The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Our April virtual program, "Creating and Maintaining Your Nonprofit's Culture," will take place via Zoom on Thursday, April 10th from 12:00-1:00 PM CST with Meagan Dunn, CEO of Covenant House Michigan. The one-hour program is FREE thanks to our presenting sponsor, the Walker Area Community Foundation. Registration is required--register today: linktr.ee/carycenterau Meagan Dunn is a dynamic nonprofit leader and a champion for young people experiencing homelessness. She joined Covenant House Michigan in July 2022 and currently serves as the organization’s first Black woman Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Meagan provides leadership to a dedicated team in two locations – Detroit and Grand Rapids. Since opening its doors in 1997, CHMI has served and advocated for more than 80,000 young adults experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, and exploitation, by providing street outreach, short-term shelter, transitional living, and more. With the help of Meagan’s vision and strategic direction, the team delivers high-quality programs and services to help young people achieve housing stability, heal from trauma, and hone their interests and skills to forge new pathways to independence. Previously, Dunn was vice president of programs with YWCA Kalamazoo where she managed a $10 million budget and more than 100 team members. Among other duties, she supervised a 62-bed shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and one of the first 24/7 childcare centers in southwest Michigan. Dunn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Michigan State University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Inforum. Meagan also serves on the Board of Directors for both the Belle Isle Conservancy and Michigan Black Business Alliance, as a Trustee with the Hudson-Webber Foundation, and as an Advisory Board member for The James H. Cole Legacy Foundation. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Did you miss our virtual session last week? You're in luck! Fundraising Essentials: Donor Relations, Campaigns, & Major Gifts with William H. Bryant, Jr., Scout Executive and CEO of the Mobile Area Council, Scouting America is now available on our YouTube channel: https://aub.ie/ccvideos

Don't miss this networking event! Join the Cary Center to mix & mingle with nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, donors, and community members who support wonderful nonprofit organizations. We want to encourage you to take this opportunity to treat yourself and network with nonprofit professionals and those who support them in the beautiful venue of Session Cocktails in downtown Auburn. Nonprofits are not limited on the number of attendees that can register. Come and learn about Session’s Cocktail for a Cause and how your nonprofit can benefit by becoming a Cocktail for a Cause partner. This event is FREE and registration is required. Space is limited, so register today! aub.ie/MIXANDMINGLE

Last week, we were pleased to present a day of training in Huntsville. The Cary Center Nonprofit Training Series took place at the Atrium at Redstone Federal Credit Union. This program included sessions on steps to securing major gifts, social media strategies for nonprofits, and volunteer recruitment, training, and retention. We would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise they shared with these attendees: Nancy Rieves, Ed.D., Founder of Fundraising Maximize?; Jessica Davenport, Founder of Give Social; and Bethany Green, Founder of B Hive Consulting.

We want to encourage you to take this opportunity to treat yourself and network with nonprofit professionals and those who support them in the beautiful venue of Session Cocktails in downtown Auburn. Join the Cary Center on Tuesday, March 25th from 5-7 PM at Session Cocktails to mix & mingle with nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, donors, and community members who support wonderful nonprofit organizations in the Southeast. Come and learn about Session’s Cocktail for a Cause and how your nonprofit can benefit by becoming a Cocktail for a Cause partner. This event is FREE and registration is required. Space is limited, so register today! aub.ie/MIXANDMINGLE

We are just three weeks away from our favorite networking event--the Cary Center Mix and Mingle featuring deliciously crafted cocktails (and mocktails) from Session Cocktails. Join the Cary Center on Tuesday, March 25th from 5:00-7:00 PM at Session Cocktails in downtown Auburn to mix & mingle with nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, donors, and community members who support wonderful nonprofit organizations in the Southeast. We want to encourage you to take this opportunity to treat yourself and network with nonprofit professionals and those who support them in the beautiful venue of Session Cocktails in downtown Auburn. Come and learn about Session’s Cocktail for a Cause and how your nonprofit can benefit by becoming a Cocktail for a Cause partner. The event is FREE, registration required: aub.ie/MIXANDMINGLE Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

TOMORROW is the last day to register for the Huntsville "Nonprofit Training Series" program! The link to register will close at midnight. The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies will present an in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Huntsville at the Atrium at Redstone Federal Credit Union, on Thursday, March 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Bethany Green, Founder of B Hive Consulting, will present "The Volunteer Experience: Recruitment, Training, & Retention" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Huntsville at the Atrium at Redstone Federal Credit Union, on Thursday, March 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Bethany Green is a Muscle Shoals native with a mission of supporting nonprofits and the people who run them. She holds a bachelors degree from the University of North Alabama and a masters degree from Belmont University in Nonprofit Management. As a Certified Nonprofit Specialist, Bethany uses her consulting business to help organizations address challenge areas and build organizational capacity. Her consulting experience focuses on board development/governance, grant writing, funding development, and strategic planning. In addition to nonprofit work, Bethany spent 11 years working in higher education both in the classroom and in student programming. She combines her personal and professional experiences to help nonprofits make informed decisions to become stronger organizations. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Last week, we were pleased to partner with the East Alabama Community Foundation to present a day of training in Tuskegee. The Cary Center Nonprofit Training Series took place at the Utilities Board of Tuskegee. This program included sessions on mission-focused leadership, nonprofit finance, fundraising essentials, and grant writing. We would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise they shared with these attendees: Kristen Reeder, Founder of Legacy Leadership Coaching; Paulina Jordan, Manager at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC; Emilio Cerice, Associate at Your Part-time Controller, LLC; Margen Gadd Menefee, Nonprofit Consultant; and Ann Cooper, Grant Writing Coach and Nonprofit Consultant at Ann Cooper Consulting.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year! Auburn University’s Student Philanthropy Board (SPB) is a student organization sponsored by the Women’s Philanthropy Board, the flagship division of the Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies. Nominations for the 8th Annual Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year Award are now open. The award recipient will be selected by the Student Philanthropy Board from the nominations received and will be recognized in print and on Cary Center social media. The Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year Award seeks to honor individuals who, through their professional efforts, are making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Alabama and surrounding areas. Nominees should be paid employees of a nonprofit organization benefitting the state and/or surrounding areas. To submit a nomination, simply complete the brief nomination form can be found at linktr.ee/carycenterau, by Friday, March 14th. Nominations should be submitted by the nominee’s employer, supervisor, or coworker. The Student Philanthropy Board will select an award recipient at their April meeting. More information about SPB and its mission can be found on the nomination form. All nominees will receive a certificate recognizing the employee as a 2025 nominee. Please contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] with any questions you may have. We are excited to hear about your employees who are making an impact on the lives of fellow Alabamians!