Presented by Emily Soccorsy, Root + River

You’re doing meaningful work — but when it comes time to share it, the screen stares back. Maybe your content feels rushed or random, or worse, it goes unnoticed. This session is your creative jumpstart. For nonprofit professionals juggling limited time and resources, creating content that resonates can feel overwhelming. This interactive workshop offers practical ways to generate ideas, organize your content, and consistently show up online — without burnout. Whether you are writing donor letters, putting out impact reports, sending newsletters, writing social posts, or event recaps, you’ll leave with a toolkit of tips and tricks you can use immediately, no matter your team size or budget. Leaders are especially welcome.

Presented by: Christine M. Thompson, Director, Arizona Together for Impact 

The only thing certain these days is uncertainty, and it's impacting nonprofits from many angles.  Strategic, long-term collaborations — including joint programming, shared facilities or back office, asset transfers, and mergers — can be a tool for increased mission impact and long-term viability.  Come listen to a panel of nonprofit leaders about how they have used long-term collaboration in their own organizations.   

Presented by Briana Zive, Pro Trainer at Playworks and Rhett Etherton, Partnership Director at Playworks

Join Playworks for a high-energy session where you'll learn three fun and effective ways to
bring play into the workplace to boost morale, strengthen team culture, and reduce stress.
Bring a business card to be entered into a drawing for a discounted Corporate Recess for
your team!

Presented by Geniene Scherer and Doris Hotz, Partner, Abdo

We are experiencing more challenges than ever as we balance increasing costs and demand for services with uncertainty in funding.  How can we best manage our organizations to allow more time to focus on what is really important?   How can we deliver accurate, timely financial and program outcome information that is so desperately needed when our resources are already stretched?  The answer lies with our systems and processes.    Nonprofit organizations are facing an increasing set of challenges in today’s external environment - from funding volatility to economic shifts creating more demand for services as well compliance demands.  Within organizations, we see challenges around lack of automation, manual reporting, multiple and disparate systems, lack of visibility to grants, programs and donor restrictions, resource constraints and the inability for key personnel across the organization to access data anytime, anywhere.  All of these challenges and more are creating barriers to mission success, but we can work to address these challenges and further our mission through technology and automation.     Savvy finance leaders are utilizing technology solutions to address these challenges.

Presented By Ryan Frederick, Transform Labs

This insightful session explores how rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics are reshaping economics, politics, labor markets, and societal structures globally. As technology-driven automation accelerates, it is critical to understand the complex interplay between innovation and its profound consequences on employment, wealth distribution, governance, and social cohesion. This talk examines real-world examples, emerging trends, and potential future scenarios, providing attendees with a nuanced perspective on how new technologies are redefining our collective future.

Presented by Jennifer Perry, Vice President of Regional Impact, Arizona Community Foundation

In today's dynamic nonprofit landscape, resilience is key to sustainability. This workshop provides practical tools and strategies to empower your organization to thrive.  Participants will learn how to develop a robust and diversified development plan, moving beyond reliance on single revenue streams. We’ll explore a mix of funding sources, including annual giving, grants, events, and legacy gifts, with a focus on how to deeply connect and engage with major gift donors to build long-term relationships.  Strong financial management is also crucial. The workshop will cover essential elements of a nonprofit financial plan, such as operating budgets, reserves, and key policies and procedures.

Participants will gain insights into implementing effective internal controls, board training, and gift acceptance policies to safeguard their organization's financial health.  This engaging and relatable presentation will be enriched with real fundraising and development stories from rural Arizona, demonstrating that nonprofits of any size can successfully utilize these tools.  Join us to learn how to build a resilient nonprofit, secure sustainable funding through effective donor engagement, and maximize your impact!

Presented by Justin Duran, Vice President, Development & Communications

Are you seeing low donor retention numbers year after year? Spending thousands of dollars annually to acquire new donors? We will share some of our successes in donor retention in hopes of igniting a thoughtful, engaging conversation in which participants leave with some new tools for their organizations.

Presented by Kent Burbank and Rose Snyder, Founder and CEO

Whether it’s navigating conflict between colleagues, addressing underperformance, or giving feedback that matters, tough conversations are an unavoidable part of leadership. Yet too often, these conversations are avoided – or mishandled – due to fear, discomfort, or uncertainty about how to proceed. In this highly interactive workshop, participants will explore how to approach difficult dialogues with greater emotional intelligence, authenticity, and clarity. This session blends practical tools with reflective insight to help participants stay grounded, manage emotions (their own and others’), and foster trust even in moments of tension. Through real-world scenarios, group discussion, and guided exercises, participants will learn how to approach tough conversations not as something to fear, but as opportunities to strengthen relationships, clarify expectations, and build healthier teams. Designed for both new and seasoned nonprofit professionals, this workshop provides immediately usable strategies for tackling workplace challenges with compassion and confidence. Participants will leave with a renewed sense of how to show up in difficult moments – equipped with tools to lead with intention, self-awareness, and resilience.

Presented by Mark Martz, CEO, Martz and Associates

The aim of this learning is to provide attendees with knowledge and skills to transform nonprofit organizations’ program evaluation infrastructure in ways that demonstrate value and impact in meaningful ways. Dr. Martz will utilize a step-wise approach using case studies to present a framework that walks attendees through key dimensions of program evaluation that includes: assessing an organization’s baseline program evaluation workflows, identifying opportunities to enhance program evaluation capacity, and informing ways in which nonprofit organizations can leverage program evaluation to demonstrate process and outcome impact, generate organization-specific data, and create new streams of revenue to sustain and evolve an organization’s mission over time. The learning is designed to provide guidance to nonprofits representing small, rural, and medium-sized organizations, specifically, while also generating insights large organizations can leverage to strengthen their program evaluation strategy.

Presented by: Bethany Eggleston

Ever wonder how that one nonprofit down the street always seems to have a dozen corporate sponsors—and you're still chasing coffee gift cards? You're not alone. Corporate fundraising can feel like a mystery wrapped in a logo. What do companies actually want? Who do you even talk to? And why does it seem like some organizations have a magic key to the corporate castle?  This session is here to demystify it all—with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of practical advice. We’ll dig into what makes corporate partnerships work (and what kills them), how to find the right connections, and how to pitch your mission in a way that gets the "yes." Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to level up, you’ll leave with the confidence, language, and strategies to build lasting, meaningful relationships that go way beyond one-time sponsorships.

Presented by: Connie Phillips, Francisca Gill, and Jay Eberle

Executing Your Mission Through Advocacy is an engaging workshop that will guide participants through the foundational steps of building advocacy practices within their organizations. Designed for nonprofits who are curious about integrating advocacy into their organizations and those who are just starting out on this journey, this session emphasizes the critical role advocacy plays in creating a strong organization committed to lasting, systemic change. Participants will explore why advocacy is essential not only for the well-being of Arizona communities served by nonprofits, but also as a strategic asset that strengthens an organization’s impact and sustainability. The workshop will provide guidance for getting started with advocacy strategies, including how to build a case for advocacy, and create program structure that advances their mission. A key focus will also be on how to effectively engage board members, equipping them to become informed champions of your cause and advocates in their own networks. The workshop will explore ways the board can take a direct role in the work to further advance the mission. Additionally, participants will learn how to build a base of advocates—engaging supporters, clients, and stakeholders to amplify your message and expand your reach. The workshop will offer guidance on collaborating with community partners to advance reach of advocacy efforts and foster stronger relationships among service providers.  Wherever your organization is at, this workshop will offer the insights and tools needed to integrate advocacy into your strategic vision and daily operations, and inspire you to begin your advocacy journey.

Presented by Torrey Albertazzi and Trevor Blair, CEO, Managing Director

Ready to build a team that sticks? Join us for "Hiring for the Long Haul: Retention-Focused Recruitment Strategies," a workshop designed to transform your hiring practices. It's time to look beyond filling immediate vacancies and start building a foundation for lasting talent.  In this session, we'll delve into the unique challenges of turnover within the nonprofit sector, uncovering the key drivers that can impact your team's stability. You'll gain practical strategies for crafting compelling job descriptions that not only attract top candidates but also clearly articulate the values and opportunities that foster long-term commitment.  Discover how to strategically align crucial elements like compensation, flexibility, and organizational culture with your retention goals, creating a holistic approach to attracting and keeping your most valuable asset: your people. Walk away with actionable insights and a renewed perspective on how thoughtful recruitment can significantly reduce costly turnover and cultivate a thriving, enduring team.

Presented by Stephanie Skryzowski, Founder & CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting

Understanding your numbers is one of the most powerful tools you have as a nonprofit leader. In this session, you’ll learn how to read and interpret the four most essential financial statements—so you’re not just glancing at reports, but confidently using them to guide strategic decisions. We’ll break down how to calculate and use key financial health metrics to assess your organization’s sustainability and performance, helping you tell a clear, compelling financial story to your board, funders, and internal stakeholders. We’ll also cover the key elements of building a useful, accurate forecast, and why forecasting is the essential second half of the equation, helping you adapt your plans throughout the year and stay ahead of financial challenges. Incorporating forecasting into your monthly routine ensures you’re not just looking backward at what happened, but also looking forward to what’s coming—making it easier to plan proactively, pivot strategically, and lead with confidence. Whether you’re a numbers novice or looking to sharpen your financial leadership skills, this session will equip you with practical tools and a confident mindset to take control of your organization’s financial future.

Presented by Wayne Hunter and Jacqueline (Jackie) Eckman, Signing Director, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP

This interactive discussion will focus on board governance best practice and address internal controls, fraud and misuse of funds, and other key indicators of risk. As well, we will discuss governance and the five key things board members should know around an organization's finance as well as the three key financial reports that each organization should be regularly reviewing.

Presented By Amy O'Sullivan, AllThrive 365

Passion drives your mission—but a clear plan keeps it moving forward. This session will help you create a practical development strategy tailored to your organization. Learn how to set measurable goals, track key performance indicators, assign responsibilities, and keep your team aligned. You'll also explore how to boost your plan with storytelling, donor engagement, and stewardship tactics. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining what you have, you’ll leave with tools to turn goals into growth.

Presented by Ben Hays and Deanna Peterson, Your Part Time Controller

In an ever-changing environment, nonprofit leaders must anticipate challenges and seize opportunities to ensure their organizations remain resilient and mission-focused. In this session, we will explore practical scenario planning and revenue diversification strategies that support financial sustainability.

Presented by: Harmony Nelson
Session Description:
Grants are an evolving industry. How have recent administrative priority changes impacted our funding landscape, and what can we do as grant professionals to prepare and respond? This session will cover the basics of best practices in grant research, grant writing, and grant management, as well as helpful tips for remaining adaptable during uncertain movement in the grant funding community.
Participants will:

• Identify best practices in grant research and funder cultivation.
• Learn key elements of winning proposals.
• Gain insight into effective grant management for pipeline success.
• Understand the call to action to evolve the nonprofit grant landscape.

Presented by: Sunny Wight and Patti Almirez-Taglianetti
Session Description:
This session explores how mindfulness-based leadership creates a foundation for organizational resilience, funder confidence, and authentic community impact. Drawing from real-world experience, presenters will demonstrate how integrating wellness practices into nonprofit operations enhances efficiency, builds trust with funders, and supports meaningful community change.
Participants will:

• Understand the ROI of wellness in nonprofit settings.
• Explore how personal wellness practices shift organizational culture.
• Learn how to build funder confidence through wellness.
• Experience guided mindfulness exercises and receive actionable tools.

Presented by: Chloe Silva, Tyra Davis, Katia Jones, and Hanan Robinson - Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona

What happens when we put grantmaking decisions directly into the hands of the communities that we are serving? In 2024, the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA) shifted to an experimental, community-led model, and by serving as the facilitator rather than the decision-maker, was able to move $650,000 in our first year to more than 20 new partners who had rarely or never received a grant from an Arizona funder. Join the WFSA team and community partners as we reflect on our latest grantmaking practices and what we have learned along the way.

In the second half of this session, we will invite participants to help shape the future of WFSA’s grantmaking through a rapid design workshop. The input garnered in this session will inform our grantmaking focus and approach in the coming years. We invite you to bring your ideas and experiences to the table and work with us to build a more equitable future for women and girls of all identities.

Presented by: Lucie Robinson, Team Sparx
Strong communication and collaboration skills are the bedrock of success - whether you’re leading a team, nurturing relationships as a human being, or growing a business. By mastering how we connect, listen, and work together, we lay the firm foundation that enables trust, innovation, and lasting impact.  In this highly interactive two-hour workshop, individuals will gain deep insight into their own communication preferences and how to communicate more effectively with others. We start with a brief self-assessment to uncover each participant’s dominant “Color Energy” profile. Through guided discussions and the Team Sparx signature Communication Map tool, attendees compare their styles, surface common friction points, and practice simple adaptation techniques.  Nonprofits thrive on mission-driven teamwork, yet they often operate with lean budgets, diverse volunteer bases, and multiple stakeholders -from board members to community partners. Strong communication and collaboration skills ensure every voice is heard, ideas flow freely, and resources are used wisely. When individuals understand how to adapt their style, listen empathetically, and resolve conflicts quickly, organizations can align around shared goals, deepen donor and volunteer engagement, and respond nimbly to changing community needs. In short, sharpening these foundational people-skills isn’t just “nice to have” - it’s essential for nonprofits to build trust, amplify impact, and sustain lasting social change.

Panelists include:
Anita V Tarango, SRP

Brooke Williams, APS

Angie Harmon, Freeport-McMoRan

Colleen Iuliucci, Arizona Community Foundation