Mass Council of Nonprofits

Trauma-Informed Messaging for Your Grant Proposal
2026-07-07 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/trauma-informed-messaging-for-your-grant-proposal/
Storytelling is a crucial component of grant writing – but capturing the stories of your beneficiaries can often be challenging. In this session, we’ll unpack how to gather stories in a way that protects, respects, and dignifies the story-owner. You’ll gain practical insights and tools to implement trauma-informed storytelling practices as a grant writer.

Better Life For All 7th Anniversary Annual Gala
2026-06-27 | Better Life for All 7th Anniversary Annual Gala, 409 Upham Street, Melrose, MA, 02176, United States
Better Life for All Anniversary Annual Gala is a signature fundraising event dedicated to celebrating another impactful year of service and community support. This elegant evening brings together dedicated donors, community leaders, and volunteers for a night of inspiration, fine dining, live entertainment, and heartfelt stories from those whose lives have been transformed by the organization.
A highlight of the gala is the fundraising campaign, which features a live auction, silent auction, and opportunities for guests to pledge ongoing support. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, last year’s campaign exceeded its financial goals, enabling us to expand our outreach programs and deliver essential resources to individuals and families in need.
Join us for this year’s gala to mark our 7th anniversaries, honor our achievements, and help ensure that Better Life for All continues to make a lasting difference in the community. Your participation and contributions are vital to the success of our mission.

Leading Through Pressure: Nonprofit Leadership in New England Today.
2026-06-25 13:00 - 14:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/leading-through-pressure-nonprofit-leadership-in-new-england-today/
Nonprofit leaders across New England are navigating growing pressures: burnout, staffing challenges, funding uncertainty, evolving leadership expectations, and increasing demands on organizations and communities alike.
Join TSNE for a candid conversation with nonprofit leaders from across the region as we explore what leadership looks like right now, what’s changing in the sector, and what leaders need to sustain themselves and their organizations for the future.
Grounded in insights from TSNE’s Leadership New England 2026 report, this discussion will move beyond the data to focus on the real experiences, challenges, and opportunities shaping nonprofit leadership today.
Speakers:
– Lou Chen, CEO, INTEMPO
– Anna Krieger, Executive Director, Mass Advocates for Children
– Anthony Poore, President & CEO, New Hampshire Center for Justice and Education
Moderated by Michael Ibrahim, TSNE’s Chief Program and Impact Officer, and Artie Maharaj, PhD, TSNE’s Manager of Learning and Evaluation.

Retirement and Health Benefits for Nonprofits: Mission-Driven Work Deserves Mission-Driven Benefits
2026-06-25 11:00 - 12:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/retirement-and-health-benefits-for-nonprofits-mission-driven-work-deserves-mission-driven-benefits/
A live webinar with the Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan and Acrisure

Nonprofits work hard to care for communities — but who’s helping nonprofits care for their teams? In this free webinar, explore the Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan, and the Acrisure Group Health Collaborative Initiative. Learn how collaborative scale and simplified oversight can support your organization’s long-term workforce strategy.
The Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan is a state-sponsored retirement plan solution designed to make high-quality 401(k) benefits more accessible and affordable to nonprofit employers who have between 1 and 100 employees. The CORE Plan is purpose-built, low cost, and easy to understand. It offers a simple way to provide a retirement plan benefit to employees which is an area that many nonprofits are eager to strengthen but may find challenging to implement on their own. This benefit is available now!
The Acrisure Group Health Collaborative knows that one of the most pressing issues for non-profit entities is the escalating costs of health insurance. Finding strong coverage at an affordable price continues to be one of the most challenging aspects of running an organization. Acrisure wants to help! The goal is to create a health insurance collaborative that will provide affordable premiums through group purchasing and extensive and flexible coverage options. Your help is needed to turn this initiative into a reality.

Speakers: Lisa Cardinal, Massachusetts CORE Plan, and Anthony Chandler, Acrisure

About the Presenters: This webinar is presented by Lisa Cardinal of the Massachusetts 401(k) CORE Plan and Anthony Chandler of Acrisure.

Mid-Year Reset & Team Health
2026-06-18 16:00 - 17:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/mid-year-reset-team-health/
This is part of Project Adventure’s Taste of imPAct leadership virtual series. Our Taste of imPAct is a 60-minute virtual series which offers practical tools, tangible takeaways, and space to explore how each month’s leadership topic is showing up in your organization. It is offered on the third Thursday of every month from 4:00-5:00pm EST.
In this session, pause mid-year to assess what’s working—and what’s not. Gather practical reset strategies and tangible next steps, plus time to reflect on your team’s health and alignment.

2026 Nonprofit Excellence Awards
2026-06-17 17:45 - 20:00

CORI: What Nonprofits Need to Know to Help Their Clients
2026-06-17 14:00 - 15:30 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/cori-what-nonprofits-need-to-know-to-help-their-clients/
*Note: This training is not designed to help advise nonprofits on their hiring practices. It is solely focused on assisting clients with criminal records.*
This criminal records training is intended for nonprofits whose staff are involved with counseling or offering services in the community to individuals who may have criminal records. It will address the following:
– What exactly is a criminal record in Massachusetts? Who has the data? Who gets access to the data?
– How can a nonprofit help a client reduce the barriers posed by criminal records?
– What is the process to seal a CORI? Can I refer my client to free legal resources for sealing?
– What rights do individuals with a sealed CORI have when they are applying for a job? Housing?
– What is the process to expunge a charge on a CORI? Are there free legal resources?
– What are the concerns for an individual with a CORI who has an immigration issue?
Presenter: Crispin Birnbaum, Access to Justice Fellow

How to Build a Clear, Fundable Case for Support
2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/how-to-build-a-clear-fundable-case-for-support/
A strong grant strategy depends on more than finding the right funders. You also need a clear, compelling way to explain what your organization does, why it matters, and why your work is fundable. In this free workshop, Sonya Page will walk through how small nonprofits can build a stronger case for support that sharpens messaging, highlights fundable programs and priorities, and strengthens both grant applications and foundation outreach.

HR & Employment Law Roundtable - Recruiting & Retention
2026-06-17 10:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/free-hr-employment-law-roundtable-recruiting-retention/
This interactive roundtable brings HR and business leaders together to discuss real workplace challenges and share practical approaches with peers. Each session includes a brief HR and employment law update followed by a facilitated discussion where participants can compare strategies, policies, and solutions. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, legal and HR perspectives, and ideas they can apply immediately in their organizations.

Workshop & Consultation: Nonprofit Protection in 2026
2026-06-15 14:00 - 16:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/workshop-consultation-nonprofit-protection-in-2026/
*Consultation applications due by June 4.*
For more than a year, the federal government has been cutting funds for nonprofits and imposing new restrictions. Join attorneys who specialize in MA tax-exempt nonprofits as we review how local organizations are protecting their programs and operations.
This one-hour workshop will be followed by private consultations for nonprofits to discuss particular issues with an attorney. The workshop is open to all MA tax-exempt nonprofits, with a limited number of openings for consultations.
Agenda
2-3 PM: Workshop open to all Massachusetts nonprofits
3-4 PM: Private consultation for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in Massachusetts
Presenters: Shifrah Halevi, Lawyers Clearinghouse; Janet Rickershauser, Hurwit & Associates
Volunteers: Attorneys from the Boston Bar Association Tax-Exempt Organizations Section
Offered in partnership with the Boston Bar Association Tax-Exempt Organizations Section.

Creative Sector Summit
2026-06-12 09:30 - 17:30 | Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA, 02740, United States
MASSCreative’s Creative Sector Summit is an annual, statewide conference for artists, creatives, cultural organization leaders, creative business owners, educators, planners, and elected officials to advance public support for the arts and cultural sector and economy in Massachusetts. The 2026 Summit will include 12 expert panels and workshops that are facilitated by members of Massachusetts’ creative sector and address this year’s theme of “Art, Culture and Creativity as Civic Infrastructure.” It is the largest annual conference in Massachusetts that is solely dedicated to serving members of the arts and cultural sector. Tickets are available through Wednesday, June 10th.
$45 Young Professionals (Ages 30 & Under)
$85 Individual Ticket
$400 Five-pack of tickets

PolicyTALKS: Ain’t Nothin’ Going On But the Rent
2026-06-09 09:30 - 11:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/policytalks-aint-nothin-going-on-but-the-rent/
An increasing number of Massachusetts residents are experiencing a housing affordability crisis. The ever-increasing burden of rent significantly impacts many aspects of people’s lives and communities, such as social determinants of health, access to transportation, and impact on climate change. In this PolicyTALKS, we will explore the increasing burden of rent across the Commonwealth, the social and economic impacts of unaffordable housing, and what the state can do about it.
Join this space where we bring together experts on progressive policies to discuss proposed solutions and how to improve, implement, and/or propose new ones. Also, gain a deeper understanding of how the housing affordability crisis is affecting Massachusetts and discuss what the state can do to address it.

Nonprofit Excellence Awards
2026-06-09 08:00 - 17:00

Strut for Strays: A Walk for Cats & Kittens
2026-06-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Winnekenni Castle, Castle Rd, Haverhill, MA, 01830, United States
The Strut for Strays is an annual event hosted by Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society! This year, it is focused on our mission in the Purr-suit of a Better Tomorrow.
Join us for one of the most feel-good days of the year as animal lovers, families, local businesses, and furry friends come together! This isn’t just a walk. It’s a celebration of compassion, community, and the life-changing work happening every day for cats in need.
Whether you’re walking in honor of a beloved pet, fundraising with friends, or simply showing up because you care, every step you take helps provide shelter, medical care, and second chances for thousands of cats and kittens. From lifesaving spay/neuter efforts to adoptions and emergency veterinary support, your participation fuels it all.
Expect wagging tails (and plenty of purrs), great company, and a whole lot of heart. The event is dog (and cat!) friendly, there will be live music, food, a short walk through a beautiful path (if desired), lawn games, and more! Our event will take place in front of the stunning Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill, MA.
Lace up your sneakers, rally your team, and get ready to make a real difference because when we strut together, we save lives.
Let’s walk. Let’s celebrate. Let’s purr-sue a better tomorrow one step at a time.

Bostonians for Youth Gala
2026-06-04 18:00 | Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St James Ave, Boston, MA, 02116, United States
Join us for the 19th Annual Bostonians for Youth Gala for an inspiring evening to celebrate the incredible young people who power our mission and the impact we create together.
We are privileged to announce Andrea Joy Campbell, the 45th Attorney General of Massachusetts and the first woman of color elected to this office, as TBC’s 2026 Leader of Change. The Award recognizes an individual who is making a powerful impact in helping to create a more just and equitable Boston through critical and sustainable change.
We are also proud to announce the inaugural Beloved Community Award, honoring the 7uice Foundation and its visionary leadership – Jaylen Brown, Founder, and Mechalle Brown, President. The award recognizes an organization whose work advances equity, dignity, and belonging, strengthening communities and expanding opportunity across Boston.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Academy of Women Achievers
2026-06-04 11:30 - 13:30 | The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116, United States
This year marks YW Boston’s 31st annual Academy of Women Achievers (AWA) celebration. Taking place on June 4 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Westin Copley Place, this signature event is our largest annual fundraiser, supporting our work to build a more inclusive Boston.
The celebration will feature an inspiring panel of honorees and bring together hundreds of leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing equity across the city. We are proud to recognize an exceptional group of women: Lauren Cook (Ellis Early Learning), Nathalie Gauthier (State Street), Sandra McCroom (Children’s Services of Roxbury), Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández (Urban College of Boston), and Shavel’le Olivier (Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition). Each honoree exemplifies the leadership and vision needed to create lasting change.
Proceeds from AWA directly support YW Boston’s programs which focus on dismantling systemic barriers faced by women, people of color, and especially women of color. Our programs work with individuals, institutions, and organizations across Greater Boston to change policies, practices, attitudes and behaviors to be more inclusive, breaking down barriers to opportunity and leadership for those who are often excluded.

HR Compliance Checkup: What Every Employer Needs to Know
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/hr-compliance-checkup-what-every-employer-needs-to-know/
A live webinar with Innovo Benefits Group
Join Allyson Hay and Tasha Wilder of Innovo Benefits Group for a quick-hitting, informative free webinar designed to help employers identify compliance gaps and strengthen HR practices through a practical HR audit. They’ll cover the key areas every organization can review now to reduce risk and improve compliance. Topics will include:
• Wage & Hour Compliance
• Recruitment & Hiring
• Performance Management
• Leave Management
• Compensation Practices
• Training Requirements
• Safety & Risk Management
• Multi-State & Municipality Considerations
This webinar is ideal for professionals with executive, administrative, or HR responsibilities who are looking to build confidence in these key areas. Allyson and Tasha will share actionable guidance to help you evaluate your current practices, identify potential compliance gaps, and strengthen your organization’s overall HR processes.

About the Presenters: This webinar is presented by Allyson Hay and Tasha Wilder of Innovo Benefits Group.

Trends in Philanthropy: Funder Perspectives
2026-06-02 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/free-webinar-trends-in-philanthropy-funder-perspectives/
Guest Speaker: To Be Announced
Join us for an invigorating conversation with a leader in the nonprofit space as we explore the latest trends in philanthropy.

14th Annual Walk for Independence! @ Mount Ida Campus of Umass Amherst
2026-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Mount Ida Campus of Umass Amherst, 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join Us for the 14th Annual Walk for Independence!
The 14th Annual Walk for Independence is happening Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst (100 Carlson Avenue, Newton, MA)!
This free event invites you to walk to raise funds for vision loss and celebrate our community coming together to improve the lives of people with vision loss. Attendees will complete a 1, 2, or 3-mile walk around the Mount Ida campus, followed by activities for all ages!
Event Timeline:
– Registration: 9:00 a.m.
– Walk Kick-Off: 10:00 a.m.
– Post-Walk BBQ & Activities: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Event Highlights:
– Free BBQ & Popcorn
– Accessible Activities
– Assistive Technology Demonstrations
– Event Emcee: Sam Seavey, founder of The Blind Life
– And more!
Learn More & Register Today: carroll.org/walk

Documentary Storytelling for Mission Driven Organizations
2026-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/documentary-storytelling-for-mission-driven-organizations/
Join award-winning documentary filmmaker Margo Guernsey, from Time Travel Productions, for our third free workshop on leveraging documentary storytelling to amplify your organization’s mission and impact.
Are you prepared to build authentic collaborations with those you serve to tell your collective story?
In April we reviewed the building blocks of story and discussed creating compelling narratives to amplify your mission. Even if you missed the the last workshop, you can join us this time.
This month we will discuss concrete ways to build authentic collaboration including
– Steps organizational leaders can take to ensure the people you serve have agency over how their stories are told.
– Tools you can use to center the storytellers in decision making.
– Approaches to building compelling narratives that don’t exploit or extract from the people sharing.
Who we are:
Time Travel Productions is a boutique style production company known for deeply collaborative documentary filmmaking and community-led distribution. We pride ourselves on providing tools and expertise for organizations to connect emotionally with audiences. Our goal is for people whose voices have been marginalized to tell their own stories on their own terms. Learn more about us here.
After you register, we will send you a calendar invite and Zoom link.

New structures, old habits: Why change doesn’t stick and what we can do about it
2026-05-28 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c1PaxolaSAG1_53kPMasEw
Organizations invest enormous energy in planning change — new roles, restructured teams, governance redesigns, updated processes, strategic plans. And when those changes don’t produce the outcomes they were designed for, the instinct is usually to question the design (did we get this “right”?) or to look at the people who “aren’t getting on board”. But there’s a third explanation that’s almost always part of what’s at play: the behavioral, relational, and cultural work required to make the new structure actually function was never planned for or resourced. Structure creates the conditions for change, but it can’t produce change on its own.
In this session, we’ll explore why organizational changes so often fail to deliver on their promise — not because the design was wrong, but because the work of helping people actually operate differently within a new structure is its own work that so many change processes skip. We’ll look at what that work involves, where it tends to break down, and what you can do as a leader to close the gap between the organization you envisioned and the one you’re actually living in.
This session might be for you or your organization if…
You’ve made real structural changes, and things still feel mostly the same
You’re hearing “we already tried that” or “nothing ever actually changes around here.”
You find yourself wondering whether the problem is the design or the people, and neither answer quite fits
Your team has new roles, new processes, or new expectations on paper, but old habits and patterns persist in practice
You want practical approaches for leading the kind of change that doesn’t happen through org charts alone

Communication That Actually Works
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/communication-that-actually-works/
This is part of Project Adventure’s Taste of imPAct leadership virtual series. Our Taste of imPAct is a 60-minute virtual series which offers practical tools, tangible takeaways, and space to explore how each month’s leadership topic is showing up in your organization. It is offered on the third Thursday of every month from 4:00-5:00pm EST.
In this session, discover clear, courageous communication practices that reduce misunderstanding and increase momentum. Leave with concrete tools and time to consider how communication patterns are shaping your team’s effectiveness.

Housing Stabilization: Keeping Clients Housed
2026-05-21 09:30 - 13:30 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/housing-stabilization-keeping-clients-housed/
Housing Bridge provides professional training for housing providers, shelters, and affordable housing communities across Massachusetts. Our workshops help programs improve housing navigation, strengthen diversion practices, prevent eviction, and support long-term housing stability for residents. Training is available for organizations throughout the South Coast, Cape Cod, and Greater Boston region.

Understanding the root causes of housing instability
Early intervention strategies to prevent eviction
Financial stabilization tools and supports
Landlord mediation and conflict resolution strategies

Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism
2026-05-21 08:00 - 17:00
Join the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) for the 2026 Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism! A dynamic, statewide gathering of service leaders, nonprofit professionals, AmeriCorps and Commonwealth Corps members, program staff, public officials, corporate partners, and community changemakers.
This year’s theme, Across the Commonwealth: Galvanizing Civic Leadership in Every Community, celebrates the power of civic leadership in every region of Massachusetts. From rural towns to urban centers, from grassroots initiatives to statewide movements, we are united by a shared commitment to strengthening communities through service and volunteerism.
Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, managing volunteers, serving as an AmeriCorps or Commonwealth Corps member, supporting service programs as staff, working in municipal government, or building corporate partnerships, this conference will leave you energized, connected, and equipped with actionable tools.

Out of Office, In Compliance: Managing Employee Leaves
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/out-of-office-in-compliance-managing-employee-leaves/
When an employee needs time away from work, determining which leave laws apply and how they intersect can be complex. With expanding state paid leave programs, remote and multi-state workforces, and overlapping federal protections, HR professionals are increasingly faced with real-time decisions that don’t always fit neatly into a single policy or framework.
This session takes a practical, scenario-based approach to leave management, focusing on real situations HR teams commonly encounter. Through each case, we’ll break down how different leave laws work together in practice and how to navigate them confidently and consistently.
We will explore scenarios such as:

An employee working remotely in a different state than the company headquarters, triggering multiple leave law considerations
Coordinating federal FMLA leave with state Paid Family and Medical Leave programs for the same absence
An employee requesting intermittent leave with changing or unclear medical documentation
Situations where short-term disability benefits and statutory leave protections overlap
Managing consistency in policy application for employees across different jurisdictions

Join us for a discussion designed to provide actionable insight into navigating complex, real-life leave scenarios, reducing compliance risk, and building a more consistent approach to managing employee absences.

Free HR & Employment Law Roundtable – AI in the Workplace
2026-05-20 10:00 - 23:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/free-hr-employment-law-roundtable-ai-in-the-workplace/

How to Find the Right Funders for Your Small Nonprofit
2026-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/how-to-find-the-right-funders-for-your-small-nonprofit/
If you run a small nonprofit, prospect research can quickly turn into hours of digging without much to show for it. In this free workshop, Sonya Page of Page Consulting Group will walk through a practical approach to finding the right funders without getting lost in a grants database or chasing every opportunity. Designed for nonprofit leaders and lean teams, this session will focus on how to identify likely foundation prospects, assess fit quickly, and build a short, focused prospect list that is actually worth your time.

MWNN Nonprofit Management Certificate Info Session
2026-05-13 12:00 - 13:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/mwnn-nonprofit-management-certificate-info-session/
Join us to learn about MetroWest Nonprofit Network’s Fall Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. This 12-week hybrid course supports the professional development of individuals at various stages of their nonprofit careers and is designed to expand participants’ knowledge, skills, and network to advance their nonprofit mission. A brief overview of the curriculum will be provided with plenty of time for discussion and questions.
Participation is open to all, but please note 4 sessions are in person in Framingham.

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop (Virtual)
2026-05-12 16:00 - 18:00 | https://macouncilofnonprofits.org/events/nonprofit-incorporation-workshop-virtual-12/
An essential overview of how to establish a nonprofit in Massachusetts and obtain a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, with key points for maintaining tax-exempt status. Strongly recommended for anyone starting a nonprofit. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the presentation slides and additional reference materials. Topics include:
– For-profit or nonprofit?
– What is a nonprofit?
– Incorporating & structuring a nonprofit
– Fiscal sponsorship
– State reporting & regulation
– Federal tax exemption
– Ongoing IRS reporting & regulation
Presenters: Sue Abbott, Goodwin; Luke Blackadar, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
