Nonprofit Support Program Workshops

This multi-session program exclusively for Executive Directors provides a comprehensive overview of nonprofit management and board issues relevant to the executive director’s leadership role. Participants learn from highly skilled and knowledgeable national presenters in a variety of fields, gain skills and knowledge to deal with leadership challenges, and develop a network of peers with whom to learn and share ideas.

By combining group workshops with individualized consultation, this program helps agencies strengthen their boards’ effectiveness and performance. The program allows teams of executive directors and board members to better understand and negotiate their respective roles and responsibilities, strengthen the board’s ability to provide adequate resources for the organization, and become more engaged in helping the organization to fulfill its mission.

Visit our Boards page for additional resources.

The Fundraising Training Program aims to provide a meaningful and scientifically-based foundation of fundraising knowledge to position you and your nonprofit for future fundraising success.  The program is designed to build your nonprofit’s knowledge of fund development, and strengthen your board and staff fund development team.

It consists of:

1. Four Group Convenings for staff and board teams to learn together about fund development concepts applicable for the successful implementation of a fund development program
2. Individual Coaching from an experienced fundraising consultant to help you apply your learning.

Visit our Fundraising & Marketing page for other resources.

By combining group workshops with individualized consultation, this program helps provide an understanding of and strategic framework for human resources best practices. Your organization will learn to build successful supervisory practices; design strategies for recruiting and retaining diverse, qualified employees and volunteers; and come to understand employment laws and regulations.

Visit our Human Resources page for additional resources.

NSP’s Financial Management Training Program offers nonprofit leadership teams an opportunity to learn to better understand, communicate and oversee their organization’s finances.

This free program runs for approximately four months and is offered periodically, based on demand. You must apply and be accepted in order to participate.

Visit the Managing Finances page to learn more.

NSP’s Strategic Technology Program enables your organization to:

• Attend our Technology Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders workshop
• Work with a technology consultant to develop a multi-year strategic technology plan
• Apply for a Strategic Technology Grant to implement projects identified in your plan

Our Strategic Technology program is offered periodically. You must apply and be accepted in order to participate.

Visit the Technology page to learn more.

We recognize that departing your organization requires support, tools, and know-how. The Thresholds Program offers two distinct cohorts – one for Executive Directors/CEOs retiring from their organizations, and the other for Executive Directors/CEOs continuing on in their careers. These programs offer executives the opportunity to learn about effective practices to prepare for leadership departure.

The Thresholds Programs will help you to answer these questions and more:

• When and how do I share the news that I have decided to leave my organization?
• What are best practices in wrapping up my time with my organization?
• Is the board ready to handle this?
• How do I support my staff as I ready myself to leave?

Visit our Leadership Development or CEO Transition pages for additional resources.

NSP’s Organizational Assessment Program helps guide board and staff leaders of well-established nonprofits through a meaningful and productive review of their governance and management functions.

Our program focuses on:

NSP’s Discovery Sessions are tailored for smaller or all-volunteer organizations. A skilled facilitator will work with your organization’s board and staff leadership to address a specific topic of your choosing.

You may use Discovery Sessions to address areas such as:

The program includes one or two meetings with a skilled facilitator who will provide information and guide discussions focused on the selected topic. Together, your leadership team will explore and decide how to work on the issues identified. You will receive a summary report of the issues and recommendations raised to help guide your future efforts.

There is no charge to participate in this program. To qualify for consideration, your organization must:

• Preference will be given to organizations whose mission and work alligns with our strategic priorities.
• Be an established 501(c)(3) public charity
• Provide the majority of your services to the residents of the Greater Hartford area
• Commit to the Executive Director/CEO and Board Chair’s full participation in all sessions

Managing and Fundraising in these Challenging Times (In-Person) – for Staff and Board Leaders – Thursday, September 25, 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Powerpoint 

Handouts
Matrix Map Quadrants
MacMillian Matrix Rephrased
Collaborative Spectrum
Income Diversification Form
Financial Dashboard
Contingency Budget Sample
Contingency Budget Worksheet

In this challenging moment, there are specific steps you can take to prioritize core programs, raise money differently, plan for various scenarios, and partner more effectively with peers. Join us for an interactive, in-person workshop and conversation about: Program planning and protecting core programs Contingency planning and budgeting for various scenarios Diversifying your income Collaboration with peers and partners, including shared fundraising Presenter: Andy Robinson, Andy Robinson Consulting, LLC and Train Your Board

Mastering Critical Conversations to Solve Complex Problems, Foster Collaboration, and Improve Staff Engagement and Retention – an interactive session on Zoom

For Executive Directors/CEOs and their teams Tuesday, October 21, 9:00 a.m. to Noon

PowerPoint Presentation
Generative Conversations Worksheet (Word doc)
Generative Conversations Worksheet (PDF)

This highly interactive workshop, rooted in the acclaimed Generative Listening framework featured in a TEDx Talk, will unlock your innate ability to shape transformative conversations that profoundly increase the capacity of your team to strengthen internal and external relationships to better manage change and innovation, break down silos, and make better decisions. As a result of this program, you will learn to:

• Break down silos and foster genuine collaboration by creating an environment where all perspectives are truly heard and valued.
• Solve complex problems and make more informed decisions by accessing deeper insights and understanding underlying dynamics.
• Accelerate innovation and change by cultivating a listening space where new ideas can emerge and be nurtured.
• Improve employee engagement, productivity, and retention by fostering a culture of feeling heard, understood, and valued.
• Strengthen critical internal and external relationships by building deeper trust and rapport through powerful listening.

Presenter: Brent Robertson, Be Generative

A Theory of Change is a simple but powerful tool that helps your team get clear on what you’re trying to achieve, and how you’ll get there. It helps you plan programs that are actually connected to your goals, and helps you measure how your work is making a difference. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, we will explore how to develop a theory of change for your organization’s programming, and equip you to undertake this important strategic exercise with your team.

Part 1 – Building a Theory of Change –  Friday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – on Zoom
PowerPoint
Recording
Homework – Theory of Change

Part 2 – Translating your Theory of Change into measurable, actionable evaluation components – Tuesday, November 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – on Zoom

Organizations should only register if they can attend both sessions. Presenter: Elena Tamanas Ragusa, PsyD, President and Founder of Drive Evaluation Studio

A Theory of Change is a simple but powerful tool that helps your team get clear on what you’re trying to achieve, and how you’ll get there. It helps you plan programs that are actually connected to your goals, and helps you measure how your work is making a difference. Through real-world examples and practical exercises, we will explore how to develop a theory of change for your organization’s programming, and equip you to undertake this important strategic exercise with your team.

Part 1 – Building a Theory of Change  – Friday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – on Zoom

Part 2 – Translating your Theory of Change into measurable, actionable evaluation components – Tuesday, November 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – on Zoom
PowerPoint
Recording

Organizations should only register if they can attend both sessions. Presenter: Elena Tamanas Ragusa, PsyD, President and Founder of Drive Evaluation Studio

Beyond the Gift – From Year-End Donors to Loyal Supporters: The Power of Donor Retention – On Zoom

Wednesday, December 3, Noon to 1:30 p.m.

PowerPoint Presentation
Recording

Resources

Fundraising Effectiveness Project
Thank You Letter Resources

• (Scroll to the bottom for a Thank You Letter Checklist)

Donor-Centric Content Tool (Free!)
Best Practices – Online Fundraising and Donation Pages
Charitable Contributions: Substantiation & Disclosure Requirement (See page 4 for requirements under Goods & Services for token exception)

Year-end giving often brings a wave of generosity, but how do you ensure those donors stick around? Donor retention isn’t just good stewardship—it’s the key to sustainable fundraising. This workshop will unpack why keeping your current donors is more cost-effective and impactful than constantly finding new ones. Learn how strong retention strategies build lasting relationships and increase donor lifetime value. This session will provide practical tools to boost your nonprofit’s donor retention rate and turn one-time donors into lifelong supporters.

This workshop will cover:

• What donor retention is, and how to maintain relationships with your existing donors to secure their ongoing support
• Proven strategies to retain both repeat and firsttime donors
• How to involve both board and staff in improving your organization’s donor retention rate

Presenter: Shari Adams, Shari Adams Consulting

April 30, Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom

PowerPoint Presentation
Recording

For Executive Directors, Board Members, Senior Staff
During this session, we will briefly review the current political landscape and its effect on nonprofits. We will focus on what nonprofits can proactively do to build strength in the face of these external pressures, with an emphasis on board governance and human resources and operations. Topics will include: the basics of board compliance including proper financial oversight; employment law compliance including personnel matters; and issues to consider when planning for an uncertain future.

Presenters:  Sara Taylor, Senior Staff Attorney, Pro Bono Partnership, and
Jen Fournier, Founder, Racebrook Consulting.

PowerPoint
Recording

Resources

Designated Funds for Nonprofit Organizations
Organizational Readiness for an Endowment Program
Nonprofit Endowment Fund Expectations
Charitable Gift Annuities
Estate and Busines Planning Council of Hartford
Charitable Gift Planners of CT

Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.on Zoom

Have you or your board wondered whether you should build an endowment?

If so, this workshop will help you better understand:

• What an endowment is, and what it does and does not accomplish
• How an endowment would fit within your fund development program
• How to determine if and when you are ready to build an endowment
• How endowment funds are raised, and what alternative options exist
• The Hartford Foundation’s role in supporting nonprofit endowments

Presenters: Hollis Dorman, Consultant; and Susan Dana, Director of Development, Major Gifts, Hartford Foundation.

Tuesday, April 1, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

PowerPoint Slides
Strategic Alliances Resources
Fiscal Sponsorship Guide

(Only for nonprofits with annual budgets under $3 million)

Join Fio Partners for a full-day, in-person workshop tailored for smaller nonprofits (annual budgets under $3 million) who want to explore the purposes and types of strategic alliances — from loose coordination to formal collaborations to joint structures and mergers. Leave with an understanding of when and why you might consider a partnership, tools to help you assess your contexts and options, and guidance around how to navigate the process.

Presenters:  Anne Yurasek, Principal, and Melissa Harris, Director of Service Development, Fio Partners.

February 26 AND March 26
For Executive Directors/CEOs, Staff and Board Members

Presenter: Elena Tamanas Ragusa, PsyD, President and Founder of Drive Evaluation Studio

Session 1: Foundations of Evaluative Thinking for Organizational Success
Evaluative thinking is the practice of asking thoughtful questions about what we do and why we do it to improve the effectiveness of our work. We will explore the fundamental principles of evaluative thinking and how to embed them into your organizational culture.
PowerPoint, Recording
Homework Assignment – Modified Evaluative Thinking Assessment

Session 2: Putting Evaluative Thinking into Practice
Building on Session 1 and an organizational assessment that participants will complete between sessions, Session 2 focuses on practical application and integration of evaluative thinking into select daily operations.
PowerPoint, Recording

Resources:
Evaluative Thinking Templates

Thursday, January 30, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Zoom

PowerPoint Handout
Insurance Brokerage Firms Providing Services in CT
Recording

Most nonprofits have too much or too little insurance coverage, or are paying too much for the coverage they need. This basic overview of nonprofit insurance will cover:

• Most common types of coverage
• How to determine your coverage needs
• How to reduce insurance costs
• What to look for in a broker
• How to be a good client
• The process to get a quote

Presenters:  Jodi Segal, Big Change Consulting and Phillip Shelby, Charity One Insurance Agency