Colton Strawser, Ph.D. | North Texas Nonprofit Institute

Join us for an insightful keynote session that shines a spotlight on the current state of nonprofits and philanthropy in North Texas. In this thought-provoking presentation, we will explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities that define the region's nonprofit sector and the vital role philanthropy plays in supporting these organizations.

As North Texas continues to evolve and grow, its vibrant nonprofit community has become an essential component of its social fabric. This keynote session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector's landscape, offering a deep dive into the following key areas:

• Understanding the Local Nonprofit Ecosystem: Delve into the diverse range of nonprofit organizations operating in North Texas, their missions, and the critical services they provide to address societal needs. Gain insights into the different sectors, such as education, health, environment, arts, and more, and learn how these organizations collaborate to create a positive impact.
• Philanthropy in North Texas: Explore the philanthropic landscape in North Texas, highlighting the key players, strategies, and funding trends. Discover the unique characteristics of local philanthropy, including individual giving, corporate social responsibility, and foundation support, and how these elements shape the region's nonprofit sector.
• Innovations and Challenges: Learn about the innovative approaches nonprofits are adopting to address emerging challenges, such as technological advancements, changing donor preferences, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain insights into successful strategies for enhancing nonprofit effectiveness, promoting transparency, and building sustainable models of funding.
• Building Collaborative Partnerships: Discover the power of collaboration and collective impact in North Texas's nonprofit ecosystem. Explore successful examples of cross-sector partnerships that have amplified the region's ability to create lasting change, and learn how nonprofits, philanthropists, and other stakeholders can work together to address systemic challenges.
• Future Outlook: Gain valuable insights into the future trajectory of nonprofits and philanthropy in North Texas. Explore the emerging trends, potential disruptions, and opportunities that lie ahead, and discover how individuals and organizations can position themselves for success in a rapidly changing landscape.

This keynote session is a must-attend for nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, community advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in making a positive difference in North Texas. By unpacking the current state of nonprofits and philanthropy, we aim to inspire collaboration, spark innovation, and foster a deepened commitment to building a thriving and inclusive region for all.

TBD

A. Navigating Financial Stability for Nonprofits

Speaker: Melanie Kirton, Financial Affairs

Equip your nonprofit with the tools and strategies needed not just to rebound from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but to flourish in the ever-changing environment ahead. With a keen emphasis on bolstering financial well-being and resilience, this session will delve into critical areas, including diversifying revenue streams, fortifying reserves, harnessing the power of technology, and nurturing strategic collaborations. Designed specifically for nonprofit leaders and decision-makers, this presentation promises to be both educational and empowering, offering actionable advice to ensure your organization can face the future with confidence.

B. The ART of Emotional Intelligence

Speaker: Dr. Stevie Carter, Empathix

In the nonprofit sector, empathy is a vital tool, yet challenging work environments and burnout can result if emotions aren't managed effectively. This session offers profound insights into emotional understanding with a focus on self-awareness, reactions, timing, and empathy, and empowering participants to navigate emotions adeptly. Attendees will learn to maintain composure in tough situations and express emotions effectively. By emphasizing empathy as a cornerstone of emotional intelligence, this session fosters deeper connections. Through theory and practical exercises, participants gain tangible skills to integrate emotional intelligence into their lives, nurturing both personal and professional relationships.

C. Embracing AI: The Ultimate Tool for the 21st Century Nonprofit

Speaker: Kevin Mulhall, TechSoup

Are the robots taking over? This session illuminates and unravels the mysteries of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unveils its potential to become a nonprofit's secret weapon. Through simplified explanations, the session will navigate through AI's complexities, highlighting its transformative capabilities. Discover how AI is revolutionizing nonprofits by simplifying tasks, tailoring outreach efforts, and amplifying impact. Through real-world examples, participants will witness firsthand how AI enables organizations like yours to navigate the 21st century with efficiency and effectiveness. Don't miss this opportunity to harness the power of AI and propel your nonprofit towards greater success!

D. Nonprofit Legal and Tax 101: Reviewing and Revisiting the Basics

Speakers: Jonathan Blum and Nyk McKissic, Holland & Knight

Whether someone is new to the nonprofit sector or seeking a refresher, this workshop offers a comprehensive overview of key legal and tax considerations within the nonprofit sector. In order to keep an organization strong and the mission going, participants will explore fundamental concepts, regulations, and compliance requirements crucial for nonprofit organizations. From understanding tax-exempt status to navigating reporting obligations, participants will gain valuable insights to ensure legal compliance and fiscal responsibility. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your nonprofit's foundation and safeguard its operations!

A powerful conversation about escaping the nonprofit prison and pursuing your most daring and audacious dreams for impact. 

About Dan

Dan Pallotta is a pioneer in the global effort to transform the way our culture evaluates the character and impact of nonprofit organizations. His iconic TED Talk on philanthropy has been viewed more than 5.5 million times. The TED community voted it the most persuasive TED talk of all time. It is the 16th most-commented TED talk of all time. It has been translated into 27 languages and continues to be viewed nearly 1,000 times a day by people all over the world. His 2016 TED talk on being has been viewed more than 2 million times. He is one of
the 100 most-viewed TED speakers of all time.

Dan is the central character in the movie, “Uncharitable,” based on his book by the same title, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and featuring Edward Norton, the heads of the Ford Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, TED, Wounded Warrior Project, Charity Water, and others.

He is a founding thought partner of TED’s Audacious Project, which has raised nearly $1 billion for disruptive entrepreneurial social initiatives across a variety of issues. He invented the multi-day charitable event industry. He created the Breast Cancer 3-Day walks and the multi-day AIDS Rides long-distance cycling journeys, which raised in excess of half a billion dollars in nine years and were the subject of a Harvard Business School case study. The model and methods he created are now employed by dozens of charities and have raised in excess of $1.5 billion more for important causes from pediatric leukemia to AIDS to suicide prevention and many others.

He is the author of “Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential,” the best-selling title in the history of Tufts University Press. The Stanford Social Innovation Review said that the book, “deserves to become the nonprofit sector ’s new manifesto.” His newest book is, “The Everyday Philanthropist: A Better Way to Make a Better World,” published by Wiley, a field guide for the average person who wants their life to matter.

He is the founder and President of the Charity Defense Council, which is dedicated to transforming the way the public evaluates charities. He is the founder and President of Add Humanity, a message and movement-building consultancy that helps super innovative humanitarian organizations dream and grow.

*Discounted copies of Uncharitable will be available for purchase*

A. Making DEI Part of Your Nonprofit's DNA to Drive Retention, Engagement and More

Speaker: Michelle Bogan, Equity at Work

Discover actionable strategies to integrate your organization's values into everyday employee experiences and foster a culture of inclusion and equity. This session explores leveraging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles to address common challenges such as employee disengagement and high turnover rates. Gain insights into aligning organizational practices with DEI principles, including policy development, training, and communication strategies. Learn how to measure progress, celebrate successes, and drive employee engagement and retention. By embracing DEI, your organization can make a more significant impact in the communities you serve.

B. Accounting and Fundraising Can Be Friends

Speakers: Emily Hill, Sutton Frost Cary and Michelle Crim, Dynamic Development Strategies

Join us to learn best practices to ensure productive communication between accounting and fundraising departments. We will also cover other important areas of financial management including grant readiness, understanding nonprofit financial statements and improving your Form 990. You will learn to understand where errors can occur in accounting related to fundraising efforts. Identify how fundraisers and accountants can make the grant process more efficient. Learn about reading nonprofit financial statements. Learn best practices for preparing Form 990
Learn best practices for ensuring communication between fundraising and accounting departments is productive.

C. Empowering Nonprofit Teams: Tools for Effective Leadership and Management

Speaker: Carla Storey, Colton Strawser Consulting

Navigating team leadership can pose challenges, particularly for those who find themselves in management roles unexpectedly or without formal training. This session is dedicated to empowering nonprofit teams with essential leadership and management tools by exploring strategies to inspire, motivate, and guide teams towards success. From cultivating a positive organizational culture to implementing efficient management practices, participants will gain practical insights and actionable tips to enhance team performance and achieve organizational goals. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring manager, this session offers invaluable resources to elevate leadership skills and foster positive impact within your nonprofit organization.

D. Deciphering Your Role: Navigating the Intersections of Public Relations, Communications, and Marketing

Speaker: Beth Lamb, Key School

Explore the nuances between nonprofit public relations, communications, and marketing. While often conflated, each holds distinct differences, even as professionals may find themselves juggling all three. This session will explore the significance of a unified communications strategy and the pivotal role of communications professionals in nonprofit success. Participants will closely examine the multifaceted responsibilities of nonprofit communicators, navigating through minimal budgets and time constraints while meeting high demands. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into optimizing communication strategies within the nonprofit sector.

A. Organizational Continuity and Succession Planning

Speaker: Heather Flabiano, Forvis

According to BoardSource, only 27% of nonprofits have a succession plan for executives, posing significant risks. Leadership transitions can disrupt strategy, stakeholder relationships, services, and operations. Succession planning should extend beyond the CEO role, encompassing operational and risk management aspects. This session delves into comprehensive succession planning, covering CEO and critical role transitions, risk mitigation, and fostering a succession culture. By identifying key roles, personnel evaluation, cross-training, and enhanced documentation, organizations can mitigate risks. With workforce shifts and staffing shortages, proactive succession planning is crucial to minimize disruptions. Explore practical tools and examples for effective succession planning that can make transitions easier within your organization.

B. Effective Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, and Training Techniques 

Speaker: Danielle Gines, DG Consultancy

Volunteers are integral to nonprofit success, yet recruiting, managing, and retaining them can be challenging without offering a fulfilling experience. This session will focus on the power of transformative training experiences and how they can enhance volunteer satisfaction, retention, and overall program quality. This interactive session offers a platform for participants to brainstorm tailored solutions for their volunteer management needs, equipping them with actionable tools for immediate implementation. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to volunteer engagement and elevate your organization's impact.

C. Grant Winning 101: Building a Winning Application from Research to Shark Tank Appeal

Speaker: Alex Dunn, Millionaire Grant Lady

Discover the distinction between merely writing grants and truly winning them! Effective grant applications share key components, essential for success regardless of the funder's specific questions. Join us in this session as we unveil the four essential elements that elevate grant proposals, ensuring they stand out among competitors. Gain insights into crafting comprehensive applications that captivate funders and increase your chances of securing valuable grants. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your grant writing skills and maximize your organization's funding potential.

D. Strategic Financing for Nonprofits

Speaker: Jeff Salavarria, Frost Bank

Navigating the Terrain of Long-Term Debt, Emergency Liquidity, and Bridge Loans. Explore the crucial considerations that banks prioritize when underwriting nonprofit organizations. Whether you're envisioning long-term debt for facility expansion, an operating line of credit to ensure emergency liquidity, or a bridge loan to smooth capital campaign pledges, this session equips you with essential insights. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape, empowering your organization to make informed decisions and secure the vital support it needs. Join us to unlock the keys to successful nonprofit underwriting and ensure the financial resilience of your mission-driven endeavors.

We hope that you make some new friends, learn some new things, and want to keep the conversations going. Join us for Happy Hour at Bronco's Sports Bar & Grill next to the Hurst Conference Center.

Note - This is an optional happy hour, with individuals responsible for purchasing their own food and beverage.