About Us

This year's conference is hybrid, allowing attendance via Zoom or at an in-person host site where you can meet other professionals while you participate in our virtual conference!

Over the course of the past couple of years, individuals and nonprofit organizations have faced unprecedented challenges. We have seen a once in a lifetime pandemic, reckoned with issues regarding systemic racism, and seen our political divide grow ever starker. 

Normal was not working before the pandemic, and we want to take the lessons we learned, and the tools we implemented and carry them going forward. 

Presented by Audra Dinell, Founder of The Thread

Thinking big leads to playing big, which can't be done without being bold. But what does it actually look like to live this out? We’re going to discuss how we can break down these concepts into actionable steps that can be applied to our own lives, careers and organizations...and why the world needs us to do so now more than ever. 

Presented by . Natalie Bright, Kansas Nonprofit Coalition and David Thompson, National Council of Nonprofits.

Learn about the state and federal issues that are currently affecting or will affect nonprofit organizations in the future. 

Presented by Cy Rogers, Certified Process Communication Model© Trainer, WSU Community Engagement Institute

Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction.  High-performing organizations, associations, and individuals are efficient and adaptive communicators. The Process Communication Model© teaches us adaptive communication styles to ensure we are communicating as efficiently as possible.  In this session, you will learn about the model, how to utilize it to connect with others, and how it can be used to support yourself while dealing with stress.  Improving communication is how we make a daily difference in all of our interactions!

Presented by Robert Deleon, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Unite Us

Unite Kansas is a coordinated network introducing a new model of care, one that is driven by community organizations. These community teams (i.e. housing, health care, social services, higher education, faith-based organizations, veteran services, etc.) are all working together to improve health for everyone in our neighborhoods. Partners in the network are connected through Unite Us' shared technology platform. Benefits of participating in the network include the following: improved connection with partner organizations; visibility into clients' care with outcome information; enhanced work efficiency through the use of electronic referrals; expedited client connection to services and resources; and centralized data collection to help showcase program successes and assist in grant writing.  

 Presented by Kerri Voyles, Founder, Flourish Creative  

We’ve all been there. You’re juggling one million hats and the *last* thing on your mind is creating that Facebook post or sending that email campaign. You’re not alone. In this interactive session, we’re covering the common symptoms of brand burnout and how you can shift towards resilience for your nonprofit. Investing in your brand — internally and externally — is important now more than ever. During this session, you’ll be reminded of the value and power of your brand. This session is for leaders and brand builders/communicators (or those who wear the “comms” hat!) alike. 

 Facilitated by Conner Hampton, Development Director, Center City Academy

This panel will include young professionals describing their board experiences. Learn how to attract and retain younger board members. Panelists include Julian Montes, Paul Abromeit, Hannah Grace Gorman and Valerie White.

Presented by Joyce McEwen Crane, WSU Community Engagement Institute

Learn how to be innovative within your organization, the importance of understanding the vision for your organization dealing with loss in collaboration and how to work with others to strengthen customer care in this two-part session.

Presented by Joyce McEwen Crane, WSU Community Engagement Institute

Learn how to be innovative within your organization, the importance of understanding the vision for your organization dealing with loss in collaboration and how to work with others to strengthen customer care in this two-part session.

Presented by Kiersten Hill, Director of Nonprofit Solutions, Firespring

It is easier and less expensive to retain an existing donor than to seek out and convert a brand new one. The best way to properly care for and feed your donors is by creating and maintaining a robust donor stewardship program. Donor stewardship isn’t just for major donors—take steps to help every donor feel the love. Join us to discover: 5 tips to boost donor retention. 7 ways you may be unknowingly driving donors away. How to tell the kind of stories that connect with donors. Why you desperately need a new donor welcome email series and how to do it well. Key points in a sharp donor stewardship plan.

How to say thank you so your donors feel the love.

Presented by Angela Gaughan, AmeriCorp Program Director, WSU Community Engagement Institute

This presentation will provide information about how to build your nonprofits organizational capacity to 1) use the VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) program, and 3) how to apply for an AmeriCorps member and 3) the timeline for the program to begin.

 Angela  will provide best practices to capacity building for nonprofit organizations. Angela will provide an overview of the VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) and AmeriCorps State programs. She will include the requirements, application process, costs, and benefits of the programs. In addition, she’ll include several tasks that can be accomplished by AmeriCorps members. These are national Federal programs available in all 50 states through AmeriCorps. Several organizations in Kansas are using the AmeriCorps program, which is managed by WSU, to assist the organization with building capacity, including offering college students the opportunity to work with local agencies as AmeriCorps members. Many AmeriCorps members are attending college part-time and working at an organization, thus building skills and their resume. Participants need no advance knowledge or expertise.

Presented by Kolloh Nimley, Founder, The Kansas Cross-Cultural Collaborative

Learn about cultural agility, EEOC laws and their implication in the workforce as well as how to diversify your workforce and create an inclusive workplace. 

Presented by Connor Cross, Director of Human Resources, Syndeo

Presented by Keith Lawing, President/CEO, Workforce Alliance

This is a discussion on what is occurring in the labor market, labeled by economist as the “Great Recession”, what it means for local employers, community based organizations and the economy in South Central Kansas.

Presented by Kalley Dunn, Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, Amfund. Deborah Marshall, COO, AmFund

The “18-Inch Rule” focuses on the decision-making process and how nonprofits can better craft their stories to appeal to the decisions patrons make when supporting an organization. This information is applicable to donor appeals, sponsorship requests, engaging with the media, and crafting your nonprofit’s story.

Presented by Kiersten Hill, Director of Nonprofit Solutions, Firespring

#GivingTuesday, the biggest giving day of the year, is just months away. We’re kicking off

the countdown with a session to teach you how to maximize the time you have left and lay

the foundation for a successful day of giving. We’ll explore the important role your website plays, powerful tactics you still have time to implement and the essentials for an integrated communications plan. Let us help you create a successful #GivingTuesday strategy that lasts well beyond a one-day event.

Key takeaways:

● Why your website needs a #GivingTuesday page and how to build one.

● How to get your community excited.

● 4 critical strategies for Giving Day success.

● Top 10 tricks to becoming a #GivingTuesday pro.

● Checklists to keep you organized and prepared.

Facilitated by Cindy Miles, President/CEO, Kansas Nonprofit Chamber

This is your opportunity to learn more about the Kansas Nonprofit Chamber, the programs and services we provide as well as throw out questions you have about nonprofits, boards, fundraising etc and get some answers.

Presented by Dawn Monroe, Owner, Dawn Monroe Training

Everyone is watching the wallet right now and your nonprofit organization is no exception.  How can you complete your mission on a limited budget?  Dig into some FREE software tools!  Our local technical educator, Dawn Monroe, has gathered a collection of her favorite FREE resources and will give us a tour of some products that might be a good fit for your needs – at no cost!

Tackle Tasks:  Monday.com, Trello, Asana

Get Graphics: Pixabay, Pexels

Create Content: Canva

Schedule Social: Buffer

Elevate Email: Mailchimp

Recognize Resources: TechSoup

Presented by Damon Young, Chief Business Officer, Kansas Leadership Center