Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course

Cultivating Creativity, Connection, and Collaboration | Luwaina Al-Otaibi, The YES! House Program Coordinator, Department of Public Transformation: Join Department of Public Transformation (DoPT) for Cultivating Creativity, Connection, and Collaboration and hear from Luwaina Al-Otaibi, The YES! House Program Coordinator, about the importance of collaborative third-places and processes for building creative spaces for connection in your communities. Participants will learn collaborative approaches that The YES! House utilizes to support community engagement, diversified funding resources, and innovative structures for volunteerism, stewardship, and operations. This includes details about starting and sustaining a Community Collaboration Team, community-informed visioning process, and offering paid staff support to bolster local community events. Learn more about The YES! House, an in-progress creative community gathering space where staff and volunteers host locals, artists, and visitors in conversations, collaborations, and creativity at www.theyeshouse.org.   

Southwest Minnesota’s Economic & Demographic Shifts: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities | Luke Greiner, Labor Market Analyst, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development: This presentation will explore the key economic and demographic trends shaping Southwest Minnesota. We will examine population shifts, workforce dynamics, and industry changes, highlighting how these factors impact the region’s labor market and overall economic health. Attendees will gain insights into job growth, wage trends, and emerging workforce challenges, including talent availability and demographic shifts. Additionally, we will discuss how businesses, educators, and policymakers can respond to these trends to support regional prosperity. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of the forces shaping Southwest Minnesota’s future and potential strategies for adaptation. 

Growing Giving Together in 2025: Planning for Year-Round Fundraising Success | Jenna Ray, Interim Executive Director, GiveMN: Now more than ever, annual giving is essential for your organization’s success and wellbeing. This session is for leaders who are looking to build a year-long fundraising plan. We’ll dive into the annual donor cycle and how to create an annual fundraising calendar based on behavior science and best practices. Attendees will leave knowing how to add structure to their annual fundraising goals. As a result, they can expect to grow their outcomes and impact in and beyond 2025. 

12 Golden Rules of Nonprofit Finance | Sarah Bauer Jackson, Portfolio Director, Propel Nonprofits: Nonprofit financial health can seem like an elusive, nuanced, and subjective judgment call. In this session we will break it all down to 12 Golden Rules of nonprofit finance to keep your organization healthy. From budgeting to operating reserves, if you follow these rules, you’ll be on your way to a better understanding of nonprofit financial health. This session is a great introduction for those who are new to nonprofit finance. 

Introduction to Inter-Generational Transfer of Wealth | Benjamin Winchester, Rural Sociologist, University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Community Development and Jeff Vetsch, Community Development Officer, Southwest Initiative Foundation: We are witnessing an unprecedented transfer of wealth from one generation to the next. Historically, people lived their entire lives close to their birthplace and as wealth passed from one generation to the next, most stayed in the same community. This is no longer true, and once the wealth leaves our communities, it may never return. The Transfer of Wealth study provides a research-based estimate of your region’s assets – homes, businesses, investments – that will transfer between generations within the next 10 and 50 years. In Minnesota, over $61 billion in wealth will transfer in just the next 10 years. This wealth, when combined with active donor or legislative engagement, makes available charitable giving and enhances philanthropic investing opportunities to improve the quality of life for our communities into the future. 

AI for Good: Empowering Nonprofits to Make a Bigger Impact | Steve Gasser, Vivid Image: Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations operate, and nonprofits are no exception. In this engaging session, we’ll explore practical AI applications to enhance donor engagement and amplify community impact. Learn practical, ethical, and mission-aligned ways to leverage AI tools—without losing the human touch that makes your foundation essential. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide actionable insights to help you harness AI for the greater good.