Virtual Learning Catalog
Want access to amazing professional development when it's convenient for you?
The Alliance is here to help.
The training below consists of recordings of webinars that happened live. You can purchase these recordings for $15. Submit the form below and we will contact you regarding getting you access to the recording and materials.
22 Features Your Nonprofit Website Should Have
Principles & Standards
Evaluation
Your nonprofit website can make or break your organization But, organizations that do the right things online see their memberships grow and donations flow. This webinar will outline the essential components needed to make your nonprofit website stand out and be noticed among the best.
Aligning Your Fundraising Career with Your Personal Values
Principles & Standards
Evaluation
In this course we will do an assessment of who we are as working professionals and what values are important to us. This is not just salary but location, culture, leadership, and work-life balance. We will:
- Delineate the difference between individual values and work values
- Discover how one knows when individual values are not in alignment with current roles
- Understand top organizational values that employers seek
- Discover how an organizations values show up in job descriptions and interviews
- Learn how to manage up tactfully so your personal and work values are clear to those you work with
- Dialogue about times we had to compromise personal values to keep our jobs
- Travel through the steps to align personal values with work values
- Create an action plan to take ownership of finding the right jobs that align with who we are
Budget Basics & Cash Flow Management
Principles & Standards
Evaluation
Understand and implement an effective budget process by familiarizing yourself with the terminology and definitions used to build your organizations budget. Learn who should be responsible for the budgeting process and how to prepare them for the task. Learn the do’s and don’ts of budgeting and learn to avoid the pitfalls of failure.
Building a Logic Model
Principles & Standards
Planning & Operations
A Logic Model is a picture of how your organization does its work and the theory and assumptions underlying the work. It links the outcomes and impacts your organization has in the community with the program activities you perform, the services you deliver, the resources you have, and the principles that guide your work. Learn about a simple-to-use template developed by W.K. Kellogg that will draw a picture for your Board, for your funders, and for your community.
Communication: Taking Effective Pictures
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
This training will equip participants with basic photography tips for taking photos on the ground during volunteering events, specifying on how to take high quality, compelling photos using cell phones. We will also cover strategies for being proactive about capturing moments that can be used for future promotion or grant applications, empowering volunteers to take on the role of photographer, and best practices for obtaining consent for using people's images.
Crowdfunding During COVID
Principles & Standards
Fundraising
How does crowdfunding work during the age of COVID-19? We'll look at examples of crowdfunding now, as well as what worked in the past. Did you know there are over 1,200 crowdfunding websites? How do you stand out? Come to this training and find out how to build a successful crowdfunding campaign for your nonprofit NOW. Based on the popular crowdfunding course from Wild Woman Fundraising.
Executive Director Roundtable: Focus on Black Male Leadership in MS
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
This month's ED Roundtable will focus Black Male Leadership. We are living in a time when new voices need to reach leadership roles, particularly from communities that have long been marginalized and fight against systemic racism. While some growth has been made in recent years, it is not enough. Join us as we examine what barriers to success still exist, what pitfalls to avoid, and what keeps these amazing individuals fighting and succeeding in the face of systemic barriers (on top of those that face any ED).
- Von Gordon - Moderator - William Winter Insitute
- Ira Murray - United Way of Central MS
- Ki Harris - Freedom Project Network
- Richmond Vincent - Goodwill of South MS
Executive Director Roundtable: Focus on Vulnerable Populations in MS
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
The Executive Director Roundtable series is an opportunity for leaders of all levels to come together and learn and reflect on what it takes to create sustainable organizations that will be able to have a long term impact. Participants will have the opportunity to hear wisdom and insight from some of the most influential and veteran leaders in the nonprofit sector as well as new leaders who are working as hard as they can to set themselves and organizations up for success.
Vulnerable individuals are struggling to make it through their day. Homelessness, hunger, unemployment, harassment, and lack of mental health care are just some of the issues these leaders and their organizations are working tirelessly to combat. Join us as they discuss their leadership strategies in supporting those with the greatest need.
- Lorena Quiroz - Moderator - Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity
- Bianca Zaharescu - Spring Initiative
- Diane Easley - Community Care Network - Ocean Springs
- Stan Buckley - But God Ministries - Ridgeland
Executive Directors Roundtable: Focus on Women of Color in MS
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
The Executive Director Roundtable series is an opportunity for leaders of all levels to come together and learn and reflect on what it takes to create sustainable organizations that will be able to have a long term impact. Participants will have the opportunity to hear wisdom and insight from some of the most influential and veteran leaders in the nonprofit sector as well as new leaders who are working as hard as they can to set themselves and organizations up for success.
This month's ED Roundtable will focus on ED women of color. We are living in a time when new voices need to reach leadership roles, particularly from communities that have long been marginalized and fight against systemic racism and sexism. While some growth has been made in recent years, it is not enough. Join us as we examine what barriers to success still exist, what pitfalls to avoid, and what keeps these amazing women fighting and succeeding in the face of systemic barriers (on top of those that face any ED).
- Portia Espy - Moderator - William Winter Institute
- Chelesa Presley - Diaper Bank of the Delta
- Mavis Creagh - R3SM
- Sharon Jones - Paroled2Pride
Financial Literacy and You
Principles & Standards
Financial Management
This training will share information on financial literacy fundamentals. Participants will learn the importance of financial literacy wealth creation. We will help you stop living paycheck to paycheck, know your numbers and what that means to creditors, and understand how to implement an ideal goal to achieve maximum results and debt elimination. Participants will receive worksheets and a credit repair kit.
Finding New Donors
Principles & Standards
Fundraising
“I don’t want a gift, I want a giver.” -Kim Klein, (Founder, Grassroots Fundraising Journal) You may say, “Well, I don’t know any rich people who could become donors” but you’ve got it all backward. What do I mean? Did you know that the most generous people are statistically those who make under $100,000 per year? You already know people in your community who could donate to your nonprofit. And this session shows you how to find them.
Are you worried that most of your donors are inactive? This session shows you how to communicate more effectively to your donors, build your email list, and more. this session is a smart investment in your fundraising program. Why? Because according to the 2016 Individual Donor Benchmark Report by Third Space Studio, looking at almost 200 nonprofits with budgets of under $2Million, these nonprofits lose 40% of their donors every year. That means that finding new donors strategy is CRUCIAL to your nonprofit.
Join us and learn: What are 4 effective ways of building your email list? When to email and mail your list? How often to mail and email your list? Touching your potential donors multiple times How does transparency raise you more money? Asking volunteers to make connections for you Stewarding your volunteers towards larger gifts Churches and other faith-based institutions Smart partnerships with complementary service providers
General Payroll Issues & Specific Applications in QuickBooks Desktop
Principles & Standards
Financial Management
Payroll processing encompasses state and federal tax agencies, labor laws, retirement plan rules, as well as various other benefit and fringe plan knowledge. The rules are many and the consequences of not getting it right the first time can cost you time and money. We will review all of these issues and then see how to manage them in QuickBooks Desktop.
Grant Writing Fundamentals
Principles & Standards
Fundraising
This training will provide participants with an overview and the fundamentals of grant writing for the public and private sectors. The training topics include: needs assessment/grant readiness; fund development plans; how to vet grant opportunities (both public and private); grant application components; letter of inquiry/intent; components of effective program design; SMART goals and objectives; logic models; evaluation plans and budgets; packaging and submission of proposals; appendices; tips and pitfalls; acquiring technical assistance to apply for funding.
Grant Writing: Making Your Case
Principles & Standards
Fundraising
Fundraising during times of change means you must ask meaningful questions of your organization, its mission, work, and the community you serve. Whether it is COVID-19 or the Black Lives Matter Movement, you cannot continue with "business as usual." Learn the questions you need to ask as you prepare to fundraise during times of change. And learn how to create a compelling case for support. Knowing how much money your organization needs to raise is not enough--a case for support is a must for any campaign. A well-written case is an externally focused document that should be clear, concise, and compelling, and communicates your organization’s role, vision, and what it seeks to achieve.
Graphic Design: Advanced Canva Tools
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
You've got the basics down, and now you're ready to take your PR materials to the next level! Learn helpful tricks and handy tools for designing professional-looking graphics using the free online program Canva. Come with a project in mind to gain specialized input on how to improve your digital and print designs.
Graphic Design: Yes, You Canva!
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
You (yes, YOU) can create professional-looking graphics to make your audience stop scrolling and connect with your content. Using the free online program Canva, participants will learn the basics of the interface as well as how to create simple, balanced graphic design to use for digital and print PR materials. No experience necessary.
How to Guide: Virtual Conferences
Principles & Standards
Planning & Operations
Is your conference up in the air? Or are you going virtual, like AFP ICON had to? You’re not alone. Mazarine has directed 8 online conferences, partnered with multiple universities, and gotten bigger and bigger sponsorships year over year with these events. She can give you all the benefits of her experience as your nonprofit looks to deal with this challenging time, so you don’t lose revenue or engagement with your supporters.
How to Write an Effective Press Release
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
Do you have a special event coming up and want to create a buzz with a press release so your event will be well attended? This training will tell you how to generate that excitement by writing a noteworthy and effective press release. It will include easy to follow steps and best practices, including the optimal times to send out your press release.
Improving Your Public Speaking
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
Description: Whether you are good at public speaking and/or just a novice, you can improve your ability to deliver a speech or presentation that will engage and connect with the audience, educate them about your organization, and inspire them to action. It just requires knowing public speaking fundamentals, practice, and preparation. This presentation will review the basics of public speaking, provide some “do’s & don’ts,” and give you some tips on how to really connect with your audience.
Improving Your Team with Improv
Principles & Standards
Leadership & Organizational Culture
Our workshop, Improving Your Team with Improv, equips participants with tools and activities to build trust, creative problem-solving, and communication skills among teams. This is a highly interactive workshop that takes place at the intersection of work and play! By playing quick, low-prep games at the beginning of a meeting, teams can practice these important skills in a safe and fun environment before applying them in the field.
Managing Regulations Impacting Your Organization
Principles & Standards
Legal Accountability & Transparency
Nonprofit organizations are subject to all of the same regulations as for profit businesses, plus others that are specific to the nonprofit world. There can be requirements for general operations, payroll and staffing, programs, and governance. You may be liable for reports, taxes, and fees to State, Federal, and other regulators.
Managing Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
Principles & Standards
Human Resources & Professional Development
Did you know that productivity and success have more to do with how you manage your energy than how you manage your time? There's a big difference between being productive vs being successful.
In this brief, energetic session, you'll learn how to better equip yourself for greater impact by:
- Allowing yourself to re-energize after major projects
- Scheduling time throughout each day to provide clarity and to refocus
- Putting a reward system in place for yourself after goals are met
- Identifying and scheduling activities that lead you toward recovering from stress.
Mission Sustainability: Six Keys to Success
Principles & Standards
Planning & Operations
Mission Sustainability has always been essential within the nonprofit sector. COVID-19 and related consequences have created huge demand for some services (food, economic assistance), a steep decline in others (the arts), and significant disruption in the flow of income to many nonprofits and philanthropic organizations. Join us to learn the Six Keys to Success that will help you focus on critical aspects for sustaining and growing your organization.
New Manager Training 101
Principles & Standards
Human Resources & Professional Development
Congratulations you are a manager! Get started off right by understanding key aspects of your role and how to avoid common mistakes typically made by new managers. This course provides a high-level overview of management skills you need, information you must learn, and provides tips for engaging your team and building trust. Like all new activities, management is a skill that can be learned over time through practice, and this course will get your leadership journey headed in the right direction.
Rethinking Your Work During COVID 19
Principles & Standards
Planning & Operations
COVID 19 has uprooted not only our personal lives but the way we do our work as a non profit organization or direct services provider. With social distancing and limitations on people meeting those in community engagement are struggling to determine how we can change and modify our work in these new realities. Join me in using Design Thinking elements and tools to explore, determine and implement program plans to continue engaging and providing your service population.
The Six Jobs of Every Board Member
Principles & Standards
Governance
Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission. Learn the 6 critical role every board member needs to play.