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.
Join Philanthropy Massachusetts for Get-to-Know Funders: Western MA! These programs were formerly known as Meet-the-Donors.
We’re thrilled to be going out to Western MA as we welcome a blockbuster panel of funders with an interest in programs/organizations that benefit the Western MA region.
Moderator:
Paul Belsito, Executive Director, The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation
Panelists:
– Megan Burke, President/CEO, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
– Amihan Matias, Senior Director of Community Partnerships, Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
– Bethany Kendall, Executive Director, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund
– Madeline Landrau, Director of Strategic Giving Community Responsibility, MassMutual
– Vanessa Plant, Executive Director, The ALKU Foundation
– Nancy Reiche, Board Director, The Beveridge Family Foundation
The “Get-to-Know” series is great for those who are new to grantseeking as well as seasoned pros. You’ll learn about the specific interests of each foundation represented on the panel and pick up some tips for how to be effective in seeking grants generally. Plus, it’s a great time to network with your fellow nonprofit colleagues.
We hope to see you there!
This workshop is crafted to demystify logic models and equip you with knowledge and tools to enhance your program planning, implementation, and evaluation processes. In this interactive session, we will delve into the intricacies of logic models, highlighting their significance and impact on organizational success.
We will describe logic models in detail, walking through their components and illustrating their pivotal role in program development, evaluation, and communication. Examples from various organizations across Massachusetts will reinforce the practical application of logic models in diverse non-profit settings. Practical exercises will be integrated throughout the workshop to guide you through the creation and refinement of your own logic model.
This working session will also include time in break-out rooms to share insights, challenges, and best practices in the development and practical use of logic models. This collaborative exchange will provide a range of perspectives and foster connections with others in the field.
By the end of the workshop, you will not only have a deeper understanding of logic models but will also possess an individualized model for future refinement.
This session is designed for nonprofit professionals with responsibility for developing, managing, measuring, and communicating about programs in small to mid-size organizations. This may include Executive Directors, Program Directors, Development Directors, Program Managers, Evaluation Managers with any level of experience with evaluation.
Our Presenter:
Luba Falk Feigenberg, EdD, is a psychologist, educator, and researcher with a deep commitment to work that advances equity, accessibility, and social justice. She brings two decades of experience across the nonprofit sector helping leaders and organizations use evaluation as a learning process that promotes reflective practice and a culture of inquiry. At the core of her approach is a belief that evaluation can be joyful, equitable, and creative.
Most Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits must file an annual information return (Form 990 or Form 990-EZ) or notice (Form 990-N) with the IRS*.
In this overview, attorney and CPA Brittany Besler will take participants on a user-friendly walk through the basic structure of Form 990 and 990-EZ, and explain which small nonprofits are eligible to file the 990-N. This overview isn’t a substitute for working with an accounting professional on your organization’s Form 990 or 990-EZ. However, it will help you better understand what the IRS asks for, and why.
*For organizations using a calendar year as their tax year, the filing deadline for all three forms is coming up on May 15. Failure to file for 3 consecutive years results in automatic revocation of the organization’s tax-exempt status. It can be reinstated by meeting certain requirements, but it’s better not to have it revoked.
Presenter: Brittany Besler, Besler Law LLC
About Brittany: Brittany Besler, JD, CPA, has been in the tax industry for over 12 years, and is a member of the Boston Bar Associations Tax Exempt Organizations Committee. Brittany works to find solutions to a client’s tax-related problem, with advice and opportunities to better manage their taxes or reporting requirements.
In 2019, a group of middle school students at the Winsor School had a question: the school recently built a large new building, why didn’t they install solar on the roof? The students researched the project, gathered support from peers and faculty, and presented their proposal to the board of trustees who greenlit the project.
Join us for a webinar led by student Nika Bigelow (Class of 2025) and faculty advisor Laura Beebe about the Winsor School solar project and how to encourage student activism around climate change. We’ll also be joined by Madeleine Barr from Resonant Energy who will speak to financing solar and the options available to nonprofit organizations in 2024.
Massachusetts law requires any corporate entity operating in MA which handles personal information (PI) to develop and enforce a Written Information Security Program (WISP). Apply to join us for a two-part WISP training and consultation program, where you will receive assistance updating or creating a WISP tailored to your organization.
This consultation will start with a one-hour training covering how to implement and maintain a WISP at the operational level, followed by one-on-one breakout sessions staffed by volunteer attorneys who will review your current WISP and make recommendations as necessary, or discuss how to develop a new WISP for your nonprofit if needed.
Volunteer Attorneys: Morgan Lewis and Bank of America
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.
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.
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:
- Illustrate how to search and apply for sources of federal awards through the Grants.gov website.
- Summarize the Uniform Guidance that governs federal grants policies.
- Identify common grants management procedures and pitfalls to avoid.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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!
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
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.
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
