Community Trainings & Events Calendar

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 starts as low as $75 and includes unlimited job postings and many other year-round benefits. Click to learn more and join.

For questions concerning MNN’s Nonprofit Trainings and Events Calendar please contact events@massnonprofitnet.org.

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Apr
23
Tue
Why is it so Hard to Recruit Nonprofit Executives? @ Zoom
Apr 23 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

John+Tarvin+-+April+2024-min

In this zoominar, executive search consultant John Tarvin will share how you can gain a competitive edge in the nonprofit executive hiring process.

Current trends are prolonging executive searches. When senior positions remain unfilled for a long time, it affects everyone in the organization, compounding the disruption. In this zoominar, executive search consultant John Tarvin of Eos Transition Partners will show you how to gain a competitive edge in the
hiring process.

In this presentation, you will learn:

* What the current hiring trends are
* Why senior staff searches are especially difficult
* What actionable steps you can take to achieve success

Important: John will devote a significant amount of time to answering your questions. Please take the opportunity to ask them now, as you register for this April program. Questions will also be accepted during the zoominar, time permitting.

About the Speaker

John Tarvin is the principal partner of Eos Transition Partners, a national executive search firm. Prior to that position, John was the founding Executive Director of the Massachusetts Center for Charter Public School Excellence. He was also President of Jumpstart, having previously served as Senior Vice President and CFO. He also served as CFO of Stars, a provider of comprehensive early childcare programs, and as CFO and Acting President at Historic New England.

Before becoming a nonprofit leader, John’s for-profit sector experience included Finance manager for Fidelity Investments, leading a team that developed and tracked Fidelity Systems Company’s $100 million budget. He also held positions as systems analyst and accountant at Millipore Corp. and Prudential Insurance.

John is a professional certified coach and a certified management accountant, and has served on numerous boards and committees and as an evaluator for a diverse set of nonprofits and government agencies.

Apr
24
Wed
Federal Funding Blueprint: Finding and Managing Federal Grants in a Changing Environment @ Zoom
Apr 24 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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If your organization is planning to apply for one of the tens of thousands of major grants the federal government will award in the coming year, you need to know about the many changes that have already been or may be made in the coming year. Join us for an engaging webinar where we will discuss recent changes to SAM.gov and Grants.gov, best practices in grants management, and potential legislative changes to single audits, indirect rates and more.

Who Should Attend: Charitable organizations new to the world of federal grants, those looking for best practices in federal awards management, and current grantees interested in federal grant reforms.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Illustrate how to search and apply for sources of federal awards through the Grants.gov website.
  2. Summarize the Uniform Guidance that governs federal grants policies.
  3. Identify common grants management procedures and pitfalls to avoid.
  4. Share proposed legislative changes to federal grants management.

Participants will earn 1.0 CPE credit in Specialized Knowledge.

To receive credit, attendees must respond to three out of the four poll questions asked during the program.

Once registered, you will automatically receive access to the webcast recording and, if you qualified for CPE, have the ability to download your certificate.

Federal Funding Blueprint: Finding and Managing Federal Grants in a Changing Environment @ Zoom
Apr 24 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

April+2024+Webinar+Social+Image+600x400-min

If your organization is planning to apply for one of the tens of thousands of major grants the federal government will award in the coming year, you need to know about the many changes that have already been or may be made in the coming year. Join us for an engaging webinar where we will discuss recent changes to SAM.gov and Grants.gov, best practices in grants management, and potential legislative changes to single audits, indirect rates and more.

Apr
25
Thu
How to Build Your Consulting Business @ Zoom
Apr 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

PhilanthropyMA-Logo-Transparent-min

Are you ready to work for yourself? Do you have expertise in nonprofit fundraising or management that you would like to share? Are you inspired to create something new? What’s your tolerance for risk and uncertainty?

Join us for a down-and-dirty discussion about building your business to help nonprofit leaders resource and build the capacity of their organizations. We’ll talk about self-promotion (not a dirty word), how much to charge, bidding jobs, managing your time, and juggling … lots of juggling. We will cover:

– Different business models … and how to structure yours
– Using your networks to recruit clients
– The myth of billable hours
– Why training is the best marketing
– Why the consultant should never work harder than the client

This is an interactive webinar, so come prepared to participate! Andy will take questions throughout and will stick around at the end to answer all your additional questions.

We welcome to this program both new and experienced consultants, as well as those who are thinking about starting or joining a consulting business.

Participants will:

– Gain hands-on knowledge about how to structure and run a consulting, facilitation, and training practice.
– Learn strategies for identifying and keeping potential clients.
– Brainstorm challenges and solutions with other participants.
– Build confidence and expand their peer networks.

Our Presenter:

Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. Over the past 28 years, Andy has worked with clients in 47 US states and across Canada. Since pandemic began in March 2020, he has designed and facilitated nearly 175 online meetings, webinars, and remote workshops covering a variety of topics, including fundraising, board development, marketing, leadership development, facilitation, planning, change management, and train-the-trainer programs.

Andy is the author of six books, including Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money, www.trainyourboard.com. His latest is What Every Board Member Needs to Know, Do, and Avoid.

Apr
26
Fri
MWNN Workshop: Empowering Community Voices and Amplifying Diverse Stories @ Open Spirit Center
Apr 26 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

4.26.24 Workshop _1_-min

Join Stellar Story Company for an immersive in-person workshop and learn how to develop effective nonprofit stories that reflect your community, connect with audiences, and foster more welcoming and inclusive spaces. Storytelling is one of the most valuable skills for any nonprofit professional and an important vehicle for honoring and empowering diverse voices in your community. In this fun, interactive workshop, participants will:

  • Learn the most essential elements of any compelling story and how to apply them across all communication channels.
  • Explore how storytelling advances diversity, equity, and inclusion goals within your organization and the broader community.
  • Discover how to engage diverse voices thoughtfully and avoid exploitation or unintentional harm.
  • Deepen your connections with fellow nonprofit professionals through exchanging personal stories related to culture, identity, and belonging.

Our Presenters:

Cheryl Hamilton has devoted her career to advancing more inclusive communities and storytelling. As the founder and Executive Director of Stellar Story Company, Cheryl brings more than 20 years of experience directing local and national nonprofit programs serving refugee and immigrant populations. She is also the creator and director of Suitcase Stories, a program that features stories of global migration. Cheryl has coached over 1000 people from 80 countries to tell their stories.

A Colombian native, Lorena Hernández Leonard is a storyteller, writer, and story coach and instructor with Stellar Story Company. Lorena is a Latinx culture expert with 20 years of experience in the marketing and communications industry. She’s the creator of Gritty Girl, a project that highlights immigrant stories and galvanizes BIPOC women to build resilience and grit. She has appeared on Stories From the Stage and is currently working on a memoir about her experiences growing up during the Colombian drug war and migrating to the United States.

Workshop Follow Up:

Workshop attendees will be invited to a follow up event with MWNN (via zoom) to check in, continue connecting, and to share updates about how you have been able to apply strategies from the workshop. This follow up will not be facilitated by Stellar Story, but is an optional peer-to-peer networking and support opportunity that will be shared with workshop attendees.

MWNN Workshop: Empowering Community Voices and Amplifying Diverse Stories @ Open Spirit Center
Apr 26 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

4.26.24+Workshop+(1)-min

Join the MetroWest Nonprofit Network as Stellar Story Company presents an immersive in-person workshop and learn how to develop effective nonprofit stories that reflect your community, connect with audiences, and foster more welcoming and inclusive spaces. Storytelling is one of the most valuable skills for any nonprofit professional and an important vehicle for honoring and empowering diverse voices in your community.

Apr
29
Mon
Powering Progress: Boosting Program Effectiveness with Implementation Drivers @ Zoom
Apr 29 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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Join us for a dynamic one-hour webinar tailored for non-profit teams, where we’ll dive into the essentials of making your programs thrive. Ever wonder what makes some non-profit programs flourish, reaching more people and making a lasting difference, while others struggle to find their footing? It often comes down to two key ingredients: the skills and knowledge your team has (we call these “competency drivers”) and the way your organization supports these efforts (those are the “organizational drivers”) (Fixsen et al., 2005).

In a mix of easy-to-understand explanations, relatable examples, and interactive moments, we’ll show you how to spot these critical elements in your organization and give them a boost. Whether you’re looking to enhance your team’s effectiveness, dreaming of taking your programs to the next level, or aiming to ensure your initiatives keep delivering results year after year, this webinar is your starting point.

Learning Objectives
-Grasp the Basics: Learn what “implementation drivers” are all about, in plain language, and discover the difference between the skills your team needs and the organizational support required to succeed.
-See Why They Matter: Understand how these drivers are the backbone of your program’s success, helping you reach more people and make a real, lasting difference.
-Take a Closer Look at Your Organization: We’ll guide you through figuring out what’s already working in your organization and what could use a little help.
-Find Ways to Improve: Pick up practical tips and strategies to strengthen your team’s skills and your organization’s support system.

Nonprofit Innovators Forum @ Dever Auditorium and RIDE Center, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University
Apr 29 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

NonProfit Innovators Forum Event Poster-min

Unlock your potential in the nonprofit sector. You are invited to join us at the Nonprofit Innovators Forum, the free nonprofit conference on Monday, April 29th from 5:30-8:00 pm at Westfield State University. The event will be held in Parenzo and the Dever Auditorium. Join the Masters of Public Administration, Policy, and Civic Engagement Program for this dynamic program and hear from expert speakers.

What to Expect!

Dive deep into the intricacies of nonprofit essentials, from the initial stages of conceptualization to the execution of effective programs. Our workshops cover a wide range of topics, including legal considerations, governance structures, and strategic planning.
Gain practical tips from experienced grant writers and funders on how to navigate the competitive landscape of grant applications and explore innovative approaches to generating revenue for your nonprofit organization.
Learn how to effectively communicate your nonprofit’s mission and engage with diverse stakeholders through strategic marketing and outreach efforts. From social media campaigns to community events, discover the power of storytelling and branding in advancing your cause.

Why Attend?

Connect with like-minded individuals, seasoned nonprofit professionals, and potential collaborators to expand your network and exchange valuable insights. Build lasting relationships that can support you on your journey towards nonprofit leadership.
Benefit from the expertise of industry leaders, experienced practitioners, who will share their knowledge and best practices in nonprofit management.
Leave inspired and empowered to make a difference in your community as you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue your nonprofit aspirations!

May
1
Wed
Innovate 2024 @ Boston Park Plaza
May 1 – May 3 all-day

Innovate+Promo-min

Immerse yourself in the pulse of nonprofit finance at Innovate 2024, JMT Consulting’s annual conference tailored for nonprofit professionals and leaders. Unite with industry trends, expert insights, and hands-on best practices to optimize efficiency. Join us May 1-3 at the historic Hilton Boston Park Plaza Hotel for an intimate, boutique experience featuring hands-on technical training, leadership development, compliance update overviews, and security insights. Elevate your impact within the nonprofit finance sphere and focus on your mission with JMT Consulting at Innovate 2024.

NCCJ Equity Leadership Alliance @ Hybrid Model
May 1 @ 9:00 am

NCCJ_ELA+Flyer_FREE+C3+2024-min

The National Conference for Community and Justice, EquitynLeadership Alliance (ELA) program is designed to directly
support the role and responsibilities of leaders driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in an organization, company, agency, or educational workplace.

ELA aims to guide, coach, and build a network of two DEI Leaders per organization to advance workplace equity in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. This is a cohort-based model that will run for 6 months (May-October 2024).

May
3
Fri
Fundraising Friday: A Tutorial in Impala, a Free Research Tool @ Zoom
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

PhilanthropyMA-Logo-Transparent-min

Join us for an office hour with staff from Impala, a free grants research tool that is helping to democratize data for nonprofits. After a brief overview of the platform and its functionality, we will work through scenarios posed by participants and provide troubleshooting tips. Come with your questions!

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.

May
4
Sat
MyIBD Learning: Boston @ Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel
May 4 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

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Join us for a day of learning and connecting IBD patients and caregivers with the latest research, treatments, and therapies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Tickets are $10 each. Scholarship options are available.

Register here at https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/myibdlearning/boston

Contact Aarushi Malhotra at amalhotra@crohnscolitisfoundation.org for additional information.

May
6
Mon
Out-of-School Time Providers PD Opportunity @ Fenway Community Center
May 6 @ 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

PROFESSIONAL+DEVELOPMENT+flier+(1)-min

Rehearsal for Life is thrilled to announce our half day professional development training on Monday, May 6! Learn how to use role-play to address microaggressions, explore realistic conflict resolution and how to conduct more productive forms of interpersonal communication. Lunch provided!

Legacy in Transition: Navigating the Great Wealth Transfer and Cultivating Giving Across Generations @ Non-Profit Center
May 6 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Join Women in Development and CCS Fundraising for a presentation on the Great Wealth Transfer’s impact on philanthropy and key generational giving trends followed by a panel discussion with Boston-area philanthropy leaders on strategies for maximizing engagement across generations.

Anticipated takeaways,:

Gain further insights into the Great Wealth Transfer and its impact on the philanthropic landscape
Understand key giving trends across generations
Learn from two Boston-area philanthropy leaders about their approach to maximize giving and engagement across generations

Audience/Target Market: Nonprofit leaders and frontline fundraisers interested in elevating their knowledge on the current generational giving landscape and gaining actionable advice for strategies to maximize giving in this time of transition.

Moderator and Presenter: Kate Villa, Managing Director, CCS Fundraising
Presenter: Carly Renshaw, Assistant Vice President, CCS Fundraising

Panelists:
Giselle Ferro Puigbo, Chief Development Officer, United Way of Massachusetts Bay
Jennifer Weinstock, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy, Combined Jewish Philanthropies

May
7
Tue
2024 Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism @ DCU Center
May 7 @ 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Conference+Logo+-+Blue-min

The Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism is a biannual conference, run by the Massachusetts Service Alliance, that attracts professionals from across the Commonwealth including volunteer coordinators, program managers and directors from nonprofit, corporate and government agencies, community, or student engagement professionals, as well as national/state service members. All come to develop their personal and professional skills, learn new ideas, network with peers and build the capacity of their organizations.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual) @ Zoom
May 7 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Square+Logo+Updated (1)-min

An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:

– For-profit or nonprofit?
– What is a nonprofit?
– Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
– Fiscal sponsorship
– State reporting & regulation
– Federal tax exemption
– Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation

Presenters: Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston; Alyssa Fitzgerald, Goodwin

May
8
Wed
CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients (Virtual) @ Zoom
May 8 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am

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*Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on assisting clients with criminal records.*

This criminal records training is intended for nonprofits whose staff are involved with counseling or offering services in the community to individuals who may have criminal records. It will address the following:

– What exactly is a criminal record in Massachusetts? Who has the data? Who gets access to the data?
– How can a nonprofit help a client reduce the barriers posed by criminal records?
– What is the process to seal a CORI? Can I refer my client to free legal resources for sealing?
– What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? Housing?
– What is the process to expunge a charge on a CORI? Are there free legal resources?
– What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?

Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

May
16
Thu
Nonprofit Roundtable @ Virtual
May 16 @ 9:30 am – 10:30 am

Webinar+Promo-min

Join us for our Nonprofit Roundtable! As nonprofit leaders, this is your opportunity to connect and collaborate, placing the nonprofit space at the forefront of crucial conversations. Through partnerships, research and leadership development, let’s work together to strengthen the nonprofit sector.

This event is tailored to you! Help shape the discussion by completing our brief survey. Your input directly influences our topic selection, ensuring the Nonprofit Roundtable addresses the issues most important to you. Topics include workplace initiatives, strategic ideas for achieving organizational goals and other employee benefit trends.

May
21
Tue
Is Your Nonprofit Prepared for the Unexpected? @ Zoom
May 21 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

David+Harris+-+May+2024

Join management expert David Harris as he shares concrete strategies leaders can implement to increase their organizations’ resilience amid unexpected forces.

The pressure on nonprofit leaders and boards is intense due to competition for funding, increasing turnover at all levels, scrutiny of programs, and heightened focus by for-profit organizations on social impact. Resilience is the key to surviving and thriving in this environment.

This workshop will explore concrete strategic, operational, financial, and leadership strategies that nonprofit leaders and board members can implement to increase their organizations’ resilience amid unexpected forces.

After this workshop, attendees will be able to:

* Assess the current state of their organization, their vulnerabilities, and how they might be addressed.
* Engage the leadership team and board in building awareness and developing action plans.
* Prioritize steps to increase resilience and develop strategic communication to key stakeholders.

David will devote a significant amount of time to answering your questions. Please take the opportunity to ask them as you register for this May program. Questions will also be accepted during the zoominar, time permitting.

About the Speaker

David Harris is Managing Partner of Interim Executive Solutions, a partnership that places and supports interim nonprofit executive leaders. It also focuses on stabilizing and strengthening nonprofits to prepare them for new, permanent leadership.

David spent the first 20 years of his career as a management consultant, marketing director and business executive in various computer software and retail organizations. He then spent six years as an 8th grade math teacher, following which he gained extensive consulting and operating leadership experience in nonprofits, serving as Co-Chair of Community Action Partners, Deputy Director of Teachers21 and Managing Director of the UPCS Institute.

May
22
Wed
Introduction to Grants Research @ Zoom
May 22 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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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

Presenters:
– Georganna Woods, Research Associate and Meet-the-Donors Program Manager, Philanthropy Massachusetts
– Phyllis Corkum, Nonprofit Programs Manager, Philanthropy Massachusetts