Resources for nonprofits

The Cooper Foundation believes that strong nonprofits help to build a strong community. To help build the capacity of nonprofits in the Waco area, the foundation hosts monthly Nonprofit Network meetings, as well as Board Governance trainings.

Nonprofit Network

This FREE gathering of Waco area nonprofit professionals and volunteers provides an opportunity for networking, peer learning, and professional development

Upcoming Session:

Join us on November 16th from 9:00-11:30 am* at the Texas Life Annex as we learn about nonprofit financials with Dr. Gia Chevis, Director of Innovation in Accounting Data and Analytics and Clinical Professor in the Department of Accounting and Business Law at Baylor University.

Nonprofit sustainability is part resource development, part financial tracking. But how many nonprofit leaders (board and/or staff) are familiar enough with the various forms of financial statements and the context they provide to use them for good decision-making? The financials are a vital part of the nonprofit’s narrative, used by stakeholders to evaluate how well it achieves its mission and goals. In Making Sense of Nonprofit Financials, Dr. Gia Chevis will review the various types of nonprofit financial statements and their roles in reporting financial performance and provide guidance on using the data and context they provide to make decisions that help foster long-term sustainability.

Nonprofit Network Meeting Schedule

  • 9:00-9:30 am – Doors open for a light breakfast & networking
  • 9:30 am – Welcome, program begins
  • 11:00 am – Program concludes
  • 11:00-11:30 – Additional networking and questions

To receive meeting notifications, please sign up by following this link.

Board Governance Training

Because we believe that strong nonprofits are governed by strong boards, Cooper Foundation, in partnership with Waco Foundation, is pleased to offer a free, nonprofit board governance training twice a year to current nonprofit board members, potential board members, and nonprofit staff. Our goal is to ensure that all board members in Waco are trained in board governance.

Check back soon for 2024 training dates! 

You may find the presentation slides at this link: Laying the Foundation Presentation

You may find the workbook that compliments the training at this link: Building High Performing Boards – Workbook

If you would like to request a copy of our Building High Performing Boards: Laying the Foundation workbook, please email info@cooperfdn.org.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

For more nonprofit specific resources in the Waco area, click here for a list of local nonprofit resources and opportunities.

Past Nonprofit Network Meeting Materials

Making Sense of Nonprofit Financials – November 2023

Mindful Leadership- The Enneagram: A Personal and Professional Resource – September 2023

From Microaggressions to Microinterventions: First Steps for Interpersonal and Institutional Inclusion (Community Leaders Addition) – May 2023

Developing a Nonprofit Fundraising Plan – January 2023

Ask for a Piece of Their Pie: How Legacy Gifts Create a Sustainable Future for Your Nonprofit – May 2022

Storytelling for Change: Advancing Equity Through the Stories We Tell  – March 2022

Implementing DEI in Hiring, Promotion, & Every Day Practices –  September 2021

Nonprofit Financial Statements and Financial Reporting – May 2021

Remote Learning & Virtual Meeting Facilitation Resources

Panelists’ Perspectives: A Variety of Volunteer Management Approaches – February 2020

The Performance Imperative Review: A Framework for Social-Sector Excellence – January 2020

We encourage organizations to use the Performance Imperative’s Performance Practice Workbook as a tool to assess areas where their organization may have opportunities to reach higher performance.

Shifting from Intentions to Lasting Impact: Understanding the Organizational Journey of Addressing Racial Inequities – August 2019

Nonprofit Data: Making the Connection Between Numbers and Narratives – May 2019

You Belong Here: Laying the Foundation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – March 2019

Management & Coaching: Completing Tasks, Inspiring Vision, and Developing Your Team – February 2019

Financial Health: The Importance of Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements – January 2019

Donor Demographics & Tax Law Changes in McLennan County – September 2018

Lobbying & Advocacy 101: Legal Tips for Nonprofit Advocates – May 2018

The Talk: The Importance of Addressing Inequities in the Workplace – April 2018

Must Be Able to Drive a Zoo Vehicle: The Big Picture of Inclusive Hires – March 2018

Are You Sure That’s Where You Are Going? Theory of Change and Your Organization’s Role in the Nonprofit Ecosystem – February 2018

Collaborating for Success: Transforming WISD Schools – January 2018

Designing Programs for Impact: How RBA Can Ease the Pain – November 2017

Creating a Culture of Learning – October 2017

  • No presentation, this meeting was a panel discussion

Making Your Organization’s Financial Picture Stand Out From the Crowd – September 2017

Laying the Foundation for Board Governance Training – April 2017

Engaging Young Professionals – February 2017

Laying the Foundation for Board Governance Training – January 2017

Telling Your Story – January 2017

Messaging Slides  (February 2015- Susan Cowley)
Prosper Waco Presentation  (January 2015)
Anatomy of a Fraud (October 2014)
Marketing (February 2014)
Contact kelly@cooperfdn.org  if the handout you are looking for is not shown here.

Sign up for the

Nonprofit Network

UPCOMING EVENTS

NONPROFIT NETWORK

Upcoming Nonprofit Network Sessions (9:00-11:30am):
(click “read more” to access registration links)

November 16th – Making Sense of Nonprofit Financials

read more

UPCOMING DEADLINES

Application Submission Deadlines
Application Review Dates

2023

 
August 17October 26
September 21December 14
October 19December 14
November 16January 25
December 21February 22

 

Visit our grants page to learn more about the process of applying and a full list of the upcoming application deadline and review dates.

 

 

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