Connect. Collaborate. Catalyze. Strengthening the Nonprofit Ecosystem

Connect. Collaborate. Catalyze.
Strengthening the Nonprofit Ecosystem

Thursday, October 16, 2025
1:30 - 4:30pm CT

Impact House
200 W. Madison Street
Chicago, IL

*ACN Members - $25 ($40 after 9/16/25) 
Nonprofits - $25

Connect, Collaborate, Catalyze: Strengthening the Nonprofit Ecosystem brings nonprofits and consultants together to dialogue, strategize, and build relationships. Join your peers for an in-person afternoon of hands-on, solution-oriented, expert-led discussions. Spark new ideas about building effective partnerships, fundraising in sensitive economic climates, telling impactful stories, applying cross sector best practices and more. Share and gain practical tips to steer your organization and practice throughout the coming years.

Six table topics, including:

• Real Strategies for Effective Collaboration in Multi-Organization Nonprofit Partnerships

• • Facilitated byClark McCain, Managing Director, Strategic Partnerships, Women's Business Development Center and Mekeda Johnson-Brooks, Chief Client Experience Architect, MJ Design and Company

• Maximize Your Moments: Video Storytelling Strategies for Nonprofits

• • Facilitated byAllison Wong, Owner/Video Producer, ACG Productions and Jessica Douglas, Manager of Marketing and Communications, One Million Degrees.

• Not all that Glitters is Gold: What lessons to take AND LEAVE from for profits

• • Facilitated by Judie Caribeaux, Chief Collaborations Office, Mission + Strategy and Melanie Stathis, Social Impact Data Strategist, Confluential Impact Advisors.

• Strategic Sensitivity in Fundraising: Reading the Room in Uncertain Times

• • Facilitated by Michele Walls, Principal Consultant at MW Strategies. 

• Planning in Times of Uncertainty

• • Facilitated by Annisa Wanat, Principal, AMW Solutions. 

• From Chaos to Cohesion: Finding Opportunities in Uncertain Times

• • Facilitated by Esther Grimm, National Arts Strategies Leadership Coach and former Executive Director of 3Arts and Amy Wishnick, Principal of Wishnick & Associates.

A detailed program description can be found here.

*Non-member consultants who wish to attend should purchase an ACN membership to qualify for a ticket.