2026 Minnesota Nonprofit Finance Conference

Speakers:Dave Hickman and Courtney Scott

1 credit Personnel/Human Resources

In today’s volatile labor market, organizations are navigating constant disruption — from talent shortages and shifting employee expectations to rapid technology change and leadership transitions. This session explores how leaders can create stability without standing still by intentionally aligning workforce planning, change management, and risk mitigation.

Participants will learn how to identify mission critical roles, anticipate workforce risks, and guide people through uncertainty with clarity and confidence. By understanding the human element of change management with forward-looking talent and succession strategies, this session can help leaders maintain operational continuity, strengthen engagement, and build a resilient workforce prepared for what’s next.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify key workforce planning challenges nonprofit organizations face during periods of change and uncertainty
• Recognize workforce-related risks associated with talent shortages, leadership transitions, and organizational change
• Describe basic strategies leaders can use to support workforce stability, continuity, and engagement

Speakers:TBD

1 credit Accounting (Governmental)

Rapid-response fundraising can generate resources fast — and it’s critical for financial and compliance foundations to keep pace. This session features nonprofit leaders who led successful rapid-fundraising efforts this year, sharing real-world approaches to managing controls, donor receipting, and reporting under pressure. Learn what worked, what they’d do differently, and how to prepare your organization before the next urgent moment.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify key accounting, reporting, and compliance considerations related to rapid-response fundraising
• Recognize common financial and regulatory risks that can arise during urgent fundraising efforts
• List practical steps organizations can take to prepare financial and compliance processes before a rapid-response event occurs

Speakers: Ann Neil, CLA and Sarah Else, Clearly Compliant

1 credit Specialized Knowledge

State charitable registration is a critical compliance obligation for nonprofits operating or soliciting contributions across the United States. This session offers a focused overview of state charitable registration requirements, guiding participants through the processes and documentation needed to maintain good standing in various jurisdictions.

The session will also explore the connection between IRS Form 990 filings and state charitable registrations, highlighting how information reported on Form 990 is often used by state regulators to assess compliance. Participants will learn about common errors in state filings, timing issues related to annual renewals, and practical strategies for timely and accurate registration, helping organizations avoid penalties and regulatory scrutiny.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify key nonprofit reporting requirements related to state charitable registrations and how Form 990 plays a role
• Recognize common compliance risks and reporting errors that may increase regulatory scrutiny or penalties
• Describe practical practices organizations can use to support accurate and timely nonprofit reporting

Speakers: TBD

1 credit Behavioral Ethics

This session explores how ethics, internal controls, and organizational culture work together to reduce fraud risk. Participants will examine common breakdowns in ethical behavior, understand the fraud triangle, and learn practical ways to prevent and detect fraud through strong internal controls, management oversight, and emerging tools such as AI-enabled monitoring.

The session also highlights the critical role of leadership, reporting mechanisms, and accountability in building a fraud-resilient organization.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify key concepts in ethics
• Explain why internal controls are important
• List ways fraud occurs in organizations

Speakers: TBD

1 credit Information Technology

This session is designed to cut through the noise around artificial intelligence and focus on practical, real-world applications for nonprofit organizations. A panel of finance and technology professionals will share how they use AI in daily work to improve efficiency, reduce burnout, and better support mission-driven goals, with plenty of space for open discussion and “no judgment” questions.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Identify common ways nonprofit teams are using AI in daily work
• Recognize potential benefits of AI for improving efficiency and reducing workload
• List key considerations nonprofits should keep in mind when exploring AI tools