Southwest Initiative Foundation

Southwest Initiative Foundation / Stories / A Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

A Day of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration

On April 15, 2026, nearly 200 Southwest Minnesota nonprofit professionals and SWIF fund partner advisory board members gathered at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel for the 2nd Annual Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course Conference for a full day dedicated to learning, meaningful connection, and strengthening the nonprofit sector across our region. From the moment participants arrived, the energy in the room reflected a shared commitment to building resilient organizations and communities.

People stand in line at a registration or information table, receiving materials from staff members. Flags and informational banners are visible in the background, and the setting appears to be a conference or event venue.
A blue and green compass rose is centered on a light contour map background. Curved text reads “Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course” around the compass.
Three people stand indoors, smiling at the camera. The man on the left holds papers and a water bottle, while the woman and man beside him wear name tags. They are in a conference or event setting with wooden doors behind them.

Powerful Perspectives from Plenary Speakers

The day began with an inspiring opening plenary, “How the Work Continutes,” led by Henry Jiménez, President & CEO of Propel Nonprofits. Henry reflected on the fatigue many nonprofit leaders and volunteers are carrying—especially in Greater Minnesota—and reframed wellbeing as an essential leadership practice. He offered practical, actionable ways to begin prioritizing rest, trust, and proactive planning so leaders can remain resilient, energized, and connected for the long work ahead. A fireside chat with Nonoko Sato, President & CEO of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and Scott Marquardt, President of Southwest Initiative Foundation, deepened the conversation with a brief state of the nonprofit sector in Southwest Minnesota.

Later in the morning, attendees heard from returning keynote speaker Dr. Terry Wu, neuroscientist and leadership expert, whose engaging two‑part plenary focused on stress management and burnout prevention through the lens of neuroscience. Dr. Wu shared research‑backed strategies and practical tools to help participants move beyond simply coping with stress and toward building sustainable well‑being. Insights from his talk resonated deeply with attendees, across both personal and professional contexts.

Four people stand together smiling in a conference room. They are dressed in business or business casual attire, with a projector screen and neutral walls in the background.
Five adults stand in a hotel lobby, engaged in conversation. Three hold papers or notebooks. One woman wears a colorful scarf and striped bag. The atmosphere appears friendly and professional.
Four people stand indoors at an event, smiling and holding cups. They wear conference name tags and casual business attire. Other attendees are seated at tables in the background under a bright ceiling.

Practical Learning Through Breakout Sessions

Throughout the afternoon, participants chose from a variety of breakout sessions designed to meet real‑world challenges facing nonprofits and community foundations today. Topics included:

  • Assessing organizational and financial health
  • Governance, compliance, and fiduciary responsibility
  • Cash flow and scenario planning in uncertain times
  • Crisis communications and protecting nonprofit trust
  • Fundraising fundamentals and advisory board best practices
  • The role of community foundations in the transfer of wealth

Led by trusted partners and experts, these sessions provided actionable takeaways participants could put to use immediately.

Celebrating Community and Impact

The conference concluded with a celebratory reception in honor of our 40th Anniversary. Grant awards added to the sense of momentum and gratitude, and highlighted our commitment to investing in people and places across southwest Minnesota.

Thank You for an Incredible Day

We are grateful to everyone who joined us, shared their perspectives, and contributed to the rich conversations throughout the day. A special thank‑you to Propel Nonprofits, our conference sponsor, and to all speakers, partners, and volunteers who helped make this event a success.

Together, we are navigating change, supporting one another, and charting a course toward a stronger, more resilient Southwest Minnesota!

A white frosted cake with 40 candles on top, decorated with white icing and pearls, is surrounded by six cupcakes with matching white rose-like frosting. The cupcakes include vanilla and chocolate flavors.
Two women smiling and standing close together indoors. One wears a black scarf and gray sweater, the other wears a red patterned dress with a conference name tag. A wooden door and people in the background are visible.
A chocolate cupcake with white frosting and glittery sprinkles has a gold HAPPY 40th topper. More cupcakes with similar toppers are in the background on a black tablecloth.
A man and woman, both wearing name tags, sit together at a round table with plates of food. They are smiling at the camera in a conference or banquet setting. Other people are visible in the background.
Three women smiling and posing together indoors at an event. One wears a black blazer, one a white sweater, and one a black t-shirt with PROPEL written on it, along with a name tag reading Andrea.
Three men stand smiling indoors at an event, each wearing name tags. The man on the left is in a black jacket, the middle man wears glasses and a tan sweater, and the man on the right is in a blue checked shirt.