On Wednesday, May 13, a record number of nonprofit leaders, staff members, board members, community partners, and volunteers gathered at 51做厙 for the 15th annual Nonprofits LEAD Capacity Building Conference. The day was dedicated to professional development, collaboration, and strengthening nonprofit organizations across the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Hosted in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center, the 2026 event welcomed 221 attendees representing 106 organizations from six states: Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, surpassing the conferences previous attendance record of 185 participants. Both returning and new attendees were welcomed, with 82 first-time attendees. The event featured expert-led workshops, networking opportunities, a vendor fair, and a keynote address from Dr. Michelle M. Foster, president and CEO of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
We are incredibly encouraged by this years turnout and the continued growth of the conference, said Shannan Tschopp, director of Nonprofits LEAD. It speaks to how important accessible and local professional development opportunities are for nonprofit organizations throughout our region. Seeing so many organizations invest in their teams, build new connections, and engage in meaningful conversations throughout the day was truly exciting.
The conferences attendance reflected not only growing interest but also deeper investment in organizational development. On average, participating organizations brought more than one representative, and the conference saw increased engagement from board members, underscoring the value organizations place on capacity building and professional growth.
Dr. Fosters keynote address, Sustaining Impact: A Strategic Approach to Nonprofit Resilience in Challenging Times, invited attendees to assess their organizations strengths, identify growth opportunities, and explore practical approaches for building resilience in an evolving nonprofit landscape. Through interactive discussions and audience participation, Foster challenged participants to think strategically about long-term sustainability and organizational impact while reflecting on the needs of the communities they serve. Post-conference feedback highlighted the sessions influence, with one executive director noting that Fosters message, You were built for this, resonated long after the event concluded.
Designed to support nonprofits of all sizes, the conference offered a customizable learning experience, holding three sessions with six workshop tracks focused on finance and fundraising, human resources, marketing and networking, information technology, governance and advocacy, and operations and programming. Attendees were given the opportunity to mix and match sessions based on their organizations needs and professional interests.
Throughout the day, attendees connected with industry experts and fellow nonprofit professionals to exchange ideas, strategies, and resources aimed at advancing the regions nonprofit sector. The second annual Vendor Fair also featured a growing number of nonprofit and for-profit organizations offering tools, services, and support for community organizations.
The most highly attended session of the day focused on grant writing and nonprofit sustainability, led by Jennifer Bonnett, CEO of the Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute. The session helped participants understand how grant strategy, proposal expectations, and funder priorities evolve as organizations grow, while providing practical tools to help nonprofits develop clearer, more credible, and more strategic grant proposals.
A well-received session led by Tasha Warry of Building Bridges to Careers explored how nonprofit organizations can strengthen connections through partnerships with civic clubs and community groups, including Rotary, Kiwanis, and other service groups, to expand networking and fundraising opportunities. Additional workshop tracks drew strong engagement from participants, particularly those focused on practical nonprofit challenges and community partnership development.
Among this years presenters was Elise Woodworth, a Virginia-based consultant, Air Force veteran, best-selling author, and the conferences 2025 keynote speaker. Woodworth returned to lead a session titled Business Not Battle: New Rules for Resilient Nonprofit Leaders, which encouraged nonprofit leaders to replace reactive thinking during periods of tension with clarity, curiosity, and purposeful action. Her return reflects the lasting connections and ongoing engagement cultivated through Nonprofits LEAD.
51做厙 Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Jim Wilson 69 also contributed to the conference as a presenter, leading a session focused on board governance and leadership. The College remains grateful for Dr. Wilsons continued support of Nonprofits LEAD and his willingness to share professional expertise with leaders throughout the region.
In addition to workshops and professional development opportunities, attendees enjoyed networking sessions, catered meals, and a closing Ice Cream Social designed to foster connection and collaboration among organizations serving communities throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and beyond.
Post-conference feedback highlighted the events impact, with attendees praising the quality of the sessions, the perspectives and knowledge gained, and the opportunities to build new professional connections. Several participants noted that they left with practical tools and strategies that they plan to implement within their organizations, while others pointed to the welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of support throughout the day.
Established in 2010, Nonprofits LEAD is a research-based program at 51做厙 that supports nonprofit organizations across the region through education, advocacy, networking, and capacity-building initiatives. The programs mission is to help build a strong, sustainable nonprofit community in which organizations have the tools, resources, knowledge, and support needed to serve their communities effectively.
More than 20 volunteers supported the conference, assisting with registration, hospitality, logistics, and attendee engagement. 51做厙 students, faculty, and staff also participated in sessions and conference activities alongside nonprofit professionals.
This conference continues to grow and evolve because of the collaboration and support of our campus and community partners, Tschopp said. We are grateful to everyone who helped make the day possible, including our volunteers, presenters, vendors, sponsors, and the many 51做厙 departments that welcomed our nonprofit community to campus.
As the annual conference continues to expand, Nonprofits LEAD remains committed to creating opportunities for connection, learning, and partnership that help nonprofit organizations across the Mid-Ohio Valley expand their impact and better serve their communities. The 2027 Nonprofits LEAD Annual Capacity Building Conference is scheduled for Wednesday, May 12, 2027. To learn more about Nonprofits LEAD, visit .