Academy for direct-service nonprofits
Communications, fundraising trainings for Oregon direct-service nonprofits
Direct-service nonprofit organizations face an increasingly complex and dynamic landscape that makes it harder to reach and support the communities they serve.
This training program will enable your organization to connect more effectively with your audiences, tell your stories, raise funds, and provide essential community support.
Two-day, in-person training series
This two-day, in-person training is for staff from direct-service nonprofits across Oregon. Attendees do not need to be full-time communications staff; we welcome anyone interested in learning how to communicate more effectively with their supporters.
Courses will include communications essentials for busy nonprofit staff who manage multiple roles and tasks within their organization, including:
Basic communications planning & messaging
Fundraising and communications to enhance your grassroots donations
Working with the news media
Building a digital community on social media and email
Dates and location
Thursday and Friday, Jan. 29 and 30, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In person at Meyer Memorial Trust in Portland, OR
Coffee, tea, pastries, and lunch are provided each day
Travel stipends are available to organizations that require overnight stays to attend the training.
How to apply
Seats are limited to 40 people. We will follow up with you directly regarding your acceptance.
Costs: The academy is generously funded by foundations and labor organizations. Participants are asked to make a $100 contribution to help defray expenses and secure one of 40 seats for this two-day academy. The fee can be waived upon request.
Travel stipends: The Academy will provide travel stipends for nonprofits that require overnight accommodations to participate in the training.
Please complete this form to confirm your interest in participating.
Meet our guest trainer, Adrienne Livingston
Adrienne values giving back to the community and upholding justice and care. She lives these values out through her work and volunteerism. She has served as Director of Anti-Sex Trafficking Initiatives with WorldVenture for 11 years and, before that, as Executive Director of the Black United Fund of Oregon.
She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit philanthropic and grant-making community. She’s been a Major and Planned Giving Officer, Grants Administrator, Event Coordinator, Grant Writing Trainer, and Grant Consultant. Since 2013, Adrienne has raised over $500K in grants.
Adrienna currently serves as a fundraising host and auctioneer through Artisan Auctions, helping nonprofits maximize their revenue potential through their events. She also consults with the Oregon Community Foundation and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and is a board member of The Lowenstein Trust.
On the artistic side, Adrienne is a voiceover actor who enjoys sharing her voice to bring stories and characters to life in commercials, e-learning, and nonprofit videos. She is from Portland, Oregon, and has a dog, Romeo.
“I just have to share my tears of joy on a Friday night, where a story that I pitched after our class with KGW’s Christine Pitawinich just aired. This was my first time going about pitching and following through on a story completely on my own. I was feeling major "imposter syndrome". This course has really set me on a path for success in my career, which has often felt lonely and challenging because of a lack of camaraderie. Hearing honest stories and interactions with the media helped me to feel less alone and more empowered to just "go for it". I'm so grateful for this experience!”
Marina Saenz
Native American Youth and Family Center