WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND GATHERINGS
There’s always something happening at NEW! Throughout the year, our workshops, meet-ups, and events create space to learn new skills, connect with others, and grow together. Scroll down to see what’s coming up!
Nonprofit Finance Fundamentals Workshop Series, 9:00am – 12:00pm | NEW
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Building a Budget for Impact
REGISTER HERE
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Financial Policies & Internal Controls
REGISTER HERE
A workshop series to help nonprofit leaders build stronger financial practices and steward organizational resources with confidence.
In this series, participants will strengthen their knowledge of nonprofit finance, improve budgeting and financial reporting skills, and build confidence in communicating financial information. They will gain practical tools and strategies to support transparent, sustainable financial decision-making within their organizations. Attend the entire series for a deeper learning experience, or register for individual workshops as needed.
October 21 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | NEW
Community Connect: Harvest Social
A cozy fall evening for community, including pumpkins, cider, donuts, & chili.
Wear a costume or come as you are, and leave nourished with new connections.
Whether you’re a current client with NEW, a past program participant, a tenant, a partner, or simply someone who wants to know more about what NEW is about, this evening is a festive opportunity for us to come together and enjoy each other’s company amidst the seasonal change.
Free and kid-friendly.
November 10, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:30am | NEW
1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Bean Counters is a free, drop-in space for nonprofit leaders and staff to ask bookkeeping and financial questions in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you’re looking for guidance, want to connect with peers, or just need a place to talk through financial challenges, our team is here to help.
Stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and join the conversation!
November 19, 2026 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | NEW
Turn meetings into spaces for clarity, honest dialogue, and shared work. In this practical, interactive workshop, participants will learn how clear purpose, thoughtful agendas, inclusive participation, and reliable follow-through can create more effective and meaningful gatherings. You’ll leave with a practical framework for facilitating conversations, navigating challenges, making shared decisions, and moving work forward. This session is designed for nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, facilitators, and anyone who brings people together for collective work.
January 14, 21 & 28 | 12:30-2:00pm | Virtual
Thursday, January 14, 2027
Foundations of Board Governance
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Reenvisioning Board Governance
Thursday, January 28, 2027
Redesigning Board Governance Practices
Reimagine board service as purposeful, shared stewardship. In this three-part virtual series, participants will explore how boards can move beyond compliance and oversight to become stronger partners, mission stewards, and engines for community-rooted impact. Each workshop will focus on practical ways to strengthen board roles, relationships, structures, and decision-making. Attend one session, join us for all three, or choose the workshops that are most relevant to your organization.
February 5 & 19, March 5 | 10:30am-12:00pm | Virtual
Friday, February 5, 2027
An Overview of Sociocracy
REGISTER HERE
Friday, February 19, 2027
Structure for Shared Power: Circles & Selections
REGISTER HERE
Friday, March 5, 2027
Tools to Share Decision-Making: Rounds & Consent
REGISTER HERE
Explore practical ways to collaborate, share power, and make more effective decisions through sociocracy. In this three-part workshop series, participants will learn the foundations of sociocracy, see how NEW has put these practices into action, and gain tools for shared leadership, structure, and decision-making that they can try in their own organizations. Attend the full series for the most complete experience, or register for one or two workshops based on what’s most useful to you.
March 4, 11 & 18 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm | Virtual
Thursday, March 4, 2027
Understanding Yourself in Conflict
Thursday, March 11, 2027
Difficult Conversations
Thursday, March 18, 2027
Organizational Resilience for Conflict
Build practical skills for navigating conflict with more clarity, confidence, and care. In this three-part virtual series, participants will explore their own conflict styles, learn tools for difficult conversations, and strengthen organizational practices around feedback, trust, and repair. Register for all three workshops, or select the sessions that feel most relevant to you.
April 22, May 20, June 24 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | NEW
Thursday, April 22, 2027
Financial Reports & Storytelling
REGISTER HERE
Thursday, May 20, 2027
Building a Budget for Impact
REGISTER HERE
Thursday, June 24, 2027
Financial Policies & Internal Controls
REGISTER HERE
Strengthen your organization’s finances and build confidence in fiscal stewardship. In this three-part series, nonprofit staff and board members will gain practical skills in financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls while learning how to communicate financial information with greater clarity. Designed for those managing budgets and resources, including people without formal financial training. Participate in the full series or mix and match the workshops that best support your goals.
April 29 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | NEW
Reimagine what effective board governance can look like. In this in-person workshop, nonprofit board and staff leaders will explore how meetings, decision-making, roles, and relationships can be redesigned to create stronger partnerships and more meaningful board service. Participants will reflect on current practices, learn from peers, and identify practical ways to build boards that are more purpose-driven, values-aligned, community-rooted, and better equipped to move the mission forward.
May 11, 2027 | 12:30 – 2:00pm | Virtual
Strengthen your grant strategy and build a more resilient funding mix. In this interactive workshop, nonprofit leaders, staff, and volunteers will learn practical ways to find the right grant opportunities, stay flexible as funding conditions change, and use grants to support the work their communities rely on. Participants will also get hands-on practice drafting a Letter of Intent and receive feedback from peers.
June 3, 2027 | 9:00am – 12:00pm | NEW
Build payroll systems that keep your nonprofit compliant and support your staff. In this practical workshop, participants will learn the essentials of setting up and managing payroll, including payroll providers, state requirements, taxes, unemployment, workers’ compensation, and accounting practices. Whether you’re building systems from scratch or strengthening what you already have, you’ll leave with clearer next steps and practical guidance for your organization.