Cultivating Capacity
Learning collaborative an opportunity for nonprofits to connect with experts, resources, peers and partners
As part of its commitment to supporting the health of Kansas’ nonprofit sector, Sunflower Foundation held a pair of capacity building learning collaboratives aimed at providing health-related nonprofits with opportunities to hear and learn from experts, network with each other, and share ideas for how to make their organizations more impactful and sustainable.
Serving as an extension of the foundation’s Capacity Building Grant program, which earlier this year awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to 65 organizations across the state to help bolster their internal capacities, the workshops Aug. 20-21 and 22-23 brought nearly 170 participants from a diverse group of nonprofits to the Sunflower Nonprofit Center. The event was open to any nonprofits that applied for a capacity building grant.
The learning collaboratives, made possible in part by engagement from the Patterson Family Foundation, combined high-quality speakers with facilitated discussion, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. Fundraising, marketing and messaging, collaboration and partnerships, grant writing, leveraging data, board development, and the importance of self-care were among the topics covered.
“Grant dollars are vital to assisting nonprofits in building their internal capacity, becoming stronger organizations and better positioning themselves to fulfill their missions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Burger, senior vice president of programs and strategy for Sunflower Foundation. “But equally important is the need to have dedicated time and space to think about their own organizational health, to learn from experts and each other, and to consider new ideas and new partners – all with the goal of being more sustainable and successful in today’s challenging world.”
Key speakers included:
- Anne Desmarais, director of the Partnership and Community Collaboration Academy, who helped the Sunflower team facilitate both learning sessions and specifically spoke to attendees about the benefits of nonprofit collaboration.
- Keondria McClish, PhD, owner of the well-being company Sienna & Slate, who addressed topics related to how prioritizing wellness and self-care can help nonprofits expand their leadership capacities.
- Vickie Mathews, CFE, SVP, of Brad Cecil & Associates, whose presentation aimed to demystify donor advised funds.
Nonprofits are part of the fabric of our health and health care systems, often providing or connecting individuals with the critical services and support they need. Yet many nonprofits, especially those in rural areas, face unique challenges and often have fewer opportunities for in-person learning. The pair of learning collaborative made good on the foundation’s promise to make such opportunities as inclusive as possible for nonprofits across Kansas.
Videos from the Learning Collaborative
Day 1
Day 2
Day 1 Bridge Session
Speaker Presentations
Click below to see each speaker’s PowerPoint presentation
Keondria McClish-Boyd, PhD, of Sienna & Slate Co., addresses the need for nonprofit leaders to prioritize their own health and well-being.
Ryan Sinovic, of GPS Impact, shares tips and best practices for increasing engagement through digital marketing and social media.
Vickie Mathews, CFRE, Brad Cecil & Associates, shares tips on developing donors and fundraising strategies for your nonprofit.
Shawn Leisinger, JD, Washburn University School of Law, discusses the legal obligations of nonprofit boards and board members.
Wyatt Beckman, MPH, of the Kansas Health Institute, and Steve Corbett, PhD, of the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, talk about using and evaluating data.
Anne Desmarais, MS, of the Partnership & Community Collaboration Academy, talks about building and sustaining partnerships in nonprofit work and how collaboration can create greater impact.
Vickie Mathews, CFRE, of Brad Cecil & Associates, talks about what donor advised funds, how they work, who sponsors them and who uses them.
Cheryl Bean, Nonprofit Finance Advisor, talks about the different types of audits, determining if your organization needs an audit and details the auditing process.
Ashley All, MS, of the Kansas Common Sense Fund, shares tips on working with and pitching stories to the media and now to make the most of those opportunities.
Nancy Daniels, community vitality specialist with K-State Research & Extension, leads a presentation on the ins and outs of nonprofit grant writing.
Ashley All, MS, of the Kansas Common Sense Fund, talks about the importance of sharing the impact of nonprofit work through strategic storytelling.
Cheryl Bean, Nonprofit Finance Advisor, provides a Nonprofit Financials 101 presentation covering such topics as the types of financials, audits, IRS Form 990, fiscal sponsors and what funders review.
Photos from the Learning Collaborative
Session 1 - August 20-21
Session 2 – August 22-23
