Events

Trends to Watch in 2026

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Join Chronicle editors as they open their notebooks and share their insights on the top trends the nonprofit world is likely to face in 2026. We’ll share an overview of five key trends and dig deeper into three: how new tax legislation may change giving for individuals; how nonprofits are rethinking...

*Craft an Engaging Donor Communications Plan for 2026

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
A strong donor communications plan is essential to keep supporters engaged, appreciated, and inspired to give — especially heading into a year of financial uncertainty. Yet one study finds that fewer than half of nonprofits have a written annual plan to guide consistent donor outreach. Taking time...

*Engaging Your Board in Fundraising Without the Struggle

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Engaging boards in fundraising is one of the most frustrating challenges for nonprofit leaders. We want them to help, but not too much, and in just the right way. In order to ease the tension with our boards when it comes to fundraising, we must: Use a gift table to determine what we need from board...

From P&L to People: The Numbers That Drive Nonprofit Sustainability

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Running a nonprofit doesn’t require you to be a CPA—but it does require understanding what your numbers and people are telling you. If you want to lead with confidence, make better decisions, and build long-term sustainability, clarity is essential. Join us for this practical, no-jargon webinar as...

DonorConnect: Community Foundation Better Together Fund Spotlight

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
DonorConnect is a conversation series designed to bring our community together to learn about and discuss our region’s most pressing issues and promising opportunities. Progress happens when communities come together around shared priorities and a vision for what’s next. In 2025, the Better Together...

Understanding Nonprofit Law -- Practical Guidance for Nonprofit Leaders (Live Q&A)

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Operating a nonprofit requires navigating legal challenges and requirements, which can seem like a daunting task. Elizabeth Schmidt, author of “Rules of the Road for Nonprofit Leaders: Using the Law to Achieve Your Mission,” has translated those rules into understandable, affirmative statements that...

*"Thinking Like a Funder": What Grantmakers Wish Every Grantseeker Knew -- Before Submitting That Proposal!

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Being a grantmaker isn't as easy as you might think! In this lively session, veteran grantwriter and grantmaker Maryn Boess draws on her 16 years as a grantmaking program officer, and the collective experience of many other private and public grant decision-makers, to give you a realistic, behind...

Community Foundation Snapshot: How We Can Help Your Nonprofit in 2026

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Who : Staff, board members and volunteers of nonprofit organizations. Session Facilitator: Dr. Ellie Burns, Senior Director of Nonprofit Relations Join us to learn about opportunities for your organization to partner with the Community Foundation in 2026! In this session, Ellie Burns will review our...

*AI Can Turbocharge Your Grant Seeking: Here's How

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
Artificial intelligence is changing how many fundraisers prepare grant applications, manage background research, and organize proposals. The tools are developing quickly, and understanding how to use them thoughtfully can save considerable time in a process that is often demanding and repetitive...

Demystifying Budgets

When
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Event status
Scheduled
Attendance Required
No
Description
The budget is a critical component of any grant application—it should tell a story that complements your proposal narrative and builds your organization’s credibility as a responsible steward of grant funds. Understanding how to build a budget and present your financials in a grant proposal will...
Handshake in the form of a heart.

Nonprofit Training on Collaboration

In today’s rapidly changing environment, nonprofits are being called to work smarter, deeper, and more collaboratively. From informal cooperation and shared staffing to administrative consolidation and full organizational merger, there exists a broad continuum of collaboration. This interactive virtual session explores how purpose-driven organizations can assess, initiate, and sustain collaborative efforts that strengthen their missions and amplify community impact.

The session features national, state, and local leaders who offer insight, experiences, and resources to assist executives and boards as they explore collaborative opportunities. 

Format: Recording
Recording Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 9am to 11am. 

View the recording here


 

 

Donate Icon: Hand holding a heart.

Giving Tuesday 2025

Nonprofits strengthen our communities, and Iowans strengthen our nonprofits. 

Giving Tuesday 2025 continued to break previous records with an estimated 38.1 million participants. Donations increased 13% to $4 billion. Giving of goods also increased by 4% with 13.5 million participants. 

The largest increases were in volunteerism-- up 20% to 11.1 million participants--and those who spoke out about causes they care about--up 26% to 20.9 million participants. 

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, Iowa consistently ranks as one of the top states for charitable giving (6th) and volunteerism (10th). Iowa has historically been a top state when measured by the percentage of residents (81.5%) who read, watch, or listen to news or information about political, societal, or local issues. 

#GivingTuesday

Photo of audience and keynote speaker.

2025 Iowa Nonprofit Summit

Summit 2025 attracted over 200 nonprofit leaders from across Iowa and beyond!

 We had an excellent pre-conference legislative panel featuring Senator Mike Bousselot, Senator Izaah JB Knox, and Representative Heather Matson--as well as a fabulous capitol tour and twilight "summit" to the dome. Our conference speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and summiteers were all outstanding! Very special thanks to National Council of Nonprofits President & CEO Diane Yentel and Independent Sector's President & CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins for contributing their expertise, insight, and energy to the charitable and philanthropic leadership of Iowa!

If you attended the conference, please complete our evaluation form as we begin preparations for Summit 2026! 
*The LAWINRC is a proud Summit partner. 

Staff collaborating

30,771

The number of nonprofit corporations in the state of Iowa.
Helping hand

Top ten

Iowa ranks in the top ten with 29.9% of Iowans volunteering.
Student group

25 Years

In 2025, the LAWINRC celebrates its 25th year of serving and supporting Iowa’s nonprofit sector.