Dear Colleague,
This spring has been full! After a few months of gathering with nonprofits all across the state, one theme keeps coming through: the work is demanding, but it’s also deeply hopeful. We’re seeing creativity, renewed energy, and a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
This reminds us how important it is to take care of ourselves and our staff teams – the people doing the work. So in this issue, we share resources to help you support staff health and wellness, opportunities to learn with and from each other, and tools to help your organization stay grounded, compliant, and prepared for the work ahead. |
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Take Care of Staff Health & Wellbeing |
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| Every May is a reminder to talk about mental health and wellbeing, but caring for ourselves and our staff isn’t something we should only think about once a year.
As Nonprofit Finance Fund points out, “A nonprofit’s mission to support its community is inextricably linked to its ability to retain and support its workers.” |
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We know it’s one thing to talk about how nonprofits can support your staff but quite another to actually do it. It’s something we work on regularly at the Center, while also sharing different ways organizations (recognizing that we're all different) can put that support into practice – professionally, personally, and emotionally.
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Check in on employees and actively listen. No one can disconnect home life from work life; acknowledge people for their whole selves, show appreciation for their work, and provide support where and when it’s needed.
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Mentor your staff. Offer opportunities for staff members to collaborate on decision-making and provide training for them to develop and hone their leadership and supervisory skills, which not only resonates throughout the organization but grows leadership from within.
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Offer sabbaticals so long-serving employees can disconnect and rest in self-preserving and healthy ways.
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Research and provide fair, livable wages and benefits that support families, not just employees. Consider benefit partners that offer EAPs or similar wellness plans as part of your benefits or that employees can elect to participate in.
- Integrate self-care into your workplace. Flexible work days, intentional self-care time during work days, additional days off, or time for staff to just hang out, unplug, and connect.
- Tap your volunteers for appropriate tasks and responsibilities that can relieve overworked staff.
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Supporting mental health and wellbeing can also mean making sure people know where to turn when they need extra support. NC DHHS offers crisis support and community resources through the 988 Lifeline, NC Peer Warmline, and NC 211 that nonprofits can share with staff, volunteers, clients, and community members. |
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Resilient Nonprofits Ahead |
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After our recent gatherings in Asheville and Wilmington as part of the Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact event series, we’re encouraged and energized by the strong sense of community and shared purpose that came through.
Each day-long event features a panel discussion with local funders alongside sessions that address the challenges and opportunities nonprofits are facing around resiliency, leadership development, fundraising, and operational innovation. |
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It's truly been what we envisioned: a day of learning and relationship-building among nonprofit leaders, funders, and partners that share a commitment to strengthening our NC communities. The feedback has made one thing clear: these spaces matter! Folks who attended consistently highlighted the value of coming together across roles and perspectives, and getting real-time insight into funding priorities and trends from local funders. At the same time, we’ve heard how meaningful it’s been to connect with peers navigating similar challenges.
There are upcoming gathering in Charlotte on May 28 and Greensboro on June 3, presented in partnership with Duke Energy Foundation. If you haven’t yet, join us at the event closest to you!
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| Call for Conference Session Proposals |
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| If there’s one thing we’ve seen at our in-person gatherings this year, it’s how valuable it is to come together to connect, learn, and share. That’s what our 2026 Conference for North Carolina Nonprofits is all about. And we’d love to learn from you.
Submit a proposal to lead a full-length or lightning session. Share your lessons learned, engaging stories, new ideas, and practical tools to help nonprofits stay resilient, navigate changes, and build strong connections.
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We're looking for leaders and practitioners from every sector to lead hands-on workshops, case studies, panels, and guided conversations on topics that inspire social change, address leadership challenges, support financial management in challenging and changing times, and/or offer innovative approaches for our sector. Learn more about the conference, review session submission guidelines, and submit session proposals by June 5.
Want to invest in the conference in other ways? Check out sponsorship, exhibitor, and advertising opportunities. |
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In the midst of ‘change being the only constant’, nonprofits must build the muscles to not only be resilient but to be bold, clear, and united in purpose. The 2026 Conference for North Carolina Nonprofits will bring together nonprofit leaders, advocates, and changemakers from across the state to explore how we can continue to navigate change, nurture meaningful connections, and advance opportunity in our communities.
This conference is about more than responding to change – it’s about shaping what comes next, together. Save the date to join us on October 20-21, 2026 in Concord. Registration opens next month. |
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New! Legal Compliance Checklist for NC Nonprofits |
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Compliance matters, especially right now as nonprofits face increasing scrutiny. That’s one of the reasons we compile and share the annual Legal Compliance Checklist for North Carolina Nonprofits – and a new 2026 edition is available!
This comprehensive checklist outlines the rules and laws that apply to nonprofits’ governance, finances, advocacy, human resources, and fundraising – plus what’s changed and actions your organization may need to take. |
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The 2026 edition has been reformatted to make it easier to navigate and expanded with updates on nonprofit corporate governance, federal tax laws, employment laws, federal and state grant requirements, intellectual property laws, and more.
Members can access the checklist anytime as part of your member benefits. Non-members can purchase the checklist for $50 (discounts for sustainers and associates). Access includes any updates throughout the year. |
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While the Legal Compliance Checklist covers long-standing rules on nonprofit governance, our Nonprofit Policy Conversations provide updates on the latest policies affecting those rules. Register and join us at the next event in High Point on June 15 to share insights with fellow nonprofit and community leaders, ask questions, and discuss key policy developments including federal grant disruptions, election-related rules, DEI challenges, and updates on the state budget and major state policy issues affecting nonprofits this year.
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Thanks to our Triad Nonprofit Policy Conversation partners Guilford Nonprofit Consortium, HandsOn Northwest North Carolina, High Point Arts Council, and One Sector, One Voice Triad. |
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More Ways to Take Care of Your Team |
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If your nonprofit is reviewing employee health coverage for a July renewal, it may be good time to explore the Center’s Association Health Plan (AHP).
After its first year, the AHP supports 50 participating employer groups and continues to grow by offering competitive rates and tailored benefits. Some things to consider: |
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- It can be a strong alternative to the typical small group insurance markets (ACA, PEO’s, etc.).
- It offers a range of Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability benefits.
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It includes a robust benefits administration platform and dedicated service team with Marsh McLennan.
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Member Benefit: Center members have access to additional employee benefits – like retirement plans, unemployment insurance, and health insurance – through our money-saving partners who understand nonprofits. |
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Join us at the NC Association of CPAs 2026 Not-For-Profit Accounting Conference on June 9-10, virtually or in-person at The Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Designed specifically for financial leaders that serve the nonprofit sector, this year's program addresses the full scope of today’s nonprofit environment – from legislative and Single Audit updates to cybersecurity, HR compliance, and emerging AI and automation strategies. Don’t miss the Center’s VP for Public Policy and Advocacy David Heinen as one of the featured speakers!
Customize your conference experience: attend the Form 990 workshop, the full-day conference, or both; in-person and virtual registration options are available. Center members can attend at NCACPA member rates. Learn more and register. |
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Upcoming Training & Events
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- Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, Charlotte, May 28
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Building Resilient Futures: Leading, Funding, Innovating for Impact, Greensboro, June 3
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Not-For-Profit Accounting Conference, Chapel Hill, June 9-10
- Triad Nonprofit Policy Conversation, High Point, June 15
- From Flare-Ups to Fireproofing: Helping Boards Navigate Conflict and Build Resilience (CEO Roundtable), June 26
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SAVE THE DATE! 2026 Conference for NC Nonprofits, October 20-21
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AI Certification for Nonprofit Leaders (on-demand, 12-session course)
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The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and Build-It-Yourself Toolkit for Crafting an A+ Proposal (on-demand, 8-session course)
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The Trainer Academy (on-demand, 16-session course)
- Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events
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We appreciate the support of businesses who list in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits. Check them out or promote your services! |
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We appreciate the members of our growing nonprofit network. Your support and partnership make it possible for us to educate, connect, and advocate for and with nonprofits across North Carolina. |
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Not a Member? If you're like many nonprofit leaders, you’re committed to your mission but often pulled in a dozen directions with limited resources. We get it. That's why we provide trusted guidance, tools, and support tailored to the challenges nonprofits face – so that you can lead with confidence and create lasting impact in your community. JOIN NOW during our 35th anniversary celebration and use discount code 35OFF to save $35 off your membership!
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