Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium

A full day for nonprofit leaders to connect, learn, and grow together!

Join us for the 3rd Annual Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium, a day dedicated to connection, learning, and strengthening the organizations that serve our region. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, staff member, volunteer, board member, or community partner, this symposium brings together the people and ideas that are shaping the future of our work.

Spend the day with fellow changemakers exploring inspiring sessions, practical tools, and meaningful conversations designed to help nonprofits grow stronger and more sustainable. From fundraising and leadership to collaboration and community impact, you’ll walk away with new insights, new relationships, and renewed energy for the work ahead.

✨ Connect with peers across the Mohawk Valley
✨ Learn from experienced nonprofit professionals
✨ Discover new strategies to strengthen your mission
✨ Be part of a growing network committed to community impact

This is more than a conference, it’s a gathering of people who believe in building a stronger region together.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and be inspired at the 3rd Annual Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium.

AGENDA

07:30 AM – 08:30 AM – Registration, Breakfast, & Networking

08:30 AM – 09:30 AM – Keynote – David Casullo, Founder, CEO, Author, Daneli Partners

David’s passion is developing leaders who have the courage and capability to change the world. A C-suite executive, entrepreneur, leadership coach, and author, David has enabled leaders all around the world to clarify their personal truths, energize their purpose, and recommit to behaving consistently in a way that drives teams and business growth. David brought his knowledge, experiences, practice, and principles back to Little Falls, NY, and founded Daneli Partners. David is motivated to act on what he’s learned, to help revitalize the region by influencing and inspiring leaders.

David is Chairperson of two boards – Human Technologies, a large not-for-profit in Central New York that creates jobs for disabled people, and Bassett Hospital’s Critical Access Hospital in Little Falls, NY.

09:45 AM – 10:45 AM – Session Block 1

• Beyond the Gala: From Signature Events to Sustainable Strategies with Ashlea Schad
• AI, Cybersecurity & Nonprofit Governance: What Leaders Need to Know with Thomas Clifford and Shannon Knapp, Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
• Let’s Talk About Grants: Debunking Common Myths Related to Grant Funding with Amy Lindner
• Nonprofit Finance Fundamentals with Mary Klippel, Money by Maetrix

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Session Block 2

• Beyond the Gala: From Signature Events to Sustainable Strategies with Ashlea Schad
• AI, Cybersecurity, & Nonprofit Governance: What Leaders Need to Know with Thomas Clifford and Shannon Knapp, Bond, Schoeneck and King, PLLC
• Let’s Talk About Grants: Debunking Common Myths Related to Grant Funding with Amy Lindner
• Nonprofit Finance Fundamentals with Mary Klippel, Money by Maetrix

12:00 PM – 01:00 PM – Lunch

01:00 PM – 02:00 PM – Session Block 3

• Inspire the Yes: Ethical Influence for Fundraising, Boards & Buy-In with Maria Maier, Step Up & Thrive
• Grant Writing Isn’t Magic: Using AI to Turn Compelling Community Needs Into Fundable Language with Charles Matheus
• Aligning Ambition with Capacity: Designing Strategy Your Team Can Execute with Chelan Vanno, CP Innovations Group
• Less Burnout, More Impact with Christine Spiak, Success Circle

02:15 PM – 03:15 PM- Session Block 4

• Inspire the Yes: Ethical Influence for Fundraising, Boards & Buy-In with Maria Maier, Step Up & Thrive
• Grant Writing Isn’t Magic: Using AI to Turn Compelling Community Needs Into Fundable Language with Charles Matheus
• Aligning Ambition with Capacity: Designing Strategy Your Team Can Execute with Chelan Vanno, CP Innovations Group
• Less Burnout, More Impact with Christine Spiak, Success Circle

03:30 PM – 04:30 PM – Closing Session – Needs & Leads with Chris & Heidi Cochran

This interactive closing session is designed to move beyond conversation and into action. Needs & Leads creates a space for participants to share what they are currently working on, where they need support, and what opportunities or resources they can offer others. Attendees will be guided through a structured discussion to:

✨Share current projects, challenges, or goals (“Needs”)

✨Offer connections, ideas, resources, or support (“Leads”)

✨Build meaningful relationships that extend beyond the Symposium

✨Next steps and collaboration opportunities

Whether you are seeking funding guidance, partnerships, volunteers, or strategic advice or have expertise and connections to share, this session is where collaboration happens in real time.