Empowering Nonprofits Through Strategic Capacity-Building

In early 2025, CFHV convened nonprofit leaders to better understand their financial, policy, and operational challenges. Through focused listening sessions, key themes emerged, including the need for greater collaboration, improved regional resource-sharing, and stronger donor engagement. Nonprofits emphasized the absence of a regional entity effectively convening the field, sharing resources, and linking nonprofits with donors and policymakers. These insights shaped our CFHV Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative capacity-building workshop series.

Led by top experts, the sessions deliver immediately applicable skills, helping nonprofits work smarter, collaborate more, and expand their impact across the region. Emphasizing practical skill development, peer learning, and immediate applicability, the initiative focuses on strengthening nonprofit leadership and long‑term sustainability. A mix of formats and structures (online and in person; open-access and targeted workshops) maximizes accessibility while preserving the relational and peer-learning benefits of convening.

Capacity-Building Training Sessions

CFHV engages regional and national experts to deliver high‑value online and in‑person training sessions across core nonprofit management domains. The program is designed to complement—rather than duplicate—existing capacity‑building efforts offered by other sector leaders.

2025 Sessions

• Tips & Tricks for Making an Impactful Ask – April 23, 2025
  Watch the video, view the slides, and download the tool kit.
• What If? Scenario Planning for Nonprofit Sustainability – May 20, 2025 (in-person)
• Strengthening Governance & Operations During Uncertainty – June 10, 2025
• Leveraging AI for Nonprofits in the Hudson Valley – June 25, 2025
• Breaking Silos for Better Financial Management – July 23, 2025
  Watch the recording and download the slides.
• Grant Research Tools for Nonprofits – September 30, 2025 (in-person)
  Download the slides and the quick guide to Foundation Directory Online.
• Grant Writing: What the Pros Know – October 23, 2025
  Watch the recording and download the slides.
• Strategic Planning: Creating a Process that Produces Results – November 12, 2025
  Watch the recording and download the slides.

2026 Sessions:

• Mergers: The Nuts & Bolts of Combining Two Organizations – January 8, 2026
  Watch the recording.
• Your Board Can Fundraise. Really, It Can. – January 22, 2026 (in-person)
  View the slides and download the tool kit.
• PR Must-Haves for Nonprofits – February 4, 2026
  Watch recording part 1 and part 2, view the slides, and download the tool kit.
• Digital Marketing & Storytelling for Nonprofits – April 15, 2026 (in-person)
• Budget & Finance Basics for Nonprofits – Date TBA
• Building Capacity with AI – Date TBA
• Prospect Research – Date TBA
• Legal Consideration to Keep Your Nonprofit Strong – Date TBA

Engagement and Impact 

Since 2025, we’ve engaged over 650 nonprofit professionals. 

Participant engagement and feedback underscored the value of hands-on, practitioner-led sessions. Attendees consistently highlighted the clarity, relevance, and practical utility of trainings, commenting “informative and entertaining,” “lots of practical tips,” and “very helpful.” One local leader said employing the communications and strategic planning tactics offered by one webinar helped her organization secure a substantial new grant.

The workshops deliver more than insight—they produce tangible results, supporting real and immediate needs for nonprofit sustainability.