Photo By Kane Reinholdtsen, Unsplash
Tap into Tallahassee events, conferences, grants and jobs
By Alyce Lee Stansbury, CFRE, Notes on Nonprofits
Here is a list of upcoming conferences, resources, and funding for nonprofits and reminder about some of Tallahassee’s favorite spring events.
Support for human service agencies
United Partners for Human Services is hosting its 24th annual conference for excellence in nonprofit management and leadership on May 16 at the FSU Turnbull Conference Center. It includes an awards luncheon with keynote speaker, Sabrina Walker Hernandez, and sessions on messaging, collaboration, managing a multi-generational workforce, leading people through crisis, and other topics. The conference is open to UPHS members and non-members. Learn more at uphsfl.org.
Helping boards thrive
Leadership Tallahassee is hosting its annual Building Better Boards program on May 16 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Turnbull Center to support and educate volunteers serving on nonprofit boards. Sessions will be offered in strategic planning, legal obligations, fundraising, succession planning, and more. This is a great opportunity for board members to network, discuss current challenges, and learn best practices of nonprofit governance. Registration includes dinner, two workshops, and a keynote speaker. Early bird registration is $50 and ends April 14. Register at leadershiptallahassee.com.
Training for better fundraising
Florida’s best and largest conference for fundraising professionals is happening June 12 – 14 in Orlando at the Omni Rosen Center. Along with keynote speakers Lynne Wester, Taylor Shanklin, and Karen Osborne, the conference will include a robust exhibitor fair and sessions on annual giving, stewardship, capital campaigns, technology and data management, prospect research, board engagement, and much more. I will be presenting a session titled, “Boards that Sizzle: Better Engagement, Better fundraising” so consider inviting a board member to attend the conference with you. Full and one-day registrations are available. Learn more at uphsfl.org.
Planning for a capital campaign
If there’s a capital campaign in your future, consider registering for the two-day capital campaign course immediately prior to Planet Philanthropy. Topics include campaign readiness, case for support, planning phases, role of staff and volunteers, identifying possible donors, and how to ensure pledges are collected.
$1 million grant opportunity
Speaking of fundraising, mega philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has announced an open call to award $250 million in new grants. Donations of $1 million will be awarded to 250 nonprofits making positive change in their communities. This is big news because this is the first time Scott has solicited applications for funding. Mackenzie Scott has given more than $14 billion in unrestricted funds to 1,600 nonprofit organizations since 2019.
To apply, nonprofits must have an annual operating budget larger than $1 million, but less than $5 million for at least two of the past five years. The awards will recognize teams that “demonstrate the potential to make progress towards reducing disparities in health, education, economic outcomes, and other critical issues.” Applicants need to register to apply before May 5 and complete their applications by June 12. Winners will be announced in early 2024. More information is available at leverforchange.org.
Apply to be INIE’s next ED
“The INIE board is grateful to our outgoing Executive Director Kim Grippa, who led INIE through a period of significant growth and capacity expansion over the past year. We are seeking someone who will continue INIE’s growth of programs and services while continuing to expand our organization’s presence and significance as a resource for area nonprofits,” said Byron Greene, Board Chair. The Big Bend region is home to over 2,000 nonprofits and this is an opportunity to help these organizations fulfill their missions. The position is posted at tcc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
Nonprofits are hiring
The Council on Culture and Arts, Legal Services of North Florida, PACE Center for Girls, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, The Kearney Center, Good News Outreach, Junior Achievement Big Bend, Gadsden Arts Center and Museum, and Voices for Florida all have positions posted on INIE’s job board. Check them out at theinstitutefornonprofits.org/job-board.
Nonprofits at the heart of spring festivals
April is one of the best times to be in Tallahassee thanks to the delightful spring weather and a wide variety of festivals and events. Many are organized by local nonprofits including Springtime Tallahassee, Chain of Parks Art Festival to benefit LeMoyne Arts, Word of South Festival, First Friday, Tallahassee Pridefest, Tallahassee Memorial’s Golden Gala, and more.
When you go, please thank local sponsors, donors, nonprofit staff, and countless volunteers who make these events possible.
Notes on Nonprofits is a column in the Tallahassee Democrat produced by Alyce Lee Stansbury, CFRE, President of Stansbury Consulting, and includes resources, responses to reader questions, guest columns, and timeless topics. This column first appeared on April 10, 2023 in the Tallahassee Democrat. Please send your comments and questions.