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  • Advanced Board Leadership: Enabling Your Board to Achieve Results

    Instructor: David Renz, PhD, director emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC

    Dates for this four-day in-person program:
    If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Advanced Board Leadership: Enabling Your Board to Achieve Results (please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720.

    Program Details

    The Advanced Board Leadership Series is a highly interactive and fast-paced series designed to further prepare and support experienced members and leaders of nonprofit and public service governing boards, especially Board Chairs, Officers, Committee Chairs, Chief Executives, and those who aspire to serve in such roles. This four-session series is facilitated by Dr. David Renz, director emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC and a nationally recognized expert on nonprofit governance and boards. Our vision for the series is to attract and engage a diverse group of experienced leaders from across the Kansas City community in thoughtful learning and dialogue as we explore the challenge of board effectiveness and share with each other what we have learned about how to develop, support, and sustain it. The goal of the series is to enhance the effectiveness of experienced nonprofit and other public service board and executive leaders as they develop and lead boards capable of excellence and impact.

    We will meet from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Bloch Executive Hall at UMKC for four Thursday nights in October: October 5, 12, 19, and 26. Participants are asked to attend all sessions.

    Session 1: Boards, Governance and Organizational Effectiveness
    Date: October 5, 2023 (6:30-9pm)

    • Introduction to the Series, Your Colleagues, and How We Learn Together
    • Governance, Boards, and the Roles that Bring Them to Life
    • The Fundamentals of Board Effectiveness

    Session 2: Critical Elements of Governance Success
    Date: October 12, 2023 (6:30-9pm)

    • The Life Cycle of Board and Board Member Effectiveness
    • Boards and Executives: The Imperative of Role Clarity
    • The Unique Power and Impact of an Effective Chair

    Session 3: The Growing and Sustaining an Effective Board
    Date: October 19, 2023 (6:30-9pm)

    • Strategies for Developing and Sustaining Board Performance
    • How Healthy is Your Board’s Culture?
    • The Universe of Board Self-Assessments (and How to Use Them Well)

    Session 4: Sustaining a Healthy and Effective Board
    Date: October 26, 2023 (6:30-9pm)

    • The Elephant in Every Board Room: Strategies for Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact
    • Preparing For and Enabling Leadership Succession
    • Making Sense of It All: A Dialogue on Board Effectiveness

    Location and Parking:
    The sessions will be held at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Parking details will be sent after registration.

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the first session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu.

    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.

  • Data and Research Guidance with Dr. Monica Rezac
    Do you have a question about how your organization uses and leverages data and research? Set up a time to chat with Dr. Monica Rezac, research coordinator of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

    Program Details

    Fill out and submit the form below and Monica will follow up with you:

    Data and Research Guidance with Dr. Monica Rezac

  • Dates for this one-day seminar:
    If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Financial Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Using Financial Information Systems to Access Organizational Financial Health please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720

    Program Details

    In this workshop, you will cultivate financial leadership and accountability, explore financial information systems, identify short- and long-term financial strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the financial health of your nonprofit organizations. Following this workshop you will be able to:

    • Understand the financial leadership model and complete a Financial Leadership Self-Assessment
    • Define accounting practices required for accurate financial information
    • Complete Accurate Financial Data Assessment
    • Recognize the financial leader’s key assessment questions and the information needed to answer these questions
    • Assess Financial Health Assessment

    This seminar is a part of the Financial Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Series.

    Location and Parking:
    The session will be held at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Parking details will be sent after registration.

    Meals:
    Light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided.

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu.

    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.

  • Financial Planning Tools for Nonprofit Organizations: Budgeting and Cash Flow

    Instructor: Kerry Gordon, CPA, , MCNL Senior Fellow and nonprofit accounting and tax consultant

    Dates for this one-day seminar:
    If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Financial Planning Tools for Nonprofit Organizations: Budgeting and Cash Flow please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720

    Program Details

    In this workshop, you will learn about strategic financial planning and how to evaluate your organization’s financial planning process. Following this workshop you will be able to:

    • Outline the stages in the budgeting process
    • Complete a Financial Planning Assessment
    • Relate cash flow projections to strategic financial management
    • Outline the cash flow budgeting processing
    • Monitor and manage cash flow
    • Develop internal controls and policies and procedures for cash flow management

    This seminar is a part of the Financial Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Series.

    Location nad Parking:
    The session will be held at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Parking details will be sent after registration.

    Meals:
    Light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided.

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu.

    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.

  • Fundraising Leadership Series

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and associate professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    The Fundraising Leadership Series provides development professionals with essential leadership skills to be a strategic leader in their organization. The unique design of this certificate series, co-created with nonprofit leaders, recognizes the central role of development in a nonprofit’s culture, strategy, and communications. Participants will engage with other development professionals in an interactive program that builds their capacity as organizational leaders and changemakers. Each session will feature senior nonprofit leaders from across the region who will share their expertise and experiences on the topic.

    Upon completion, development professionals will have applied experience in their organization’s context using leadership tools and knowledge they acquire. Additionally, they will exhibit the capacity to better lead strategic development operations in nonprofit organizations.

    The 2023 Fundraising Leadership Series:
    If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Fundraising Leadership Series (please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720.

    Program Details

    Module 1 – Building a Culture of Philanthropy
    Friday, October 6, 2023 (8:30-11:30am)
    IN-PERSON SESSION
    – UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri

    Often development responsibility falls on a small segment of people siloed from the organization’s operations. Building a Culture of Philanthropy assists and supports participants to lead and manage development activity to and for all within the organization.

    Objectives of Module One:

    • Participants should gain an understanding of the components of a culture of philanthropy.
    • Participants should begin to understand how to build a culture of philanthropy.
    • Participants should learn how to examine their development department’s culture and operations to assess whether they are on course to create a culture of philanthropy.

    Module 2 – Designing the Long Game
    Friday, October 20, 2023 (8:30-11:30am)
    VIRTUAL SESSION
    – This session will be held via Zoom.

    A hallmark of a nonprofit’s success lies in its ability to design an inclusive strategic planning process. This is equally true for a successful development operation. Designing the Long Game equips participants with the tools to develop, articulate and measure a strategic plan for the fund development operation that works within the organization’s larger strategic plan.
    Objectives for Module Two:

    • Participants should increase their appreciation for mission statements and their importance to the fundraising process.
    • Participants should learn and understand how to operationalize the components of the strategic planning cycle.
    • Participants should realize how to measure the results of a strategic plan using a dashboard.

    Module 3 – Prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Fundraising
    Friday, October 27, 2023 (8:30-11:30am)
    IN-PERSON SESSION
    – UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri

    The dynamics surrounding fundraising in communities of color are complex but crucial for nonprofit professionals to fully understand. Fundraising leaders at majority white organizations often overlook people of color as potential donors and can become frustrated because they can’t recruit them to support their causes. Prioritizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Fundraising offers development professionals insight to focus more time and attention on respectfully approaching and engaging diverse communities.

    Objectives for Module Three:

    • Participants should begin to understand the deep potential of donors of color.
    • Participants should learn best practices for diversifying their development team.
    • Participants should realize how to engage and increase support in communities of color.

    Module 4 – Developing & Strengthening Talent
    Friday, November 10, 2023 (8:30-11:30am)
    VIRTUAL SESSION
    – This session will be held via Zoom.

    Unemployment is near a historic low, which creates serious obstacles for nonprofit leaders to recruit and retain development professionals. Developing & Strengthening Talent provides participants with tools to assess staff, build a culture that maximizes talent, and cultivate leadership within the development area of your organization.

    Objectives for Module Four:

    • Participants should identify approaches for recruiting high quality development staff.
    • Participants should learn best practices for retaining development staff.
    • Participants should develop an understanding of strategies for training, evaluating and rewarding development staff.

    Module 5 – Strategic Communications
    Friday, November 17, 2023 (8:30-11:30am)
    IN-PERSON SESSION
    – UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri

    When we say development, how many people think of the ask? The ask is the part of the iceberg above water that you see, building audience and a prospect database accounts for the 90% of the iceberg that goes unseen. In Strategic Communications, participants will be equipped with the tools essential for building a bigger and better audience of prospective donors.

    Objectives for Module Five:

    • Participants should learn how to utilize the components of a market driven nonprofit.
    • Participants should understand how to operationalize donor-centered fundraising principles.
    • Participants should recognize how to retain donors using their mission and storytelling.

    Program Logistics:
    Each module is delivered from 8:30am to 11:30am. The in-person sessions will be held at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri and the virtual sessions will be held via Zoom.

    CFRE Credits:
    Full participation in the Fundraising Leadership Series is applicable for 15 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the first session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu

    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.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Crafting a Dynamic Annual Development Plan

    Instructor: Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., , Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Regardless of where your organization is in its budget year, it’s never too late to craft a powerful Annual Development Plan. This two-part program will empower you with an overview of what you need to tailor a plan that aligns seamlessly with your organization’s mission.

    The pre-recorded session will help you understand the 15 essential components that make up a successful Annual Development Plan, from donor engagement to campaign execution. (Video recording – 1 hour 19 minutes)

    The live virtual session on June 7, 2024 (10am-Noon), will illustrate how those components work in practice through a discussion of real-world examples of successful Annual Development Plans. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of the Annual Development Plan
    • Review of 15 Components of Annual Development Plans

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of the Annual Development Plan
    • Review of 15 Components of Annual Development Plans

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture session.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Demystifying Capital Campaigns: Preparing for Success

    Instructor: Tim Sweeny, Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership and founding partner of Praxis Nonprofit Strategies

    Set the stage for a successful capital campaign with this two-part program focused on the fundamentals: Assessing your organization’s readiness, determining the appropriate campaign structure, crafting a compelling case statement, and identifying prime donor prospects.

    The pre-recorded session will provide an overview of the concepts and components of capital campaigns, providing a solid foundation for your journey. (Video recording – 1 hour 22 minutes)

    The live virtual session on May 17, 2024 (9-11am), will include a discussion of real capital campaigns, potential capital campaigning in participants’ organizations, along with plenty of time for questions and trouble-shooting. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • understand the basic language and components of capital campaigns
    • explore the best capital campaign form and structure to guide your designated organization
    • determine the readiness of your organization to launch a capital campaign
    • begin exploring an outline to shape your capital campaign case statements
    • identify the primary donor prospects for your respective capital campaigns

    What You Will Learn

    • understand the basic language and components of capital campaigns
    • explore the best capital campaign form and structure to guide your designated organization
    • determine the readiness of your organization to launch a capital campaign
    • begin exploring an outline to shape your capital campaign case statements
    • identify the primary donor prospects for your respective capital campaigns

    Program Details

    Refund Policy
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture session.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Effective Prospect Research

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., , Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Power your nonprofit’s success through effective prospect research and winning proposal writing. This two-part program will dive into effective strategies for conducting targeted research on foundations and individuals, empowering your organization to identify potential donors.

    The pre-recorded session will unpack the elements of effective individual and foundation prospect research, along with proposal writing, to propel your organization toward fundraising success. (Video recording – 1 hour 17 minutes)

    The live virtual session on May 3, 2024 (10am-Noon), will include a discussion of real-world examples and challenges to help you elevate your understanding of prospect research and proposal writing. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of Prospect Research and Proposal Writing
    • How to Conduct Prospect Research on Foundations
    • How to Conduct Prospect Research on Individuals
    • Searches for Foundation Funders
    • Searches for Individual Funders.

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of Prospect Research and Proposal Writing
    • How to Conduct Prospect Research on Foundations
    • How to Conduct Prospect Research on Individuals
    • Searches for Foundation Funders
    • Searches for Individual Funders.

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Fundraising Fundamentals Part 1

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D.,, Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Kickstart your fundraising journey with Fundraising Fundamentals Part 1, a program designed to build a robust foundation for success.

    Start with a pre-recorded session that introduces you to the world of nonprofits and civil society with an exploration of the history of nonprofits and fundraising. You’ll leave with an understanding of philanthropy and fundraising, fundraising philosophy, and the history of the art and science of fundraising. (Video recording – 1 hour 42 minutes)

    The live virtual session on March 29, 2024 (10a-Noon), will acquaint you with the nonprofit sector, including local and national fundraising trends, a discussion of why people may hesitate to give money and time, and an introduction to the topics of fundraising structures such as the donor pyramid, moves management, and staff and board roles in fundraising. (Live session – 2 hours)

    Note: this session was previous named Organizing for Fundraising: An Introduction.

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of Philanthropy and Fundraising
    • Philosophy of Fundraising
    • History of Fundraising
    • National Fundraising Trends
    • Kansas City Fundraising Trends
    • What don’t people give money and time?
    • The Donor Pyramid
    • Moves Management
    • Roles of Staff and Board in Fundraising

    What You Will Learn

    • Overview of Philanthropy and Fundraising
    • Philosophy of Fundraising
    • History of Fundraising
    • National Fundraising Trends
    • Kansas City Fundraising Trends
    • What don’t people give money and time?
    • The Donor Pyramid
    • Moves Management
    • Roles of Staff and Board in Fundraising

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Fundraising Fundamentals Part 2

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., , Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Continue your exploration into the dynamic realm of fundraising with Fundraising Fundamentals Part 2.

    The pre-recorded session will unlock the keys to purpose-driven fundraising, help you navigate the fundraising cycle, and delve into the strategic use of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). (Video recording – 1 hour 18 minutes)

    The live virtual session on April 5, 2024 (10am-Noon), will explore the nuances of fundraising leadership, discuss the impact of changing constituent demographics, and underscore the importance of stewardship and donor recognition. (Live session – 2 hours)

    Note: this session was previous named Organizing for Fundraising.

    What You Will Learn

    • Purpose Driven Fundraising
    • The Fundraising Cycle
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • Leadership and Fundraising
    • Constituency: Changing Demographics and Fundraising
    • Stewardship and Donor Recognition

    What You Will Learn

    • Purpose Driven Fundraising
    • The Fundraising Cycle
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • Leadership and Fundraising
    • Constituency: Changing Demographics and Fundraising
    • Stewardship and Donor Recognition

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Getting Started with Proposal Writing

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., , Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Creating compelling, well-structured, and persuasive proposals that effectively communicate value. This two-part program will equip you with practical insights to elevate your proposal-writing skills and increase your chances of securing funding.

    The pre-recorded session includes an overview of the proposal writing process, the letter of inquiry, and proposal components, along with tips for success and red flags to watch out for. (Video recording – 1 hour 29 minutes)

    The live virtual session on May 10, 2024 (10am-Noon), will use real proposals to provide a hands-on understanding of their structure and components. We’ll also discuss how to tailor your approach to meet the unique requirements of each grant opportunity and delve into effective strategies for engaging with foundations. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • The Proposal Writing Process
    • The Inquiry Letter
    • The Components of the Master Proposal
    • Red Flags and Tips on Proposal Writing

    What You Will Learn

    • The Proposal Writing Process
    • The Inquiry Letter
    • The Components of the Master Proposal
    • Red Flags and Tips on Proposal Writing

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Measurement and Evaluation in Fundraising

    Instructor: Thomas Vansaghi, Ph.D., , Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, UMKC adjunct instructor, and assistant professor of nonprofit leadership at William Jewell College

    Whether you’re new to fundraising or seeking to elevate your skills, this two-part program will lay the groundwork for measurement and evaluation in fundraising.

    The pre-recorded session will address the ‘why’ behind evaluation, explore the basics of social impact, and discuss types of evaluation, theory of change, logic models, and dashboards. (Video recording – 1 hour)

    The live virtual session on April 12, 2024 (10am-Noon), will delve deeper into measurement and evaluation, including a discussion of how to implement dashboards to provide strategic fundraising insights. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • Why evaluate?
    • Basics of Social Impact and Evaluation
    • Theory of Change
    • Logic Models
    • Types of Evaluation
    • Dashboards

    What You Will Learn

    • Why evaluate?
    • Basics of Social Impact and Evaluation
    • Theory of Change
    • Logic Models
    • Types of Evaluation
    • Dashboards

    Program Details

    Refund Policy:
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture session.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Fundraising Tools Series – Transform Volunteers into Fearless Fundraisers

    Instructor: Tim Sweeny, Senior Fellow of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership and founding partner in Praxis Nonprofit Strategies

    Reluctant volunteers can transform into fearless fundraisers. This two-part program will show you how you can shift your volunteers’ approach to fundraising from dread to enthusiasm.

    The pre-recorded session will explore concepts and components related to fundraising with volunteers, including the giving landscape in the United States, the motivational underpinnings of fundraising, and how volunteers and staff can effectively support the fundraising cycle. (Video recording – 1 hour 16 minutes)

    The live virtual session on April 19, 2024 (9-11am), will include a practical and tailored discussion of how volunteers can support fundraising in participants’ organizations. (Live session – 2 hours)

    What You Will Learn

    • explore the philosophical and motivational underpinnings behind fundraising
    • examine the basic fundraising cycle and how volunteers can support it
    • begin identifying the fundraising support most needed from volunteers at their designated organizations; and
    • begin defining the systems needed to support volunteer fundraising.

    What You Will Learn

    • explore the philosophical and motivational underpinnings behind fundraising
    • examine the basic fundraising cycle and how volunteers can support it
    • begin identifying the fundraising support most needed from volunteers at their designated organizations; and
    • begin defining the systems needed to support volunteer fundraising.

    Program Details

    Refund Policy
    No refunds will be made after receiving access to the pre-recorded lecture session.

    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.

    The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership reserves the right to cancel courses and seminars when circumstances require.

  • Please let us know at mcnl@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720 if you would like to be notified when more details (dates, schedule, session topics, call for papers, keynote speakers, registration information,) is posted.

    Program Details

    Learn More

  • Do you have a question or a problem you need help with? Set up a time to chat with Dr. Brent Never, director of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership.

    Program Details

    Brent Never reservation

    Fill out and submit the form below and Brent will follow up with you:

    Name
    Name
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  • In these turbulent times it is critical to embrace change. On select Tuesdays we will present tools nonprofits can utilize to innovate and excel in today’s environment – building the foundation for a promising future. MCNL’s Navigation Series creates an interactive virtual community to learn and share the ideas nonprofits need to be successful.

    Program Details

    Click on the Learn More button for details on upcoming sessions.

    Learn More
  • Planning a New Nonprofit: Essential Planning Steps and Legal Requirements

    Instructor: Cindy Laufer, Program Coordinator at MCNL and Judith Sharp, JD/LLM, Director of Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic at UMKC School of Law

    Dates for this two-hour informational session:
    April 10, 2024 (4-6pm)

    Program Details

    Starting a new nonprofit can be confusing and overwhelming. This free two-hour informational session covers basic planning steps and legal requirements to become a nonprofit organization.

    Key Topics

    • Nature and structure of nonprofit organizations
    • Determining sufficient need to establish a new organization
    • Legal issues and processes involved in establishing a nonprofit
    • Alternatives to incorporation
    • Governance and management challenges

    Resources:
    Access the collection of resources referenced in the workshop.

    Location:
    This in-person session will be held at the at the KAUFFMAN CONFERENCE CENTER (4801 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64110) – Brookside Room. Parking is free of charge and located on the north side of the building. Please enter through the right-hand set of doors for the Conference Center.

    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.

  • Dates for this one-day seminar:
    If you would like to be notified when we schedule the next offering of the Specialized Nonprofit Financial Topics: Grants Management, Allocations, Audits, Form 990, Communicating Progress and Social Enterprise please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720.

    Program Details

    In this workshop, you will learn about specialized nonprofit financial topics. Following this workshop you will be able to:

    • Account for and report on grants
    • Understand audit requirements
    • Outline a process for hiring and managing auditors
    • Communicate financial information to stakeholders
    • Complete Financial Monitoring Assessment
    • Identify strategies for managing long-term financial health

    This seminar apart of the Financial Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Series.

    Location and Parking:
    The session will be held at the UMKC Bloch Executive Hall, 5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. Parking details will be sent after registration.

    Meals:
    Light breakfast and boxed lunch will be provided.

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu.

    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.

  • The Essentials of Effective Board Service: Preparing to Make a Difference

    Instructor: David Renz, PhD, director emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC

    Dates for this four-day in-person program:
    April 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2024 (8:30am – 12pm)

    Our four-session in-depth introduction to board service draws upon the nationally recognized expertise of Dr. David Renz, director emeritus of the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC, with brief presentations from a diverse group of experienced board leaders from across the Kansas City community. The goal of the series is to prepare current and emerging community leaders to serve effectively as members of the governing boards of nonprofit and other community and public service organizations.

    See the new Pay What You Can option below.

    Program Details

    Session 1: Boards, Governance, and Public Service Leadership: Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of the Board and Its Members
    Date: April 6, 2024

    • Introduction to Nonprofit (and Governmental) Boards
    • Making Sense of the Work of a Governing Board
    • The Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Board Work
    • The Core Responsibilities of Boards

    Session 2: Show Us the Money Part One! The Board’s Role in Securing and Using It Wisely
    Date: April 13,2024

    • Overview of Financial Leadership and Accountability
    • Understanding the Organization as a Financial Creature
    • Making Sense of Financial Reports
    • Insights from the Boardroom

    Session 3: Show Us the Money Part Two! The Board’s Role in Fundraising and Development
    Date: April 20, 2024

    • Philanthropy and Nonprofit Business Models
    • Board Roles in Fund Raising and Development
    • The Basics of Philanthropy and Raising Money
    • Insights from the Boardroom

    Session 4: Organizing for Successful Board Work
    Date: April 27, 2024

    • Variations in How Boards and Related Governance Structures Are Organized
    • Developing an Effective Board-Executive-Staff Partnership
    • What It Takes to be an Effective Board Member
    • Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Decision Making
    • The Passion to Serve: Finding the Right Match for Board Service

     

    Pay What You Can Program
    In an effort to make our offerings more assessable and affordable to a wider range of individuals and organizations, we are offering the following discount options, while compensating our instructors fairly for their work.

    This series is being offered at a suggested price of $125. If you are unable to pay the suggested fee, you are very much welcome to use one of the discount promo codes so you can join this series.

    Promo Codes:

    For $25 off use the following promo code: Board25
    For $50 off use the following promo code: Board50

    If you or your organization need additional assistance to participate in this series please let us know at lauferc@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720.

     

    Location:
    UMKC Bloch Heritage Hall (5110 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri) – Room 103 (The Sunderland Foundation Classroom).

    Cancellation and Transfer Policy:
    Full refunds will be given when cancellations are made at least five working days before the first session. A $50 cancellation fee will be deducted from refunds when notification occurs fewer than five working days before class begins. No refunds will be made after the first session has begun. You may transfer your registration by contacting MCNL at (816) 235-5720 or culverm@umkc.edu. 

    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.