Welcome to MNN’s Nonprofit Trainings and Events Calendar! Here you’ll find trainings and events across the state to help you network, learn, & give back. Browse the full calendar below or use the categories and tags to filter by region or event type.
To submit an event, click the button below.
All submissions will be approved by MNN staff prior to being posted (typically within 24 hours). You must be an MNN nonprofit or affiliate member to submit an event. Not a member yet? Annual membership includes unlimited job postings and many other year-round benefits. Click here to learn more and join, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter!
For questions concerning MNN’s Nonprofit Trainings and Events Calendar, please contact events@massnonprofitnet.org.
Looking for a fiscal sponsor for a nonprofit project? Or managing a nonprofit that wants to be a fiscal sponsor? Join us for an overview of some key legal requirements and operations guidelines for fiscal sponsorship.
Fiscal sponsorship allows charitable projects to benefit from the tax-exempt status of the sponsor and provides opportunities for the sponsor to accomplish its charitable mission. There are benefits for both parties—and also risks.
Topics in this workshop include:
– Basic structure of Model A and Model C fiscal sponsorships
– Risks and benefits of fiscal sponsorship
– Key points in fiscal sponsorship agreements
– Key considerations for effective operations
Presenters:
Shifrah (Susan) Halevi is the Nonprofit Programs Manager at Lawyers Clearinghouse. As an attorney, she enjoys sharing information about the legal structures that make fiscal sponsorship work.
Lori Gordon is a nonprofit financial and operations leader who served as the Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Third Sector New England for several years, after a long career in the nonprofit sector. She is committed to the success and long-term sustainability of small mission-based organizations, with and without their 501(c)(3) status. Lori is currently the interim CFO for a Boston- area nonprofit organization.
Over the past few months, several major bills are moving through the state and federal levels, including the FY26 budget, the Governor’s Energy Affordability Bill and Environmental Bond Bill, as well as the federal reconciliation package. On top of this, the state legislature has recently adopted new rules that are designed to impact the speed at which bills move forward and provide new transparency into the legislative process.
Join us and our guest Norman Abbott, a Senior Government Affairs Specialist from the Metropolitan Regional Planning Council, to learn more about these bills, what new and legacy funding sources may be expanded or impacted, and what these bills might mean for your nonprofit.
Fundraising Fridays are monthly hour-long “coffee talks” facilitated by thought leaders from the social sector. These discussion groups, held at 9:00 am the first Friday of each month, are free and open to any and all nonprofit professionals and volunteers interested in fundraising and development issues (EDs, DDs, development staff, volunteer leaders, consultants, etc.). Participants will come away with a greater understanding of the topic at hand and connections to nonprofit peers who share similar interests and concerns.
Grab your lunch and join us for a fast-paced, informative session exploring the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act and its impact on employee benefits.
Whether you’re an HR professional, benefits administrator, or business leader, this session will highlight key changes that could impact your organization’s benefits strategy, including:
• Expanded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
• Telehealth Access under High Deductible Health Plans
• Updates to Dependent Care FSAs
• Enhanced Student Loan and Education Assistance
• New “Trump” Accounts
In just 30 minutes, we’ll break down these key provisions and help you start thinking strategically about plans for your next renewal.
Don’t miss this chance to get ahead of the curve—register today!
Crafting a clear budget is key to demonstrating your organization’s financial story. Yet, many nonprofits find this to be the most challenging aspect of grant writing. Join us for this session as we explore how to develop a funder-facing budget that demonstrates your financial story, need for support, and sustainability plan.
There are a few spaces open in the MetroWest Nonprofit Network’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management program.
MWNN’s 12 week, hybrid program offers accessible, affordable, and hands-on learning in a collaborative and supportive environment.
Program Highlights:
– A comprehensive curriculum covering fundraising, community engagement, governance, legal basics, leadership, and more nonprofit fundamentals
– Instruction by seasoned local nonprofit leaders
-A diverse cohort of mid-career professionals, Executive Directors, Board members, founders, and those transitioning into the sector
– A strong local network that continues beyond the classroom
Details can be found on our website, metrowestnonprofit.org. You do not have to work or reside in MetroWest – open to all regions. Applications due now and reviewed on rolling basis until class filled.
The intersection between Health Equity and Community Development are at the forefront of conversations in many CDCs today.
In this introductory training, Elana Brochin and Michelle Wiener will give you the chance to explore the connections among health disparities, housing, and other structures that have been defined by racist policies and practices.
This training is geared toward community development professionals, planners, and housing advocates, with little or no formal training in health equity or public health.
You may be interested in attending if you:
– Are curious about how to incorporate a health equity lens into your work
– Would like to think critically about the connections between community development, racial equity, and health outcomes
– Want to learn more about existing partnerships between CDCs and health care institutions
In this lively three-hour workshop, you will learn tips and tricks for taming your anxiety in donor conversations and practice how to reach out to your donors to more fully engage them in the life of your organization.
-Do you find that you avoid reaching out to donors to set up meetings?
-Do you still cringe and stumble making a direct financial request?
If you answered yes, to one or both of these questions, this workshop is for you.
This is an interactive session. Come ready to participate with your screen on. When you sign up, you will receive some pre-work to do that will take you approximately 1 hour to complete.
This program, which is for development professionals, executive directors, and board members, is designed to support you in gaining confidence, being more prepared, and feeling less anxious in donor conversations. You will learn how to build relationships with donors in meaningful ways by developing your authentic curiosity and “fundraising listening skills” to help match your mission with your donors’ philanthropic goals. As part of your workshop, you will practice making a donor ask in a small supportive group.
Congratulations — you’ve won the grant! Now it’s time to steward that funder and ensure you build a lasting relationship beyond the grant period. Meeting those report requirements will be key to staying in compliance and setting yourself up for future success with the funder, but can often feel overwhelming. Join us for the final webinar of the series as we explore how to plan early and put your best foot forward in your grant reports.
A nonprofit’s Executive Director plays a critical role in raising funds to advance the mission of the organization. But many EDs come to the job with little or no fundraising experience.
If you could use an introduction or refresher on the basics of fundraising, join a cohort of your peers who also face the daily and daunting task of ensuring the financial viability of their organizations.
Whether you are working on your own or supervising development staff, you will leave this highly interactive course with a framework to understand and negotiate the world of nonprofit fundraising and with practical skills, guides, and a network to support you as you attract increased funding to your organization.
The first session is in person at the Barr Foundation. The following two sessions (on October 22 and November 19) will be held online.
Applications are due August 22, 2025.
This introductory-level, hands-on workshop will help you learn how to easily access U.S. Census Bureau data that can help you with community analysis and planning. You will learn about Census Bureau surveys and data access tools available to help you research, customize, and download data that can be used to support community planning, project priorities, outreach, and grant-writing. You will explore census.gov and will work through live demo exercises using data.census.gov, OnTheMap, Narrative Profiles, and more. Demonstrations will include community profiles, data tables, and customized maps to visually compare various geographies. You will also learn how to download and share data.
About the instructor:
Nicole McKenzie began at the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019 as a Partnership Specialist, and currently works within the Data Dissemination and Training Branch providing training on data products and tools for customers in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Prior to working at the Census Bureau, Nicole was president and co-founder of a grant acquisition and management company where she helped private businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and government entities research, write and manage grant-funded projects. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Plymouth State College in Marketing/Math.
Federal funding cuts are imminent, the cost of living continues to climb to crisis levels, and community members fear what comes next.
What does this mean for us as a state? We believe Massachusetts can be a leader and show what is possible when we come together and invest in our communities.
We can generate resources to create opportunities for all. In these uncertain times, MassBudget is committed to finding solutions, and we want you to be a part of that.
You are cordially invited to MassBudget’s inaugural policy conference – FOCUS2025.
Join policymakers, advocates, and community members for this exciting day as we discuss the current state of public policy, deepen relationships, and envision new possibilities for the future.
CNAP is a nationally-recognized certification program designed for nonprofit professionals. The CNAP curriculum dives deep into nonprofit financial issues to provide participants with critical skills that they can immediately leverage to improve their organization’s financial strength.
The intensive CNAP Essentials is the first of two courses that covers fundamental topics in nonprofit financial management. Key topics include
– Fundamentals of Nonprofit Organizations
– Governance Structures
– Nonprofit Accounting Principles (GAAP)
– Interpreting Audited Financial Statements
– Establishing Effective Fiscal Systems
– Developing Budgets
– Implementing Internal Controls
– Audit Processes
– IRS Disclosure and Reporting Requirements
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites to take this course; however, in order to receive the CNAP certification, participants must have a minimum of 18 months of experience in a fiscal management capacity at a nonprofit organization. Participants without the requisite experience can still take the course and submit proof of their work experience once they have completed the requirement.
Securing the right funding is key to advancing a organization’s mission, but many nonprofit leaders struggle to find the right words to authentically represent their important work in a grant proposal. This workshop will equip you and your team with pro tips and key language for effective grant writing.
In this interactive two-hour session, we will break down the basics of grant writing and focus on what funders are really looking for in a narrative. Using the Philanthropy Massachusetts Common Grant Application Language and framework, we will walk step by step through the proposal sections to build a strong and successful case for your organization.
What to Expect:
-Common Grant App: Identify the core elements of successful grant proposals to ensure your applications stand out.
-Compelling Narratives: Learn to craft your organization’s story into a persuasive proposal, incorporating recommended sentence frames and key language.
-Insider Insights: Gain practical advice from highly successful grantwriters.
-Interactive Learning: Engage in discussions, analyze writing samples, and participate in small working groups for hands-on learning.
This session is for development professionals new to the field and seasoned pros looking for a refresher.
Join Our Upcoming Treasurer Webinar!
Are you a new treasurer or someone looking for guidance in managing your nonprofit organization’s finances? This webinar is designed to support both incoming treasurers and those seeking to strengthen their financial oversight skills.
The role of the treasurer is crucial to maintaining the financial health of an organization. In this session, we’ll cover key responsibilities and practical tools to help you succeed, including:
• Basics of financial reporting
• Managing bank accounts and transactions
• Budget planning and monitoring
• Ensuring compliance with financial policies
• Q&A session to address your specific questions
We’ll also provide useful templates for basic tracking and reconciliation tasks to make your job easier.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain confidence and clarity in your treasurer role!
Nonprofits are engaged in a continuous struggle to improve the quality of life for the people and communities they serve. Still, only 2.5% actively lobby. Many nonprofits don’t understand their legal right to participate in legislative advocacy let alone how to make real policy change.
This four-part hybrid series, created and presented by Pat Libby, is designed to inspire and equip CDC staff, board members, and leaders of allied nonprofits with the knowledge, skills, and support to effectively engage in advocacy and lobbying. It will provide the tools you need to shape and advance policy solutions at the local and state level.
Participants will learn:
– the legal rules of nonprofit lobbying and advocacy
– how laws are made
– how to design and carry out a legislative campaign from start to finish following 10 simple steps
– how to advance advocacy campaigns that reflect the needs of your community
– how to message your campaign and build a coalition of diverse stakeholders
– how to identify legislator targets, contact them, and speak to elected officials and their staff about your cause.
Schedule:
Session 1 (in-person): What’s legal, how are laws made, and how do I make a difference? – October 16 at Urban Edge. 9:30AM-3:30PM. MKI will provide coffee and pastries in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.
Session 2 (virtual): Crafting a campaign: how it was done and how we can do it – October 30 | Zoom | 2:00PM-4:30PM.
Session 3 (virtual): Campaign workshop – November 20 | Zoom | 2:00PM-4:30PM.
Session 4 (virtual): Practice Session – December 4 | Zoom | 2:00PM-4:30PM.
All participants will receive a copy of Pat Libby’s 2022 book, The Empowered Citizens Guide: 10 Steps to Passing a Law that Matters to You.
Wondering how to make your meetings useful, engaging, and on task? Effective meetings build connections, generate ideas, share knowledge, and can even create pathways to leadership. In this training, Jennifer Raitt will introduce participants to techniques in meeting preparation and planning, key facilitation skills to manage interpersonal and group dynamics, and how to follow-up for success. This workshop is designed to help you explore and improve your capacity to manage meetings and to connect with other individuals planning meetings by providing practical skills through active-learning, small groups, and presentations. The knowledge gained from this training can be applied to any meeting, from small committee meetings to larger public forums.
Meeting objectives:
• Define meeting roles and expectations
• Understand & incorporate appropriate learning styles that invite participation and inclusion
• Identify the characteristics of and learn how to plan a results-oriented meeting
• Identify and apply core facilitation principles in a range of settings
• Understand and learn to manage meetings with a range of participants
MKI will provide coffee and pastries in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.
With more than 30,000 nonprofits in Massachusetts, competition for funding is high. How does one get a leg up?
The first step is to do your homework. It is vital to the success of your proposal that you find funders who are aligned with your organization’s mission and program areas. Google is not an effective tool for grants research as many funders still do not maintain a website. It is therefore imperative to know the key resources for finding reliable information.
This introductory program is ideal for grant seekers who are new to the process or who would like to brush up their skills. We will provide brief tutorials in the Foundation Directory Pro and other search engines, and cover the beginning, middle and end of the grants research process including:
-Key resources to find potential funders
-Where you can locate Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
-Tips to consider as you conduct your research
-How to find contributors to peer organizations
-Determining if your organization is grant-ready
-Best practices on making the initial approach to a foundation
As we face creeping fascism, climate crisis, horrific wars, and attacks on our immigrant, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC communities, there has never been a more urgent time for community organizing. Join us to learn about how everyday people can build our power for positive change!
Community Organizing 101: People, Power & Change is a hands-on workshop on the art of mobilizing people to build their power, achieve shared goals and take greater control of their lives. In this training, we will cover the foundational approaches of building relationships; identifying problems and stakeholders; analyzing root causes including racial, class and other systemic injustice; and nurturing community leadership and solidarity. We will explore these methods through small and large group discussion, interactive exercises, and case studies. This training is intended for staff members and community leaders who have little to no experience in community engagement and organizing.
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Enfrentamos al creciente fascismo, la crisis climática, horribles guerras y los ataques a nuestras minorías, comunidades inmigrantes y LGBTQ+. Nunca ha habido un momento más urgente para la organización comunitaria.
En Organización comunitaria 101: Gente, poder y cambio, patrocinado por el Instituto Mel King para la Construcción Comunitaria, es un taller práctico sobre el arte de movilizar a las personas para desarrollar su poder, alcanzar objetivos compartidos y tomar un mayor control de sus vidas. Este taller está destinado a miembros del personal y líderes comunitarios que tienen poca o ninguna experiencia en participación y organización comunitaria.
¡REGÍSTRATE ANTES DEL 11 DE NOVIEMBRE!
Instructors / Instructoras: Sarah Horsley & Melinda Vega
Implementing a new strategic plan takes time, focus, and money, and often features a requirement to raise growth capital and dramatically increase the size of your annual budget to turn vision into action. Too often, organizations do not take capitalization requirements into consideration, and the strategic plan becomes a dust collector on a shelf. That which you don’t fund doesn’t get done!
Join us to learn how to capitalize your strategic plan. We’ll share an innovative approach using your strategic plan as a way to significantly increase your annual and sustainable revenues, providing a base for the programmatic and operational growth you desire for your organization.
This workshop is designed for Executive Directors, Development Directors and Board leaders who are thinking about developing a new strategic plan, are in the middle of designing one, or recently completed one. Significantly increase your organization’s philanthropic support for this year and years to come!
