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 […]

An overview of what is succession planning and why it’s important.An intentional process of succession planning, whether for your board or for your executive staff, will safeguard against unplanned and unexpected change and the potential chaos that can ensue. A clear and straightforward process is equally as helpful in facilitating smooth leadership transitions when change is predictable and planned. Either way, it will contribute to your organization’s sustainability and potentially grow leadership in your community. And it’s NOT complicated. It simply requires making the time and ensuring engagement. Learn how and where to start. Designed for both executive staff and board members, this interactive session will provide both strategic and practical insights into this essential practice. You’ll look at what is succession planning, why it matters, who’s involved, and how you can make it happen, including the potential challenges involved.Topics will include: (1) An overview of what is succession planning and why it’s important; (2) Look at what’s involved in executive staff succession planning; (3) Cover the benefits and processes of board development and sustainability, with the emphasis on succession planning, and (4) Discuss how it all aligns to achieve an organization’s mission.______________________________________________________________________________________________________About the presenter:Jane Baxter Lynn is passionate about working […]

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 […]

What Is Happening, What Can We Expect from the Federal Government, & What Can We Do?Learn about the policy and advocacy trends affecting the 2025 landscape and how to advance nonprofit priorities through all three branches and all three levels of government in this webinar with Tiffany Gourley Carter, Public Policy Director and Counsel at the National Council of Nonprofits. This National Council of Nonprofits briefing is brought to you by the collaborative efforts of I Live Here I Give Here, Mission Capital, and Nonprofit Austin.Facilitated by Tiffany GourleyTiffany Gourley Carter is the Public Policy Director and Counsel at the National Council of Nonprofits and works to advance the public policy priorities for the nation’s largest network of nonprofits. Working in all three levels of government and all three branches of government, she tracks and spots trends of policy threats and opportunities for nonprofits. Tiffany covers a broad range of issue areas, including taxation, budget and spending, employment, government grants and contracts, advocacy rights, and regulations.Prior to joining the Council of Nonprofits in 2016, Tiffany worked with a state association of nonprofits at the Hawai`i Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations, nonprofit law enforcement at the Hawai`i Office of the Attorney General, […]

Join us for a variety of discussions on how AI can be harnessed in the nonprofit sector.AI is reshaping the nonprofit sector—are you ready to harness its power for greater impact? Join Nonprofit Austin @ ACC and The Public Service Desk for an exclusive forum on Artificial Intelligence for Nonprofits, where industry leaders will explore how AI can enhance effectiveness, drive innovation, and create better outcomes for those we serve.🔥 Why Attend?✅ Learn from top AI and nonprofit experts✅ Gain actionable insights on AI trends & best practices✅ Engage with a panel of thought leaders & practitioners✅ Connect with TechSoup leadership and explore new resources✅ Enjoy a FREE working lunch while networking🎤 Featured Speakers & Sessions💡 “Racing the Future: How and Why Nonprofits Must Engage with AI Today”Bryon Jacob, CTO & Co-founder, data.world📊 “Trends and Uses of AI Among Nonprofits: Lessons Learned”Marnie Webb, CEO, TechSoup🎙️ Panel Discussion: “Getting Engaged with AI: Examples and Discussion”Featuring:Shaista Keating, VP, at TechSoupWillie Adams, Executive Director, Public Service DeskBryon Jacob, CTO & Co-founder, data.worldModerator: Barry Silverberg, Executive Director, Nonprofit Austin @ ACC🤝 Supported By:TechSoup, Mission Capital, Association of Fundraising Professionals (Austin Chapter), Center for Government & Civic Service at ACC, ACM Student Chapter at ACC, […]

Learn about workable strategies and explore resources to assist you in assessing your current volunteer program.The COVID pandemic forced changes big and small in our society, and with it, a new picture of community service and volunteerism has emerged. This new vision is characterized by changes in who volunteers and how we find and engage them.In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn about workable strategies and explore resources to assist you in assessing your current volunteer program. This 1.5-hour virtual or in person session course includes multiple handouts, resources and opportunities for group discussion and individual work. Participants will be asked to take a short survey on volunteer program readiness at least two days prior to the class. Topics covered:• State of volunteer engagement• Changing priorities• Time & role diversity• Strengthening organizational capacity with skills-based volunteers.______________________________________________________________________________________________________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 […]

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 […]

Nonprofit practices that are neurodivergent-affirming. Led by Yes And Brain creator, Lacy Alana.Creating Neurodivergent-Affirming Workplaces: A Three-Part SeriesThis three-part workshop series equips attendees with essential knowledge, deep self-reflection opportunities, and practical tools to build truly neurodivergent-affirming workplaces. Each session builds upon the last, guiding participants from foundational awareness to actionable change within their organizations.This series is designed for leaders, managers, HR professionals, DEI practitioners, service providers, and employees who want to create inclusive workspaces where neurodivergent individuals can thrive—whether as colleagues, employees, or clients.Through this series, participants will not only understand neurodivergence more deeply but also learn clear, practical strategies to implement in their organizations. This workshop is about actionable change—helping workplaces shift from accommodation-based approaches to proactively affirming all employees and clients.This isn’t just about being "inclusive"—it’s about building workplaces where everyone - regardless of neurotype - can thrive, contribute fully, and be valued for who they are. Walk away with new skills, frameworks, and tools to make the workplace more supportive for everyone - not just those who are neurodivergent.Session 1: Understanding Neurodivergence & Challenging Internal BiasesLaying the Groundwork for Neurodivergent InclusionThe first session provides a strong foundation in understanding neurodivergence, exploring biases, and recognizing the impact of […]

Nonprofit practices that are neurodivergent-affirming. Led by Yes And Brain creator, Lacy Alana.Creating Neurodivergent-Affirming Workplaces: A Three-Part SeriesThis three-part workshop series equips attendees with essential knowledge, deep self-reflection opportunities, and practical tools to build truly neurodivergent-affirming workplaces. Each session builds upon the last, guiding participants from foundational awareness to actionable change within their organizations.This series is designed for leaders, managers, HR professionals, DEI practitioners, service providers, and employees who want to create inclusive workspaces where neurodivergent individuals can thrive—whether as colleagues, employees, or clients.Through this series, participants will not only understand neurodivergence more deeply but also learn clear, practical strategies to implement in their organizations. This workshop is about actionable change—helping workplaces shift from accommodation-based approaches to proactively affirming all employees and clients.This isn’t just about being "inclusive"—it’s about building workplaces where everyone - regardless of neurotype - can thrive, contribute fully, and be valued for who they are. Walk away with new skills, frameworks, and tools to make the workplace more supportive for everyone - not just those who are neurodivergent.Session 1: Understanding Neurodivergence & Challenging Internal BiasesLaying the Groundwork for Neurodivergent InclusionThe first session provides a strong foundation in understanding neurodivergence, exploring biases, and recognizing the impact of […]

Nonprofit practices that are neurodivergent-affirming. Led by Yes And Brain creator, Lacy Alana.Creating Neurodivergent-Affirming Workplaces: A Three-Part SeriesThis three-part workshop series equips attendees with essential knowledge, deep self-reflection opportunities, and practical tools to build truly neurodivergent-affirming workplaces. Each session builds upon the last, guiding participants from foundational awareness to actionable change within their organizations.This series is designed for leaders, managers, HR professionals, DEI practitioners, service providers, and employees who want to create inclusive workspaces where neurodivergent individuals can thrive—whether as colleagues, employees, or clients.Through this series, participants will not only understand neurodivergence more deeply but also learn clear, practical strategies to implement in their organizations. This workshop is about actionable change—helping workplaces shift from accommodation-based approaches to proactively affirming all employees and clients.This isn’t just about being "inclusive"—it’s about building workplaces where everyone - regardless of neurotype - can thrive, contribute fully, and be valued for who they are. Walk away with new skills, frameworks, and tools to make the workplace more supportive for everyone - not just those who are neurodivergent.Session 1: Understanding Neurodivergence & Challenging Internal BiasesLaying the Groundwork for Neurodivergent InclusionThe first session provides a strong foundation in understanding neurodivergence, exploring biases, and recognizing the impact of […]

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 […]