Nonprofit Community Forum

Event Info

Conferences Community

Wednesday, February 3, 2027

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Stevens Point Downtown Campus

LEAD Center

The Nonprofit Community Forum invites nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers to connect, learn, and grow together. Through practical sessions and shared learning, participants will explore how to stay true to their missions, make values-driven decisions, strengthen organizations, and remain focused on the work they were built to do.

Whether you’re a longtime leader or just beginning your journey, this gathering will offer meaningful opportunities to gain insight, share ideas, and connect with others who are committed to making a difference in our communities.

It’s a time to reconnect with what matters most. Let’s lead with our values—together.

Registration

Regular Rate: $99 per attendee
Early Bird Rate: $79 per attendee (By December 14, 2026)

Student scholarships are available.

Agenda

8:00 a.m. – Registration
8:30 a.m. – Opening Remarks
9:00 a.m. – Keynote Address: Start with Your Why, Lead with Your Values to Create Lasting Impact
Presenter: Sam Dinga
10:00 a.m. – Legal Update: Navigating Federal Shifts: What the Latest Actions Mean for Nonprofits
Presenter: Haley Swanson, Scholz Nonprofit Law
11:00 a.m. – Breakout Session 1
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
12:45 p.m. – Breakout Session 2
2:00 p.m. – Breakout Session 3
3:15 p.m. – Breakout Session 4
4:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks

Keynote Address: Start with Your Why, Lead with Your Values to Create Lasting Impact

Presenter: Sam Dinga
Bio: Sam Dinga began his academic journey studying Law and Political Science at the University of Dschang, Cameroon, before moving to the U.S. in 2002. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a master’s in Human & Community Resources from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and later completed his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at Edgewood University.

Driven by a profound commitment to service, Dr. Dinga founded the Makah Foundation in memory of his late sister, Makah Rosemary Dinga. Today, he resides with his wife, Amy, and their five children. When not working, Dr. Dinga is an avid reader and political observer who enjoys unwinding with action movies and firing up the grill for friends and family.

Call for Presenters

The Nonprofit Community Forum is seeking dynamic, passionate, and knowledgeable presenters for our 2027 event.

This year’s theme, “Leading with Our Values,” invites nonprofit leaders, community changemakers, and mission-driven professionals to explore what it means to stay true to our missions, lead with purpose, and remain focused on what our organizations were built to do.

We are seeking session proposals that offer practical tools, thoughtful perspectives, and real-world strategies for making values-driven decisions, strengthening organizational culture, building trust, and keeping mission at the center of our work, even as needs, expectations, and circumstances continue to change.

What We're Looking For:

Leading with values
Fundraising and relationship-building in evolving environments
Authentic leadership
Data-driven decision making and evaluation
Marketing, communications, and storytelling for impact
Social enterprise and nonprofit sustainability
Technology and AI tools for nonprofit productivity
Board development and governance best practices
Mental health, burnout, and nonprofit workplace culture
Cross-sector collaboration and community partnerships
Volunteer recruitment and engagement

Session Formats:
Sessions are 60 minutes each.

Breakout Sessions: Interactive presentations or panels
Workshops: Hands-on, skill-focused learning sessions
Roundtables or Case Discussions: Peer dialogue and shared problem-solving

Who Should Apply:
We welcome proposals from nonprofit professionals, consultants, funders, educators, community leaders, and anyone with experience and insight to share. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a passionate practitioner with a great case study or framework, we want to hear from you.

Submit Your Proposal by November 1, 2026.

Questions?

Contact Continuing Education or call 715-422-5300

If you have a disability and need accommodations to take part in this activity, please let us know. Contact the event coordinator as soon as possible, ideally 14 days in advance.