Developing A Marathon Mindset for Fundraising

Erica Rasmussen, Spark Your Spark

Let’s face it – fundraising (and life!) are a marathon, not a sprint! Elevate your mindset by diving deep into the five key components of a Marathon Mindset as it relates to fundraising! Join marathoner, fundraising professional, author, coach and speaker Erica Rasmussen to see your fundraising goals through to the finish line!

Removing the Blinders – How Nonprofit Leaders Can Reality-check Organizational Goals and Initiatives

Greg Soffe, Vantage Point Initiatives
Organizational leaders often launch well-intentioned new initiatives that quickly become under resourced and hit unexpected challenges. These surprises can slow progress, increase cost, demoralize teams, and derail buy-in to future efforts if they happen too frequently. This session teaches a practical way to reality-check new initiatives and goals BEFORE they begin. Participants learn an easy tool that explores six key factors impacting an organization’s ability to successfully achieve its goals – a strategy that can detect and address potential barriers to success early. This proactive approach helps uncover blind spots and ensure new initiatives are realistic, achievable, and impactful.

Endowments are for Everyone!

Leah Goss, Good Cause Solutions

Are you a nonprofit organization without an endowment? Is establishing and growing an endowment something you aspire to, but think is beyond your capacity? Then this workshop is for you! Learn why endowments matter, how to make the case for them to your Board and to Donors and identify essential strategies to get started. Building on specific case studies, attendees will explore situational strategies and receive samples and worksheets to accelerate their efforts. (Note: this session is not about financial institutions or the technical aspects of investing but is designed for the fundraiser who wants a plan to get started.)

Financial Reports Challenge: Test Your Knowledge!

Nathan Oberle and Jennifer Dombek, Your Part-Time Controller

Ready to test your nonprofit financial report expertise? Join us for an engaging class that blends learning and fun! This session is designed as a quiz game to challenge your knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and best practices. Through questions posed, you’ll enhance your understanding of financial statement components, donor restrictions, and accounting compliance essentials. Whether you’re already a seasoned nonprofit professional or just getting started, this session will provide valuable insights and practical knowledge.

Navigating the Future of Nonprofits in Colorado

The nonprofit sector has always been resilient—navigating the unknown through economic downturns, global crises, and shifting policies. From the Great Recession to the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have adapted, innovated, and found ways to serve their communities despite uncertainty. Today, as organizations face new complexities—political shifts, economic pressures, and rising demand for services—leaders are once again being called to do more with less.

Join this dynamic plenary panel featuring trusted voices from across Colorado as they explore how nonprofits can sustain their missions and drive impact in an evolving landscape. From harnessing emerging technologies like AI to strengthening cross-sector partnerships, preparing for policy changes, and fostering innovation, this conversation will offer fresh perspectives and actionable strategies.

More than ever, nonprofits must lean on each other, share knowledge, and build collective resilience. Whether you’re an executive director, board member, or nonprofit professional shaping the future of your organization, this is an opportunity to engage in a vital discussion that will challenge, inspire, and equip you with the tools to lead with confidence. Together, we can strengthen our sector—and the communities we serve.

Sponsored By

Marketing Matters: Taking stock and building your toolkit

Katie O’Dell, Jennifer Gauerke, Jenny Mulligan, YellowDog Marketing

Feeling lost in the madness of marketing? Overwhelmed by changing definitions, new technology and the pressure to be everywhere? Ready to stop chasing squirrels and channel your efforts towards real impact? Then this interactive session is for you. The brand and marketing experts at YellowDog will guide participants through a high-level marketing audit, providing the blueprint for an effective, efficient marketing strategy. We will define the essential ingredients to help you make the most of your brand and budget.

Extreme Board Makeover: Your Blueprint for a High-Impact Board

Derik Timmerman, Valtas Group

Every board member has something valuable to offer—but not everyone is in the right role or stage of service to contribute meaningfully. This session is about creating a board where every member is engaged, energized, and using their unique strengths to advance the mission. We’ll explore strategies for activating underutilized talent, making the most of board meetings, setting clear expectations for participation, and having thoughtful, constructive conversations when it’s time for someone to transition off. Walk away with a blueprint for a high-energy board that thrives on collaboration, purpose, and shared leadership—where everyone has a passion to win and a role that truly fits. Because better boards mean a better world.

Rooted Leadership – Care, Courage, and Clarity in Nonprofit Culture

Dr.Jason O’Rourke, O’Rourke Institute

This session equips leaders with the Tri-Leadership Framework: Care, Courage, and Clarity, a people-first approach to leadership that enhances employee engagement, trust, and organizational sustainability. Participants will diagnose workplace culture challenges, identify leadership blind spots, and implement a structured 30-day action plan to drive immediate impact. Unique Value: This session moves beyond leadership theory, providing practical strategies for retention, morale, and mission alignment—turning leadership culture into a competitive advantage rather than an afterthought.