Nonprofit organizations operate with the best of intentions. They often serve a higher purpose of providing aid and resources to those in need. Altruism, however, doesn’t always translate into success.

That’s why it’s helpful for nonprofits to have a set of “power tools” in their operational tool kits. These “power tools” include effective business plans, management skills, successful fundraising campaigns and teamwork.

The University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD)  Master of Arts in Non-Profit Management (MANPM) Program helps its students understand how to effectively use such tools. This month, however, the program extends its educational reach to help nonprofit professionals throughout the city grow their organizations and further serve Houstonians.

For the second consecutive year, the MANPM is partnering with CenterPoint Energy to host the Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference.

Events Details

When: 7:45 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14

Where: One NRG Park, Houston, Texas 77054

Registration: $49; $10 for students. Details are available here, and attendees have the option of earning continuing education units for attending the event.

Sessions will be conducted from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. covering the following topics:

• Finding & Activating Your Highest Potential Donors
• Health, Not Healthcare: What is the Difference?
• How Changes in Big Philanthropy Are Impacting Local Nonprofits
• Self-Care's Vital Role in Your Giving Campaign
• High Impact Leadership
• Using Mission Minded Marketing and Communications to Support Fundraising
• Translating and Leveraging Information: Data to Dollars

Presenters include a who’s-who of nonprofit leaders in Houston and MANPM faculty members, including:

• Dr. David Branham, UHD associate professor of political science
• Brian Greene, president and CEO of the Houston Food Bank
• Dr. Robert Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk
• Dr. Laila Sorurbakhsh, director of UHD’s Master’s of Nonprofit Management Program

A complete list of session presenters is available here.

Keynote speakers include activist and author Dan Pallotta (morning) and Jan Hargrave, nonverbal communications expert and author (lunchtime).

“There are 22,000 nonprofit organizations in the Houston area alone,” Sorurbakhsh said. “Many of them struggle to succeed. Even though they have altruistic intentions, these nonprofits may lack the strategic vision to truly flourish. This conference will offer insights on how organizations can thrive while serving their communities.”