Colton Strawser, Ph.D. | North Texas Nonprofit Institute

Join us for an insightful keynote session that shines a spotlight on the current state of nonprofits and philanthropy in North Texas. In this thought-provoking presentation, we will explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities that define the region's nonprofit sector and the vital role philanthropy plays in supporting these organizations.

As North Texas continues to evolve and grow, its vibrant nonprofit community has become an essential component of its social fabric. This keynote session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the sector's landscape, offering a deep dive into the following key areas:

• Understanding the Local Nonprofit Ecosystem: Delve into the diverse range of nonprofit organizations operating in North Texas, their missions, and the critical services they provide to address societal needs. Gain insights into the different sectors, such as education, health, environment, arts, and more, and learn how these organizations collaborate to create a positive impact.
• Philanthropy in North Texas: Explore the philanthropic landscape in North Texas, highlighting the key players, strategies, and funding trends. Discover the unique characteristics of local philanthropy, including individual giving, corporate social responsibility, and foundation support, and how these elements shape the region's nonprofit sector.
• Innovations and Challenges: Learn about the innovative approaches nonprofits are adopting to address emerging challenges, such as technological advancements, changing donor preferences, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain insights into successful strategies for enhancing nonprofit effectiveness, promoting transparency, and building sustainable models of funding.
• Building Collaborative Partnerships: Discover the power of collaboration and collective impact in North Texas's nonprofit ecosystem. Explore successful examples of cross-sector partnerships that have amplified the region's ability to create lasting change, and learn how nonprofits, philanthropists, and other stakeholders can work together to address systemic challenges.
• Future Outlook: Gain valuable insights into the future trajectory of nonprofits and philanthropy in North Texas. Explore the emerging trends, potential disruptions, and opportunities that lie ahead, and discover how individuals and organizations can position themselves for success in a rapidly changing landscape.

This keynote session is a must-attend for nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, community advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in making a positive difference in North Texas. By unpacking the current state of nonprofits and philanthropy, we aim to inspire collaboration, spark innovation, and foster a deepened commitment to building a thriving and inclusive region for all.

Toby Owen, UpSpire

Taylor Willis, Welman Project

1. Social Enterprise Finance

Speaker: Kim Crawford, Sutton Frost Cary.

Come learn about financial situations that might apply to social enterprises, including unrelated business income, taxes, financial management, costs (direct, indirect, hidden, etc.) and reporting.

2. Bottom-Up Board Leadership: 5 Elements of Leading Your Board Effectively While Working for and
With Them

Speaker: Eddrick Martin, Elevated Momentum

This workshop is designed specifically for nonprofit leaders who want to gain additional insights into enhancing the nuanced skills of leading the board from the executive staff role. Enhance your leadership skills of the board while focusing on the specialized art of managing up to your organization's ultimate decision makers. We will focus on five key concepts that will help to efficiently execute strategies that enhance and redefine how executives lead their boards as well as build relationships, foster accountability and growth. This workshop combines technical strategies, practical exercises, and real-life examples to help empower participants with the methods
and confidence needed to manage and lead their board from the executive staff position.

3. How Your Fundraising Gets Retention Wrong: What Netflix, Starbucks, and Spotify Would Do Instead

Speaker: Ellena Fortner Newsom, Nonprofit Bestie

This session dives into the proven loyalty strategies of billion-dollar brands and shows how nonprofits can apply them to donor engagement. From Netflix's hyper-personalization to Starbuck's VIP experience and Spotify's habit forming
engagement, attendees will walk away with actionable, easy-to-implement tactics to keep donors coming back without constantly chasing new ones. Attendees will rethink donor engagement through the lens of modern consumer psychology, learning how to build donor habits, create exclusivity, and personalize impact in a way that makes giving irresistible. Whether you're struggling with donor fatigue, retention plateaus, or simply looking for fresh ideas, this session will provide immediately usable strategies inspired by the world's most successful brands.

4. Communicating Change in Nonprofits: Using Effective Public Relations to Inspire Action and Manage
Perception

Speaker: Beth Lamb, Key School

Change is inevitable in the nonprofit world, whether it's a leadership transition, a shift in funding, a new strategic direction, or a crisis response. How an organization communicates that change can determine whether it strengthens stakeholder trust or creates uncertainty. Public relations professionals in the
nonprofit sector must navigate unique challenges, including donor concerns, board expectations, and community impact, all while maintaining transparency and credibility.
This session will explore public relations strategies for communicating change effectively, positioning
an organization for success, and ensuring continued engagement from key audiences such as donors,
volunteers, clients, and media.

5. Operations and Risk Management: Considerations for Nonprofit Organizations

Speaker: Heather Flabiano, Forvis Mazars

This session will cover common risk areas for organizations including operational, strategic, financial reporting, and funding risks. The speakers will delve into each of these risks to provide critical areas to assess in order to identify gaps, issues to consider, and best practices to adopt in order to minimize risks. The presentation will address the following areas: Operations – risk management, insurance coverage, IT, critical policies, business continuity Governance – board policies, board and committee responsibilities, conflicts of interest, succession planning Funding and Finance – contribution classification, donor restrictions, gift acceptance policies, gift processing, internal controls.

Kenny Lange  |  Kenny Lange Coaching

Growth shouldn’t come at the expense of your mission. In this engaging and actionable keynote, we explore Les McKeown’s proven roadmap for nonprofit success—offering a clear framework of organizational life cycles, practical leadership insights, and tools to help your team move beyond chaos. Whether you're stuck in survival mode or ready to scale, this session will show you how to grow with intention, maintain mission alignment, and lead with confidence—so your organization can thrive without burning out.

1. Social Enterprise Law

Speaker: Darren Moore, Bourland, Wall & Wenzel, P.C.

Social enterprises use business methods to do good. Whether certified as a B Corp., operating as an
L3C, or taking another form, these organizations give entrepreneurial voice to mission activities.
This session will examine structural options for social enterprises, including nonprofit, for-profit, and
dual-purpose models. The session will consider the responsibilities of managers/owners and tax
issues unique to each model’s governance structure and purpose before delving into government
regulations specific to this sector.

2. Beyond the Blueprint: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Leaders in a Rapidly Changing Works

Speakers: Dawn Franks, Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions

In an era of constant change, traditional strategic planning falls short. This workshop goes beyond static plans to explore how nonprofits can develop adaptable, mission-driven strategies that guide
decision-making at every level, from programming to operations.
Participants will learn:
- Why strategy is essential for nonprofit success.
- The common disconnect between strategy and strategic planning and how to bridge it.
- How to align daily decisions with long-term mission and goals.
- Practical steps for implementing strategies that don't sit on a shelf.
- How to identify the right questions before developing a strategy.
- Where to find the answers that shape a strong, informed plan.
- Effective ways to engage staff, board members, and the community in the planning process.
This interactive session will equip nonprofit leaders with the tools to create strategies that not only respond to change but drive impact in a quickly evolving world.

3. Understanding Volunteer Motivations: The Ultimate Retaining Strategy

Speaker: Danielle Gines, DG Consultancy

Self-motivation is a core learning principle and by making it a part of their volunteer management
practices, nonprofits will be able to retain volunteers more successfully. In this session, participants will design their own 5-3-1 volunteer plan. This plan incorporates five motivation-focused questions in order to get at the core of what is really drawing someone to volunteer, three actionable steps to create one replicable template that can be implemented into their volunteer retention strategies immediately.
These steps can also be used to create stronger recruitment practices. This session is for all sized nonprofits as the volunteer plan is adaptable for each organization. Volunteer retention does not have to be a mystery. By the end of this session, participants will walk away knowing how to align volunteers'
motivations with their organization's mission and goals.

4. The Nonprofit Dilemma: What Comes First, the Mission or the Money?

Speaker: Patricia Glass, Flourish

Nonprofit leaders often grapple with a fundamental question: should they focus on building their mission first or securing funding to sustain their efforts? This session explores the advantages and challenges of both approaches, offering practical strategies to integrate mission-building with financial
sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into nonprofit trends, donor engagement, and organizational development, leaving with actionable tools to navigate this dilemma and foster long-term success.

5. Navigating Economic Uncertainty: Practical & Technological Strategies for Sustainable Nonprofit Operations

Speaker: Dawn Hooper, Dawn Advisory Services

With the reduction of government funding to nonprofits under the new administration and the uncertainty surrounding significant economic policy changes, grantees face a future with fewer resources. As organizations strive to direct every available dollar toward their mission, operational teams often struggle to keep pace juggling financial management, compliance, and administrative responsibilities with limited capacity. Without strong operational infrastructure, even the most mission driven
organizations risk inefficiency and financial instability. This session will explore how nonprofits can strengthen back-office operations through a combination of practical financial strategies and modern technology. From implementing capitalization policies and
structuring a chart of accounts for seamless 990 reporting to leveraging AI and integrated ERP systems, we will discuss how organizations can maximize efficiency and sustainability without adding unnecessary administrative burdens.

1. The Nonprofit Planning Playbook: Surviving Nonprofit Planning Without Losing Your Mind

Speaker: Michelle Crim, Dynamic Development Strategies

Nonprofits need more than passion—they need a plan. But not just one plan. Strategic plans, fundraising plans, program plans, and financial plans all serve different purposes, timelines, and audiences. This session breaks down how each type works, when it's needed, and how they connect to drive real impact. Nonprofit leaders will leave with clarity on how to align plans to stay focused, funded, and mission-driven.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the key differences between strategic, program, development, and financial plans.
Identify when each type of plan is needed and who should be involved in creating them.
Learn how to align multiple plans so they support each other and the organization’s mission.
Gain practical tools to simplify planning and avoid common nonprofit pitfalls.

2. Nonprofit Legal and Tax

Speaker: Jonathan Blum and Nyk McKissic, Holland & Knight

A comprehensive overview of key legal and tax considerations within the nonprofit sector. In order to keep an organization strong and the mission going, participants will explore fundamental concepts, regulations, and compliance requirements crucial for nonprofit organizations. From understanding tax exempt status to navigating reporting obligations, participants will gain valuable insights to ensure legal compliance and fiscal responsibility. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your nonprofit's foundation and safeguard its operations.

3. Beyond the Job Title: Building Clear Roles and Measurable Goals

Speaker: Keith Ackerman, LMSW, Colton Strawser Consulting

Clarify expectations and maximize team performance by defining roles and aligning them with measurable goals. This session will provide practical tools to help nonprofit leaders create clear job responsibilities, foster accountability, and track success effectively.

• Clarity: Learn how to articulate job roles that eliminate confusion and enhance productivity.
• Goal Alignment: Discover methods to connect individual contributions to your organization’s mission and objectives.
• Team Growth: Gain insights into building a culture of transparency and measurable success.

4. Thought Leadership as a Stability Anchor: Positioning Your Nonprofit During Uncertain Time

Speaker: Leah Williams, Dala Communications

In an era of constant change, nonprofit organizations face unique challenges in maintaining stakeholder confidence, securing funding, and advancing their missions. Having strategic thought leadership in place can serve as a powerful stability anchor during periods of uncertainty. During leadership transitions, mission refinement, program/funding elimination, cultural or physical location
changes, positioning becomes key to demonstrate expertise, build trust, and shape the narrative around your cause.
Pre-positioning an organization and/or leadership prior to a major shift or anticipated change is imperative when communicating with your internal and external stakeholder audiences. Effective thought leadership can harness an organization's unique voice, delivering compelling messaging that
addresses stakeholder concerns, demonstrates expertise and builds confidence during transitionary periods.
Key Takeaways:
A process for learning to build a thought leadership position during periods of change or crisis. Strategies for creating thought leadership content that addresses stakeholder concerns and reinforces
your mission's relevance via various platforms.

5. Scenario Planning for Nonprofit Leaders

Speaker: Eric Wilson, 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.
You will learn to:

1. Illustrate and define strategies for building scenario plans that can help your nonprofit continue to focus on its mission.

2. Introduce revenue diversification solutions that support
financial sustainability.

3. Review best practices and questions to ask during the scenario planning
process.