Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Inc

Education: MCN strives to provide educational events, networking opportunities, and publications that center equity and respond to the expressed needs, interests, and experiences of individual organizations to support the growth, health, and future of the sector and its people. In 2024, MCN sponsored approximately 70 public events with over 6,150 total attendees. The majority of MCN's workshops were offered virtually in response to member choice; however, we increased the number of in-person conferences from three in 2023 to four in 2024 to include the Greater Minnesota Summit held in Walker, Minnesota. Our Annual Conference was held jointly with partner organization the Minnesota Council on Foundations with registration across the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors of over 1,300 people. The Joint Annual Conference, Nonprofit Leadership Conference, and Nonprofit Fundraising Conference each sold out. Our Finance and Sustainability Conference remained virtual and set an all-time registration high with 522 attendees. Other paid and free events focused on a wide range of topics including voter engagement, equity and justice, cybersecurity, mental health and inclusive practices in the workplace, board governance and financial literacy, storytelling for successful communications and fundraising, effective and healthy leadership, and more. In 2021, MCN introduced Pay What You Can (PWYC) registration for its Annual Conference to create broader access to this popular event. In 2022 we introduced PWYC for additional offerings, including Minnesota Grantmakers, Session Lineup, and the Finance and Sustainability Conference. In 2024 PWYC supported 509 people in participating in MCN's conferences and Minnesota Grantmakers event, and increase in use of over 234 people from 2023. In 2024, MCN continued its role as a researcher and publisher, releasing the annual 2024 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report, 2024 Current Conditions of Minnesota's Nonprofit Sector, Minnesota Grants Directory, and Nonprofit News, a newsletter providing information on sector trends and resources. Through its educational programming, MCN worked with hundreds of people from other nonprofits and capacity building groups to bolster interactive learning for Minnesota's nonprofit sector.

Public Policy and Civic Engagement: MCN builds the capacity of nonprofit leaders to be confident and competent voices on issues impacting their constituents and communities by providing them with workshops, briefings, and other informational resources. MCN's Minnesota Budget Project educated nonprofits, decision-makers, the media, and the public on budget, tax, and economic policy issues through a range of activities. In 2024, MCN offered public policy training and information series attended by several hundred participants that included presentations on nonprofit advocacy, state agencies, nonpartisan voter engagement, as well as conversations with elected and appointed officials.