MN Nonprofit Executive Leaders Summit!
This year’s event:
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 - Friday, May 24th, 2024
Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, MN
Key Aspects of MN Nonprofit Executive Leaders Summit:
We’re an informal group! Dress comfortably and casually and be ready for honest and authentic conversation about the experiences of leading organizations, managing Board members, embracing ongoing change, and navigating work/life alignment.
We aim to leverage the wisdom of each other and the group. Collectively, we have tremendous experience. Someone has always faced the same challenge(s) you’re currently facing. These are the folks you can talk those challenges through with, test and roleplay dialogue, and receive comfort from along the way.
The Summit is a balance of larger groups and smaller connections, more structured and more informal sessions and discussions, with ample time for rest and social interaction.
Key Summit Programming:
Home Groups: A critical part of the Summit experience! All Summit attendees are assigned to small groups (10 to 15) with a moderator and participate in several sessions focused on eliciting group wisdom, solving common problems together, and debriefing your summit experience.
Conversations for Change: Shorter gatherings during the Summit that focus on tackling important questions or topics of the moment. These conversations offer an opportunity to learn from others tackling the same problems or challenges and optimizing solutions across organizations. All Summit attendees are encouraged to join the Conversations that seem most relevant for their work.
Affinity Circles: The Summit is open to all Nonprofit Executive leaders and attendees may want to meet fellow attendees who share something in common. The Affinity Circles exist so those who share an affinity around an identity, geography, common experience, or some other commonality can get to know each other and build connections for collaboration.
Cost (includes conference fee, lodging, and six meals): $500
In response to prior summit survey comments, this year the committee has reserved the townhouses at Arrowwood, as well as a few typical hotel rooms, to further the connection participants make with each other.
Room Options 1: Shared Townhome - Private Room- The 3-4 bedroom townhomes will lodge 3 people ONLY so that each participant will have their own bedroom and bathroom. Common spaces kitchen and living room will be shared among occupants. Rooming here will require a short outside walk to the main summit event space. You do not need to have identified roommates to choose this option. To see the layout options of the townhouse, click here.
Room Option 2: Double Queen or King Lodge Room - These are typical hotel rooms attached to the main building. Your choice of this room is for you only - no roommates. Rooming here will require a .35 mile outside walk to the main summit event space.
If you have lodging or registration questions, please contact Tracy Nielsen at tnielsen@handsontwincities.org.
Please note - there is a waterpark at Arrowwood Resort. Summit registration DOES NOT include waterpark passes but these can be purchased at the hotel desk for an extra cost.
Scholarships:
A limited number of scholarships will be offered to nonprofit leaders at organizations with annual budgets at or below $750,000. Please fill out this Google form to submit your scholarship application by Friday, March 8, 2024 and you will be notified about the status by March 15.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScy6MOv9fynbYmD73oRylmkJOfDgiZ_YPMr4oU8WhzHRA0KUg/viewform
Refund Policy:
Prior to April 20, 2024: A full refund of Conference Cost will be issued to registrants. After this date, we will only be able to offer a $50 refund for any cancellations.
ED's Breakfast April 26th
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
Spring Social Hour!
You've heard the stories, you've seen the pictures, now come find out in person about the Minnesota Nonprofit Executive Leadership Summit (MNELS).
Created as a way for CEOs, Presidents, and Executive Directors of nonprofit organizations to connect, network, and engage with one another, it is an initiative developed, managed, and coordinated For Us By Us. And now you have a chance to learn more, see old friends, or get a jump on next month's Summit!
Join us Thursday, April 25th, from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm at Pizza Luce Downtown's 2nd Avenue Banquet room for some great food, great people, and a special guest or two. So come connect with your peers, enjoy a couple of hours of entertaining connections, and learn about the Summit and other MNELS events during the year.
We'll see you there!
When: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Where: Pizza Luce Downtown's 2nd Avenue Banquet room
119 N 4th Street is in Minneapolis’ historic warehouse district
https://events.pizzaluce.com/location/5e228408f5f70eb6a5b36a60
RSVP: Requested but not required (for food estimates only) to: info@mnnonprofitexecs.org
ED's Breakfast March 22nd
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast February 23rd
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
Winter Social Hour
Join us this February 22nd for an opportunity to connect with other nonprofit CEOs, EDs and Presidents at JD Hoyt's Supper Club in Minneapolis. Get a little taste of the Big Easy with Hoyt's Cajun flair tasty eats and enjoy great conversation and networking. Hosted food and cash bar. Join us.
ED's Breakfast January 26th
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast December
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast November
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast October
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
Fall Executive Summit Social Hour!
Tuesday, October 24
Time: 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Surly Brewing Co. , Upstairs Pizza Room
520 Malcom Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
The Rizz: More than 14 rotating beers on tap, THC seltzers, craft sodas, and nonalcoholic beverages aplenty! The Upstairs Pizza Room features loads of yummy Za,’ apps, salads, and desserts. Best of all, network with a crew of other nonprofit leaders!
RSVP Here:
ED's Breakfast September
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast August
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
ED's Breakfast July
Join your fellow nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents for a monthly opportunity to enjoy each others company, discuss issues of the day, and eat a good meal! These are scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month at the Egg & I in Saint Paul.
Please RSVP to info@mnnonprofitexecs.org if you plan to attend so the good folks at the Egg & I know how many to expect!
MN Nonprofit Executive Leadership Summit 2023
May 17th - 19th, 2023
We know that the role of a Nonprofit Executive leader is unique and doesn’t have a single roadmap for success. Our organizations need different resources and strategies at different times to continue to make the most impact in our missions. This requires a network of peers who can relate, identify solutions, and ask deeper questions based on similar experiences.
The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Summit is just the space to strengthen this network and enhance your ability to lead your organization. Executive leaders have consistently rated this as the most valuable experience from previous summits, and this year, we are prioritizing more opportunities to do just that.
This year, we have foregone a traditional conference model to create an experience that better suits our community's needs, where YOU will have the chance to help co-create our agenda. Guided by your feedback and comments, we now have a completely new format that is dedicated to fostering peer learning, creating authentic connections, and developing a supportive network of other executive leaders.
The agenda will include space for the following:
Leadership Circles - Facilitated conversations that give you the opportunity for deeper conversation and connection while you explore issues most relevant to your leadership
Affinity Groups - Participant-hosted open sessions connecting around similar interests, identities, characteristics or groups
Conversations for Change - Dialogue on specific challenges or issues of the Participant’s choosing, co-hosted by multiple Participants.
Join us May 17-19 at Arrowhead Resort and Conference Center!
Cost (includes conference fee, lodging, and six meals): $490
In response to prior summit survey comments, this year the committee has reserved the townhouses at Arrowwood, as well as a few typical hotel rooms, to further the connection participants make with each other.
Room Options 1: Shared Townhome - Private Room- The 3-4 bedroom townhomes will lodge 3 people ONLY so that each participant will have their own bedroom and bathroom. Common spaces kitchen and living room will be shared among occupants. Rooming here will require a short outside walk to the main summit event space. You do not need to have identified roommates to choose this option. To see the layout options of the townhouse, click here.
Room Option 2: Double Queen or King Lodge Room - These are typical hotel rooms attached to the main building. Your choice of this room is for you only - no roommates. Rooming here will require a .35 mile outside walk to the main summit event space.
If you have lodging or registration questions, please contact Nicole Deters at ndeters@legalcorps.org / 651-583-5978 or Mary McKeown at mmckeown@keystoneservices.org / 651-603-6644.
Please note - there is a waterpark at Arrowwood Resort. Summit registration DOES NOT include waterpark passes but these can be purchased at the hotel desk for an extra cost.
Scholarships:
A limited number of scholarships will be offered to nonprofit leaders at organizations with annual budgets at or below $750,000. Click here for the scholarship guidelines and application. Applications must be submitted by April 25th for consideration.
Refund Policy:
Prior to April 20, 2023: A full refund of Conference Cost will be issued to registrants. After this date, we will only be able to offer a $50 refund for any cancellations.
And thanks to our amazing sponsors, we will again be able to offer scholarships for those in need.
Please go check out the sponsor page and consider using these folks whenever you have the chance.
They have shown their commitment to us and our work, so let’s return the love!
April Nonprofit Leadership Social Hour
Join us at The Market at Malcolm Yards from 4:30 – 6:30 pm on April 11th!
Learn more about the annual Summit and meet the inspired and/or amusingly unconventional people who might be there!
The Boxcar Bar area is reserved for our group from 4:30-6:30, and then it will be open to the public. People can get a Yard Card at the host stand to use for all food and beverage purchases, or pay by credit card as they go. There is a full bar in the area reserved and also a self-pour tap wall. Lots of delicious food options as well!
Fall Social Hour!
Free to attend.
We will provide appetizers from Zakia Deli. Beer and nonalcoholic kombucha are available for purchase. We are meeting in the back room with an amazing pinball selection and lots of rock &/or roll.
Are you looking for a place to network and meet other nonprofit Executive directors in Minnesota? This is a great place to connect in an informal social support group and discuss topics like board governance, strategic planning, and self-care. Our social events have the goals of community connections and resource sharing to ensure your well-being and a vibrant nonprofit sector. Join us at the Falling Knife Brewing Company in Northeast Minneapolis on Thursday, October 27th, 2022 to learn how your colleagues are navigating the workforce crisis, inflation, and all the other stressors as well as have fun!
Summer Social Hour!
Please join us at the home of Cathy Maes, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes for our summer social hour in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of Saint Paul! Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
RSVP here for more info and to make sure we have enough refreshments and snacks!
Leader – Connect Social Hour
You are invited to connect with other leaders of Minnesota nonprofit organizations on Wednesday April 6th from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
We are a self-organized group of leaders creating a community to bolster the health and vibrancy of the sector, create connections and learn from each other. Annually we host a leadership summit and this is an opportunity to learn more about our upcoming retreat which is being held Apr 27, 2022 – Apr 29, 2022. Our topic for this social hour will be strategic planning – share what has worked and what has been a challenge. This event is limited to Executive Directors and CEOs of nonprofit organizations. It also gives you a great chance to support Midtown Global Market and local businesses.
LOCATION Midtown Global Market, outside of EastLake Brewery in the dugout - 920 E. Lake Street Minneapolis, MN 55407
FOOD & DRINK: 18 ethnic restaurants and specialty food vendors. https://midtownglobalmarket.org/visit
PARKING Convenient Ramp at 10th Avenue and Lake Street or Metered lot on Elliot Avenue
Winter Happy Hour
Free to attend. Hosted pizza and apps with a cash bar.
An informal social support group of nonprofit leaders in Minnesota. In addition to an annual leadership retreat, we also have informal social events to connect, recharge and energize our role in the vibrant nonprofit sector. Join us at the Pizza Luce in Eden Prairie on Thursday February 24th, 2022 to learn how your colleagues are navigating the workforce crisis, inflation, vaccine mandates, and virtual board meetings.
This event is for CEOs and Executive Directors of non-profits only.