Nonprofit Essentials

Executive Director and Board President learning session to strengthen relationships, understand roles and responsibilities, and map out their year.

Together the Executive Director and Board President serve as the key leaders in a nonprofit organization corporation. As such, it is critical that they work in tandem to best serve their students, staff, and families.

The is a unique opportunity for nonprofit leadership to intentionally discuss, and delineate roles and responsibilities. Participants will leave the Summit with a clear plan of shared leadership for core functions along with a strategy for communicating that plan to the rest of the board.

Participants will:

• Discuss staff personnel
• Plan for the supervision of and annual review of the Executive Director / CEO
• Outline responsibilities for program development
• Discuss finance and budget
• Map out board meeting responsibilities
• Determine responsibilities for board building
• Examine the Executive Director and Board President relationship
• Determine an accountability and communication plan for the board

Cost: $50

Facilitators

Mitch Isaacs
Executive Director for Shafer Leadership Academy

Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways.

Mitch has over 20 years of leadership development experience. He graduated from Ball State University in 2002 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Counseling Psychology. Mitch completed his master’s degree in student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Mitch returned to Ball State in 2005 and spent the next 10 years as a working professional in Higher Education, including five years as the Director of the Excellence in Leadership program, and Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor.

Mitch is an active member of the Muncie, Indiana community with broad nonprofit experience.  He  has served as the president of the board of directors Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association, Muncie Action Plan, and Indiana Leadership Association. He has also served on the boards for Motivate Our Minds, Muncie Rotary and the Muncie Civic Center Authority. Mitch is passionate about youth development, with previous roles as Project Leadership Mentor, a Big Brother with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Delaware County, and a member of the Burris Laboratory School Advisory Council.

Mitch has provided nonprofit consulting to organizations in Delaware County, Indiana, and beyond!

Jenna Ashby
Relationship and Resource Director for Nonprofit Support Network

Jena Ashby is Nonprofit Support Network’s Relationship and Resource Director. She has extensive nonprofit work and volunteer experience, and a wealth of experience convening diverse groups to build authentic, collaborative relationships.  She is passionate about the Muncie/Delaware County community and connecting people and organizations in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways.

 Jena is a lifelong Muncie resident who earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University in 2001 and continues to serve on the Department’s Advisory Council. She has also served on the staff of the following nonprofits: A Better Way, Habitat for Humanity, 8twelve Coalition, and Scholar House. Her Board involvement has included Muncie YMCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Teamwork for Quality Living, and Step Ahead Preschool.

Jena and her husband have two young adult sons and enjoy outdoor activities, including cycling, hiking, and kayaking. They are active in leadership roles within their church.  She brings her skills in organizational management, public speaking, program development, connection/relationship building, and strategic planning to the many roles she is actively engaged in.

Securing funding through state and federal grants can be a game-changer for nonprofit organizations, but the process can often feel daunting and complex. This interactive session will demystify the grant-seeking process, providing practical tools and strategies for identifying, applying for, and managing state and federal grants. Participants will learn how to establish relationships with governmental agencies, navigate online grant portals, and craft compelling proposals that align with agency priorities. Whether you’re new to grants or looking to refine your approach, this session equips you with the knowledge and confidence to pursue public funding effectively.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify key state and federal agencies that align with their organization’s mission and funding needs.
2. Navigate the tools and resources needed to search for grant opportunities, including government grant portals like Grants.gov.
3. Understand the essential components of state and federal grant applications, including proposal requirements, budgets, and compliance considerations.
4. Develop strategies to build relationships with grant officers and agency representatives to better understand their priorities.
5. Evaluate whether a grant opportunity is a good fit for their organization based on funding goals, eligibility requirements, and capacity to meet reporting obligations.
6. Create a plan to strengthen their nonprofit’s readiness for future grant applications by improving internal processes and documentation.

Cost: $25

Facilitator:

Liz Haney began her career in the world of grants in 2008 after having enjoyed success as a published research scientist. Liz has experience throughout the life cycle of sponsored projects, and she has worked at the University of Chicago, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Middlebury College, and St. Lawrence University. Throughout, Liz has been entrusted with ever-increasing responsibilities, served in multiple leadership roles, and helped each institution to attain new levels of external funding.

In her current role as the Director of Post Award, Compliance, and Operations in Ball State University’s Sponsored Projects Administration office, Liz oversees a staff of ten that support everything that happens from the time of notification that a grant will be awarded until the completion and closeout of the project.

This engaging panel discussion is designed to help nonprofit leaders and professionals build sustainable, effective relationships with local funders. Beyond the grant proposal process, maintaining ongoing communication and cultivating meaningful partnerships are critical to long-term funding success. Panelists will share real-world strategies, best practices, and lessons learned from their experiences in working with local funders. Attendees will leave with actionable insights they can apply to strengthen their relationships, improve communication, and enhance funder engagement to better support their organization’s mission.

Session Goals and Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of ongoing communication with funders beyond traditional grant requests, including updates, success stories, and impact reporting.
2. Identify effective strategies and best practices for building authentic and sustainable relationships with local funders, including how to personalize outreach and demonstrate shared values.
3. Apply actionable advice and proven tips to enhance funder engagement, such as creating transparent communication channels, building trust, and understanding funder priorities.
4. Learn from real-world examples shared by the panelists, illustrating successful approaches to maintaining and growing funder relationships.

Audience: Nonprofit leaders, development professionals, board members, and anyone responsible for managing relationships with funders.

Cost: $25

Panelists