Registration and Details for the 2026 Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium

Preparations are well under way for the 3rd Annual Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium next Thursday, May 21 at Herkimer County Community College!

Registration

Registration is still open. Vendors, Nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers, and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend and be part of a day dedicated to strengthening the organizations that serve our region.

Register today at: 2026 Mohawk Valley Nonprofit Symposium Registration.

What to expect

The day is packed with programming shaped directly by feedback from past attendees and the evolving needs of local organizations. Multiple learning opportunities are available for each Session Block. You pick the topic you most important to you. Here is what you’ll find:

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.

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

Remember to register today, bring your whole team and board members. You will be glad you did!

Vendors

There is still time for vendors to register for the 2026 nonprofit symposium. If you have not yet done so, please reach out to Kayla Hartman at kayla@herkimernext.org. 

Vendors are reminded that set-up will take place on Wednesday, May 20 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Herkimer County Community College. Please come to the Robert McLaughlin College Center (RMCC), located at 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, NY 13350. 1 Table and 2 chairs will be provided for each vendor; however, please note that tablecloths will not be included, so plan accordingly.

About Next

Next – Herkimer County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth and community development throughout Herkimer County and the wider Mohawk Valley. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Ilion, NY, the organization serves as a strategic “catalytic node” that connects municipalities, small businesses, and fellow nonprofits with the resources, funding, and expertise needed to execute high-impact projects. By operating independently of government oversight, Next maintains the agility to bridge gaps in local infrastructure, housing, and nonprofit capacity.