Upcoming Sessions:
Note: these one-hour webinar sessions are free to attend.
The Strategy–Funding Bridge: Where Scenario Planning Meets Practical Revenue Growth & Diversification
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.
This session explores the critical intersection between strategic decision-making, scenario planning, and financial sustainability. Nonprofit leaders are increasingly being asked to navigate uncertain funding environments while continuing to grow revenue, diversify funding streams, and remain focused on mission priorities.
This practical session will provide nonprofit executives, development leaders, finance staff, and board members with simple, actionable tools to strengthen long-term planning and financial decision-making. Discussion will focus on practical revenue growth and diversification strategies, scenario planning approaches, and realistic 3–5-year planning tools that connect organizational strategy with financial sustainability.
Topics will include:
- Connecting strategic priorities to revenue planning
- Practical approaches to revenue diversification
- Scenario planning during uncertain funding cycles
- Understanding incremental versus exponential growth opportunities
- Avoiding mission drift while expanding funding models
- Strengthening collaboration between executive, development, finance, and board leadership
- Simple forecasting and planning tools organizations can immediately apply
Designed for organizational leaders navigating changing funding landscapes, this session emphasizes practical tools and real-world discussion rather than complex financial models or technical accounting approaches.
Presented by:
Judy Keller, President, Keller Consulting
Stacy Tew-Lovasz, Senior Vice President, Keller Consulting
Care Meets Clarity: Communication Tools for Stronger Nonprofit Teams
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.
Nonprofits operate in environments defined by constant change, limited resources, and ambitious goals. Yet many organizations struggle with a surprisingly common challenge: creating space for honest communication, meaningful feedback, and continuous improvement without adding more meetings or administrative burden.
In this practical and interactive session, Encore Institute for Social Impact President & CEO Shelley Loethen and Director of Strategy & Engagement Catherine Hooper will introduce a simple communication framework rooted in Agile project management and continuous improvement practices. Participants will learn how structured reflection (known as a retrospective) can strengthen supervision, improve team communication, and build trust. These tools and strategies can also help organizations identify small, meaningful improvements or adjustments over time, which enables leaders and their agencies to adjust successfully to constantly changing conditions.
Drawing from real-world examples across nonprofit leadership, grant management, strategic planning, and organizational development, Shelley and Catherine will demonstrate how retrospectives can be adapted for leadership teams, staff supervision, project-based work, and cross-functional collaboration. Participants will have an opportunity to experience the process firsthand and leave with practical tools they can immediately apply within their own organizations.
Whether you lead a team, supervise staff, manage projects, or simply want healthier and more productive workplace conversations, this session will provide actionable strategies for turning reflection into growth.
Presented by:
Shelley Loethen, GPC, RPO, President & CEO
Catherine Hooper, MA, Director of Strategy & Engagement
Lasting Impact: Retaining Women in the Nonprofit Sector
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 8:30–9:30 a.m.
The nonprofit sector continues to face persistent staffing challenges, with annual turnover rates hovering above 20%. For organizations already operating with limited financial and people resources, retaining talented employees is both a critical need and an ongoing challenge. This issue is especially important in a sector where women make up nearly 75% of the workforce.
In this Nonprofit Navigation session, Jill Harmon, Director of the BlueScope Foundation, will share key findings from her recent research on meaningful work in the nonprofit sector, with a specific focus on women. Drawing from research themes and real-world application, Jill will explore how meaningful work experiences can strengthen engagement, deepen connection, and support retention in nonprofit organizations.
Participants will also be introduced to self-determination theory as a practical framework for improving employee engagement. Jill will translate the research into simple, low-cost strategies nonprofits can use to foster autonomy, flexibility, and connection to mission—three powerful levers for keeping talented women in a high-turnover sector.
In this engaging session, participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how nonprofit organizations can leverage the power of meaningful work to retain and engage employees. Because when work feels meaningful, talented people stay.
Presented by:
Jill Harmon, Director of the BlueScope Foundation
Note: Program content is solely the responsibility of the presenters
Visit the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s YouTube Channel to view the records of previous Nonprofit Navigation Series sessions.
Photo and Video Release:
By attending the event, you are giving MCNL permission to use photos and videos from the workshop in future promotional materials.
