Nonprofits LEAD Conference Returns to Marietta College with Expanded Options

by Isiah Mitchell

Marietta, OH (05/12/2025) — "Strong Nonprofits, Strong Communities" is both the title and the principle of the Nonprofits LEAD Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, on Marietta College's campus. The event aims to empower nonprofit organizations through capacity building workshops, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources.

In its 16th year, this year's conference expands offerings for nearly 200 staff, donors, volunteers, and board members of nonprofits, and employees in the philanthropy space who attend. In addition to 18 workshop and session topics, a vendor fair will provide additional resources, according to Shannan Tschopp, Marietta College's Nonprofits LEAD program director.

"We've never had a lineup quite as robust," Tschopp said. "We talk about grants, how to diversify income through fundraising events, but also board governance and teaching what a board should look like. Our presenters are coming from all over West Virginia and Ohio," she added.

Attendees and presenters from across the region will gather to explore areas of capacity their organizations may want to strengthen. For example, one nonprofit might be struggling with their income and elect to attend finance sessions. Another may be interested in Cybersecurity and making their website less vulnerable to attacks so they choose a cybersecurity workshop.

Conference programming is designed to provide the power of choice and the ability to sample multiple topics. In association with the Public Service Leadership Academy's National Police Week observance, the conference options also include a panel on law enforcement, safety and security for nonprofits, featuring the Washington County Sheriff, the Belpre Chief of Police, and the Marietta College Police Department.

"It's a great day to network and to spend time with people who are doing something positive within the world of non-profits." Tschopp said.

The day will begin in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center (DBRC) at 8:45 a.m. with welcoming remarks by Marietta College President Kathleen Dougherty, followed by keynote speaker Elise Woodworth at 9 a.m. Woodworth, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is a Trustee at the Virginia Military Institute Foundation and a best-selling author and board relations coach.

Throughout the day, sessions will be offered in Thomas Hall in the areas of finance and fundraising, human resources, marketing and networking, operations and programming, governance and advocacy, and information technology. At 2:45 p.m. the vendor fair will open in the DBRC, along with a networking ice cream social.

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