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Below is a list of confirmed breakout sessions confirmed as of 12/9/24. More sessions are still to be announced, so stay tuned!
4 Day Work Week for you Organization
Track: Human Resources
Responding to crisis levels of overwork, disconnection, and burnout, organizations and their employees everywhere are exploring new approaches to work that can better support engagement and retention. The most transformative solution, proven to improve wellbeing, productivity, and retention across industries in pilots around the world, is the 4-day, 32-hour work week. This session will cover an introduction to the model, the experiences of two Minnesota nonprofit leaders who adopted it in their organizations, and a chance to consider how it could work for your organization. This session is intended for organization decision-makers who are interested in exploring if this workplace model might be a good fit for their organization, although anyone who is curious to learn more is encouraged to attend.
Emily Anderson, chief administrative officer, Arts Midwest; Laura Isdahl, volunteer, WorkFour Minnesota; Daisy Morin, senior advisor and founding member, Work Four; Elissa Schufman, interim executive director, MoveMinnesota
Assessing the Financial Health of Your Nonprofit Organization
Track: Finance
The 2024 Current Conditions of Minnesota’s Nonprofit Sector published by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reported that 79% of nonprofit leaders believed that their organizations would experience financial distress within 12 months. When things feel unstable, it can be helpful to focus on some key data points to help understand your organization’s true financial position. This session will walk through 10 key indicators of financial health, so you can craft a “financial health checkup” for your organization.
Sarah Jackson, portfolio director and Allison Wagstrom, senior lender, Propel Nonprofits
Beyond Silos: Empowering Finance and Fundraising Partnerships
Track: Finance
In the nonprofit sector, collaboration between finance and fundraising teams is essential for maximizing impact. This session will address the common challenges that create silos and hinder effective partnership, such as communication gaps and differing priorities. Participants will explore practical strategies to foster a culture of collaboration and learn how to leverage the strengths of both teams to create innovative fundraising strategies that align with financial sustainability. Whether you’re in finance, fundraising, or a leadership role, this session will equip you with the tools needed to strengthen partnerships and achieve collective goals.
Mariah Brook, Director of Gift Planning and Scott Zastoupil, Chief Financial Officer, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
Building Financial Capability to Advance Mission Impact
Track: Finance
Nonprofits are working to solve many of the most complex problems in our community and require highly capable finance functions and technology systems to most effectively support their missions. This session is for financial leaders looking to apply approachable and applicable advancements in technology and systems to build capacity in their organizations.
Kassie Danielson, finance coordinator and Brian Peterson, chief financial officer, Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans; Heidi Grinde, principal and Kyle Roberts, principal, CLA
Building and Sustaining Strong (and Appropriate) Board Financial Oversight
Track: Finance
Join this session to hear and share insights and learn from other leaders on how to effectively engage the board of directors in their role as fiscal stewards of the organization. Like it or not, the nonprofit model has the board, not the executive director, as legally responsible for the financial health of the organization but the board often is not clear on their role or able to fulfill their fiduciary duties. In this session we will share some of our insights, and learn from others in the room, the tips and tricks to educate, inform and support a Board of Directors to live into their financial roles.
Roger Meyer, co-owner and Melissa Martinez-Sones, co-owner, Mighty Consulting
Empowering Sustainability Through Employee Engagement
Track: Human Resources
In this fast-paced overview, participants will learn to identify key efficiency gaps within their organizations, using employee insights to implement impactful sustainability strategies. We will explore essential leadership skills that cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering staff to contribute to sustainable practices effectively. Additionally, attendees will discover practical strategies to boost employee engagement and satisfaction, ultimately enhancing retention rates and fostering a dedicated workforce. This session offers valuable insights and actionable takeaways, making it a must-attend for nonprofit leaders eager to drive meaningful change and contribute to a sustainable future for their communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your organization’s sustainability journey!
Miriam Williams, founder & coach, Ordered Soul
Framework-Based Approach to Solving Critical HR Challenges
Track: Human Resources
This session will use a 4-part framework (and a rubber band) to help nonprofit leaders think critically about human resources and how to tackle some common HR challenges that arise regardless of organization size.
William Pierce II, operations and finance director, Springboard for the Arts
How Your Voice Can Save the Organization
Track: Finance
This session offers a financial perspective on courageous conversations—how to have and hear courageous conversations and what to do when the conversation does not lead to action. Presenters will offer a bit of a case study on one organization’s journey from confusion and financial distress to clarity and a path towards stability.
Kit Briem, interim CEO & president, The Family Partnership; Katie Gabriel, senior business development director and Gena Holland, senior consultant Korn Ferry
Incorporating Organizational Culture in Hiring and Onboarding Practices
Track: Human Resources
Nonprofits continue to experience ongoing staffing challenges—challenges in finding the right talent and challenges in keeping that talent within the organization. Participants in this session will have the opportunity to consider how incorporating information about organizational culture into the hiring and onboarding practices might matter as they seek to effectively address these challenges.
Kate Solas Silva, PCC, CC, coach & facilitator, Transformative Leadership Strategies
Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave: What You Need to Know
Track: Human Resources
Join us for an informative session on Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) requirements. This presentation will cover the key aspects of the recently enacted legislation and upcoming changes including eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and the application process. We will also discuss the implications for employers, including compliance obligations and potential impacts on workforce management.
Caleb Goldberg, consultant, Health and Wellness Consulting, Gallagher; Madison Belland, account executive, Group Benefit Sales and Gina Rutledge, director, Paid Family and Medical Leave Product Management & Strategic Planning, MetLife
Reimbursing Grants: Plan for Success
Track: Finance
Reimbursing grants are an increasingly available way to fund your organization’s mission, however, they come with unique challenges. Join this session to learn how to prepare for successful navigation of the reimbursing grant landscape. This will include how to determine where and if a grant opportunity fits with your mission and operations, they kinds of reporting requirements you may need to manage, and how to prepare a cash flow projection so you can manage reimbursement delays and keep everyone paid on time.
Catherine Menick, loan officer and Paul May-Kramer, loan officer Propel Nonprofits
Reliable Planning: Tying Strategic Planning to your Budget
Track: Finance
Strategic planning can be more than stakeholder opinions and ideas if you tie your data collection to qualitative measures and link those measures to quantitatively reliable surveys. Once your strategic plan is in place, an effective way to measure your success is to tie your strategic plan to your budget. With specific budgetary line items linked to your strategic plan, you have a measurable way to determine the financial success of your programs and services. This presentation will take you through the process of designing a strategic plan that is scientifically reliable and discuss how to tie the strategic plan to your budget for measurable outcomes.
Dr. Kathy B. Enger, executive director, Northern Lights Library Network
Right Sizing Your Internal Controls for Your Organization
Track: Human Resources
This session will emphasize the importance of tailoring internal controls to fit the specific needs and risks of an organization, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Presenters will discuss how to set up internal controls depending on the size of your team, ensuring that the controls are neither too lax nor overly stringent. They will also cover processes and procedures, including the development of written policies and procedures and maintaining an accounting manual. Additionally, this session will highlight the benefits of considering outside resources to strengthen internal controls, such as utilizing governance for oversight and outsourcing components of processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how by right-sizing internal controls, organizations can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance risk management.
Jasmin McKenzie, CPA, manager and Ash M. Sparks, CPA, CFE, partner, Boyum Barenscheer
Sustaining Childcare Nonprofits: Strategies, Successes, and Lessons Learned
Track: Finance
This engaging panel discussion brings together two experienced nonprofit childcare leaders to explore critical challenges and proven strategies for sustaining childcare centers. Topics include business planning, diversifying revenue streams, managing rising operational costs, and adapting to evolving government oversight. Panelists will share real-world insights into entrepreneurial approaches, community-led models, and navigating the post-COVID funding landscape. Through lessons learned from their own journeys, the panelists will highlight actionable strategies that attendees can use to enhance financial health and ensure long-term sustainability. This session is ideal for childcare center board members, executive directors, and funders of nonprofit childcare initiatives who want to strengthen their impact and resilience.
Charity Anderson, co-founder & co-owner and Staci Gilpin, co-founder & co-owner, Rural Pathways; Danielle Larva, board president, Polar Cubs Childcare Center; Sarah Schrapp, director, WeeFolks Childcare
Trend Analysis – The Ultimate Multipurpose Financial Tool
Track: Finance
Telling your organization’s financial story is an essential skill for financial leaders. Using financial tools that reveal trends over time can help staff and board members make financially informed decisions. In this session we will explore financial trend analysis as a tool that can provide key insights and information to inform multi-year forecasts, strategic planning and scenario planning. Propel Nonprofits will share a trend analysis tool you can use to create your own trend analysis, and a nonprofit leader will share insights and examples of the ways they are using trend analysis to move their organization forward.
Anne Leland, executive director, Exodus Lending; Leah Porter, senior strategic services consultant, Propel Nonprofits
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