Nonprofit Summit

Strengthening and Supporting Black and Minority-Led Organizations

Join us for Towson University’s first ever Baltimore Nonprofit Summit that brings together organizations, funders, and stakeholders in an effort to strengthen and support community-based organizations in Greater Baltimore, with an emphasis on Black and minority-led organizations. We are committed to coalition building where organizations with constituents from all backgrounds come together to advance goals of equity.

SOLD OUT: Baltimore Nonprofit Summit

Friday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

GOALS

  • Demystify the funding process: engage in conversations to increase access to funding.
  • Build action plans, workshop materials, and leave with deliverables related to diversifying funding.
  • Network, connect, and build relationships and partnerships across a broad set of stakeholders.
  • Share and problem-solve the needs and challenges that still remain for Black and minority-led NPOs.

Schedule & Speakers

8:30–9:00 a.m. Check-in and breakfast

9:00–9:05 a.m. Welcome from TU and BTU

  • Donn Worgs, Professor of Political Science, Director of African American Studies, Towson University
  • Kathleen Crostic, Assistant Director, Partnerships & Engagement

9:05–9:30 a.m. Funding Black Futures: Introduction discussion of the new landscape facing nonprofit organizations and the funders who support them.

9:30–9:45 a.m. Drum Performance

  • David Fakunle and WombWork Productions

9:45–10:00 a.m. Break

10:00–11:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

  • Investment & Banking Panel: Discuss how to utilize investments & approach banks for support.
    • David Fakunle, Wombwork Productions
    • Patrick McQuown, TU StarTUp
  • Grant Writing Workshop: BYOP! Bring your own grant proposal to workshop with grantwriting professionals and get other related support.
    • Dani Bacigalupa, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
    • Thea Robertson, Restorative Response Baltimore
  • Social Entrepreneurship Panel: An opportunity to explore sustainable and inclusive models of social entrepreneurship.
    • Jay Nwachu, Innovation Works
    • Jim Kucher, University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • Decolonizing Philanthropy Panel: Engage in discussion with funders about decolonizing the funding landscape. NOTE: This session will be audio-recorded. Contributions to the session will be used anonymously in a research study on Baltimore’s nonprofit funding landscape. See consent information sheets for more details. Results will be distributed for public use. 
    • Chanya Anderson, Baltimore Promise
    • Gabriela Lemus, Maryland Latinos Unidos
    • Keita Iriarte, Bmore Empowered
    • Dayvon Love, Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
    • Brandon Hansen, Baltimore Children and Youth Fund

11:15–11:30 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m. Lunch and Themed Tables: Eat, network, and gain resources on various areas of nonprofit programming and operation.

  • Working with Youth: Alphonso Mayo, Mentoring Mentors  
  • Creating Workplace Wellness: Wendy Wolff, Maryland Nonprofits
  • Joyful Motherhood: Ana Rodney, MOMCares
  • Managing Successful Internships: Amen Onuoha, TU Career Center and Tonee Lawson, The Be. Org
  • Community-Led Systems Change: Ashley Price, Shaping Health Equity
  • Client Interactions: Changing the Norm: Uche Anyanwu, Family Survivor Network
  • Ask a Lawyer: Denice Ko, Esq., Community Law Center
  • Tap into TU: Kathleen Crostic, TU Office of Partnerships & Outreach
  • Asset-based Community Development: Patty Prasada-Rao, Maryland Nonprofits
  • Fundraising Events: Darren Rodgers, I Am MENtality

12:20–12:30 p.m. Poetry Performance: Reading by Amuche Nwafor, TU Voices Alumni and prospective MFA student

12:30–12:45 p.m. Break

12:45–2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

  • Demystifying Funding with Grantors: Network with local grantors to discuss funding opportunities.
    • Liz Tung, Abell Foundation
    • Gary Williams, France Merrick Foundation
    • Talib Horne, Annie E. Casey Foundation
    • Brooke Hisle, Krieger Fund
    • Brandon Hansen, Baltimore Children and Youth Fund
    • Ann Daniels, Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle
    • Jane Berkow, Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle
    • Darius Graham, Weinberg Foundation)
  • Organizational Leadership Challenges Discussion: Discuss nonprofit leadership and solutions to your organization’s challenges.
    • Jade Merritt, Black Executive Directors’ Network

2:00–2:15 p.m. Break

2:15–3:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

  • Utilizing Consultants Panel Discussion: Get insight on how consultants can help lower your organization’s workload.  
    • Kirin Smith, Amaana Consulting
    • Starsha Valentine, Purpose Possible
    • Paddy McSherry Morton, Maryland Nonprofits
    • Miriam Dicks, 180 Management Group
  • Evaluating for Impact Workshop: Bring your own program. Meaningfully assess your programs while preserving your organization’s principles.
    • Almarie Donaldson, Maryland Latinos Unidos
  • Can I Use Tech for That? Panel: Learn how technology can meet your external communication needs.
    • Jabari Jackson, MKG Enterprise (customer relationship management
    • Susana Hernández Martín, Maryland Nonprofits (social media and email marketing)
  • Operational Finance and Accounting 101 Presentation and Discussion: Learn how to set up your organization for financial success.
    • Jeff Wilson, The W2 Group

3:30–3:45 p.m. Break

3:45–4:30 p.m. Listening Session: What NPOs Need Now: Share your experiences and listen in on challenges nonprofit organizations are currently facing. NOTE: This session will be audio-recorded. Contributions to the session will be used anonymously in a research study on Baltimore’s nonprofit funding landscape. See consent information sheets for more details. Results will be distributed for public use.