Southern Minnesota Nonprofit Conference

Registration

Opening remarks

Speakers: Kelsey Vatsaas, CLA, Jerome Ferson, United Way of Southeast Minnesota, Jennifer Woodford, Rochester Area Foundation, Carrie Moscho, Family Promise Rochester

Program description: Rapid response fundraising can generate critical resources fast — and it’s critical that the financial and compliance foundations 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.

10-min break

Speaker: Ann Neil, CLA

Program description: 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 to enable timely and accurate registration, helping organizations avoid penalties and regulatory scrutiny.

Lunch

Speakers: Chris Coon and Greg Griffiths, Dunlop Seeger

Program Description: Join attorneys Christopher Coon and Gregory Griffiths from Dunlap Seeger to learn about the fundamentals and best practices of nonprofit human resources. This session will provide practical guidance and strategies in key areas such as hiring, compliance with state and federal law, employee relations, and more.

10-min break

Speakers: Holly Kellar and Kyle Roberts, CLA

Program description: 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.

Closing remarks