Our Workshops
Our 2010 series of workshops kicked off in April with a focus on the grantwriting process. But financial support is just one aspect of sustainability. Leadership and other human resources, public understanding of your mission, diversifying, planning, regenerating staff and volunteers, and community partnerships all factor into your sustainability. Through trainings, events, online resources, and such hands-on services as our new peer mentoring program, the MetroWest Nonprofit Network (MWNN) plans to provide the critical expertise and knowledge necessary to sustain your organization’s capacity to fulfill its mission in the years ahead.
Workshop topics are selected from suggestions we receive from our nonprofit colleagues. By varying the locations, cost, and format of our workshops, MWNN meets the needs of the diverse organizations operating in our region. If you have a workshop suggestion, please send it to workshops@metrowestnonprofit.org
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2010 Workshop Calendar
April 15: “Winning Foundation and Corporate Grants”
Presented by Diane Gedeon-Martin (see below). Presented jointly by the MetroWest Nonprofit Network and the Sudbury Foundation. More than 50 people participated in this fantastic full-day session. Diane taught us everything from determining whether a funder is a potential match for your project, to framing the project in your narrative, to those little grammar and punctuation rules that make a real difference. The Network extends special thanks to Sudbury Foundation for making this invaluable session affordable for our grantwriting community.
May 13, “Organizational Diversity and Inclusion: An Overview for Leaders”
This morning workshop (9am-12:15pm) focused on increasing capacity through diversity: “Organizational Diversity and Inclusion: An Overview for Leaders.” Presented jointly by MetroWest Nonprofit Network and Third Sector New England.
June 3, “Meet the Funders”
A panel of MetroWest funders discussed sustainability, operating support,funding trends, and more. Panelists included
- Marilyn Martino, Sudbury Foundation
- Dana Neshe, Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation
- Jessica Newman, BJs Charitable Foundation
- Judy Salerno, Foundation for MetroWest
September 16: “Articulating Your Case for Support: A Practical Process for Developing Key Messages”
Presenter Arlene Fortunato of Fortunato Consulting Group taught us how to develop key messages based on our organization’s Centers of Influence, and how to test those messages.
November 3: “Mobilizing Your Board to Raise More Money”
Back by popular demand, presenter Andy Robinson gave us a unique opportunity to create an effective, collaborative fundraising team of board and staff. Practical ideas for increasing board involvement and effectiveness in fundraising focused on why board members resist fundraising, the need to create useful board “job descriptions,” and the many ways that board members can help even if they don’t like to “ask.”
December 1: “Telling Your Financial Story: Communicating with Internal and External Stakeholders”
At the brand-new Assabet River Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, attendees learned how to look at their financials the way funders could and the way boards should. The Nonprofit Finance Fund customized this session for our audience, adapting its popular “Linking Money to Mission” workshop for smaller shops.
For a list of our workshops during the past two years, go to Our History
