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
Understanding & Achieving Language Justice – March 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
Implementing DEI in Hiring, Promotion, & Every Day Practices – September 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.
Panelists’ Perspectives: The Process of Donor Cultivation & Making the Ask – November 2019
Grant Development Overview – October 2019
Why I Count, Waco: The Importance of the 2020 Census to Waco Nonprofits – September 2019
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
- May 2019 Presentation
- Stay tuned for additional resources
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
The Nonprofit Ecosystem: Systems-Level Approaches for Sustainable Change – November 2018
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
Equity in Systems – April & May 2017
Laying the Foundation for Board Governance Training – April 2017
Engaging Young Professionals – February 2017
Laying the Foundation for Board Governance Training – January 2017
The Ins and Outs of Financial Statements – November 2016
Introduction to the Performance Imperative – October 2016
Racial Equity- May 2016
Do it yourself Social Media- April 2016
Volunteer Management: Meeting Expectations (Ours and Theirs)- February 2016
Strategic Relationships that Work (January 2016)
Culture of Openness (November & December 2015)
Measuring your Impact: Data for Non-profits (October 2015)
Storing Away for a Rainy Day: Operating Reserves for Nonprofits (September 2015)
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
BOARD GOVERNANCE TRAINING
2023 Training Dates:
(click “read more” to access registration links)
October 30th, 5:30-7:30 pm
UPCOMING DEADLINES
Application Submission Deadlines | Application Review Dates |
2023 | |
| August 17 | October 26 |
| September 21 | December 14 |
| October 19 | December 14 |
| November 16 | January 25 |
| December 21 | February 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.
