In addition to our services, we host a variety of events for nonprofit professionals. Whether you're looking to hone your presentation skills in a Mighty Mouth workshop or want to learn about search engine optimization (SEO) at a 501 Talks Tech training, we have professional development opportunities to fit your needs.
We also host the ED Forum, which is designed to support peer networking and learning among nonprofit executives.
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Develop Your Professional Capacity
Upcoming or regularly scheduled events
- 501 Talks Tech trainings
- Board Training in King County
- Nonprofit staff development workshops
- Executive Directors (ED) Forums
- Mighty Mouth workshop - scheduled upon request
- Policy Governance workshop (provided annually or to your board)
- Watch this hour-long presentation that explains how nonprofits should adjust to the new Paid Family & Medical Leave laws that begin in 2020
- Effectively Engaging Skills-Based Volunteers on 3/8
- Fundraising and Friend-Raising workshop on 2/21 led by Matt Lehrman
501 Commons' events delve into an issue impacting nonprofits, provide a place to share great stories, and help you meet other nonprofit leaders and emerging leaders. New knowledge and inspiration await. Plus, a new contact may well become an important partner or life-long friend.
Sign up for our e-newsletter and subscribe to our blog to receive event information and stay up-to-date.
Executive Director Forums
Executive Director Forums are a low-effort, low-cost, and high-impact way to gather with your executive director peers and learn from each other. Each forum gives you the chance to participate in three roundtable discussions led by an experienced executive director. Participants share problems and solutions and trade tips and resources.
For more than a decade, ED Forum participants consistently report that they left with actionable information and an extra bounce in their step from networking with others in our sector.
Upcoming ED Forums
Friday, March 1, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Friday, June 7, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Board Training in King County
Our King County Board Training Series runs from September to May, offering over a dozen well-reviewed sessions about governance and board development for staff and board members.
Sessions are always held at Pacific Tower in Seattle but attendees from other counties are welcome! Cost is $45 per person and $40 for organizations that are 501 Commons members. Organizations with budgets under $1 million receive a $20 discount. Direct questions to Bridget Chan at bridget@501commons.org.
Upcoming Board Training:
Facilitating Group Dynamics for Boards and Executives – March 12, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Pacific Tower
Board Development – March 26, 9:00 a.m. to noon, Pacific Tower
501 Talks Tech
Technology is a crucial component for the success of nonprofits to serve their missions. 501 Talks Tech is a series of FREE monthly sessions that provide information on free and low-cost technology tools that are readily available to organizations of all sizes.
Held periodically at Pacific Tower or online as a webinar, topics discussed at 501 Talks Tech include website maintenance, Google AdWords, social media, databases, search engine optimization, project management / collaboration tools, security & privacy, mobile, e-mail, and more.
Upcoming workshop:
Video Strategies that Boost Fundraising – August 15, noon to 3:30 p.m., Pacific Tower
Learn MoreStaff & Leadership Training
Affordable in-depth classes designed to build up your professional skills and leadership capabilities are available through the 501 Commons Nonprofit Staff Development Coalition. These workshops improve how staff and executive directors work with each other and the communities they serve.
Sessions are 3-6 hours long and cover topics such as staff retention, diversity and inclusion, cultivating empathy and emotional intelligence, building leadership skills, improving communication, and handling difficult conversations.
Upcoming workshop:
Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure – February 28, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Pacific Tower
Learn MoreBring Nonprofit Training to Your Organization
If you want to bring in a trainer for your staff, board or conference, contact us. We can deliver a wide range of board and staff trainings or conference presentations.
Training topics include Board Leadership, Financial Management, Technology, Strategic Planning, Human Resources, Advocacy, and Volunteer Management. 501 Commons expert staff members are also available for retreats, conferences, coalition meetings, or events.
GiveBIG Fundraising Workshops
Leading up to GiveBIG 2019, we are offering a series of fundraising workshops to power up your ability to raise money on the big day and beyond.
Engagement is Everything – Fundraising and Friend-Raising – Feb. 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Pacific Tower
Renowned fundraising trainer Matt Lehrman will spark your creativity in identifying ways to build connections between your mission and supporters. This workshop helps you explore what's necessary to attract, sustain, cultivate, and diversify the support you need.
Effectively Engaging Skills-Based Volunteers
Skills-based volunteerism benefits nonprofits because these volunteers use specific skills, credentials, and experience that is less frequently available in the general population. Unfortunately, many organizations lack the tools for engaging these individuals effectively.
This half-day session will guide you through the basics of successfully recruiting skills-based volunteers, planning projects they can do, and integrating them into your organization.
Effectively Engaging Skills-Based Volunteers – Mar. 8, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Tower (Room #810), Seattle