2025 Nonprofit Summit Agenda
Check out the agenda from our recent Summit
8:30 – 9:15
Registration and Networking
The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta (Banquet Hall)
9:15 – 9:30
Welcome
9:30 – 10:30
Panel Session
Diversifying Resources
Moderated by: Shell Berry, President and CEO, Community Foundation for the CSRA
David A. Jackson, AVP, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Vetia Searcy, Business Strategist & Tax Credit Consultant, IVS Advisors; Phil Wahl, President, Security Federal Bank; Hawthorne Welcher, Jr., Director, Augusta Housing & Community Development
10:30 – 11:45
Keynote
Building Blocks – Affordable Housing: Stats, Facts and What it Means for You
Mike Alexander, COO and Mike Carnathan, Researcher, Atlanta Regional Commission
11:45 – 12:00
Sponsor Networking Break
12:00 – 1:15
Lunch & Presentation
Purpose Built Communities
Evan Smith and Alex Wiggins
1:15 – 1:25
Sponsor Networking Break
1:30 – 2:45
Breakout Session 1
2:45 – 3:00
Sponsor Networking Break
3:00 – 4:15
Breakout Session 2
4:20 – 5:00
Closing Keynote
From Data to Impact: Harnessing ALICE to Create Lasting Community Change
Brittany Burnett, President and CEO, United Way of the CSRA
Breakout Session One Topics
Presented by Janice Allen Jackson, Principal, Janice Allen Jackson & Associates, LLC
Burnout is a pervasive form of stress that is directly tied to work, and instances of burnout are on the rise, leading to reduced productivity and increased turnover. Together, we can stop it in its tracks. Learn how to jumpstart a cultural shift to support employees and prevent burnout long-term.
Recommended for the Executive Track
Presented by Evan Smith, VP & Alex Wiggins, VP, Network Member Success, Purpose Built Communities
Purpose Built Communities partners with neighbors and local leaders to create pathways to prosperity for all residents. Implementation of the Purpose Built model requires strong collaboration and strategic cross-sector partnerships. Purpose Built staff will share lessons learned and practical advice for “setting the table” in a way that encourages meaningful exchange and collaboration.
Recommended for the Programmatic Track
Presented by Tracie Parker, Owner, Parker Consulting Group
As a grant professional with at least a few grant applications funded, you have seen a variety of grant guidelines and requirements, so you understand the importance of ‘how to write a grant application’. You have also seen the difference that grants make in your community. This session will help elevate your work as a grant professional to utilize intermediate-level skills for writing-related competencies.
Recommended for the Development Track
Presented by Michelle Bennett, CPA, SME CPAs
Nonprofit financial statements are essential for organizations as they provide an accurate and comprehensive overview of the organization’s financial health. Financial statements for nonprofits also provide transparency and accountability to donors, grantors, and other stakeholders, demonstrating that the organization is responsibly using its funds to achieve its mission. Accurate financial reporting helps to build trust and credibility with supporters, leading to increased funding and other valuable resources for non-profits. This session will help non-profit accounting professionals understand the most important nonprofit financial statements and how they can benefit your organization.
Recommended for the Finance Track
Presented by Heather Worthan, Storyteller & Senior Content Producer, Georgia Power Company
At the heart of every nonprofit is a story. More and more, it’s becoming an essential for nonprofits to not only articulate their story with powerful language, but market it in a way that makes people want to continue reading, eventually persuading them to take action. This engaging session will provide you with essential tips to get you started on your way to producing quality content.
Recommended for the Marketing Track
Breakout Session Two Topics
Presented by Janice Allen Jackson, Principal, Janice Allen Jackson & Associates, LLC
As a nonprofit leader, one of the most crucial responsibilities is to effectively engage your board of directors. The board of directors is responsible for ensuring that your nonprofit organization runs smoothly and achieves its goals. This session will provide you with effective strategies to engage your board of directors.
Recommended for the Executive Track
Presented by Faith Edmondson, Co-Founder/Lead Consultant, Gateway Grants
Impact is the difference your nonprofit makes: There’s the work you do, and the results that flow from it. How do can you prove to someone the difference you are making? Now the nonprofit sector is focusing more on outcomes, rather than “outputs.” This session will help you identify and use the building blocks. We will 1) walk through the “scary” terms, 2) hone in on the type of impact your program can prove, and 3) practice designing an outcome to connect with your impact.
Recommended for the Programmatic Track
Presented by Remer Brinson, CEO, Good Plan
Great fundraising goes beyond simply raising funds. It requires a combination of strategy, empathy and creativity. It’s about building meaningful connections, inspiring others to join a cause and creating lasting impact. This session will help organizations focus on growth through a combination of strategy, storytelling and innovation.
Recommended for the Development Track
Featuring: Holly Quakenbush, ADP; Preston Moss, Blanchard and Calhoun Insurance; Thad Sands, Augusta University
The greatest difference between a nonprofit organization and its for-profit counterpart is found in the bottom line. Everything else is the same, especially as you grow and expand. This session will cover insurance, human resources and facilities management to help you as you increase your impact and services.
Recommended for the Finance Track
Moderated by: Rebecca Best, M3 Agency Featuring: Cher Best, iHeart Media; Karen Gordon, Urban Pro Weekly; Jennie Montgomery, WJBF
As a nonprofit leader, it’s likely that increasing awareness about your organization can be just as challenging as fundraising. While digital marketing and social media outreach can be effective ways to reach new audiences, gaining media coverage can be the key to promoting your mission, and consequently, engaging more supporters and donors. PR – the practice of promoting your organization through the media – isn’t just about crisis communications. Learn best practices from industry experts on nurturing relationships with the local media beyond a PSA.
Recommended for the Marketing Track
Here to Help!
If you would like more information on our 2026 Nonprofit Summit, please contact Lasima Turmon, Sr. Program Officer, here or 706-724-1314.