Allied for Action: Addressing the Big Questions

By Chris Oien, Minnesota Council on Foundations

When I joined the Minnesota Council on Foundations in 2011, the one thing that excited me most about the work, and still does, is the opportunity to address the big questions facing our sector: what are our common challenges, how can grantmakers and nonprofits come together to tackle them head on, and what resources do they need to help make it happen?

Coming up next month is Minnesota’s biggest and best platform to answer those questions and more, during the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Joint Annual Conference, November 1 & 2 in St. Paul. With the theme of Allied for Action, we’ll spend those two days learning how to harness our differences to work together toward the greater good.

We’ve worked hard to make this conference an interactive experience, where you’ll be directly involved in the sharing and learning. Some of the highlights we’re particularly looking forward to include:

• The Friday Plenary, where three of Minnesota’s prominent civic leaders (Nate Garvis, Lori Saroya and Paul Schmitz) will give TED-style talks to challenge you to rethink long-term strategies for engaging stakeholders and for serving communities.
• The Art of Hosting, where you’ll participate in a small group conversation on one of six key questions the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors must address.
•  30+ breakout sessions, with your choice of expert speakers for you to engage in the topics you find most relevant.
• Friday morning coffee chats to jolt your brain awake with concrete tools and ideas to take back to your office.
• The Nonprofit Awards Luncheon, celebrating some of the best of Minnesota’s nonprofits and grantmakers.

What all of these have in common is the chance to meet, network and swap ideas with 1,400 other leaders in Minnesota’s nonprofit and grantmaker communities. When so many dedicated, knowledgeable people get together under one roof for the same cause, we know that good things will be happening from start to finish!

Head over to www.alliedforaction.org to see everything that’s in store for you and to book your spot. But don’t delay! Register by October 17 to beat the late fee.