A workshop series focused on the fundamentals of nonprofit work. Sessions will provide an introductory level exploration of key nonprofit systems and concepts to help demystify nonprofit best practices. This program is geared toward any nonprofit staff at management or leadership levels, as well as board members. Participants may enroll in all workshops or select those that are most applicable to their role. Conquering the Basics workshops are limited to 25 registrants per session to allow for engagement among audience members. Each workshop will also feature a concrete takeaway: a plan, format, or approach that can be applied to your organization. All workshops will be held in-person at the Rhode Island Foundation and will run from 12:00-1:30pm. Lunch will be provided at no cost to participants.

Governance guidance and education: Our Capacity Building team will gladly attend a board meeting to facilitate challenging conversations, offer advice, or provide board education based on individual requests. Available upon request and handled on a first come, first served basis.

A primer for first time board chairs, this virtual workshop will provide a full orientation to a critical governance role. Strategies for holding productive board meetings, methods for keeping board members engaged and accountable, and concrete suggestions to strengthen the board chair/executive director relationship will be addressed. Presented by Jill Pfitzenmayer, Vice President of Capacity Building

This in-person workshop will tackle the numerous ways in which nonprofit organizations should position their fundraising plan and strategies. The workshop will share best practices for soliciting gifts through social media, letters of appeal, corporate sponsorship, fundraising events and of course, prospective individual donors. Lunch will be provided. Presented by Keith Tavares, Capacity Building Officer, at the Rhode Island Foundation.