Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

10/09/2026

Online registration for the MCN 2026 Annual Conference closes October 19, so make sure to get your tickets soon! Not quite sure what you can expect from the conference? Here’s what the two-day event will look like:

You’ll have the chance to choose from 50+ breakout sessions covering a variety of nonprofit-specific topics including fundraising, leadership, finance, advocacy, HR, and more.

On Day 1 of the conference, you’ll hear from award-winning journalist Georgia Fort on confronting inequity and protecting truth.

On Day 2, you’ll hear from author and activist Ashley Fairbanks about mutual aid, imagination, burnout, collective power, and our deep human desire to belong to one another.

Throughout the conference, there will be wellness activities and time for networking and socializing.

Join us for this chance to gather at a crucial moment for our sector. Register here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/events/conferences/annual-conference/annual-conference-register

10/06/2026

Is state grant oversight creating unnecessary burdens on your nonprofit?

Maybe you’ve had to provide the same information multiple times.

Maybe a small, easily fixed error triggered a disproportionate response.

Maybe a new documentation requirement appeared after your grant was already awarded.

MCN has been hearing examples like these of nonprofits that are spending significant time and money navigating grant requirements that may have little to do with the actual risks of their work.

We want to know what’s happening on the ground. MCN is collecting real-world examples of state grant oversight that have caused significant administrative work, costs, or delays.

Learn more and share your experiences here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/state-grant-oversight-feedback

10/01/2026

Giving young people opportunities to thrive creates immeasurable ripple effects throughout a community.

Kelli Podracky, executive director of Northfield Union of Youth, the nation’s longest-running youth-led nonprofit, knows this well. She has seen countless youth come through their doors who simply need a meal, a shower, a place to stay, or even just a friend to talk to.

By meeting their basic needs and giving youth a safe space to be themselves, Northfield Union of Youth is setting them up for stronger futures, and creating a healthier community in the process.

Read all about how Northfield Union of Youth is creating lasting impacts through their youth-driven mission here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/mcn-member-spotlight-northfield-union-of-youth

09/30/2026

We know it’s a busy time of year for development teams right now with year-end giving campaigns ramping up and upcoming giving days. If you're looking for fundraising campaign inspiration, insights into funders and foundations, or simply want to meet with your nonprofit peers, we have a training (or a few) for you.

➡Intermediate Individual Donor Development | Oct 15 | Virtual: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/event/intermediate-individual-donor-development-oct-2026

➡Nourish & Network | Oct 22 | In-Person: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/event/afp-mn-mcns-nourish-and-network-free-in-person-2

➡Small Family Funders | Nov 17 | Virtual: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/event/small-family-funders-nov-2026

➡National Foundations | Dec. 10 | Virtual: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/event/national-foundations-2026

09/29/2026

09/24/2026

Which Annual Conference breakout session are you looking forward to? Maybe you work on fundraising, programming, HR, or finance – or maybe you work on all of that and more! Whatever the size of your nonprofit and however many hats you wear, we have a session for you at the 2026 MCN Annual Conference.

Be part of biggest Minnesota nonprofit gathering of the year, happening October 29 & 30 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Get your tickets here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/events/conferences/annual-conference

P.S. Traveling from out of town? We have hotel discounts! Learn more here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/events/conferences/annual-conference/annual-conference-register

09/23/2026

MCN Interim President & CEO Kari Aanestad discusses the power of nonprofit-government partnerships in the Summer 2026 edition of Nonprofit News.

Nonprofits and governments have worked side-by-side to help communities thrive for decades, and we know that government funding represents a large part of nonprofit revenue (32 percent). So what happens when that partnership starts to erode?

Read Kari’s thoughts on how we as a sector are renegotiating the longstanding relationship between nonprofits and governments here: https://publuu.com/flip-book/884981/2590062/page/4

09/21/2026

MCN staff recently took a road trip across Northwest Minnesota, engaging dozens of nonprofits across four cities and one Tribal Nation. This northwest tour was a chance for MCN to deepen relationships and investments in Greater Minnesota, listening to the needs of nonprofits and providing key research on the state of the nonprofit sector.

Thanks to those who hosted or met with MCN along our travels, including:
Blandin Foundation
Grace House of Itasca County
Heart's Haven Shelter Bemidji
Watermark Art Center
Headwaters School of Music & the Arts
Red Lake Nation College
Awakaan Bimaaji Animal Shelter
Violence Intervention Project

09/18/2026

MCN’s 2026 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report contains all sorts of data gems. Like this one: We looked at the average nonprofit wage broken down by age. The findings? Ages 45-54 report the highest annual salary, earning $78,125 on average.

Average annual wages for:
⭐Ages 20-24: $41,226
⭐Ages 25-44: $62,192
⭐Ages 45-54: $78,125
⭐Ages 55-64: $68,286
⭐Ages 65+: $57,534

Find more economic data on nonprofits, including data on the gender pay gap, and region-specific findings in this year’s Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/2026-minnesota-nonprofit-economy-report-shows-a-sector-holding-steady

09/17/2026

Requests for proposals (RFPs) for all four 2027 conferences are now open, and MCN is seeking dynamic presenters like YOU to share your ideas.

MCN's four conferences bring together thousands of nonprofit leaders, staff, and board members for day-long, in-depth learning surrounding timely topics, strategies, and research facing nonprofits today and in the future.

But these professional development opportunities would not be possible without session presenters sharing their knowledge and experiences. We need you to help us shape our 2027 conferences.

Find RFPs for our Finance Conference, Leadership Conference, Fundraising Conference, and Annual Conference here: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/events/conferences

EDIT: The RFP deadline for Leadership Conference is now November 12, 2026.