West Central Minnesota Nonprofit Connect
October 21 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm CDT
West Central Initiative
1000 Western Ave
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Fee: $55 for MCN members / $75 for nonmembers
(Pay What You Can rates available)
Join regional leaders from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and West Central Initiative (WCIF) for a dynamic presentation focused on the current state of Minnesota’s nonprofit sector and practical insights into effective grantwriting. Come to connect with peers, ask questions, and leave with information and tools you can put to use right away.
Event Schedule
1 – 2 p.m. // Welcome & Remarks from WCIF
1:20 – 2:15 p.m. // State of the Sector Presentation
The State of the Sector portion of the event will explore key insights from MCN’s latest statewide research and regional data, highlighting trends in nonprofit employment, wages, funding, and operations, with a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities in rural communities. We’ll examine the economic impact of Minnesota nonprofits, 5-year trends and topics, current conditions, and the uncertainty faced by our sector and how we can work together to have resilience during challenging times. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the evolving challenges facing the sector—from workforce shortages to funding gaps—and opportunities for action through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. // Break (with refreshments)
2:30 – 4 p.m. // Grantwriting Presentation
The second half of the event will shift focus to effective fundraising amidst uncertainty, including a practical and interactive grantwriting training where you’ll learn more about major trends in grant funding, and how to:
- apply methods of locating funding sources and learning more about specific funders
- identify fundable programs and projects for your organization
- interpret grant application request for proposal (RFP) guidelines and requirements to accurately assess funder intent
- create effective presentations of grant-narrative elements and ideas among or within proposal components
- identify effective practices for developing realistic, accurate line-item and narrative budgets that describe the relationship between line-items and project activities
- and more!
We know that in smaller communities, folks often need to wear dozens of different hats and are expected to juggle the impossible. Whether you’re an “accidental grantwriter” or a local leader interested in learning what’s happening in the broader sector that might be impacting your organization or community, this offering is for you. MCN is tracking the issues so you don’t have to.
Whatever your role, this session will leave you informed, inspired, and equipped with ideas to strengthen your organization and community. This is more than a presentation — it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and gather tools to strengthen your work and your community.
Who should attend?
Nonprofit professionals, volunteers, board members, funders, supporters, and community leaders in West Central Minnesota who want to better understand today’s nonprofit environment and improve their organization’s ability to navigate the shifting fundraising landscape.
Pay What You Can (PWYC)
We encourage you to pay the registration rate that is meaningful to and possible for you. While earned revenue from our events is a significant portion of our operating budget, supporting the policy and advocacy work we do on behalf of nonprofits, we aim to keep our fees accessible, often below market rate, and offer further reduced entry points for those who need them to participate in professional development. If your participation is dependent on a PWYC rate, please register with the promo code that corresponds with your accessible price point below. You will not be asked to complete an application to prove need. PWYC Rates:
- $29 (Code: PWYC29)
- $49 (Code: PWYC49)
Event Details
The date and time of this in-person event is: October 21, 2025, from 1 – 4 p.m.
The location of this event is: West Central Initiative, 1000 Western Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Refreshments: Coffee, tea, and a light snack will be provided.
Parking: Free parking is available in a parking lot on-site.
Accessibility: Please contact MCN if you would like to request specific accommodations or have questions about the event space.
Doors will open 30 minutes before the event start time.
Masks will be optional at this event.
To learn more about events, registration, and payment, visit our Event & Registration FAQ page.
Speakers
Kari Aanestad, Associate Director, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Amanda Quam, Grants Officer, West Central Initiative
Nonoko Sato, President & CEO, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Emily Steinmetz, Central Minnesota Regional Representative, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
