Learning Opportunity

Expand your ability to contribute to your organizational culture by demonstrating empathy and how it can be applied in the work setting.Empathy is a valuable asset for fostering a supportive, innovative, and resilient organizational culture and ranks as one of the top five "soft skills" for professionals. A Businessolver 2024 Empathy Study revealed that 85% of employees view empathy as crucial, yet only 35% feel they receive empathetic support from their organization, and 63% think their organization’s culture is toxic and empathy needs to evolve. Expand your ability to contribute to your organizational culture by demonstrating empathy and how it can be applied in the work setting. In this participative workshop, participants will:Gain a deeper understanding of what empathy is and the positive impact it can have on relationships and organizational culture. Identify specific workplace applications of empathy. Examine mindsets that support empathy. Learn specific skills to demonstrate empathy at work.Please note Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this learning opportunity if there is inadequate registration.

Review committee roles and responsibilities, determine who should serve, and learn how to create committee work plans and monitor progress.Given the difficulty in finding people to serve on boards, committees are becoming even more important. Strong committees contribute to strong organizations, and yet, in many nonprofits they are often its weakest link. When committee members have clearly defined roles and direction, staff support and organized and experienced leadership, there are no limits to their effectiveness. This 1.5-hour virtual session includes multiple handouts, resources and opportunities for group discussion and individual work.In this course, participants will• Review committee roles and responsibilities• Determine who should serve• Learn how to create committee work plans and monitor their progress.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter: Wendy Biro-Pollard is a Certified Volunteer Administration (CVA) and BoardSource Governance Consultant. She has conducted webinars, keynotes, workshops, and retreats for individuals in the public-private sector, for national and international associations, corporate and community foundations, and faith-based and governmental agencies.Wendy directed the Volunteer Center of Austin and healthcare volunteer programs at large hospitals in Austin and San Antonio. She has served on several national training teams including one for VISTA AmeriCorps. Wendy is an adjunct faculty member for Nonprofit Austin at Austin Community […]

Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you rediscover joy by aligning your personal values with your professional life.Are you a nonprofit professional struggling to find excitement in your work and struggling to set boundaries so that you can take care of yourself?If so, join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you rediscover joy by aligning your personal values with your professional life. In this interactive session, you'll:• Discover Your Core Values: Engage in a values exercise to identify what truly matters to you and how these values influence your happiness.• Align Actions with Values: Participate in an action vs. values exercise to see where you might be out of sync and how to realign for greater fulfillment.• Gain Inner Peace and Job Satisfaction: Learn how living by your values can bring more inner peace and make your work feel more meaningful.What to Expect:• Interactive Exercises: Hands-on activities that will help you uncover and understand your values.• Group Discussions: Collaborative conversations with fellow nonprofit professionals to share insights and support each other in this journey.No prerequisites or materials are needed—bring yourself and a willingness to explore. By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with a […]

Participants will learn the key principles of Design Thinking and how to apply them to their nonprofit work.Today's nonprofit organizations face unique challenges, demanding innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and make a measurable impact. This 3-hour course introduces participants to the fundamentals of Design Thinking—a human-centered approach to problem-solving that empowers organizations to tackle complex issues with creativity and empathy.Through a blend of interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, participants will learn the key principles of Design Thinking and how to apply them to their nonprofit work. From empathizing with stakeholders to prototyping and testing solutions, attendees will gain practical skills to drive positive change within their organizations.By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of Design Thinking methodology and how it can be leveraged to foster innovation, improve program effectiveness, and ultimately, drive growth for their nonprofit initiatives.Key Learning Objectives:1. Understand the principles and process of Design Thinking.2. Learn how to empathize with stakeholders to uncover their needs and challenges.3. Practice ideation techniques to generate creative solutions.4. Gain skills in prototyping and testing ideas to iterate towards impactful solutions.5. Explore real-world examples of Design Thinking in nonprofit contexts.6. Discuss strategies for implementing Design […]

Eileen Garcia (she/her) has spent her career working in support of the social impact sector, including over a decade of experience as the leStrategic planning is dead! Long live strategy. Increasingly, the nonprofit sector is abuzz with the idea of eliminating the traditional multi-year strategic plan, and its associated high price tag and significant investment of time. While traditional plans might go the way of the dodo due to increasing awareness of the rapid changes of our sector’s environment, the need to thoughtfully assess organizational strengths and challenges and unearth blind spots remains. In addition, with an emerging workforce that demands new levels of decision-making engagement and transparency, the need to codevelop and articulate an organizational North Star becomes all the more important. Join this 90-minute exploration for nonprofit professionals and board members of where the sector goes from here in terms of defining strategy, including a look into the key tools and flexible frameworks that can keep your organization aligned without being tied to a plan that is outdated almost as soon as it is finalized. Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: Eileen Garcia (she/her) has spent […]

A comprehensive session to budgeting for nonprofit organizations.Utilize a comprehensive guide to the essentials of nonprofit budgeting. Effective budgeting is crucial for nonprofits to achieve their mission, allocate resources efficiently, and maintain financial stability. However, nonprofit budgeting comes with its own set of challenges, including managing restricted funds, aligning budgets with mission-driven goals, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements. Leave with examples and a clear path of how to tackle your next budget cycle.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator, Holly Raymond: The success of Upbring's mission depends largely on two key components: finances and operations. Holly Raymond understands not just the importance of efficient operations and sound finances, but how to maximize both. As the Chief Financial Officer of Upbring, Holly directs finance, facilities, budget and procurement functions as well as information technology and human resource administration for the organization. Since joining Upbring in 2017, Holly has implemented structural modifications, strengthening financial operations that has resulted in a 25% overall organizational growth. In her prior role, as Senior Vice President of Finance, she deepened the finance and facilities resource capabilities by strategic staffing additions. Her success at Upbring is a testament […]

Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the key sections of the 990.Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the key sections of the 990, including how to report financial information, disclose organizational governance, and highlight program accomplishments. We will emphasize the strategic importance of the 990 as a public document. You’ll learn how to use the 990 to tell your organization’s story, demonstrating your impact and financial stewardship in a way that resonates with stakeholders.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:The success of Upbring's mission depends largely on two key components: finances and operations. Holly Raymond understands not just the importance of efficient operations and sound finances, but how to maximize both. As the Chief Financial Officer of Upbring, Holly directs finance, facilities, budget and procurement functions as well as information technology and human resource administration for the organization. Since joining Upbring in 2017, Holly has implemented structural modifications, strengthening financial operations that has resulted in a 25% overall organizational growth. In her prior role, as Senior Vice President of Finance, she deepened the finance and facilities resource capabilities by strategic staffing additions. Her success at Upbring is a testament to her outstanding leadership, determination and servant-hearted commitment to breaking the cycle of child abuse.Before joining […]

Join us for this five-week course for boards to dig deep on nonprofit financial best practices, help them avoid pitfalls and permit them toJoin us for this five-week course for executive directors to dig deep on nonprofit financial best practices, help them avoid pitfalls, and permit them to make a strong overall contribution to the organization they serve.Target audience:• Core: Nonprofit Executive Directors and CEOs• Secondary: Nonprofit staff and board members o 90% of the content should have universal appealo When we do breakout rooms, let’s keep the two groups separate so people can have peers they relate to moreFormat:• Zoom or equivalent• Once per week for five weeks• 75-90 minutes each time, including a brief break about halfway through• Mix of presentations, Q&A, and small group activities (using breakout rooms)Week 1: Core roles and duties • Executive Director Role• Financial Staffo Hiringo Firingo Fraud triangleo Preventing burnout/resentments/fraudo Current hiring and retention challenges• Board Roleo Legal requirements of all board members (quoting TX law)o Treasurer roleo Chair’s roleo Finance Committee role • Legal liability • Horror stories • D&O InsuranceWeek 2: Money and Your Relationship with Board and Staff – getting it right• Executive Director with staff o Accounting and […]

A focus on staff development in nonprofit organizationsThis interactive workshop dives deep into the importance of staff development for nonprofits in 2025. You'll gain crucial insights into the evolving skills landscape and learn how to identify the specific areas where your team needs the most support. Through practical activities and discussions, you'll explore a range of development strategies; including training programs, mentorship opportunities, and professional development resources. Ultimately, you'll leave the workshop with a roadmap for creating a customized staff development plan that empowers your team and fuels your organization's success.Learning Objectives:• Identify the key skills and knowledge needed for nonprofits to thrive in the current environment.• Develop a framework for assessing your team's current skillset and development needs.• Explore diverse staff development strategies to address identified gaps.• Create a cost-effective and sustainable staff development plan for your organization.• Evaluate the impact of staff development initiatives on team performance and organizational goals.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this opportunity if there is not adequate registration. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator:Sheila Armitage is a trusted advisor for nonprofit leaders seeking to enhance their leadership skills, organizational performance, and impact. As a leadership development facilitator and executive coach, she brings extensive experience […]

This learning opportunity will provide guidance on strategically engaging stakeholders to further an organization’s goals.This learning opportunity will provide guidance on strategically engaging stakeholders to further an organization’s goals. Participants will engage in stakeholder mapping and learn and discuss strategies for prioritizing and achieving engagement. They will have the opportunity to begin developing measurable stakeholder engagement plans. The discussion will address engagement of a range of stakeholders, including grassroots and grasstops stakeholders, potential partners/collaborators, and clients and others with lived experiences.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter: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 struggling, defined a new strategic direction, streamlined administrative functions, established partnerships with stakeholders across the state, and raised new funds, ultimately tripling the organization’s annual budget. She led legislative advocacy efforts that secured legislation and new state appropriations, led the coordination of high-profile capacity building initiatives for direct […]

This learning opportunity will identify and distinguish between different types of meetings that are common and importantChances are, your calendar is full of meetings - team meetings, weekly meetings, supervision meetings, project meetings, planning meetings, board meetings - you name it. For many nonprofit professionals, the meetings never end. The success of your meetings greatly influences the success of your organization and may even make or break your career. This learning opportunity will identify and distinguish between different types of meetings that are common and important for nonprofit leaders and will provide research and tools to support you in making your meetings as effective, efficient, and enjoyable as possible.Nonprofit Austin reserves the right to postpone this learning opportunity if thereis inadequate registration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More about our facilitator: 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 struggling, defined a new strategic […]

Interactive, three-part series, where participants will reflect on their own stories, their organization’s stories, and the commonalities.Effectively telling your organization’s story is essential to fundraising, audienceengagement, and even employee satisfaction. Does your board struggle tocommunicate all your organization does? Do your staff members inconsistentlydescribe the organization’s purpose? When you tell your organization’s story, areyour beneficiaries’ voices always included?In this interactive, workshop-style three-part series, participants will reflect on their ownstories, their organization’s stories, and the connections between the work theydo and the people and issues they represent. We will dig into the Why, Who, andNow What of your organization’s story with the goal of crafting a simple,authentic, and compelling narrative that every board, staff, and target audiencemember can engage with and appreciate.Week 1: Your Organization’s Why - May 14, 2025This is where any organization must start when crafting a compelling narrative.We’ll dig into how to identify your organization’s unique Why. (Spoiler: it’s notyour mission statement.)Week 2: The Essential Who - May 21, 2025This is the magical missing piece many organizations overlook when telling theirstory, yet it is most likely the reason the organization exists. We’ll dig into theexperiences, expertise, and aspirations of the most important people (orcreatures or land) related to […]