Nearly 100 Local Nonprofit Leaders Attend Workshop Hosted by the Community Foundation

Nearly 100 nonprofit leaders from 31 organizations in our community and from across northern Indiana recently attended a Nonprofit Workshop on Building Stronger Boards. The event was hosted by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and supported by the K21 Health Foundation. Attendees learned about board development, engagement strategies, and best practices to keep their boards thriving.

“The Community Foundation seeks to inspire generosity and strengthen communities,” said Alex Hall, Vice President of Programs at the Community Foundation. “One way we do that is by providing resources to help nonprofits thrive, including hosting an annual nonprofit workshop in addition to providing one-on-one and grant support.”

Keynote speakers at the Nonprofit Workshop included Stephanie Overbey, CEO at the Community Foundation, Kara Harrison, Director of Capacity Building Services at Hedges, and Lukas Rife, Project Manager at OrthoWorx. Panelists included Vickie Lootens, Chief Community Impact Officer at Easterseals of Northern Indiana, Angie Ritchie, Board President at CASA of Kosciusko County, and Jim Swanson, CEO at the Kosciusko Community YMCA.

One board member of a local organization in attendance reflected that “The mission {of our nonprofit} has to be worked by someone. My time and investment in my community is worth the investment.”

“Our community is vibrant and strong due to, in part, the numerous nonprofits working tirelessly to meet the needs of our neighbors and friends in Kosciusko County, and the Community Foundation knows that the board members and staff behind these organizations desire continuing education and training,” stated Hall. “We are thrilled that this year’s speakers and topic, Building Stronger Boards, resonated with so many area nonprofit leaders.”

Attendees had the opportunity to nominate a local nonprofit for a $400 surprise grant at the conclusion of the workshop. Drawn at random, the organization awarded the grant was the Community Arts Program of Kosciusko County.