2nd Annual Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course Conference

The Power of Place Henry Jimenez, President and CEO, Propel Nonprofits 

Minnesota is home to thousands of nonprofits, but what truly sets this sector apart isn’t just its size; it’s its spirit. In this keynote, Henry Jiménez, President & CEO of Propel Nonprofits, shares how Minnesota nonprofit ecosystem drew him in, and why it remains a national standout. 

Drawing on his deep experience working alongside organizations across the state, Henry will highlight how Minnesota’s nonprofit leaders have become masters of community building, collaboration, and connection-driven leadership. Attendees will walk away with a renewed appreciation for the power of Minnesota’s nonprofit community and fresh inspiration for strengthening their own networks, partnerships, and impact. 

After Henry’s talk, he will be joined by Nonoko Sato, President & CEO, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for a short fireside chat.

Conquer Burnout, Outsmart Your Stressors with Neuroscience Dr. Terry Wu, Neuroscientist & Leadership Speaker

Chronic stress and burnout affect us all. How can we shift from merely surviving to truly thriving in the face of constant stressors? What strategies can we use to better manage stress in our family and work relationships amid uncertainty and during trying times?  

In this groundbreaking presentation, Dr. Terry Wu explores how Neuroscience illuminates the path to effective stress management and burnout prevention. You’ll discover the science behind how chronic stress harms the body and the brain and how you can regain control of your life by mitigating stressors instead of simply tolerating more stress.  

Through engaging storytelling and actionable strategies, Dr. Wu shares a unique, science-proven framework for proactively managing life and work stressors. This framework helps you develop healthy coping mechanisms and create sustainable well-being practices. You’ll emerge with robust skills and tools to handle various stressors more productively, benefiting both yourself and those around you.  

This transformative presentation goes far beyond conventional self-care advice. It equips everyone – leaders, professionals, and individuals – with practical insights to enhance physical and mental health and achieve peak performance in both personal and professional life. 

Track 1 for Nonprofit Professionals: Assessing the Health of Your Nonprofit Organization, presented by Propel Nonprofits

In a constantly shifting nonprofit landscape, financial stability is on the forefront of everyone’s mind. Join Propel Nonprofits for a workshop designed to help nonprofit leaders assess their organization’s financial health. This session will guide you through 10 key indicators of financial health, blending both financial metrics and leadership practices that contribute to long-term sustainability.   

Track 2 for Nonprofit Professionals: What Nonprofits Need to Know: Governance and Compliance 101, presented by Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

The nonprofit sector relies on public trust in order to achieve our charitable missions, and the foundation of that trust is transparency and accountability. This session will provide a practical overview of the nonprofit sector’s main regulators, registration and reporting requirements, and strong governance practices. From fiduciary responsibilities to risk management, you’ll gain actionable insights to protect your organization and build trust with constituents.  

Track for SWIF Fund Partners: FUNdraising Fundamentals: What You Need to Know as a Volunteer, presented by Jenna Ray, GiveMN 

This session provides a practical introduction to fundraising for volunteers supporting local community foundations. Participants will learn the basics of effective fundraising, including how to fundraise from colleagues, friends, and neighbors. The session will help you understand how to build donor relationships and make the ask. Attendees will leave with new ideas, common pitfalls to avoid, and simple tools they can use immediately to support their fundraising efforts. 

Track 1 for Nonprofit Professionals: Managing Cash Flow, presented by Propel Nonprofits 

While standard nonprofit financial reports – the budget, income statement, and balance sheet – provide important management information, these statements alone do not tell whether there is enough cash on hand to pay for an unexpected expense, to take on a new opportunity, or even to cover payroll next month.  This workshop will help you anticipate and prepare for the ebb and flow of cash coming in and going out of your organization and identify ways to avoid and manage cash flow challenges.   

Track 2 for Nonprofit Professionals: What Nonprofits Need to Know: Protect Your Nonprofit in Times of Uncertainty, presented by Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Nonprofits have and continue to face uncertainty and attacks on the sector. From executive orders targeting federal funding to SNAP dollars rescinded during the government shutdown to threats to the Johnson Amendment and Medicaid, our sector has had an intense year. Join the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to learn more about threats facing the sector, what resources are available, and how to protect nonprofits in times of uncertainty.

Track for SWIF Fund Partners: Building Prosperity in Your Community: Your Community Foundation’s Role in the Transfer of Wealth, presented by Kathryn Leys, U of MN Extension, and Jeff Vetsch, Southwest Initiative Foundation

The coming decades will see an unprecedented transfer of wealth in communities across Minnesota—and local foundations have a critical role to play. Based on the University of Minnesota Extension’s Transfer of Wealth study, this session will help volunteer board members understand what this shift means for their community and how their foundation can capture and grow local assets to build long-term prosperity. Learn practical strategies to engage donors, strengthen community ties, and ensure resources stay local for generations to come. 

Track 1 for Nonprofit Professionals: Scenario Planning in Uncertain Times, presented by Propel Nonprofits 

We all have learned skills to build assumptions that reliably helped us predict the next year or two for our organizations. But do you find your carefully developed budgets, forecasts, and plans suddenly have been turned upside down? Now you’re not sure your tools still work, but you know you must do something. Join us as we explore how to assess your current and future financial positions by developing new scenario and contingency plans for your organizations. This session will provide techniques and approaches to having practical conversations critical to organizational decision making, while also providing analytical tools to assist in gauging the risks to your income and the flexibility of your expenses.  

Track 2 for Nonprofit Professionals: What Nonprofits Need to Know: Crisis Communications, presented by Vantage Point Marketing Consultants 

When a crisis hits, clear and timely communication can make all the difference. This session will equip nonprofit leaders with strategies to navigate tough times while maintaining trust and transparency. Learn how to craft effective messages, manage media inquiries, and communicate with donors, staff, and stakeholders under pressure. Walk away with practical tools to protect your organization’s reputation and keep your mission moving forward. 

Track for SWIF Fund Partners: Best Practices (and Practical Tips!) for Advisory Boards, presented by Amy Pokela, AMPO Nonprofit Solutions

Advisory boards play a vital role in supporting their local affiliate foundations, but what does it take to be an effective member? This session is designed for volunteer board members and will cover best practices for providing guidance, building strong relationships with fellow advisory board members, and adding tangible value to the board. You’ll also learn practical tips for staying engaged, understanding governance and compliance, and making a meaningful impact while tapping into your unique strengths and skills.