Learning Opportunity

In this three hour workshop, participants will learn the fundamental building blocks and principles of ethical organizational storytelling.In a world inundated with information, nonprofit organizations face the unique challenge of capturing the hearts and minds of their audiences to drive meaningful engagement and support for their work. In this three hour workshop, participants will learn the fundamental building blocks and principles of ethical organizational storytelling and how to employ it within their organization and externally. Attendees will learn the storytelling tools needed to connect deeply with stakeholders, inspire action, foster empathy, and generate lasting impact. They will also learn essential building blocks of creating effective social impact stories and how to balance storytelling authenticity with responsible narrative framing that centers the individuals and organizations involved.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Lacy Alana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, corporate trainer, multidisciplinary artist, and creator of The Yes And Brain framework. As Lacy spent time in the clinical, educational, corporate, and expressive arts worlds over the last decade, she recognized that she was having great success blending facets from each discipline into the others.When colleagues asked her to teach them tools to mimic her work, she developed the Yes And Brain framework to serve as […]

Find ways to use AI tools like GPT productivelyJoin Nonprofit Austin, as we open a discussion to discover how AI tools like GPT can transform your marketing efforts, from crafting compelling content and optimizing campaigns to analyzing audience engagement and improving outreach strategies. Led by Laura Leonard.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about out facilitator: Laura Leonard brings over 15 years of dynamic experience in strategic leadership and consulting, blending Fortune 500 expertise with a deep commitment to social equity. With a Mechanical Engineering degree from Rice University and an M.B.A. in Operations Management and Continuous Improvement from the University of Michigan (Lean Six Sigma Certified), Laura has led impactful initiatives at companies like Chevron, BASF, and Indeed.Dedicated to breaking down educational and professional barriers for underrepresented groups, Laura has made significant contributions through the Society of Women Engineers and BASF’s Racial Equity Task Force. Her community initiatives, like the Jersey City Holiday Meal Exchange, and her nonprofit consulting engagements such as with Woman Rising and We the People Opportunity Farm showcase her ability to drive meaningful change.As the Founder of Good Egg Solutions, Laura partners with nonprofits to tackle mission-critical […]

Join us for a 90-minute workshop for nonprofit professionals to look at the many facets of your organization’s operations and influence.How does your organization show up in the world – as an employer, as a communicator, as a partner to other organizations? In furthering your mission, are you reaching not just those who readily accesses your services, but also the populations who need you most? Join us for a 90-minute workshop for nonprofit professionals to look at the many facets of your organization’s operations and influence to consider how your organizational values can be incorporated in all you do. Expect an increased understanding of the impact your organization has across a spectrum of domains and the sharing of a variety of best and promising practices that you can put into effect today. There will also be time for trouble-shooting your own organizational access challenges. Following the presentation, all participants will receive a self-assessment tool to help identify areas within which your organization can further close gaps in access. Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this learning opportunity if thereis inadequate registration.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Eileen Garcia (she/her) has spent her career working in support of the social impact sector, […]

Free virtual Orientation to Grant Research Center Tools to learn how to use these tools and gain access to the NPA Grant Research Center.Want to focus on ways the Foundation Directory Online (FDO) database or Guidestar Pro can support your nonprofit work? Nonprofit Austin at ACC is ready to help you leverage Grant Research Center tools to find funding, conduct research and take your 501(c)3 work to the next level.Sign up for this free virtual Orientation to Grant Research Center Tools to learn how to use these tools. After taking this orientation, you will be eligible to sign up to use the tools at the Grant Research Center’s physical space.

Through Strengths-Based Leadership and the Working Genius FrameworkIn our ever-evolving nonprofit landscape , effective leadership from any chair—whether it’s the CEO, a mid-level manager, board member or front line staff—has never been more critical. This session will focus on the power of strengths-based leadership, with a particular emphasis on the Working Genius framework as a tool for identifying and leveraging individual and team strengths. By honing self-awareness, leaders can ethically and effectively guide their teams and organizations, ensuring that their leadership provides pathways for more joy and more productivity in carrying out their mission.Participants will explore how understanding and harnessing the six types of Working Geniuses—each representing a unique strength—can significantly enhance fundraising efforts, board relations, and leadership dynamics. Additionally, the session will highlight how the Working Genius framework makes the invisible visible within teams, uncovering hidden dynamics and providing practical strategies for improving morale and having hard conversations. This commitment to self-awareness and strengths-based leadership not only benefits those we lead but also serves the broader community, amplifying the good we do in the nonprofit sector.Learning Objectives:1. Integrate Strengths-Based Leadership Using the Working Genius Framework:○ Participants will learn how to apply strengths-based leadership principles by utilizing theWorking Genius framework […]

Join us as we learn more about the Austin Community Foundation (ACF).Join us as we learn more about the Austin Community Foundation (ACF). Gain insights as we hear from Nakia Edmond, Community Impact Coordinator for ACF who will describe the foundation’s philanthropic purpose including their grant-making mission to improve the quality of life for Central Texans. Bring your questions as we learn more about ACF’s grant programs: Community Grants, the Hispanic Impact Fund, The Black Fund, and the Women’s Fund.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this learning opportunity if thereis inadequate registration.

This session will review organizational identity, and why its blueprint is so important for nonprofit organizations.Culture is often ignored but it is the springboard for healthy norms, in all organizations. Today, many organizations are experiencing an identity crisis because little to no attention is spent really understanding the organizational identity blueprint and how by truly defining it, it creates a pathway to ensuring the mission, vision and values truly become part of the ethos of the organization.Nonpropfit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Pamela Benson Owens is the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc and is currently serving as the Acting Executive Director of Six Square. For 23+ years Pam has owned Edge of Your Seat Consulting, a unique consulting firm that is dedicated to assisting for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s major focus is to provide methodologies that help manage perceptions and narratives about complex and challenging issues with courage and strategic passion. Pam feels she is most effective when she partners with organizations from the inside out in order to streamline the hierarchical needs, create infrastructure, coach teams, shift organizational cultures and, of most importance, […]

This Special Program is a 3-hour workshop to help nonprofit leaders to cultivate new business relationships and fortify existing ones.This Special Program is a 3-hour workshop to help nonprofit leaders to (1) cultivate new business relationships and fortify existing relationships; (2) use curiosity to understand others goals, needs, and concerns, so they can bring confidence and comfort to donor, board, and other external relationships; (3) employ simple but effective techniques for fostering chemistry and trust; and (4) uncover new opportunities, and win-win situations that accelerate momentum.The presenter, Rodney Schlosser, is a 20+ year executive responsible for his company’s senior relationships. He is senior vice president/business development at Asurion, and a billion-dollar vendor to the mobile, cable, telco, and consumer electronics industries, based in Nashville. Versions of this workshop have elicited kudos from participants in UT Austin’s HDO/executive education program and prior workshops for nonprofits, foundations, and professional services firms. He’ll cover what strategies have worked, failed, and how he’s adapted as technology has changed the way people interact. He’ll also explain how many of these same principles have applied to his leadership of several non-profit boards, and his current civic work as a Vice Chair of the DART (Dallas Area […]

Designed to help you understand what policies and procedures are needed, and how to develop them so they clearly communicate your mission.Policies and procedures serve many purposes. They provide direction to staff, volunteers, and the board, clarify expectations about the way your organization runs, help avoid inconsistencies, and protect your nonprofit from possible legal action or fraud. Policies and procedures can affect various parts of a nonprofit’s work, including governance, accountability, and operations.Well-written policies and procedures are the framework that holds your organization together, and they help make everything run smoothly and efficiently.This course is designed to help you understand what policies and procedures are needed, and how to develop them so they clearly communicate what you do and why you do it.During this interactive 2-hour workshop, participants will:• Discuss the importance and requirements of policies and procedures;• Learn about standard policies for nonprofits;• Work through policy examples; and• Receive tips for policy manuals that are easy-to-understand and user-friendly.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Michel Hudson, CFRE, CEFL, has more than 30 years’ experience guiding nonprofits and associations, in the roles of staff, volunteer, board member, and consultant.Her company, 501(c)onsulting TM – established in 2001 – currently focuses on providing groups with clarity and a […]

Nonprofit Financial Management: Overview, Setting Up Systems, and the Annual Operating CycleThis comprehensive course provides a deep dive into the essential aspects of financial management for nonprofit organizations. Effective financial management is critical to the success and sustainability of any nonprofit, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently to achieve the organization’s mission. The day will begin with an overview of nonprofit financial management, exploring the unique financial landscape of nonprofits, including the challenges of managing diverse revenue streams, maintaining financial transparency, and meeting regulatory requirements. Then, we will move to the process of setting up robust financial systems tailored to the needs of your organization, covering everything from selecting accounting software to establishing internal controls and financial policies. The annual operating cycle will help manage an organization’s financial planning and reporting processes that occur throughout the year such as creating and monitoring budgets, cash flow management, preparing financial statements, and conducting audits. We will also discuss best practices for working with boards and financial committees to ensure strong governance and oversight.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our day will be facilitated by Holly Raymond. Read more about our facilitator below:The success of […]

Learning to develop others to achieve performance goals, develop skills, solve problems, work productively, and advance their careersHow do you engage and develop others, so they can achieve performance goals, develop skills, solve problems, work productively, and advance their careers? In a 10-year research endeavor dubbed Project Oxygen, Google, Inc discovered the key is leadership coaching. Many other research projects have reached similar results (e.g., HBR Leadership that Gets Results), concluding that leaders who coach their staff create productive, motivated, and successful employees, teams, and organizations.Learning to coach — like learning to lead — is a journey, not a quick fix. In this exercise and practice driven introductory workshop, we will clarify the concept of coaching and hone our coaching skills. Please come prepared with at least one personal or professional goal you are trying to achieve, a difficult decision you are trying to make, a problem you are struggling to solve, or a struggle you are addressing. There will be an opportunity to receive in-room coaching and to coach others on their goal, decision, problem, or struggle.Learning Objectives• Understand when coaching is useful and when it is not• Develop skills for effective listening and asking powerful questions• Learn how […]

Can we challenge ourselves to move from communicating at to building community with?Whether your organization has decades of experience advocating your issues at the Texas Capitol or if 2025 will be your first time to enter the pink dome, it's essential to take a fresh approach each session to tell the story of your organization and the individuals you serve. Can we challenge ourselves to move from communicating at to building community with? This 2-hour interactive webinar will offer strategic guidance and tactical tools, as well as an opportunity for questions and networking.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our day will be be facilitated by Lauren Cook. Read more about our facilitator below; Lauren is a writer, strategist, storyteller, and above all, a believer in the power of connecting. She believes when we connect with individuals, ideas, and the natural world around us, we can change ourselves and change the world.For nearly 20 years, Lauren has worked at the intersection of public policy, advocacy, storytelling, and research to lead communications on essential social issues. Prior to founding Connecting Our Stories, Lauren worked for 10 years as a strategist for the Charles Butt […]

Participants will experience a variety of methods to help solve problems and make decisions in a nonprofit setting.Participants will experience a variety of methods to help solve problems and make decisions in a nonprofit setting. The class will present tools to assist participants in examining problems and making decisions within nonprofit settings. It will start with the context in which problem solving and decision-making takes place, and includes examining ethical elements, communication, negotiation, various styles of decision-making, and the importance of stakeholders. The tools section of the class will present six steps and various processes to allow participants to examine the problem solving and decision-making tools they already use and add to their toolbox.Learning Objectives:• Understanding ethical issues when making decisions and solving problems.• Determining root causes.• Involving people in the process of decision making and problem solving.• Identifying steps to problem solving.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Kathleen McCleskey, KM Consulting and Training Connection, is a facilitator, trainer, consultant, and curriculum developer. She conducts classes in project management, multi-day presentation skills class, increasing personal effectiveness, strategic planning, and leading teams and groups are some of the classes Kathleen has conducted in her career.Kathleen has conducted workshops in the United States, Egypt, Guam, Korea, […]

Gain a clear understanding of what Impostor Syndrome is, explore its causes, and learn actionable strategies to overcome it.In 2024, internet searches for Impostor Syndrome have surged by 75%, and it's no surprise. 78% of business leaders have felt its sting at some point in their careers, and more surprising, 71% of U.S. CEOs report grappling with these feelings. Yes, even the very leaders at the top of their organizations are not immune.Do you ever find yourself questioning whether you really belong, or worry that you’re just a step away from being exposed as a fraud? If you sometimes feel like everyone else has it all figured out while you’re barely keeping up, you're not alone. These feelings of self-doubt and insecurity are extremely common, particularly among high achievers.This workshop is designed to help you break free from the cycle of Impostor Syndrome. You’ll gain a clear understanding of what Impostor Syndrome is, explore its causes, and learn actionable strategies to overcome it.In this engaging and supportive workshop, you will:Clearly Define Impostor Syndrome: Understand what it is and how it manifests.Uncover the Causes: Explore the underlying factors contributing to these feelings.Understand the Different Types: Learn about the various forms of […]

Facilitated by Lacy Alana.Many non-profit professionals may find themselves grappling with complex emotions—ranging from frustration and fear to a deep sense of malaise. This workshop provides a supportive space to explore these feelings, process their impact, and reconnect with your mission and values in the midst of all the uncertainty and change. Together, we will navigate strategies for sustaining resilience, cultivating hope, and taking meaningful action amidst uncertainty. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, motivated, or somewhere in between, this session will equip you with tools and perspectives to stay grounded.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Lacy Alana is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, corporate trainer, multidisciplinary artist, and creator of The Yes And Brain framework.  As Lacy spent time in the clinical, educational, corporate, and expressive arts worlds over the last decade, she recognized that she was having great success blending facets from each discipline into the others.When colleagues asked her to teach them tools to mimic her work, she developed the Yes And Brain framework to serve as a foundational framework for work in each setting.  Over the years, The Yes And Brain Model has continued to be refined, with specialized sub-models and training pathways for many different populations.Lacy has a varied […]

Looking at the bigger picture for nonprofit programs and their organizational performanceSometimes it is challenging to see the forest through the trees. Nonprofits often have many programs running at the same time, and an endless “to do” list for each program. This workshop will guide participants in taking a step back to assess the big picture for their organization, program, or activities. Participants will engage in an evaluation exercise that will include identifying bottlenecks and “traps” their work may have fallen into. Identifying and addressing these bottlenecks and traps will lead to increased organizational agility, resilience, and sustained performance. This learning opportunity will utilize the Liberating Structures EcoCycle Planning micro-structure, an open-source tools.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our facilitator, Christine Gendron: Christine Gendron is an experienced and entrepreneurial leader, a systems thinker, connector, collaborator, and capacity builder. She has nearly 20 years of leadership experience serving as a resource for nonprofits, policymakers, government, and philanthropy organizations on strengthening outcomes for children, youth, families, and underserved populations.Christine previously served as the Executive Director of a statewide association and advocacy organization for eight years. She stepped into that role when the organization was […]

This workshop will focus on how to tie nonprofit programs to its goals to help accomplish the mission.Managing a nonprofit takes strategic thinking and strategy to be able to purposefully tie their programs to their goals. To do this, program managers need to strategically consider the internal and external factors facing each nonprofit program and the outcomes and results each program will produce. This workshop will focus on how to tie nonprofit programs to its goals to help accomplish the mission. Participants will learn to develop the basic outline of a strategic plan by determining how each program fits into the overall strategic plan of their nonprofit.If possible, participants should bring their nonprofit’s strategic plan with a mission statement, vision statement, and priorities/goals/objectives/strategic initiatives.Learning Objectives:• Understand the differences and relationships between strategic planning, strategic thinking, and operations.• Develop an understanding of the relationship between nonprofit programs and the goals of the nonprofit.• Construct concrete goals.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter: Kathleen McCleskey, KM Consulting and Training Connection, is a facilitator, trainer, consultant, and curriculum developer. She conducts classes in project management, multi-day presentation skills class, increasing personal effectiveness, strategic planning, and leading teams and groups are some of the classes Kathleen has conducted […]

Differences in leadership and management, and how those differences affect decision-making.Research has highlighted the differences in leadership and management. Cultivating strong decision-making skills is not optional. This session looks at the aspects of leadership that involves how to make informed choices for the organization and the people in it. Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this event if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our facilitator, Pam Benson Owens:Pamela Benson Owens is the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc and is currently serving as the Acting Executive Director of Six Square. For 23+ years Pam has owned Edge of Your Seat Consulting, a unique consulting firm that is dedicated to assisting for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s major focus is to provide methodologies that help manage perceptions and narratives about complex and challenging issues with courage and strategic passion. Pam feels she is most effective when she partners with organizations from the inside out in order to streamline the hierarchical needs, create infrastructure, coach teams, shift organizational cultures and, of most importance, help leaders become more effective. Clients’ transformations are the essence of her work, and they’re also what bring her great joy and empirical pride. She serves on the […]

Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your meetings.If you are a typical professional, you have about 62 meetings per month, and your coworkers believe 50% of these meetings are a waste of time. (Altissan, 2019). Learn simple, immediately applicable skills and processes to facilitate any group conversation, foster collaboration, come to decisions, and drive productive outcomes. In this workshop, you will learn to facilitate by facilitating – please come prepared to experiment with new techniques and give and receive feedback and challenge how you lead groups.Learning Objectives• Practice and develop core facilitation skills for framing dialogue, effective listening, and asking productive questions• Learn to use processes and tools to enable groups to share and analyze information and make decisions• Learn to manage individual and group “dysfunction”Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitators:

Two-day intensive workshop integrates the fundamental principles of leadership, strategy, and communication.JBL Strategies’ unique Strategic Leadership Essentials ® (SLE) class for nonprofit leaders includes a two-day intensive workshop that integrates the fundamental principles of leadership, strategy, and communication, followed by two one-on-one coaching sessions.Nonprofit Austin is collaborating with JBL Strategies to offer this unique program designed specifically to work with executive directors and leaders in decision-making positions within nonprofit organizations. The class comprises a two-day intensive workshop, a comprehensive course workbook, and two one-on-one coaching sessions, during which participants have an opportunity to discuss their specific challenges and needs, developing practical ways to address them.This affordable, interactive program discusses personal leadership approach within the context of their organization’s strategic direction and the communication strategies necessary to engage stakeholders and operationalize strategic direction to achieve greater mission impact in the communities they serve. The emphasis is on customized learning, peer exchange and clarity of purpose. It gives participants an opportunity to step back, reflect and take charge.The program is limited to 14 participants – with only one person from each organization – to encourage idea-sharing, open conversation, and on-going peer collaboration. A minimum registration is required for the program to take […]