At the 2024 IFT, more than 1,000 nonprofit leaders will gather virtually for six weeks of timely workshops focused on diversity, fundraising, strategic planning, finance, board governance and more. Dr. Marquis Victor, founder and executive director of Elevated Thought, will deliver the keynote address, which will focus on creative leadership practices.

Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), located in Danvers, MA, launched the IFT as an in-person conference in 2010. During the pandemic, the conference went virtual, offering flexibility and accessibility for an increased number of participants. Since 2021, ECCF has been partnering with sister community foundations across the state to widen the scope and capacity of the event. This year, ECCF, the Berkshire Taconic, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and Greater Worcester Community Foundation will host the event together.

For the first time since 2019, the keynote kickoff will take place in-person in Essex County on March 20 at Pingree School in Hamilton. Worcester County participants are invited to a watch party at the Jean McDonough Arts Center to network and stream the keynote, which will be broadcast online for all registered IFT attendees.

Virtual workshops begin the day after the keynote on March 21 and run through May 9. Experts from across the state have been tapped to lead 19 informative, relevant and interactive sessions. Some highlights include:

• Breaking the Burnout Epidemic: Emerging Research Related to the Wellbeing of our Nonprofit Workforce, led by Patrick Kirby, James Liou and Hanh Tran of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.
• From Vision to Reality: Manifesting Equity, led by Consuela Greene and Lucas Orwig of Root Cause.
• Demystifying the Capital Campaign, led by Sharon Danosky and John Brooks of Danosky & Associates.
• The Impact of AI on the Workforce: Are we Ready for This AI-Driven Future? led by Rejoyce Owusu of Comprehensive Community Action Program.

Participants may attend as many workshops as they choose via the live Zoom event. As an added value, all workshops, including the keynote presentation, will be recorded and distributed to watch when it’s convenient.

Through Feb. 20, registration is $110 for individuals and $500 for an entire nonprofit board with no limit on board size. After Feb. 20, prices increase to $130 and $550. Registration for the event closes on March 25 at 11pm.

Program information and registration is available on Essex County Community Foundation’s website: eccf.org/nonprofits-grants/ift/.

About the Partners

Essex County Community Foundation

The mission of Essex County Community Foundation is to inspire philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County. We do this by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits and engaging in strategic community leadership. For 25 years, ECCF and its growing family of 295 charitable funds have granted $136 million to nonprofits, schools and students in Essex County and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to have 34 thriving cities and towns in Essex County and to improve the quality of life for the region’s nearly 800,000 residents. Learn more at eccf.org.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation has strengthened communities through philanthropy and leadership in northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY. Learn more at berkshiretaconic.org.

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Founded in 1991, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life for people across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties. With assets totaling over $236 million, the foundation responds to the needs of the region along the Connecticut River Valley in western Massachusetts by serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities. To learn more, visit communityfoundation.org.

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

We are passionate about our region. The Greater Worcester Community Foundation serves the needs of residents across the 60 towns and cities that make up Worcester County. Founded in 1975, we provide support and resources to improve the lives of the more than 850,000 people who call this area home. To learn more, visit greaterworcester.org.