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 9 a.m. to Noon at the Bloch Heritage Hall at UMKC or virtually via Zoom for four Saturday mornings in October and November: October 19, 26, November 2 and 9, 2024. Participants are asked to attend all sessions.

Session 1: Boards, Governance and Organizational Effectiveness
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024 (9am-Noon)

• 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: Saturday, October 26, 2024 (9am-Noon)

• 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: Growing and Developing the Effective Board
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024 (9am-Noon)

• A Framework for Growing Board Capacity
• The Universe of Board Self-Assessments (and How to Use Them Well)
• The Elephant in Every Board Room: Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact

Session 4: Sustaining Long Term Board Effectiveness and Impact
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024 (9am-Noon)

• How Healthy is Your Board’s Culture?
• Preparing For and Enabling Leadership Succession
• Making Sense of It All: A Dialogue on Board Effectiveness

Program Logistics:
Each session is delivered from 9 a.m. to Noon. Participants have the option to attend in-person at the UMKC Bloch Heritage Hall, 5110 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri Room 006 or virtually via Zoom.

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.

Program Details

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Program Details

Module 1 – Building a Culture of Philanthropy
Friday, September 20, 2024 (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 4, 2024 (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 18, 2024 (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 1, 2024 (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 15, 2024 (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:
If you are interested in receiving CFRE credits please let us know prior to the start of the series so we can arrange to have these credits available. 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.

Program Details

Topics for five lightly facilitated, discussion-based sessions will be curated by the participants at the first meeting to ensure we address exactly what is most needed right now. The focus of the sessions will be guided discussions, facilitated by Dr. Tom Vansaghi, to enable participants to share their experiences but also learn from expert guests who will be invited into the conversations.

Potential topics include:

• Managing staff capacity, burnout, and retention
• Diversifying fundraising revenue
• Building cross-generational donor relationships
• Engaging board members in impactful donor stewardship

The cohort is limited to just 8 participants, ensuring deep connections and meaningful engagement. There are 6 in-person sessions that meet from 9:30 am-11:30 am, with the kick-off at UMKC and subsequent meetings hosted in participants’ offices across the community. Participants are also encouraged to connect one-on-one or in small groups outside of cohort meetings.

Cost: $750 per person

If you would like to be notified when we are accepting application for the next Fundraising Mastermind cohort please let us know at culverm@umkc.edu / (816) 235-5720.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Program Details

Program Details

Program Details

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

Program Details

Come join Midwest Center staff, led by Dr. Brent Never, in a hands-on scenario planning workshop. Over the course of the session, you will learn the skills of scenario planning and develop an actionable set of scenarios to guide your organization in the coming months. You will work through a four-step process on your way to developing your strategic scenarios: identifying your strategic risks; developing scenarios; creating a portfolio of actions; and, determining your trigger points for action. This workshop is intended for key executive staff (e.g., ED/CEO, CFO, CDO) and board executive officers.

Registration:
The registration for an organization is $150 (with each organizational registration you can bring a maximum of 3 people to this workshop).

Location:
UMKC Bloch Executive Hall (5108 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri Room 324).

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.

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) – Plaza 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.

Program Details

Session 1: Boards, Governance, and Public Service Leadership: Introduction to the Roles and Responsibilities of the Board and Its Members
Date: To Be Determined

• What’s the Point? Making Sense of the Work of a Governing Board
• The Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Governance and Board Work
• An Introduction to the Responsibilities of Boards
• Insights from the Boardroom

Session 2: How Effective Governing Boards Organize and Do Their Work
Date: To Be Determined

• The Ten Core Responsibilities of a Governing Board
• Variations in How Boards and Related Governance Structures Are Organized
• Developing an Effective Board-Executive-Staff Partnership
• Insights from the Boardroom

Session 3: Taking a Deeper Look: Nonprofit Finance and Financial Leadership
Date: To Be Determined

• The Essential Work of Financial Leadership and Accountability
• Understanding the Organization as a Financial Creature
• The Unique Revenue Models of Nonprofit Organizations
• Insights from the Boardroom

Session 4: The Bottom Line: Effective Members Serving on Effective Boards
Date: To Be Determined

• Board Roles in Fundraising and Development
• Understanding the Board’s Role in Ensuring Organizational Accountability and Impact
• What It Takes to be an Effective Board Member and How to Find the Right Board
• Making Sense of It All: A Recap and Dialogue on Board Effectiveness

Location:
UMKC Bloch Heritage Hall (5110 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri). Participants will also have the option to participate remotely via Zoom.

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.