Cooper Foundation

05/28/2026

At last week’s Nonprofit Network workshop, we talked about how impact storytelling builds trust when nonprofits share both the data and the human experience behind their work. This article reinforces that idea: donors and communities want authenticity, accountability, and evidence that organizations are listening and learning. Strong storytelling isn’t just marketing — it’s relationship-building.

Every few months, another nonprofit headline grabs attention for the wrong reasons: questions about executive compensation, concerns about donor dollars, leadership misconduct or organizations making bold claims without clearly explaining the impact behind them.

05/22/2026

Big thank you to Kelly Atkinson and Rebekah Powell-Lewis of Leap Development for guiding us through "Communicating our Stories of Impact" during our May Noprofit Network session. And an EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to Estrellita Doolin, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Waco, for rising to the technological challenge and assisting with audio!

Sign up for our Nonprofit Newsletter (link in the bio) for resources to help you build your organization's story and share it with volunteers, donors, and the wider community. Nonprofit Network is taking a break until September - but stay tuned for a social gathering at the Cooper House in late June!

05/18/2026

Starting a nonprofit can feel overwhelming, but Candid has resources available to help organizations build a strong foundation from the beginning. Candid is jam-packed with resources that support early-stage nonprofits in developing capacity, connecting with funders, and navigating the path toward long-term sustainability.

Read our latest Candid Newsletter by clicking the Candid Community link in our bio - and while you're there, signing up for future Nonprofit Newsletters. Stay tuned for our June newsletters highlighting upcoming webinars and how to write grant proposals.

05/12/2026

Join us for the May 21st Nonprofit Network!

Topic: From Data to Buy-in: Telling your Story of Impact
Presented by Kelly Atkinson, LEAP People Development

Thursday, May 21st | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Goodwill East Waco Community Connect
1000 E Waco Dr, Waco, TX 76704

Breakfast eats by Sison Tacos and hot coffee from Be Kind Coffee will be provided.
Registration link in bio.

05/08/2026

Thank you to the nonprofit staff and board members who joined us for The Cooper Foundation’s Board Governance training last night at the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center!

We appreciated the thoughtful conversations around board roles, accountability, governance best practices, and building strong, effective nonprofit leadership. It was encouraging to see so many organizations investing in stronger boards and stronger communities.

A special thank you to our gracious hosts at the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center for providing such a welcoming space, and to Cha Community for an incredible meal that introduced attendees to kimchi, dumplings, and galaxy lemonade — a tasty and memorable evening!

Stay tuned for two more sessions this fall.

05/04/2026

Candid’s May live webinars introduce the essentials—grant writing, budgeting, fundraising, and impact measurement—designed to help nonprofits get oriented with Candid’s tools and approach.

For Waco nonprofits, these sessions offer an accessible first step toward building the skills and visibility needed to grow beyond the local funding landscape. Stay tuned as we highlight valuable resources for Nonprofit Startups and more Early Stage resources later this month.

Register for upcoming webinars using the Candid Learning link in our bio.

04/29/2026

What is Candid?

This summer, we’re excited to re-introduce you to Candid—a powerful resource designed to help nonprofits strengthen their capacity and expand access to funding opportunities. In the coming months, our newsletters will guide you through Candid Learning, highlighting practical tools, trainings, and resources you can start using right away to build skills and confidence.

This is just the beginning: in the fall, we’ll take a deeper dive into Candid Search through an in-person workshop, followed by regular coffee hours at the Cooper House where you can receive hands-on support as you search for new funding opportunities.

Sign up for our newsletter via the link in our bio!

04/29/2026

Sign up for our Nonprofit Newsletter to learn more about Candid and how to maximize this resource at your Waco nonprofit.

This summer, we’re excited to re-introduce you to Candid—a powerful resource designed to help nonprofits strengthen their capacity and expand access to funding opportunities. In the coming months, our newsletters will guide you through Candid Learning, highlighting practical tools, trainings, and resources you can start using right away to build skills and confidence.

https://conta.cc/428ldgL

Email from Cooper Foundation Ready to Enhance Your Nonprofit Skills? Dive into Candid Community!   This summer, we’re excited to re-introduce you to Candid—a powerful resource designed to help nonprof

04/23/2026

Interested in serving on a board - or already serving on a board and need a refresher on your responsibilities?

The Cooper Foundation’s Board Governance training on May 7th will help nonprofit leaders and board members strengthen board roles, accountability, and overall effectiveness. This free session is ideal for organizations looking to build or improve high-performing boards and establish a strong governance foundation. A light dinner will be provided for registered participants.

Thursday, May 7th | 5–7pm
The Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center
Register via the link in our bio.

04/20/2026

Funded Project Spotlight: Art Center Waco

Last year, the Cooper Foundation funded the Expanding Exhibits Initiative bringing more diverse stories and perspectives to life through high-quality exhibitions and community engagement. Experience this initiative firsthand in the Beard Gallery with More Is More Is More: A Melody of Maximalism, a vibrant celebration of bold, layered expression.

The Cooper Foundation also funded two dedicated classroom spaces that are now buzzing with creativity, hosting everything from youth camps and teen workshops to adult classes in painting, ceramics, and mixed media. It’s all about making art accessible, engaging, and part of everyday life in Waco.

04/10/2026

Meet our staff! Ryan Otteson is the Marketing Intern at the Cooper Foundation. Her role is to develop and implement marketing and social media strategies, and provide input on all marketing efforts for the Foundation. Being at the Cooper Foundation this semester has given her the ability to see all the good that Waco has to offer from a whole new perspective. She is a junior at Baylor, where she is pursuing a degree in International Studies, with minors in Public Relations and Spanish.