Upcoming Webinars & Workshops
We are dedicated to connecting grantees with relevant, affordable, and diverse resources to help their organization's growth and development. Check out the upcoming webinar and workshop opportunities below. This page is updated weekly, so check back regularly for added opportunities. Click the accordion menu to expand additional information for each session.
January 2026
1/12 | Adaptive Leadership: Creating Innovation From Chaos
Leading your organization effectively is challenging even in the best of times. Leading through the chaos of shifting resources, governmental constraints, or changing donor interests? Even harder. This workshop will explore the practice of adaptive leadership, which studies show calms chaos, promotes innovation, and builds stakeholder engagement and committed teamwork. Learnings are applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors.
Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/14 | Preparing for the future of funding in 2026
The philanthropic landscape is changing quickly, and both funders and nonprofits are feeling the pressure to adapt.
In this session, we’ll unpack the key 2026 predictions shaping the funder-nonprofit relationship. You’ll hear directly from our experts about the shifts they expect and what those changes will mean for your funding strategy.
You’ll learn:
- The biggest shifts funders should expect in 2026
- Action steps for funders and nonprofits to navigate each prediction, including where to invest, what to streamline, and how to support stronger outcomes.
- How funders can proactively prepare for these shifts operationally, strategically, and in partnership with the nonprofits you support.
- What you should expect from grantee organizations in response to these sector-wide changes, including emerging needs and new capacities.
- Hear directly from our leaders about what’s next for the sector and what funders must do now to stay ahead.
Host Provider: Bonterra
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/15 | Get Your Board Fundraising
Join us to learn practical strategies for better engaging your board in fundraising. In this course, we’ll cover boards’ typical fundraising responsibilities, why some board members may be reluctant to fundraise, and how to overcome these concerns. We will also brainstorm new ways your board members can participate in fundraising activities and will share tips for strengthening your board and aligning on fundraising priorities. Whether you’re an executive director, board member, or development professional, this course will help you plan for your organization to fundraise better as one team.
Reasons to take this course:
- Learn how to describe the board’s role in fundraising
- Integrate fundraising into your board’s roles and responsibilities
- Plan how you will use your GuideStar profile for board development and fundraising
- Identify a range of fundraising activities that can engage your board members
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/15 | What nonprofits need to know for 2026
Nonprofits are entering 2026 amid major changes in funding, technology, donor expectations, and the most successful organizations will be those ready to adapt.
In this session, our experts will walk through their key predictions shaping the nonprofit sector in the year ahead. You’ll hear from sector experts who closely track trends shaping nonprofit work as they unpack what’s coming, why it matters, and the actions organizations should take now to stay resilient and future ready.
You’ll learn:
- The biggest shifts nonprofits should anticipate in 2026 and what’s driving them.
- Clear action steps for each prediction, including how to strengthen operations, deepen engagement, and position your organization for funding success.
- How to navigate changing funder expectations, including outcomes reporting, ethical AI, and donor engagement trends.
- Where nonprofits should invest time and resources to stay ahead of sector-wide changes and meet growing community needs.
- Join us to get grounded in what’s ahead and learn how your nonprofit can confidently prepare for 2026.
Host Provider: Bonterra
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/22 | Introduction to Corporate Giving
Is your organization ready to seek corporate support? Corporate grantmakers are different from traditional foundations in many ways. This class provides a basic overview of:
- The different types of corporate giving
- What motivates corporations to give
- How to find potential corporate partners
Learn how to:
- Define different types of corporate philanthropy and their motivations.
- Learn how to find information about different types of corporate philanthropy
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/22 | Craft an Engaging Donor Communications Plan for 2026
A strong donor communications plan is essential to keep supporters engaged, appreciated, and inspired to give — especially heading into a year of financial uncertainty. Yet one study finds that fewer than half of nonprofits have a written annual plan to guide consistent donor outreach. Taking time to build a solid foundation now can steady your team, improve results, and help you respond effectively to whatever 2026 may bring.
So how can you create a donor engagement strategy that provides structure for the year while still giving you room to pivot if conditions change? Join us for this 75-minute webinar to learn from two nonprofit leaders with deep experience running communications at both small and large organizations. They’ll explain how to build a practical plan for the next 12 months, including real-world strategies for reaching donors with clarity and purpose.
You’ll learn:
- Simple processes to stay organized and communicate consistently — even as a team of one
- Tips and low-cost tools to streamline planning and stay on schedule throughout the year
- Strategies for setting, measuring, and hitting your goals for 2026
- Plus, you’ll get planning templates and tips for using AI responsibly to save time and strengthen your communications throughout the year.
Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69/$89
1/28 | Role of the Board
As nonprofits face growing complexities and challenges, getting the governance right has never been more important. This highly acclaimed seminar features an expert panel that will share their experience, discuss the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members, and consider challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits. The session includes presentations, a panel discussion, dialogue with the audience, and case study analysis.
Learning Objectives:
After attending, you will have guidelines for effective and meaningful nonprofit board service and a clear understanding of your role and the expectations of a nonprofit board member.
Pre-Event Networking for Board Matching Participants
Current participants in BVU’s board matching program should plan to arrive at 8:00am for networking over coffee; more details will be shared in the confirmation email.
Host Provider: Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)
Date: January 28, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:45 am
Location: Tucker Ellis LLP (950 Main Ave #1100, Cleveland, OH 44113)
Cost: Free-$150
1/29 | Harness the Power of Giving Circles
Join us for an engaging conversation on collective philanthropy through giving circles. This powerful panel brings together seasoned giving circle leaders who exemplify the transformative impact of collective philanthropy. They will share real stories and actionable insights on how giving circles mobilize everyday people to pool their time, talent, treasure, and testimony to strengthen communities and expand who is seen as a philanthropist. From uplifting grassroots solutions to deepening civic engagement and cultivating trust, these leaders will highlight how the collective model shifts narratives, moves resources more equitably, and creates joyful, community-centered pathways to sustainable change. Participants will leave inspired and equipped with practical strategies to harness the power of the collective in their own work.
Reasons to take this course:
- Discover and learn about the Community Investment Network (CIN).
- Understand giving circles and collective giving.
- Discuss the impact of the giving circle model on nonprofits of all sizes and missions.
- Design a plan to incorporate giving circle strategies into your own existing organizational or community work.
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
1/29 | Getting Seen: Sharing Your Passion to Build Authentic Connections
Dive deep into creating compelling content that not only builds relationships but also delivers tangible results for your small business or nonprofit.
You'll learn:
- How to move beyond just "posting" and sending to build a brand presence that cuts through the noise.
- How to create high-impact content that transforms followers into loyal clients and dedicated donors.
- Smart distribution tactics to extend your reach across platforms without doubling your workload.
Host Provider: Constant Contact
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
February 2026
2/3 | Introduction to Fundraising Planning
Does your nonprofit need help developing more organized, intentional fundraising efforts? Planning focuses your organization by setting specific fundraising priorities and helps give staff and board members a roadmap to success.
Reasons to take this course:
This introductory class will provide you with the basic steps for developing a fundraising plan, including tips on:
- Making your case for support
- Diversifying your organization's fundraising base
- Creating a plan connecting your goals to the funding required to get there
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/10 | Introduction to Finding Grants
Are you new to the field of grantseeking? Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory course.
Reasons to take this course:
You will learn the 10 most important things you need to know about finding grants, including:
- Who funds nonprofits, and what are their motivations?
- What do funders really want to know about the organizations they are interested in funding?
- How do you identify potential funders and make the first approach?
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Location: Westlake Porter Public Library (27333 Center Ride Road, Westlake, OH 44145)
Cost: Free
2/10 | Introduction to Measuring Your Impact
Your nonprofit does great work, but what is most important is the impact of that work. How do you demonstrate that your programs get results? An outcome-centric approach will lead to stronger program design and increased funding opportunities for your organization. In this introductory course for beginners, learn the basics of shifting focus from your nonprofit’s activities to its outcomes. We will demystify the language of outcomes measurement and guide you through the process of creating logic models for programs.
This course will prepare you to:
- Draft SMART objectives for a program
- Identify the parts of a logic model
- Report the impact on your Candid profile
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/12 | AI Can Turbocharge Your Grant Seeking: Here’s How
Savvy grant seekers are using artificial intelligence to streamline the grant-seeking process. Join us to learn from an innovative fundraising executive who has harnessed the power of Chat GPT and other AI tools to streamline grant applications. You’ll learn smart ways to save time, so you focus on relationship building and other ways to advance your mission.
Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69/$89
2/19 | Introduction to Proposal Writing
Are you new to proposal writing or want a quick refresher? If so, you don't want to miss one of our most popular classes! This indispensable class will give you a step-by-step guide to creating a grant proposal to a foundation.
It will include:
- The basic elements of a grant proposal, including the need statement, project description, and evaluation plan,
- A model outline of the essential components of any grant proposal.
- The "do's" and "don'ts" of writing, planning and submitting a proposal.
- The methods for building a relationship with a potential funder, from initial outreach to follow-up and reporting.
Reasons to take this course:
- Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation.
- Describe your project in a way that connects with funder guidelines.
- Know how and when to connect with funders before and after submitting a proposal.
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/9-11 | Ask the Expert
Hosted four times per year, Ask the Expert connects nonprofits with BVU’s network of skills-based volunteers to help you make a bigger difference! Choose from over 20 hour-long virtual sessions where you will connect one-on-one with a subject matter expert in marketing, fundraising, HR, technology, or another specialty. Get advice, answers and recommendations that you can implement right away.
Ask the Expert is FREE to attend for all nonprofit organizations. Once live, sessions can be found at the registration link below.
Host Provider: Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)
Date: February 9-12, 2026
Time: Various
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/23 | Turning Impact Into Investment: Storytelling that Drives Funding
Your work makes a difference, but funders don’t always see it. In this 30-minute session, learn how to turn your impact into investments with a story funders understand and support. We’ll explore common pitfalls, show what’s possible with a clear, confident story, and share reflection questions to help you strengthen your fundraising success.
Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/24 | Advancing Equity Through People-Centered Leadership
Service Never Sleeps (SNS) is a 10-year-old, Black-led organization committed to equipping individuals to be effective allies and advance equity. In this session, SNS will share insights from its 2024 research report, What Does it Mean to be Black-Led?, alongside its own organizational journey.
Drawing from both research and lived experiences of Black leaders, this webinar will invite participants to examine practical ways to create workplaces that prioritize people over systems or outputs. We will explore challenges and needs that Black leaders often face and offer actionable strategies for allyship and organizational practices that foster trust, care, and collective wellbeing. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of why centering people—and especially supporting Black leadership—creates stronger, more sustainable organizations.
This program will enable you to:
- Recognize the unique challenges and needs of Black leaders and Black-led organizations.
- Explain why “People-First” approaches rooted in trust and care strengthen organizational sustainability.
- Identify and apply practical strategies for authentic allyship and liberatory management practices that center people over systems.
- Reflect on their own organizational culture and leadership posture to advance equity and collective wellbeing.
Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
2/26 | Key Ways to Foster Board Engagement
For many nonprofit CEOs, board engagement is a more urgent and complicated leadership challenge than it was even a few years ago. Today’s environment is putting new pressure on how trustees and leaders work together at a time when executives are navigating uncertainty, pressure, and limited capacity.
The stakes are clear: Research shows only about one in three CEOs believe they have the “right” board members to support their organization’s current strategy. As nonprofits look toward 2026, finding ways to close this gap is more critical than ever.
Join this 75-minute webinar to learn from two nonprofit leaders who bring long histories of working closely with boards as executives and advisers. They’ll share trends they’re seeing now, situations where board engagement tends to break down, and tactics that are helping make the board-CEO relationship more productive and supportive in this moment.
You’ll learn ways to:
- Encourage more active board participation and match members’ contributions to your organization’s most pressing needs.
- Clarify expectations and improve how board and staff members work together.
- Build board engagement that supports leadership during complex moments.
- You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately — whether you’re trying to reset expectations with a long-standing board or navigate engagement challenges that have become harder to ignore.
Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69/$89
These links are provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement by GAR Foundation. GAR Foundation bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.