learn a helpful framework and practical tools you and your team can use, and reuse, to get clear on what matters and chart a path to success. So you can reclaim your energy – and get back to focusing on your mission.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify what's at the heart of an issue that makes you feel "stuck."
  • Envision a future in which you've overcome that challenge.
  • Plan realistic steps to resolve your most pressing problem.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

David Wagner - Clear Mission Consulting, LLC
David Wagner - Clear Mission Consulting, LLC

Build Your Confidence in Securing and Attending a Donor Meeting

In this interactive session with Sarah Andrews, “Build your confidence in securing and attending a donor meeting,” we will discuss how to go about reaching out to your existing and potential supporters to secure a meeting. We will review how to prepare for your meeting, steps to take before the meeting, and what to bring with you. Next we will talk about what to do at your meeting, ten questions to spark mission-rich conversation and how to end it as a success. Along the way we will pause for mini-brainstorming sessions to craft your organization's unique impact talking points and invitation to support the future vision. Join us to learn how you can take a step up from appeals and email asks to building relationships with your donors by taking the time to meet with them!

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn how to secure and prepare for donor meetings.
  • Utilize their unique, organization-specific impact talking points and questions to ask their donors.
  • Understand how to develop confidence in building relationships with donors by attending donor meetings in person or virtually.

Session:
Category: Fundraising/Development
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Sarah Andrews - Andrews Coaching & Consulting
Sarah Andrews - Andrews Coaching & Consulting

Secrets to a Successful Nonprofit Leadership Transition

In 1998, Duncan McDougall founded the Children's Literacy Foundation (CliF), an award-winning nonprofit that inspires thousands of under-resourced young readers and writers throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. As he approached his 25th year as Executive Director, he knew it was time pass the torch to a new leader. To be as prepared as possible, Duncan spent a year interviewing Executive Directors and Board Chairs from 17 nonprofits that had recently gone through a leadership transition to learn what worked, what didn't, and what steps to avoid at all costs. These lessons helped CLiF make a very smooth and successful leadership transition in 2023. Duncan looks forward to sharing his findings and personal experiences with other nonprofit leaders.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn the important steps to take, when to take them, and actions to absolutely avoid, when planning and executing a successful nonprofit leadership transition.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Duncan McDougall - Children's Literacy Foundation
Duncan McDougall - Children's Literacy Foundation

From Zoomers to Boomers: Engaging Donors of All Ages

Have you ever wondered how your organization's fundraising efforts relate to your constituents from different generations? Chances are your Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors are learning about and engaging with your nonprofit differently. Your organization's outreach should be optimized through a generational lens to ensure the right audience is reached with the right message. In this session, you'll learn how to lead your development team to unlock hidden potential with your donors based on generational giving trends. In Bloomerang's 2024 Generational Giving Report, over 1,000 donors of all ages were asked to tell us how they discover nonprofits to support, how they stay connected to those nonprofits, their fundraising event habits, donor retention preferences, and more! Join us for a deep dive into some of the report's findings, including tactics to inspire your team as they engage with donors across generations.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Learn why generational giving trends matter
  • Study a snapshot of each generation
  • Gain key omni-generational takeaways to enable your team (role of social media, word of mouth referrals, storytelling, non-financial support, using technology to make reaching each generation easier)

Session:
Category: Fundraising/Development
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Emily Kelly - Bloomerang
Emily Kelly - Bloomerang

Direct Mail: Still Wildly Effective After All These Years

While digital advertising continues to be the 8oo-pound gorilla of direct response marketing, direct mail is an underutilized channel that has been around for 100+ years and continues to offer unique benefits that can complement and enhance a company's overall fundraising and communications strategy to achieve more effective engagement. It plays an important role in engaging donors, potential donors, volunteers, and program recipients. Topics to be covered: 1. Benefits of direct mail 2. Where direct mail fits in to the overall engagement strategy 3. Direct mail use cases 4. Direct mail performance 5. Keys to successful direct mail campaigns 6. The importance of using the right data 7. Designing effective direct mail packages 8. Getting started: the basics.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Craft data-driven campaigns: Learn how to analyze donor data to identify high-value prospects and tailor messaging that resonates.
  • Design for results: Become familiar with the art of creating compelling direct mail packages and discover best practices for layout, visuals, and calls to action.
  • Measure success: Understand key metrics to track the effectiveness of direct mail efforts.
  • Integrate seamlessly: Learn how to integrate direct mail with other strategies for a multi-channel approach.

Session:
Category: Marketing and Communications
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Phil Goodhart - PMG Marketing Solutions
Phil Goodhart - PMG Marketing Solutions

Voices that Matter: Engaging People with Lived Expertise

The individuals and families that our organizations serve are the experts on what they need and what services are most impactful for them. Nonprofits can benefit greatly from this expertise and have a responsibility to engage the populations they serve thoughtfully and ethically. While there are many ways to learn from the communities we serve, meaningful engagement requires intentional planning, leadership, and a willingness to share power. This workshop will explore the importance of engaging people with lived experience (PWLE), share best practices for doing so ethically and equitably, and offer guidance on implementing these approaches in your organization.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand the importance of engaging people with lived expertise (PWLE) in organizational functions and programming.
  • Apply best practices when engaging PWLE in their organizational work.
  • Name next steps that they or their organization will take towards engaging PWLE in decision making, program design, implementation, evaluation, or other aspects of their work.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Ariel Hayes - Youth Success Project
Ariel Hayes - Youth Success Project James Difruscio - Waypoint
James Difruscio - Waypoint

Public Speaking with Confidence and Even a Little Fun

Does the thought of public speaking have you quaking in your boots? Do you freeze up like a dear in the headlights when you have to make a presentation? Do you wish you could command more attention when you speak—whether its in front of a crowd or in a small group setting? Then this workshop is for you! This session covers all the basics from being sure of and preparing your content to walking into the room, from how to support your breath and release tension from your body to how to work with microphones, and from how to connect with an audience to vocal projection and enunciation. In this low stress workshop, participants can have fun learning to be a more effective speaker through hands-on participation or by cheering on others.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Warm up the voice and body for better vocal presentation.
  • Become familiar with different speaking environments and technology (cordless microphones, podiums, lav mics, etc.).
  • Practice good confident posture to speak without tension.
  • Understand the roles that imagery, eye contact, and physicality play in a presentation.
  • Understand how to handle Q&A sessions and unexpected interruptions.

Session:
Category: Marketing and Communications
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Katie Collins - Capitol Center for the Arts
Katie Collins - Capitol Center for the Arts

How to Build an Endowment Fund in the New World

The endowment is a crucial financial resource for many nonprofits, especially post COVID. Many nonprofits realize that endowments can add an important financial cushion and also diversify their revenues. Many executive directors, development directors, and trustees are not closely engaged with the endowment process. Yet, many are being asked to support campaigns that seek to both start and expand the endowment, and donors and stakeholders often ask probing questions about the endowment to the nonprofit leadership team. This session will help enhance the knowledge of endowment concepts and practices. We will also discuss the concept of the strategic endowment plan. We will have a local nonprofit panel that can share their endowment experiences.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Enhance their knowledge of endowment concepts and practices for leadership as well as key development staff and trustees.
  • Learn the basics of the ongoing investment management process and how to inspire staff and leadership to have more knowledge and confidence when discussing the endowment process.
  • Learn how to plan for their first endowment fund.
  • Discuss the strategic endowment plan.

Session:
Category: Financial Management
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Patrick Decker - M&T Bank - Wilmington Trust, N.A.
Patrick Decker - M&T Bank - Wilmington Trust, N.A. Kathy Henrich - M&T Bank - Wilmington Trust, N.A.
Kathy Henrich - M&T Bank - Wilmington Trust, N.A.

Building a Culture of Diversity Equity & Inclusion

My vision is to partner with your organization to help co-create a "beloved community," a thriving ecosystem where people of all backgrounds can come together, celebrate their unique gifts and perspectives, and build a culture of mutual understanding, respect, and empowerment. By making DEI a core organizational and community value and practice, we can break down the barriers that divide us, promote diversity in our systems, and create a thriving society. Diversity, equity, and inclusion should be the foundation of any nonprofit's work structure and culture. Creating a culture of DEI is moral and strategic for any mission-driven organization that aspires to create meaningful, equitable, and lasting change.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Understand cultural diversity and the importance and power of diverse communities.
  • Understand strategies for building culturally diverse communities.
  • Use tools and frameworks to create welcoming, representative, and empowering environments for participants and the communities they serve.

Session:
Category: HR/Organizational Culture
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Fisto Ndayishimiye - Project S.T.O.R.Y.
Fisto Ndayishimiye - Project S.T.O.R.Y.

Leading with Laughter: Practical Lessons from the Frontlines of Leadership

This is a dynamic workshop designed to bring out the best in leaders by embracing the power of humor. In this engaging session, you'll discover how humor can be a valuable tool to navigate challenges, foster connection, and build resilient, motivated teams. Through real-life stories, interactive exercises, and evidence-based strategies, you'll learn how to use laughter to defuse tense situations, inspire creativity, and enhance team morale. Whether you're handling high-stakes projects or everyday hurdles, this workshop equips you with practical skills to lead confidently, bring joy to your workplace, and empower others. Join us to uncover the lighter side of leadership and walk away with a toolkit to make your impact lasting, uplifting, and fun.

In this workshop, participants will:

  • Discover how humor can enhance leadership and resilience.
  • Learn strategies for handling unexpected challenges with grace.
  • Build a stronger, more connected team using humor.

Session:
Category: Organizational Leadership
 

Presenter Bio(s)

Mary Maybury - Farmsteads of New England
Mary Maybury - Farmsteads of New England