Description:

This two-part workshop series equips executive directors, senior fundraisers, and board members to elevate board performance and unlock stronger fundraising results. Whether you bring your board members with you, or attend and use the tools you’ll receive to move your board forward, these sessions are ideal for any board member and nonprofit leader focused on building more resilient organizations.

Materials and tools are only available to participants.

Session One: Beyond Bylaws: Governance in Action – Turning Board Duties into Real-World Leadership and ED Partnership

Turn your board from a box-checking body into a powerhouse partner. In this session, you will crack the simple (and often overlooked) secrets of good governance and see how the fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and obedience translate into everyday behaviors that actually move the needle for your organization. You’ll connect governance and board–staff partnership directly to your ability to scale impact and grow revenue, discovering how clear roles, aligned expectations, and consistent habits become the hidden engine of high performance. You’ll walk away with practical frameworks, ready-to-use language, and actionable tools that renew your own clarity and confidence—and give your entire leadership team a sharper line of sight to your organization’s most important goals.

Session Two: From Surviving to Thriving: Transforming Board Service into Confident Fundraising Leadership

Unlock your board’s full fundraising potential in this hands-on, interactive session designed to build real confidence and practical skills. Part two empowers nonprofit executives and board members to become mission champions who open doors and secure critical resources with authenticity and ease. You’ll craft compelling stories that inspire and invite action and support. You’ll master the art of any ask—from casual invitations and warm introductions to pointed advocacy and direct solicitations. You’ll leave with a toolkit that makes board service feel more meaningful, purposeful, and impactful. This session will transform how your board engages with fundraising, bringing focus and momentum to your organization’s resource goals.

Note: Attendance at Part One is required for participation in this transformational second session.

Learn more about our certificate programs! 

Facilitator:

Kerry Watterson is the Founder & CEO of Fundraising Well, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise that strengthens and amplifies the impact and income of nonprofits and fundraising professionals around the world. He teaches Fundraising Models & Resource Development with University of California-Irvine, and lectures regularly on public-private partnerships, philanthropic impact investments, and ethics in fundraising.

Throughout his 24-year career in public service, Watterson has raised and leveraged a half-billion dollars for social impact causes. He has held leadership roles with notable organizations, including Year Up, New York Civil Liberties Union, Kaplan’s Educational Foundation, and the University of Texas at Arlington. He also raised capital for numerous political campaigns and commercial ventures, including Broadway productions with the legendary Harold Prince.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for A Call to Men, and previously held Board of Directors seats with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) NYC and New York Theatre Barn. He also leads public policy and advocacy work for the nonprofit sector and was the Founding Chair of the State of New York’s Advocacy Day for Fundraising & Philanthropy.

Mortar Board®, the national college society for scholarship, service, and leadership, honored Watterson with the National Alumni Achievement Award for his leadership and impact in the nonprofit sector, noting his accomplishments of winning federal recognition of same sex marriages via the historic SCOTUS case, United States v Windsor, and advancing economic and racial justice through dozens of causes.

Watterson attended Texas Wesleyan University and University of Arizona earning two master’s degrees and the AFP Ralph Chamberlin Fellowship. He is also a two-time champion with the New York Gay Football League and is active in his local Jersey City, NJ community.

We request that organizations limit their registrations to 5 participants per workshop. Please only register other people when you can provide the requested information for each participant; additional registrations under the same name will be removed. If you would like more than 5 employees from your organization to participate in this workshop, please email wo*******@*****************ne.org

Registration is required. Please be advised that by registering for this event, unless we hear from you otherwise, we will include you as part of our regular electronic mailing list. Please also be advised that the event may be recorded or photographed by Support Center for Nonprofit Management (Support Center). By enrolling for this event, you hereby: (1) give consent for Support Center or any third parties to use your photograph or image in its print, online and video publications; (2) release Support Center, its employees and any outside third parties from all liabilities or claims that you might assert in connection with the above-described uses; and (3) waive any right to inspect, approve or receive compensation for any materials or communications, including photographs, videotapes, website images or written materials, incorporating photos/images of you. To revoke this waiver, please email wo*******@*****************ne.org.