Advancing Macomb Nonprofit Building Blocks: A 3-Part Workshop Series

A Three-Part Professional Workshop Series from Advancing Macomb

Advancing Macomb’s Nonprofit Building Blocks Series is a three-part, expertly facilitated workshop experience designed to equip nonprofit leaders and board members with practical, field-tested tools for long-term success.

Originally piloted as core sessions of our Nonprofit Accelerator curriculum, these workshops are now open to the broader nonprofit community. Each session is highly interactive, grounded in real-world examples, and focused on implementation—not just inspiration. Participants will leave with toolkits, templates, and actionable next steps they can use immediately within their organizations.

All sessions are three hours, hosted at Velocity Innovation Center in Sterling Heights, and bring together nonprofit leaders from across Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and adjacent communities. Attendees will also include leaders from the Spring Nonprofit Accelerator cohort, creating a dynamic, cross-sector learning environment.

Each workshop stands alone but is designed to function as part of a cohesive nonprofit governance and sustainability framework.

Finance & Accounting Best Practices
Facilitated by Shaniece Bennett, MBA, CPA (Accutrak Consulting)

Strong financial stewardship builds strong organizations. In this practical, board-focused workshop, CPA Shaniece Bennett of Accutrak Consulting will guide nonprofit leaders and board members through the financial foundations every organization must understand.

Participants will demystify nonprofit financial statements, learn how to interpret key reports, and practice asking the right governance questions that strengthen oversight and accountability. The session includes practical guidance on year-end closeout, Form 990 review, audit preparation, and internal controls.

Expect real examples, interactive exercises, and a clear toolkit you can bring back to your board. Whether you’re a treasurer, executive director, or board member, this workshop will equip you to build transparency, protect sustainability, and increase donor confidence.

Board Brilliance: Strategic Governance in Action
Facilitated by Abbey Davis (Nonprofit Enterprise at Work)

Great boards don’t happen by accident—they are built with clarity, structure, and strong governance practices.

In this dynamic, implementation-focused workshop, Abbey Davis of Nonprofit Enterprise at Work will walk leaders through the essential components of effective board governance. Participants will explore board roles and responsibilities, executive partnership, recruitment and succession planning, committees, and board engagement strategies.

Using real-life scenarios, guided discussion, and practical tools, attendees will leave with frameworks to strengthen board performance and align governance with mission impact. This session is designed to serve both current board members and executive leaders working to elevate their boards.

Come ready to reflect, collaborate, and build a stronger governance model for your organization.

Grant Seeking & Grant Writing: Strategy, Structure & Success
Facilitated by Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director, Advancing Macomb

Grant writing is more than filling out forms—it’s strategic storytelling backed by alignment and clarity.

In this hands-on workshop, Phil Gilchrist will break down the fundamentals of effective grant seeking and proposal development. Participants will learn where to find grant opportunities, how to assess fit, and how to align proposals with funder priorities.

The session includes a plain-language guide to commonly used philanthropic terminology, writing mistakes to avoid, proposal structure best practices, and strategies that strengthen competitiveness. Through practical examples and guided exercises, participants will leave with tools and templates to improve both planning and writing quality.

Designed for nonprofit staff, executive leaders, and board members involved in fundraising strategy.

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Host or Publisher Advancing Macomb