Learning Labs
Learn, connect, and grow with Make An Impact’s webinar series: where purpose-driven leaders come together to explore fresh ideas, proven strategies, and real stories of impact that have helped organizations scale their mission and amplify their influence.
Making the Case: How You Can Use Evaluation to Demonstrate Impact, Influence Policy, and Strengthen Funding Opportunities
COMING SOON
Kumbie Madondo, PhD is a public health professional with over 15 years of experience in health policy, program evaluation, and systems improvement. She is the founder and director of Access to Health Services Research, where she supports organizations in translating data into strategies that strengthen programs and improve community health. Dr. Madondo has held research, policy, and leadership roles at Community Science and the New York Academy of Medicine, leading major health systems evaluations and community health initiatives. She currently serves as a lead researcher on the New York City Department of Health’s CERCA Project, examining how removing race-based clinical algorithm adjustments impacts lung disease outcomes andtransplant policies in safety-net hospitals. She has co-authored two evaluation handbooks and is deeply committed to helping organizations demonstrate impact and make data-driven decisions that benefit the communities they serve.
This session will help participants think more strategically about how evaluation can be used to demonstrate impact and strengthen organizational positioning with funders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders. Participants will reflect on whether their current evaluation systems and metrics are strong enough to clearly communicate program value and results. The session will also explore how organizations can prioritize evaluation activities when time and resources are limited, focusing on the types of evidence that funders, boards, and policy audiences find most compelling. Finally, participants will discuss practical ways to translate evaluation findings into clear and persuasive messages that support funding opportunities, inform policy conversations, and strengthen organizational credibility.
Preparing a Generation with the Skills to Be There
April 9th at 1 PM EST
What if we prepared an entire generation with the skills to support their own and others’ mental health? That is the invitation and promise of Generation Be There, a campaign by Born This Way Foundation inviting partners to encourage their communities to complete the Be There Certificate, a free online mental health course created by Jack.org in partnership with Born This Way Foundation.
We know that 83% of young people have supported a friend struggling with their mental health but only 39% felt adequately prepared to offer the support that was needed. We also know young people, and all of us, are hungry for safe, kind spaces to build meaningful social connection, an important protective factor for supporting mental health.
We each have the power to take action and help build safe spaces for kind, informed conversations about mental health.
Join Born This Way Foundation’s senior partnerships manager, MJ Bradley (they/she), for an exclusive briefing on how you can do just that by joining Generation Be There and activating your community to learn mental health support skills.
In this session, we will explore:
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The need for practical mental health resources, especially peer support
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Case studies for how organizations have activated their communities online and in-person
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The role leaders have in building kinder, more connected communities that uplift mental health
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Actionable steps you can take within your organizations and the communities you serve
MJ Bradley is a seasoned partnerships manager with deep experience in data-driven and cause-based marketing and partner engagement. Prior to joining Born This Way Foundation, MJ managed partnerships for DonorsChoose, a nonprofit crowdfunding platform for U.S. public school teachers. They are passionate about building meaningful partnerships to help organizations build kind communities that support youth mental health.
This Learning Lab is designed to be real, relational, and relevant. A space to learn, reflect, and leave with ideas you can put into practice right away.
We hope you will join us and be part of a growing movement of leaders committed to rebuilding trust, strengthening belonging and connection, and leading with humanity.
Unlikely Allies: Field Stories on Creating Impact with Nontraditional Partners
April 23rd at 11 AM EST
Your next big partnership might come from somewhere you did not expect.
Join three MAI member executives for a candid peer exchange on what it takes to build trust and create impact with partners outside the usual ecosystem — from community and faith-based organizations to local advocacy groups and neighbors already in your backyard. Each leader brings a real case study and practical insights from the field.
Come ready to listen, share, and leave with ideas you can actually use.
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Time for a Medication Spring Cleaning
NEW DATE: June 4th at 1 PM EST
This spring, we’re taking a fresh look at something that affects safety and outcomes across care settings: medication lists.
Many individuals—especially those with complex health needs—end up taking multiple medications that may no longer be necessary or may interact in harmful ways. That’s where thoughtful medication reconciliation and drug regimen reviews can make a meaningful difference.
We’re excited to partner with Community Care Rx for a practical webinar designed to help nonprofit teams better understand and address polypharmacy.
Spring Cleaning Medication Lists: Tackling Polypharmacy & Safer Care
In this session, you’ll learn:
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Improve patient safety by learning how to identify medication risks, duplications, and harmful drug interactions.
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Support better health outcomes through effective medication reconciliation and drug regimen reviews.
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Strengthen care coordination between clinicians, care managers, and pharmacy partners.
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Gain practical strategies to manage polypharmacy and maintain accurate medication lists.
We encourage nonprofit leaders, clinicians, care managers, and program staff to attend—and to share this invitation with colleagues on your team who would benefit from the discussion.
Past Events
Why Your RFP Process Is Failing You — And What to Do Instead
March 26th, 2026
For nonprofit and mission-driven leaders, selecting the right technology partner is one of the most consequential — and frustrating — decisions you'll face. Traditional Request for Proposal (RFP) processes promise rigor but often deliver the opposite: wasted time, misaligned partnerships, and technology that doesn't deliver. Join Techworks for a practical discussion on smarter approaches to procuring tech solutions — grounded in implementation strategy, thoughtful discovery, and artificial intelligence. Who Should Attend Executive directors, COOs, operations leaders, and anyone responsible for evaluating or selecting technology vendors for their organization. What We'll Discuss
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Why RFPs rarely deliver the best technology outcomes
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Smarter frameworks for evaluating and selecting technology partners
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How implementation planning, discovery, and AI lead to better long-term results
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Actionable steps you can apply immediately to your next technology decision
Walk away with the confidence to make strategic, mission-aligned technology investments — without the RFP runaround.
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How to Lead the Movement to Reconnect America
February 12th at 1 PM EST
New data from the US Chamber of Connection's Six Points of Connection 2026 report reveals a pressing and urgent challenge that affects everyone. More than half of Americans show patterns linked to heightened vulnerability to loneliness and disconnection. Only 42% say they have a neighbor they could rely on in an emergency. 27% lack reliable social support, and 45% report low trust in others.
Join Aaron Hurst, Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection, for a private briefing and discussion focused on what leaders can do now. Together, we’ll explore how these insights translate into practical actions leaders can take to strengthen trust, belonging, and connection within organizations and the communities they touch.
Member Mixer: How to Create and Post Complete Content
February 5th at 1 PM EST
In the second installment of this exclusive three-part series for Make An Impact members, Michael Tessler moves from why storytelling matters to how to actually put it into practice. This session focuses on the real work of implementation: what to post, when to post it, and how to build a sustainable content strategy that aligns mission with momentum. Drawing on years of hands-on experience running digital platforms for both nonprofits and entertainment brands, Tessler breaks down practical frameworks for turning ideas into consistent output, avoiding burnout, and measuring what’s actually working. Members will leave with clear guidance on translating values into content, content into community, and community into action—without chasing trends or losing their voice.
Attract Mission-Driven Talent: Recruitment Insights for Community-Based Organizations
January 29th at 1 PM EST
In this session, we’ll share key recruitment strategies and best practices to help organizations attract qualified, mission-driven professionals. Drawing on findings from Idealist’s latest report for employers, we’ll highlight what candidates value most in job opportunities, as well as what can deter them, so organizations can position their roles more competitively in today’s hiring landscape.
Member Mixer: The Value of Social Media for impactful Storytelling
January 22nd at 1 PM EST
In the first installment of an exclusive three-part series for Make An Impact members, Michael Tessler, award-winning producer, content creator, and CEO of Multihouse, dives into the power of social media storytelling and its ability to drive real-world change. A former nonprofit executive who led an organization operating in 25 countries by the age of 16, Tessler has leveraged digital platforms as tools for social impact, earning recognition from members of Congress and the United Nations. Drawing from firsthand experience at the intersection of entertainment, advocacy, and strategy, this session breaks down how intentional storytelling cuts through noise, builds trust, and turns attention into meaningful action.
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From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Introducing AI in Your Nonprofit
January 9th at 1 PM EST
This session explores how nonprofits can leverage AI to extend their impact without adding complexity or cost. We’ll move from understanding common organizational pain points to identifying practical AI applications that save time and enhance mission delivery. The discussion covers real-world use cases across fundraising, administration, programs, and communications, along with a realistic implementation roadmap. We’ll address concerns around budget, data privacy, technical expertise, and staff displacement, while establishing frameworks for responsible AI adoption. Participants will leave with actionable first steps and strategies for building AI capacity within their organizations.
Mission-Driven Member Mixer: Year-End Giving Ideas
December 11th at 1 PM EST
Join us for a virtual member mixer focused on fresh and effective year-end giving ideas. We’ll explore strategies with Paige Eckley, Development and Partnership Manager, Multihouse, that inspire donors, boost engagement, and maximize impact during the most generous season of the year. Connect with fellow members, share what’s worked for you, and leave with actionable ideas you can put into practice right away.
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AI in the Boardroom: How Purpose-Driven Organizations Can Lead with Confidence
November 18th at 1 PM EST
If your board isn’t ready for AI, your mission is at risk. From data privacy to fundraising strategy, directors are already making decisions that will shape how AI drives--or derails--impact. In this session, Alethea Hannemann, CEO of Board.Dev, delivers the playbook boards need now: clear frameworks for AI oversight, the boardroom questions that drive clarity and accountability, and a 90-day roadmap to get your organization moving. Leave ready to set direction, manage risk, and guide AI in service of your mission.
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Diversifying Grant Funding in an Era of Uncertainty
November 12th, 2025
In today’s rapidly changing landscape, nonprofit organizations face unprecedented challenges in securing sustainable funding. Join us for a presentation by Ellen Riddleberger, Senior Vice President, and Angie Buckingham Melton, Vice President, from McAllister & Quinn’s Nonprofit practice. They will explore strategic approaches to navigating federal, state, local, and foundation grants; adapting to shifting government priorities; and leveraging new opportunities for impact. Drawing on decades of experience in government affairs, grant development, and nonprofit advocacy, our presenters will share actionable insights to help your organization thrive.
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Managing Change with Grace: Building Resilience Through Turbulent Times
September 25th, 2025
With federal funding cuts and growing community needs, the social sector is navigating real turbulence. In this timely webinar, Dr. Gina Lasky and Monica Johnson of Health Management Associates (HMA) share practical frameworks and case studies on managing change and building resilience. Learn how to address both technical and adaptive aspects of change—what’s changing, how staff experience it, and what support leaders can provide.
Why Do Nonprofits Struggle with Technology? (And How to Change That)
September 3rd, 2025
Join Chris Coluccio, CEO of Techworks, for an eye-opening discussion on nonprofit technology challenges. With 25 years of experience serving hundreds of nonprofit organizations, Chris will share field observations about common tech adaptation struggles, explore what ChatGPT gets right (and wrong) about nonprofit tech challenges, and provide practical advice for managing technology with confidence at any resource level. Learn how to create a technology roadmap that helps your organization plan and implement effectively while avoiding costly mistakes. Perfect for CEO/EDs, CIOs, CTOs, COOs, Program Directors, and board members committed to maximizing technology value and minimizing inefficiencies.
Harnessing People Analytics to Build Resilient Teams
August 13th, 2025
Join Make An Impact and Watercooler to explore how their people analytics platform can help you build more resilient teams. With predictive insights, real-time reporting, and a conversational AI interface, managers can uncover trends in engagement, turnover, and potential burnout — enabling stronger teams, clearer priorities, and better mission outcomes.