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 Leadership Series
- Nonprofit Staff & Leadership Training
- Executive Directors (ED) Forums
- Mighty Mouth workshop - scheduled upon request
- Policy Governance workshop (provided annually or to your board)
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. All sessions will occur via Zoom.
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.
Email nancy@501commons.org if you are interested in being a discussion leader or if there's a topic you'd like to see covered.
Upcoming ED Forums:
Board Leadership Series
Our Board Leadership Series offers more than a dozen well-reviewed sessions about governance and board development for staff and board members. Every class is taught by expert nonprofit professionals who bring years of experience working with and consulting to nonprofit organizations like yours.
All sessions will be held via Zoom. When you register through Eventbrite, we will send you the Zoom link before the day of the training. Cost is $45 per person and $40 for organizations that are 501 Commons members. Organizations with budgets under $1 million receive a $20 discount.
Please direct your questions to Greg Scully at greg@501commons.org.
Upcoming Board Trainings:
Powerhouse Boards – Sept. 8, 15, & 22, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (PST)
501 Talks Tech
Technology is a crucial component for the success of nonprofits to serve their missions. 501 Talks Tech is a series of educational sessions that provide information on free and low-cost technology tools that are readily available to nonprofit organizations of all sizes.
Held online as a webinar, topics discussed at 501 Talks Tech include website maintenance, Google AdWords, social media, databases, search engine optimization, project management and collaboration tools, security & privacy, mobile, e-mail, and more. Our trainers are technology experts who bring years of practical experience using these tools for social good.
Upcoming workshops:
Searching for Leads: Harnessing SEO for Your Organization – Monday, Oct. 3, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. (PST)
Learn MoreStaff & Leadership Training
Affordable in-depth classes designed to build up your professional skills and leadership capabilities are available through the 501 Commons Staff Development Coalition. These workshops improve how staff and executive directors work with each other and the communities they serve.
Sessions cover topics such as staff retention, diversity and inclusion, cultivating empathy and emotional intelligence, building leadership skills, improving communication, and handling difficult conversations.
Upcoming workshops:
Check back for future sessions, please
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.
Volunteer Management Workshops
Strong volunteer management practices can make a major difference in empowering your volunteers to have the best experience possible and helping your organization meet its goals. Register for these upcoming virtual (via Zoom) workshops taught by expert trainer Nancy Gaston.
Upcoming workshops:
Check back for future sessions, please
Thrive Marketing Bootcamp
Marketing your nonprofit effectively can be incredibly overwhelming. In this three-part bootcamp, you’ll immediately put proven methods into practice with 1:1 feedback and support from Nonprofit Marketing Strategist Maria Bryan. By the end, you’ll be able to plan your marketing with clarity, focus, and confidence.
NOTE: You only need to purchase ONE ticket per person for the entire three-session series!
Sept. 27, Oct. 4, & Oct. 11, noon to 1:00 p.m. (PST) via Zoom