This workshop will help nonprofit agencies discover how to make the most of high-skill volunteers--those lawyers, public-relations specialists, accountants and other professionals who are increasingly interested in donating their expertise. We'll explore: how to identify major projects on which volunteers can be helpful; how to integrate them into those projects; how to smooth relations between staff and volunteers, and make paid personnel more effective in deploying and supervising their unpaid counterparts; when to consider volunteers for leadership positions, including the Board of Directors; and how to keep them motivated (using "The Big MAC approach") so you can truly rely on them.

The importance of strategic planning is not new to nonprofit organizations, but the manner in which we can connect with and elevate voices that are otherwise underheard continues to evolve. How can we effectively identify who should be a part of the process? How do we balance feedback received from different community stakeholders with the knowledge we have as nonprofit professionals? And how can we pull together what we learn into an actionable plan?

Rethinking the strategic planning process from a cumbersome and overwhelming task to an opportunity to connect with our community opens the possibilities to engage with those outside our immediate circles. This program will provide participants with insights and ideas to incorporate thoughtful community engagement into strategic planning processes that both diminishes the risk of planning within our own bubbles and also inspires new ideas.

As we begin the recovery process from the pandemic, we’re hearing more than ever about nonprofits strengthening existing partnerships and looking for new ones. This convening discusses how to intentionally develop new relationships and leverage new opportunities for collaboration as we move forward in our work and realizing our missions.

There's always more to the story. The often untold stories have the power to call your audience to act, transform hearts and ultimately support your work. It's not always perfect, but it's perfectly meant to be told. In this webinar, we'll learn why it matters. Hear firsthand how moments unfold, stories are told, and endings surprise.

Are you currently utilizing sponsorship as a funding source for your nonprofit organization? Do you hope to launch a sponsorship program but don’t know where to start? Does your current program need a refresh to maximize your results?

Learn how to leverage sponsorship and corporate partnerships to benefit the future of your organization.

Many nonprofits leaders are unsure about the legality of advocacy and lobbying efforts in which their organization can engage. Whether they are working independently or within a partnership such as a coalition, nonprofits should strive to influence public policies that affect the organization’s ability to achieve its mission. Attendees will learn how you and your organization can strengthen your advocacy efforts.

Donors are inspired by powerful stories about real people. The challenge for grant writers, then, is showing how these individual stories tie into a larger reality backed by data. This webinar focuses on how to collect and use data in your communications to potential donors, policymakers, and the community, and weave a compelling story out of the numbers.

It’s tax season, and we’re all still coping with the impacts of the pandemic. The good news is there are some tools nonprofits can use to ease some of the financial burdens: there are employee retention tax credits, another round of Payroll Protection Program (PPP), and very likely an upcoming stimulus package. Join Forefront and the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits to hear a panel of consultants discuss what options might best support your organization as you build towards recovery.

Funders often request or require data and respond well to powerful stories about real people. How do you build a compelling narrative with data to back it up? This program will focus on how to get started collecting and using data in your strategy, program design, and impact measurement. If you’re not sure where to start collecting data, or you have some information and want to learn more ways to use it, this program is for you.

We regularly get questions about grant writing: How do I find a consultant? How do I know it's the right match for my organization? Can an intern write grants? Should they be paid hourly or by the project? Are state grants easier to get than private foundation grants? Is my organization ready to apply for grants?

Building on our August conversation topic of building racial equity within an organization, this session will focus on grounding our public facing work in racial equity and social justice. Join us to Ask a Consultant your questions about taking meaningful action to end systemic injustice. We’ll go beyond statements and reports (although those are important, too) to look at centering BIPOC, advocacy, organizing, and other practices that work to fix inequity.

Anti-racist, DEI, Racial Equity, Social Justice – these topics have circulated for years, but how do we weave it into the very fabric of our organizations and our work? Hear from expert consultants and discuss with fellow nonprofits where you are on this journey and build the institutional muscle to take lasting action.

Bookkeeping Best Practices - and Mistakes to Avoid

Presented by Dawn Hershik, Supporting Strategies
July 22, 2020

Your team took to the challenge of working virtually, now what? As you look to managing your staff virtually for the long-term, our expert panel can answer questions about what to expect and plan for along the way. 

Navigating During Times of Uncertainty: The Next Normal

Presented by Aashi Mital, Pivotal Solutions Consulting, ACN Member
June 30, 2020

COVID-19 has prioritized virtual communication, but how do you make sure your message still connects with people? Our panel of experts in market research, visual and verbal communication, and human-centered design will share tools to create a strong foundation for messaging that can be nimble during times like these. Featured consultants will include Carol White of CB White, Lidia Varesco Racoma of Varesco Design, and Emily Taylor of teenyBIG.

Ask a Consultant: HR in a Virtual World

Presented by Heather Eddy, KEES and K. Sujata

May 19, 2020

Related resource from Open Door Advisors - Return-to-Work Guide for nonprofit employees, which you can customize for your organization (in PPT format). This document is intended to help employers communicate to employees about new policies, procedures and practices specific to their workplace. Every workplace will of course differ, and employers should edit the information to reflect the circumstances in their own workplace.  Feel free to share this with your colleagues in the social impact sector.

Whether it is working remotely or operating in a heightened capacity, human resource structures have changed. In this session, our panel will focus on practical ways to support and manage staff virtually, stay in close communication during times of crisis, build a cohesive online culture, and make key decisions that are focused on organizational stability.

Nonprofit leaders are facing unprecedented challenges that require courage and the capacity to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. Join consultants Julie Boll and Amy Wishnick for a conversation about how to intentionally develop courage and adaptive capacity, and to identify and leverage new found strengths in the midst of uncertainty.

In a matter of a couple of weeks, your entire annual fund development strategy has changed. Ask our panel of consultants your urgent questions about funding, including the CARES Act, grants, and communicating and nurturing both new and existing donors.

There is a perception among some in the nonprofit world that making a profit doesn’t match up with the altruistic mission of a nonprofit organization. That the organization should succeed on its merits and purpose alone. But is this sustainable? In this workshop we will dig into why you may want to incorporate some of the management and operational styles of a traditional for-profit business and what results these changes can have on your organization.

LINK TO WATCH WEBINAR