Workshop Overview
Inspire. Educate. Connect.
When it comes to nonprofit organizations, nothing is typical. Staff, missions, audiences, funding and programs all vary significantly. Some aspects however, bind us all together: the desire to serve, to create change, to make a real impact. Through The Axelson Center’s workshop series, we seek to provide the inspiration, the education and the resource connections crucial to your success in the nonprofit sector. You are unique, but you are not alone.
We’ve created the Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Management with you in mind. We offer more than 20 opportunities for learning in a variety of subjects such as fundraising, marketing, human resources, governance, technology and others. You can focus your attention in one specific area, or you can take a broader approach. We have workshops for a variety of skill and experience levels to meet you where you are in your career. You choose the path that fits you best, and we’ll help you reach your goals.
Upcoming Workshops
October 7, 2009 through March 5, 2010
Aspiring CEO Webinar Series
So you’ve decided that you want to lead a nonprofit organization. Regardless of your past experiences, this will be a job unlike any other. This web-based seminar series offered by the Axelson Center, in partnership with Achieve, will help you avoid the common pitfalls that have troubled hundreds of nonprofit CEOs before you.
Rescheduled-new date coming soon.
Building the Case for Support
Doug Diefenbach, Vice President of Campaign Strategy and Communications, Advocate Charitable Foundation
Discover and practice the rational, stepwise process for dissecting your organization and breaking down its programs to the underlying values they represent—values your donors will recognize readily and support generously.
December 3, 2009
Working Together to Increase Organizational Efficiency
Jean Hardy Robinson, Management Consultant, JHR Resources, Inc
Explore examples of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration, and clarify distinctions between various types of commitments involving two or more organizations
Recent Workshops
Succession Planning
Amy Wishnick, Principal, Wishnick and Associates, LLC
Address many questions related to succession planning throughout all levels of the organization, including successful recruiting and hiring practices, competing in the marketplace for good candidates, and the board's role in planning.
How can I get my board excited about fundraising?
Mary F. Morten, President, Morten Group
Demystify the fundraising process and receive practical tips on how to build a culture of fundraising throughout your organization.
Writing for the Web-A Free Session!
Caleb Gardner, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, North Park University
This workshop will cover the basic tenants of writing strategic online content. We will cover the important dos and don’ts that will make both your website and your social media initiatives more compelling and effective.
Foundation Fundraising and Program Development
Lisa Moultrie, M.A., Founder and Principal, Ace Strategies, Inc.
Learn how to describe your programs effectively, develop outcomes measures, and collect data for reports in order to cultivate the most receptive foundation funders.
Strategic Management: Critical Choices in an Uncertain Environment
Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D., Founder and Chair, The Alford Group
Explore the latest planning techniques, emerging issues and the process of arriving at critical decisions in a highly uncertain environment. Addresses the most effective leadership styles and processes to maximize success in the environment of change.
Financial Management for Churches
Examine the sometimes difficult area of professionally managing the finances of the local church. We will discuss the theological, scriptural, and practical applications of stewardship.
The Financial Health of Chicago's Human Service Agencies
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management invites you to participate in a dynamic discussion at North Park University about the financial health of human service organizations in the Chicago area.
Financial Modeling: A Roadmap to Fiscal Health
Tim O’Brien, Ph.D., School of Business and Nonprofit Management, North Park University
Exploring how financial modeling can be used to improve organizational effectiveness.
Online Communications 101: What You Need to Know About Social Media 2.0
Christine Cupaiuolo, Founder and Editor, PopPolitics.com
Blogs. Facebook. Twitter. Del.icio.us. What are these tools, and why do they matter to nonprofits?
Miracle Major Gifts
Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D., The Alford Group
Explore the key elements necessary to achieve transformational gifts from individual donors.
Social Entrepreneurship
Cren McMath, MBA, School of Business and Nonprofit Management, North Park University
Presenting the basics of social entrepreneurship, demonstrating its utility as a means for expanding opportunities and generating revenue streams.
Winning Grants to Strengthen Your Ministry
Joy Skjegstad, Faith Communities Project
Learn how to find potential corporate and foundation funders, gain an understanding of how funders think, and begin to build a case statement for ministry.
Starting a Nonprofit at Your Church
Joy Skjegstad, Faith Communities Project
Assess the advantages and risks of establishing church-based nonprofits, review possible board-governance models, and briefly review the legal process.
Advanced Prospect Research
Christina Pulawski, Christina Pulawski Consulting
Create and maintain rating systems for segmentation and prioritization; prospect identification ideas to ensure that your pipeline is well-stocked with potential donors.
Start Your Own Consulting Business
Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D., The Alford Group
What should the business plan consist of? How do you market your services? How do you know when you are being successful?