Webinars & Workshops

Nonprofits are being encouraged to adopt AI, but readiness is about more than choosing tools. Before implementation, organizations need to consider leadership, capacity, governance, and organizational priorities. This session explores a practical approach to thinking about AI readiness and offers a roadmap for beginning mission-aligned conversations that support responsible adoption.

Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Nonprofit CEOs want to compensate their staff competitively, but it can be challenging. Tight budgets, cautious boards, and competing organizational priorities can make investments in staff feel impossible before they even start. Yet the costs of leaving staff undercompensated — high turnover, low morale, and increased workloads for those who remain — can be devastating in the long term.  

Join us for this 75-minute webinar to learn from leaders who will share how they’ve raised staff compensation — salary, benefits, and beyond — and what it took to make it happen.  

You’ll learn how to:  

• Identify where your organization falls short on pay and benefits — and where to focus first 
• Use data to assess your compensation and make the case for investing in staff 
• Explore benefits and flexibility beyond salary — and determine which options could make the biggest difference for your staff 
• You’ll leave with concrete steps to close the compensation gap — even when the budget isn’t there yet.  

Can’t attend live? Register now and access the full recording on demand after the webinar. An email with a link to the recording will be sent to you the day after the event.

Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69-$89

Learn More & Register

Every nonprofit depends on people working toward the same goals. When knowledge is scattered across programs or only in the minds of a few people, it's challenging to make good decisions, communicate consistently, and adapt to change. This interactive workshop explores shared organizational understanding as a practical capacity-building strategy that helps organizations preserve knowledge, improve impact, and build long-term resilience.

Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Historically, in the United States, individual giving has been the biggest source of private giving, far outpacing foundation or corporate giving.   A sustainable nonprofit organization has diversified funding streams, and individual donors can play an important role. If you or your organization is new to individual giving, this course is for you. We’ll provide you with an overview of the fundraising landscape and walk you through the key components of an individual giving program.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:  

• Explain the importance of individual giving in a nonprofit fundraising strategy  
• Identify key steps for a successful individual giving program 
• Draft a plan to start or improve your annual individual giving program

Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Older generations are expected to pass down as much as $18 million to their loved ones and charities over the next several years, so now is a prime time to talk with donors about planned gifts. Plus, deferred giving can appeal to supporters who are nervous about donating in a year of economic uncertainty. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure your nonprofit’s future: Join our webinar to learn from experts how to highlight legacy gifts in ways that are sensitive, helpful to donors, and set your nonprofit apart from the pack.

Can’t attend live? Register now and access the full recording on demand after the webinar. An email with a link to the recording will be sent to you the day after the event.

Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69-$89

Learn More & Register

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.

Host Provider: Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 8:30-11:45 am
Location: Tucker Ellis LLP (950 Main Ave, Cleveland OH 44113)
Cost: $75/$150

Learn More & Register

Join us to learn practical strategies for creating a board that will move your organization forward. In this course, we’ll cover the board’s role, and what your organization needs from its board members. We will explore ways to find the right board members to serve your nonprofit at its current stage. We will also discuss how to create positive relationships with and within the board, and how to navigate the common challenges that arise with boards. Whether you’re an executive director, board member, or development professional, this course will help you plan for a healthy sustainable organization.

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

• Recruit and engage diverse board members 
• Use a Board Agreement as an integral tool for board establishment and management 
• Identify strategies to establish positive relationship dynamics among board members, the Executive Director, and other key staff 
• Strengthen your current board 

Host Provider: Candid
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

We invite nonprofit leaders to join the GAC and BVU for a new quarterly roundtable experience.  Throughout this series, you will experience the power of coming together to gain expert insights, build connections, and explore shared pain points, experiences, and solutions.  Each session will provide expert content, alongside opportunities for structured discussions and open networking.

During this quarter's event, Jen Kelsch will cover Financial Oversight & Contingency Planning 

This event is specifically for Nonprofit CEOs.

Host Provider: Greater Akron Chamber and BVU
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Time: 8:00-10:00 am
Location: 7 17 Event Space at the GAC (388 S Main St., Ste. 205, Akron, OH 4431)
Cost: $15

Learn More & Register

Join us to explore how fundraisers can use AI and automation to make donor outreach more timely, personalized, and authentic. We’ll share strategies on how to streamline donor communications, tailor outreach based on donor information and engagement, and use AI to save time without losing the human connection that makes fundraising effective. We’ll highlight Keela’s new Automation solution and how it can help nonprofits build more consistent donor engagement and strengthen giving results.

Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Leading a nonprofit today means managing four generations that can bring different expectations about communication, flexibility, and career growth. A one-size-fits-all approach can create misunderstanding and drive out top talent. Leaders who motivate employees across generations can draw on a wider range of experience, perspectives, and ideas — but it requires intentional strategy.

Join us for this 75-minute webinar to learn how to lead multigenerational teams, retain top talent, and build a culture where employees at all career stages thrive. You’ll learn how to:  

• Navigate generational differences in work styles and communication to strengthen team performance 
• Create policies and expectations that balance fairness and flexibility and inspire high performance  
• Build a workplace culture in which employees at all career stages feel valued, engaged, and motivated to stay  
• You’ll leave with concrete strategies you can apply immediately — and clarity on the decisions that matter most.

Can’t attend live? Register now and access the full recording on demand after the webinar. An email with a link to the recording will be sent to you the day after the event.

Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69-$89

Learn More & Register

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 

Upon completion of this course, you'll be able to:

• Understand how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. 
• Describe your project in a way that best fits with funder guidelines 
• Recognize how and when to connect with funders before and after submitting a proposal. 

Host Provider: Candid
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Whether you’re fundraising from foundations or individual donors, showing the impact of support is key to standing out from the competition. But it can be tough to know which metrics matter to donors and how to gather data consistently, especially at nonprofits that lack staff dedicated to evaluation. Join us for a session that will help smaller groups learn how to collect meaningful data — and blend it with stories and engaging visual elements to convey lasting impact. 

Can’t attend live? Register now and access the full recording on demand after the webinar. An email with a link to the recording will be sent to you the day after the event.

Host Provider: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:15 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: $69-$89

Learn More & Register

As nonprofits across the country respond to changes in federal funding and increasing uncertainty in the funding landscape, many organizations are exploring new ways to sustain their missions, protect services, and strengthen community impact. One strategy that funders and nonprofit leaders increasingly recognize as essential is collaboration.

Working together can help organizations leverage complementary strengths, share resources, expand reach, and pursue funding opportunities that may be difficult to secure alone. Yet successful collaboration is rarely as simple as bringing organizations together. Effective partnerships require trust, alignment around shared goals, clear communication, and a commitment to navigating challenges collectively.

We invite you to join us for a discussion focused on how nonprofits are building collaborative partnerships that can strengthen organizational resilience and community impact.

What to expect:

• Real-world examples of organizations working together to respond to funding and programmatic challenges
• Practical strategies for building trust, creating shared goals, and sustaining partnerships over time
• Insights on collaborative fundraising, joint programming, coalition building, and shared resource models
• Opportunities to exchange ideas, questions, and lessons learned with nonprofit peers

Host Provider: Candid
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

Hosted twice a year, BVU’s Linking New Leaders is a fun, fast paced “speed dating” style event that brings together community-minded young professionals with local nonprofit organizations. The goal is to connect up-and-coming professionals who want to contribute their time and expertise to a variety of engagement opportunities including positions on boards, committees, and “friends” groups.

Host Provider: Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
Location: Bop Stop (2920 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113)

Learn More & Register

Grant funding is more competitive than ever, making it essential to understand what funders are looking for beyond the application itself. In this practical session, participants will gain insight into what strengthens a proposal, common mistakes that weaken an application, and the key factors funders consider when making funding decisions. Participants will leave with practical strategies to align proposals with funder priorities, communicate organizational impact more effectively, and strengthen their grant development process.

Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Monday, November 16, 2026
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

What would change if your nonprofit could move beyond grant dependency? Developing a more strategic, diversified approach to funding can help nonprofits generate short-term revenue, strengthen cash flow, and build sustainable funding sources for the future. Learn how to create a realistic, mission-aligned funding strategy that addresses immediate needs while supporting long-term financial stability.

Host Provider: Nonprofit Learning Lab
Date: Monday, December 14, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register

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: Monday, December 14-Thursday, December 17, 2026
Time: Various
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Learn More & Register