The 2024 Institute for Trustees (IFT), the area's largest nonprofit leadership conference, is a six-week online event produced in partnership with three Massachusetts community foundations. It will bring together over 1,000 board members and executive directors. Workshops will cover fundraising, diversity, strategic planning, finance, board governance, technology, and more.
Register to attend the 2024 IFT.
Launched in 2010 by the Essex County Community Foundation, this 15th-year conference is also presented with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and Greater Worcester Community Foundation. It begins on March 20 with a keynote by Dr. Marquis Victor, founder of Elevated Thought, titled "Creating Something New: Pursuing Liberation Through Nonprofit Leadership & Practices."
On April 4, local arts leader Kristen van Ginhoven and consultant Aron Goldman will present "Passion Doesn't Pay the Rent: How the Berkshire/Columbia Counties Pay Equity Project is Helping the Arts and Culture Sector Succeed."
Nonprofit leaders and board members serving Berkshire County, Mass., northwest Litchfield County, Conn., and Columbia and northeast Dutchess counties in New York are invited to attend the conference.
“Nonprofit board members and executive directors in past years have expressed appreciation for the high-quality of the IFT presentations and how they can easily apply what they learn to governance practices. One of Berkshire Taconic’s priorities is to support the development of board leaders as board service is one of the most consequential and meaningful ways to get engaged in your community,” said Peter Taylor, president of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Virtual workshops begin the day after the keynote on March 21 and run through May 9. Experts from across the state have been tapped to lead 19 informative and interactive sessions. Some additional highlights include:
- "Breaking the Burnout Epidemic: Emerging Research Related to the Wellbeing of our Nonprofit Workforce," led by Patrick Kirby, James Liou and Hanh Tran of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.
- "From Vision to Reality: Manifesting Equity," led by Consuela Greene and Lucas Orwig of Root Cause.
- "Demystifying the Capital Campaign," led by Sharon Danosky and John Brooks of Danosky & Associates.
- "The Impact of AI on the Workforce: Are we Ready for This AI-Driven Future?" led by Rejoyce Owusu of Comprehensive Community Action Program.
Registration and Scholarships
Registration for the keynote and workshops is $130 and $550, closing on March 25. Recorded sessions will be distributed to registrants for viewing through November 2024.
Limited scholarship support available for Columbia, Northeast Dutchess, and Northwest Litchfield organizations on a first come, first served basis.
Our Community Foundation Partners
About ECCF
The mission of Essex County Community Foundation is to inspire philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County. We do this by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits and engaging in strategic community leadership. For 25 years, ECCF and its growing family of 295 charitable funds have granted $136 million to nonprofits, schools and students in Essex County and beyond. ECCF’s ultimate goal is to have 34 thriving cities and towns in Essex County and to improve the quality of life for the region’s nearly 800,000 residents. Learn more at eccf.org.
About the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Founded in 1991, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life for people across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties. With assets totaling over $236 million, the foundation responds to the needs of the region along the Connecticut River Valley in western Massachusetts by serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities. To learn more, visit communityfoundation.org.
About Greater Worcester Community Foundation
We are passionate about our region. The Greater Worcester Community Foundation serves the needs of residents across the 60 towns and cities that make up Worcester County. Founded in 1975, we provide support and resources to improve the lives of the more than 850,000 people who call this area home. To learn more, visit greaterworcester.org.
