Nonprofit Virtual Events: May 16-31, 2020

We get a lot of emails about a lot of non-profit training events and opportunities. Here are a few we thought might be worth checking out:


What: Public Policy Symposium

Hosted by: Independent Sector

When: May 18, 2020, 1-4pm EST

Cost: Free

The Association for Research on Nonprofits and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) is partnering with Independent Sector to host the 9th annual Public Policy Symposium. The purpose of the symposium is to convene leading scholars, practitioners, advocates, and regulators who are experts in the field of public policy to develop a better understanding of issues impacting nonprofit organizations. For the first time, this event will be virtual and anyone interested in dynamic discussions about nonprofit policy is invited.

This year’s ARNOVA + Independent Sector virtual symposium will present cutting-edge research on three timely, inter-related topics: COVID-19 response, Civic Engagement, and Philanthropic Oversight.  We are in the midst of a national emergency on a scale unseen in over a century that is forcing nonprofits to manage major budget shortfalls, drastic shifts to virtual operations, and exponential growth in need.  We also are observing how long-standing systemic challenges are exacerbated by the crisis.  Consequently, nonprofit leaders and policymakers frantically work to meet immediate needs through emergency response legislation, but also consider what broader issues must be addressed to support the long-term recovery and future resilience of the nonprofit sector.


What: Pivoting for the Future: Reimagining Your Nonprofit Strategy

Hosted by: Maryland Nonprofits

When: May 18, 2020, 11-12am EST

Cost: Free for Maryland Nonprofits Members, sliding scale ($0-$15 for non-members)

Nearly 8 weeks into COVID-19, nonprofits have swiftly responded with emergency protocols and tactics to assist communities as best they can. Crisis management can’t last forever, so nonprofit executives should now consider the long-term impact of this crisis on all aspects of their organization and the community. 

Join us on May 18 to imagine life beyond the immediate COVID-19 crisis. We will:

  • Define the strategic questions your organization needs to answer

  • Discuss how to answer those critical questions. 

  • Have a thoughtful conversation regarding how to pivot for the future

  • Identify important steps to guide decision making

  • Determine how to move forward with strength to fuel your optimism


What: Ethical Solutions, Practical Tools: Make the Best Decisions During & After the Pandemic

Hosted by: Chronicle of Philanthropy

When: May 19, 2020

Cost: $59

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced nonprofits and grant-making organizations to reconsider every aspect of how they operate. Leaders face extremely difficult decisions, such as how to re-imagine key fundraising events, whether to lay off workers, and how to determine the immediate, near-term, and long-term needs of their organizations and the communities they serve.   

How is the crisis changing organizations, fundraising, philanthropy, and donor relations? What can we learn from the recent past, and what steps can nonprofits take to survive and even improve?


What: The Art & Science of Retaining Digital Donors

Hosted by: Nonprofit Learning Lab

When: May 19, 2020, 12:00-12:45 EST

Cost: Free

Retention is your most important fundraising strategy, and your online donors are seriously at risk. Among all your donors, they are the least likely to renew their gifts – unless you take specific, creative steps to engage and thank them. This session will help you discover how to maximize the retention rates of your digital donors. We will examine the attributes of online donors, and outline the retention strategies that work best for this slice of your donor database.


What: Shifting Your Events Online During COVID-19

Hosted by: Grantspace by Candid

When: May 20, 2020, 2-3pm EST

Cost: Free

Join Nonprofit New YorkHispanics in Philanthropy, and Candid to learn how in a short amount of time they have shifted their in-person events to an online format during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. In this webinar, the panelists will share how they determined the purpose of events, evaluated different scenarios, selected an online platform, leveraged their talents, and delivered successful events. The panelists will have an honest conversation on how they managed these programmatic changes and what lessons they learned throughout the process.]


What: COVID 19: A Matter of Equity - Education and Digital Technology

Hosted by: Maryland Nonprofits

When: May 21, 2020, 2-3:15pm EST

Cost: Free for Maryland Nonprofits Members, sliding scale ($0-$15 for non-members)

What are the implications of the pandemic on education now and in the future?  How does COVID-19 change everything we’ve understood about delivering a quality education?  Join the discussion as we learn about digital equity. Understand some of the ways to bridge the gap to accessing education through technology as well as best practices.


What: System Change: COVID, Nonprofits & the Economy: A Roundtable Discussion

Hosted by: Nonprofit Quarterly

When: May 21, 2020, 2-3pm EST

Cost: Free

Since the beginning of March, the COVID epidemic has ravaged the United States, both in terms of loss of life—with deaths nationwide passing the 60,000-mark last month—and the loss of over 30 million jobs. Preliminary federal mortality data indicate that people of color are dying in disproportionate numbers. In two months, so much has changed in the United States and at NPQ we thought we would interrupt our usual focus on individual communities—to take stock and host a conversation on systems change, COVID-19, nonprofits and the economy. In this webinar, we will explore how nonprofits and social movements are navigating this moment to build the foundation for lasting economic systems change.


What: Digital legislative advocacy and bill tracking (not only) in times of a pandemic

Hosted by: Nonprofit Learning Lab

When: May 21, 2020, 1:00-1:45pm EST

Cost: Free

One of the main challenges nonprofits face in building an effective government relations strategy is the sheer amount of legislation: Each year, several thousands of bills get introduced in a given state, and around 10,000 in Congress. This workshop will help you improve your government advocacy strategy and volunteer outreach, cut through the noise and show you how you can keep your volunteer base engaged on your priority legislation. We will leverage the FastDemocracy platform, which is available in all 50 states & Congress and has both a free and a professional version.


What: Introduction to Fundraising Planning

Hosted by: Grantspace by Candid

When: May 27, 2020, 2-3pm EST

Cost: Free

Does your organization need help directing its fundraising efforts? Planning focuses your organization by setting fundraising priorities and helps give staff and board members a roadmap to success.

This introductory class will provide you the basic steps for developing a fundraising plan, including tips on:

  • Making your case for support

  • Diversifying your organization's fundraising base

  • Creating a plan of action


What: Move Your Annual Report to the 21st Century

Hosted by: Grantspace by Candid

When: May 28, 2020, 2:30-4pm EST

Cost: $25

Annual reports don’t have to be a formulaic and boring rehashing of your financials and a few key accomplishments–they can be awesome. During this webinar, we will be discussing five ways to make your annual report stand out with your key stakeholders.

Returning presenter, Sean Kosofsky of Mind The Gap Consulting, will review the basics of an annual report as well as how to integrate new ideas for content that catches stakeholder’s attention and communicates your impact well. It has never been more important to innovate and do more with less. Let us help you improve your existing and future fundraising materials. Now is the time to brush up on skills and review examples of annual reports that work year-round.



What: Conversation with Fundraising Experts: Tips and Tricks for your Nonprofit 

Hosted by: Nonprofit Learning Lab

When: May 29, 2020, 1:00-1:30pm EST

Cost: Free

Conversation with Fundraising Experts: Tips and Tricks for your organization to use that will offer both immediate and long-term support as we enter an uncertain future for nonprofits. iDonate will guide nonprofit participants through fundraising and crisis control strategies followed by a write-in Q&A to better cater to your team's specific situations or questions. Don't miss out on this chance to get your questions answered and better prepare your organization for both surviving and thriving during this crisis.