Nonprofit & Philanthropy Leadership Conference 2023
SPARKING HOPE IN THE SECTOR
Please join us for the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy's 2023 Nonprofit & Philanthropy Leadership Conference "Sparking Hope in the Sector". This dynamic, inspiring and sure-to-be transformative event is aimed at igniting hope and fostering resilience within the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, designed for leaders, board members, and changemakers who are passionate about driving positive change and making a lasting impact in their communities.
Through thought-provoking keynotes, engaging breakout sessions, and interactive panel discussions, this conference provides you the optimal chance to come together with sector colleagues and delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit and philanthropic sector today, plus explore innovative strategies for overcoming adversity, embracing change, and cultivating hope - even in uncertain times.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded constituents to exchange ideas and build meaningful collaborations, alongside esteemed speakers and experts who will share insights, experiences, and practical solutions empowering you to lead with vision, purpose, and compassion.
Capacity is limited, so REGISTER TODAY!
Pricing
$50 | Alliance Members (per participant)
$65 | Non-Alliance Members (per participant)
PLEASE NOTE: The conference replaces our regular October Quarterly Member Meeting.
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
KEYNOTE
Trista Harris
President
FutureGood Consulting
Trista Harris is a renowned philanthropic futurist who advocates for the use of futurism to address critical community challenges worldwide. Her groundbreaking work has been featured in Forbes, CNN, The New York Times, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and many social sector blogs. Trista is the President of FutureGood, a consultancy that helps visionaries create a better future. She has authored two books - "How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar" and "Future Good".
Trista has dedicated her entire career to the social sector, starting at the age of 15 as a summer parks assistant. Prior to her work at FutureGood, she served as President of the Minnesota Council on Foundations, a thriving grant-making community that awards over $1.5 billion annually. She was also the Executive Director of the Headwaters Foundation for Justice and a Program Officer at Minnesota Philanthropy Partners.
Breakout Sessions | Presenters
Tiffany Bell
Nonprofit Consultant
AI Empowerment for Nonprofits: Unleashing Bard, Jasper & ChatGPT
1:45-3:00pm or 3:15-4:30pm
Session Description:
Explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the nonprofit sector. This session will provide a deep dive into three prominent AI systems - Bard, Jasper, and ChatGPT, identifying their unique strengths and weaknesses. Special focus on ChatGPT and the art of prompt engineering to maximize impact and effectiveness.
Target Audience:
Executive directors, CEOs, presidents, vice presidents, marketing directors, development directors, board members, chief financial officers, program directors, managers, and volunteers.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the functionalities of Bard, Jasper, and ChatGPT in the context of nonprofit organizations.
- Use ChatGPT to automatically generate engaging content for social media, newsletters, or blogs.
- Customize prompts to reflect specific campaign messages, themes, and target audiences, ensuring cohesive and compelling storytelling.
Christie Lawrence, MS, MRHF
President and Chief Consultant
Surge Advisors
Grant Writing & the Art of the Ask
1:45-3:00pm or 3:15-4:30pm
Description:
Does your organization need grant money, but you are not sure how to prepare a winning proposal? This session is for anyone involved in grant writing or project proposals because it will help you understand the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) or Request for Proposal (RFP) process, how to determine if you should apply, provide tips for developing a winning proposal, and identify common proposal writing mistakes. You will also learn some strategies for making your case for funding.
Target Audience:
Executive directors, CEOs, presidents, vice presidents, development directors, board members, chief financial officers, program directors, managers, and volunteers.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Outline three key steps to analyzing a grant opportunity.
- List three decision criteria for pursuing a grant opportunity.
- State the four most important segments of a proposal.
- List two important strategies for making your case for funding.
Nancy Perrett
Owner & Principal, Consultant/Trainer
Burris and Associates, Inc.
Effective Board Development and Governance
3:15-4:30pm only
Description:
The strength of a nonprofit’s Board of Directors is a key determinant of the organization’s long-term success. Yet, the lack of clarity in the Board’s role and the rotation of Board member terms makes this topic one of the most frequently requested presentations.
Target Audience:
Executive directors, CEOs, presidents, vice presidents, development directors, board members, chief financial officers, program directors, managers, and volunteers.
Session Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- List board member responsibilities & legal obligations including leadership, policymaking, budget approval, and fundraising.
- Discuss the importance of including diverse board members that represent the community served.
- Describe board member recruitment including how to engage board members and capitalize on their skill sets and resources to advance the organization.
- Identify how the board should adhere to the following best practices/legal requirements of board size, officers, term limits, orientation, attendance, meetings & minutes, code of ethics, review of board performance, and compensation.
Maranda Joiner
Co-Founder and CEO
Succeed and Elevate
Branding and Storytelling for Nonprofits and Philanthropies
3:15-4:30pm only
Description:
In the realm of nonprofits and philanthropies, effective branding and storytelling are essential tools for creating a powerful impact, building a loyal community of supporters, and driving positive change. This session is designed to empower organizations and individuals within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors with the skills and strategies to develop compelling brands and share impactful stories that resonate with their audiences.
Target Audience:
Professionals, leaders, and individuals working within nonprofit organizations, philanthropies, foundations, social enterprises, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful impact through effective branding and storytelling.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Explore strategies of branding tailored to nonprofit and philanthropic context to define a clear mission, vision, and values statement that tells your organization’s identity.
- Discover techniques for crafting narratives that engage, inspire, and drive action, while staying true to your organization's mission.
- Learn how to convey your organization's impact in a way that fosters trust and encourages sustained engagement.
- Explore key performance indicators and methods for evaluating the success of your branding and storytelling efforts.
Presenter
Suzanne Rutherford
Executive Director
Volunteer MS
Presenter
Corie Jones
Deputy Director
Public Relations
Volunteer MS
Co-Presenter
Jin Joo Crosby
Director
National Service Programs
Volunteer MS
Co-Presenter
Zoie Henson
Public Relations Specialist
Volunteer MS
Connect with the Volunteers and Funding YOU Need!
1:45-3:00pm or 3:15-4:30pm
Description:
Join us in this session to learn how YOUR organization can connect volunteers with opportunities in YOUR community. Also, learn more about funding opportunities for your organization.
Join us in this session to learn how YOUR organization can connect volunteers with opportunities in YOUR community. Also, learn more about funding opportunities for your organization.
Target Audience:
This session is for volunteers or changemakers looking to make a BIG difference in their community! Specifically, those looking to promote, increase, and recognize volunteers OR increase the National Service Network footprint throughout the state of Mississippi.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Learn how your organization can connect volunteers with opportunities in your community.
- Discover new and interesting funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations and public entities.
- Explore the AmeriCorps and National Service Network in Mississippi
Check back for more details for updates as information is confirmed and added!
