Nonprofit Leadership Conference Coming Up in June

Are you a nonprofit leader, board member or grant professional who wants to better navigate the changing world of grants and nonprofit funding? Have you wondered about the best practices in collaborative leadership, developing a grant program plan or harnessing the power of data to tell your organization's story? Hear from Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa CEO Beth Shelton on how to stay true to your mission or how to fundraise like a fifth-grader from author and Do Good Better Consulting Founder Patrick Kirby during a one-day summer conference through the Central Iowa Chapter of the Grant Professionals Association.

All the above and more will be offered during sessions at the Strength to Succeed Conference, taking place Tuesday, June 10, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Campus, 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd., Building 5 in Ankeny.

Strength to Succeed Conference Schedule

A pre-conference fundraising coaching opportunity will be available to attendees at Big Grove Brewery, 555 17th St. in Des Moines, on Monday, June 9, 2025 from 3 – 5 p.m. This is a free “Ask Me Anything” meetup with Patrick Kirby and an opportunity to mingle with other Greater Des Moines (DSM) nonprofit leaders. Invite friends, meet up and get answers to your fundraising questions while enjoying Iowa craft beer.

Check-in for the Strength to Succeed Conference will begin the next morning at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., a meditation session with light breathing and movement techniques is open to all. This will be followed by Shelton’s welcome address at 9 a.m. and Kirby’s keynote address, presented by Iowa Nonprofit Alliance, at 1 p.m. The following grant skills and grant leadership sessions will take place throughout the rest of the day:

• Session 1 at 10 a.m. – Leadership in Funding: CLA Foundation OR NERDs for Need Statements
• Session 2 at 11:15 a.m. – Mindful Leadership: Staying Grounded in Challenging Times OR Grant Program Plan Development
• Session 3 at 2:15 p.m. – Navigating Change with Confidence OR The Power of Data in Grant Writing
• Session 4 at 3:30 p.m. – Collaborative Leadership in Action OR Best Practices for Measuring Grant Performance

You can view the entire conference agenda here.

Registration is required for the Strength to Succeed Conference and is available online until Monday, June 9, 2025. Register here to secure your place! The cost is $75 for members and affiliates and $85 for non-members. Attendees will receive 5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and Grant Professionals Certification Institution (GPCI) members.

If you have questions, please email centraliowagpa@gmail.com.

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