NSC Workshop Calendar

GWCF's workshops for nonprofit leaders and their staff focus on practical programs. We believe in the power of peers learning together and we engage high-quality presenters in order to foster a strong network of nonprofits in Central Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Community Foundation Partnership

Massachusetts Community Foundations Offer Statewide Learning Opportunities

GWCF is a proud member of the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership, a new donor collaborative partnering with nonprofit organizations to strengthen their missions, programs, and capacities in contributing to and providing a leadership voice stabilizing, re-envisioning, and rebuilding the sector. As part of this partnership, we'd like to call your attention to a slate of webinars in which you can learn and network with fellow nonprofits from across the Bay State. 

The calendar of programs can be found on the MACFP website.

Nov. 10: Engaging Donors Virtually (Part 1)

Engaging Donors Virtually (Two-Part Series) 

Part 1: What should you say to your donors? How to effectively communicate and ask donors for support during COVID

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10
Time: 10:00-11:15 AM
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

REGISTER TODAY

About the Session

The pandemic has changed how we communicate — but most of your donors still want to support your important work. During this session, we will explore how to:

  • Craft intentional and clear messages that speak directly to your donors.
  • Gather and share your clients’ stories in a respectful and inclusive way that explains your impact to your donors.
  • Segment your messages to communicate the importance of your nonprofit’s work and ask your donors for support using print appeals, e-appeals, social media and website,
  • Build a diverse and inclusive communications advisory team to review your messages and materials so that you are speaking to your multiple audiences with a voice that supports racial, gender, and economic justice.

About Jenn Hayslett

As a leadership and professional development coach Jenn Hayslett works with individuals and teams to develop clear goals and design action plans to achieve them.

In her work as a consultant, Jenn partners with nonprofits to articulate powerful stories of impact and supports Boards, Executive Directors, and staff in developing the confidence and skill to successfully ask for support. Her specialty is in building and improving relationship-based fundraising programs for small and mid-sized nonprofits, honed through 25 years of leadership experience.

Jenn’s engaging presentation style makes her a highly-rated presenter. She is a certified trainer, facilitator and consultant and received her coach training through Coaches Training Institute (CTI). JennHayslett.com.

Nov. 12: Making Strategy in Uncertain Times

Making Strategy in Uncertain Times

Date: Thursday, Nov. 12
Time: 10:00 - noon
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

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About the Session

“Humans make plans; God laughs,” goes the old saying that seems particularly apt these days. How can you even think about “strategic planning” when you don’t know what the next quarter will bring, let alone the next three years?

Many organizations are nimbly adapting to the pressing needs of their communities, temporarily putting a pause on their long-term plans. But how long is “temporarily?” For example, how will you know when (if ever) you’re able to shift back to your traditional service model? Or will your service model have to fundamentally change?

Facing questions like this can be understandably unsettling. Part of the purpose of developing a strategy—which we define as a framework for decision making—is to help manage that stress. In this interactive session, we will identify the essential components of strategy making in uncertainty, explore how you can get started, and consider how your organization might need to adapt.

Nov. 16: Understanding Financial Health & Planning Ahead in a Time of Uncertainty

Understanding Financial Health & Planning Ahead in a Time of Uncertainty

Date: Monday, Nov. 16
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

REGISTER TODAY

About the Session

In these unprecedented times, nonprofit organizations are experiencing a variety of challenges including shifting staffing structures, sudden changes in service delivery or capacity, and potential losses across multiple revenue streams. These changes put the financial health and resilience of nonprofits at risk as they navigate the current reality while staying mission focused. This webinar will address critical areas of focus in a time of uncertainty and provide tools that can be used in the short-term. Topics include:

  • Grounding financial decision-making in your values
  • Understanding your current financial position and what resources are available
  • Levers to increase resources available for immediate response
  • Tools for cash flow for the short term 

About Gina McDonald

A Lead Consultant at FMA, Gina works closely with a variety of nonprofit organizations to assist in building their internal financial management capacity. She enjoys developing and conducting trainings on a variety of technical accounting and other matters affecting nonprofits and is currently an instructor for FMA’s Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) program, a comprehensive training comprising nonprofit financial reporting, internal controls, budget development, governance and the Form 990.

Prior to joining FMA, Gina spent 17 years in public accounting, including 10 years dedicated to nonprofit and governmental accounting and financial reporting as an Audit Senior Manager. Much of that work was focused on helping board members and organization leaders understand their financial results and use that knowledge to make informed business decisions. Gina has additional expertise in evaluating the effectiveness and operation of internal controls and financial policies and procedures.

Gina is Board Treasurer for the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, and she regularly seeks other opportunities to assist nonprofits both close to home and nationwide.

Nov. 17: Engaging Donors Virtually (Part 2)

Engaging Donors Virtually (Two-Part Series) 

Part 2: The Time is Now: How to Have Successful Donor Fundraising Meetings on Zoom

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Time: 10:00 AM - noon
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

REGISTER TODAY

About the Session

In this interactive online workshop, you will learn how to confidently reach out to your donors using Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. In this workshop you will:

  • Receive a customizable Training Manual that gives you the tools and scripts you need to invite your donors to meetings and ask them to support your organization.
  • Learn the Connecting Conversations Model to help you ground yourself in meetings with donors.
  • Have a chance to practice participating in meaningful, goal- directed conversations with your donors.
  • Increase your skills and confidence to make your online donor meetings successful.

About Jenn Hayslett

As a leadership and professional development coach Jenn Hayslett works with individuals and teams to develop clear goals and design action plans to achieve them.

In her work as a consultant, Jenn partners with nonprofits to articulate powerful stories of impact and supports Boards, Executive Directors, and staff in developing the confidence and skill to successfully ask for support. Her specialty is in building and improving relationship-based fundraising programs for small and mid-sized nonprofits, honed through 25 years of leadership experience.

Jenn’s engaging presentation style makes her a highly-rated presenter. She is a certified trainer, facilitator and consultant and received her coach training through Coaches Training Institute (CTI). JennHayslett.com.

Nov. 19: Forging the Perfect Fundraising Partnership with Your Board: Increasing Expectations, Inspiring Action, Creating Peer Accountability

Forging the Perfect Fundraising Partnership with Your Board: Increasing Expectations, Inspiring Action, Creating Peer Accountability

Date: Thursday , Nov. 19
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

REGISTER TODAY

About the Session

Does your board support your development efforts at the level you'd like them to? Were they recruited with nominal expectations but now you need greater help? How do you create the best win-win partnership with your most important volunteer leaders? In normal times, capacity-constrained organizations need their board to help fundraise if they want to reach new levels of financial support. And, in times of crisis, the role of the board couldn't be more important. Executive directors, development staff and board leaders are encouraged to join us to learn best practices in forging the strongest partnerships board / staff leadership partnerships possible. 

Chuck Gordon, New Kensington Group

For nearly 30 years, Chuck has served as a senior nonprofit professional and consultant helping nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in the Boston area, and across the country, realize their vision by raising increased revenues. His professional leadership roles have focused on serving the human services, health care, and education sectors. In addition, he has worked with and supported the revenue generating needs of arts, culture, and animal welfare organizations. 

Today, Chuck leads the New Kensington Group, a full-service consulting firm helping nonprofit leaders grow their organizations. His work focuses on strategic planning, fundraising, executive search, and board leadership and governance support. As a nationally recognized trainer and speaker, he dedicates significant time to building the fundraising capacity of nonprofit professionals and senior volunteers from coast to coast.

Nov. 19: How to Update Your Digital Fundraising Strategy in the Age of COVID-19

How to Update Your Digital Fundraising Strategy in the Age of COVID-19

Date: Thursday , Nov. 19
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Via Zoom (link provided upon registration)

 

REGISTER TODAY

About the Session

The COVID-19 pandemic, the election, and racial justice protests have upended the entire nonprofit landscape. It is no longer business as usual for nonprofit fundraisers.

With all the noise on social media, along with serious ethical considerations clouding the platforms, how can we continue to reach our audiences and spread our messages online?

In this webinar, digital fundraising expert Julia Campbell will review important shifts in the digital fundraising landscape that nonprofits need to understand; discuss ways to stay relevant on social media in times of uncertainty; and provide a framework for your 2021 digital fundraising strategy.

Workshop Cancellation Policy:

If you are unable to attend a workshop that you sign up for, we kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ notice so we are able to accommodate individuals on a waiting list.

Finding Us:

Unless otherwise noted, NSC workshops take place at the GWCF office, 370 Main Street, Suite 650, in downtown Worcester. Our office is in the Guaranty Building located between Elm and Maple streets. 

Parking:

The nearest parking lot is the Pearl/Elm Garage, with access via Elm Street. Handicap accessible parking spaces are located on the first floor of the garage.

If the Pearl/Elm Garage is full, we recommend the Santander Bank Garage on Pleasant Street. Additional parking is also available at the Commercial Street Garage located at 201 Commercial Street. The garage can be accessed via Commercial Street or Major Taylor Blvd. It is a two block walk to Main Street.

Questions about the Nonprofit Support Center?

Contact Sarah Shugrue
Program Officer
(508) 755-0980, x 109
Send email

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