Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Offers Free Impact Learning Series

Published on April 21, 2025

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Impact Learning Series

Editor's Note: This article, originally published March 13, has been updated with additional Impact Learning Series event details.

By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication

When a nonprofit has the right tools and training – what we call "capacity building" – they are better equipped to achieve their mission over time and create lasting, positive changes in the community.

But finding the time or money to attend training or networking events isn’t always easy. That’s why the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, the largest charitable endowment in the city, is launching an innovative program to provide free, high-impact workshops and trainings to strengthen Arlington’s nonprofit network.

To ensure these sessions are fully available to the local nonprofit sector, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation board has committed to underwriting all costs associated with the Impact Learning Series, which will kick off in March. Throughout this year, nonprofit board members, staff and volunteers will be invited to participate in a range of capacity-building workshops, lunch and learn sessions, community networking events all designed to support the different areas that are critical for nonprofits long-term sustainability and growth.

“When every penny matters, nonprofits may see training as a luxury they can’t afford,” said Mayor Jim Ross, the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation’s board president. “But the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation has the funding power to help raise up and train up the city’s nonprofit sector. Our board recognizes that we have the opportunity —and the responsibility —to do more for our community beyond responding to charitable grant requests and writing checks.”

The launch of the Impact Learning Series follows the findings of the State of the Nonprofit Sector Research Project. The 18-month comprehensive study was completed last year through a partnership between the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, United Way of Tarrant County, the City of Arlington, and conducted The University of Texas at Arlington.

“The study’s results were clear: our local organizations are eager to enhance their skills in everything from grant writing to program management to measuring impact so they can better serve our community,” Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Mentesana said. “We are excited to come alongside the sector in this new way to offer them capacity building tools to help them become stronger, more sustainable, and able to compete for both human and financial resources.”

About the Impact Learning Series:

Breakfast/Lunch and Learns: Nonprofit leaders, staff, and volunteers will learn topics such as writing effective foundation/federal grants, understanding financials, event planning tools and volunteer management. These programs will be held monthly and are open to as many as 40 individuals per session.

Workshops: Nonprofit leaders, staff, and their board members, will learn what is required for effective board management and governance, the importance of HR/talent management, building a sustainable fundraising strategy, and the importance of storytelling, not only to help raise funds but also to communicate their impact. The half-day workshops will be held twice a year and will be open to nonprofits that had received Arlington Tomorrow Foundation grant support.

The first workshop offered will focus on board governance. Nonprofit boards play a critical role in organizational success, but strong governance requires more than just good intentions. This interactive workshop will help nonprofit leaders and board members understand their roles and responsibilities, improve board dynamics, and implement governance best practices. Through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, participants will walk away with actionable steps to strengthen their governance practices and enhance their board effectiveness. The April 22 workshop is open to board members representing organizations which have received Foundation funding.

Community Events

On April 9, the Foundation will sponsor UTA’s Uniting for Good Conference. The one-day conference will gather nonprofit leaders, UTA faculty, and students for an immersive exploration of the latest trends, strategies, and tools shaping fundraising and development today. Through engaging plenary sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities, participants will gain actionable insights and innovative approaches to strengthen their impact.

The Foundation will host Community Engagement Day on July 25. The event will offer Arlington’s nonprofit sector the opportunity to network, share best practices, learn from experts in philanthropy and nonprofit management and encourage collaborations and partnerships that will result in greater impact for the community and the clients they serve.

About the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation

Since 2017, the city’s largest charitable endowment has underwritten more than 500 programs or projects totaling $44.9 million for local nonprofits and City of Arlington departments as part of its commitment to a Thriving Arlington. The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation believes in the power of philanthropy to ensure that residents are cared for physically and mentally, are enriched by arts, cultural and educational programming, and have access to meaningful resources and opportunities to help them achieve their American Dream.

Arlington Tomorrow Foundation – Impact Learning Series 2025 Classes

Follow the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation's Facebook page for updates and registration information on these planned events. For more information, email Carolyn.Mentesana@arlingtontx.gov.

Caffeine & Capacity Building: Nonprofit Accounting 101: Top Tricks, Tips and Traps

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 21
Location: reBrary Room of the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St.
Registration: Click here to register for the Nonprofit Accounting 101 workshop. Note: This event is full, but you can join a waitlist.

Taste & Tactics: Understanding the Grant Writing Process

Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3
Location: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center Street.
Registration: Reserve a spot

Uniting for Good – The Power of Partnership in Philanthropy Conference

Hosts: presented by UTA Department of Communications, and sponsored by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation
About: This one-day conference will bring together nonprofit leaders, UTA faculty, and students for an immersive exploration of the latest trends, strategies, and tools shaping fundraising & development today. Through engaging plenary sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities, participants will gain actionable insights and innovative approaches to strengthen their impact.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 9
Location: UTA Central Library, 6th Floor Atrium, 702 Planetarium Place
Registration: $49 per ticket. Space is limited. Register here

From Good to Great: Elevating Nonprofit Board Governance – Board Workshop

Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26
Location: Levitt Pavilion Hospitality Suite, 100 W. Abram St.
About: Nonprofit boards play a critical role in organizational success, but strong governance requires more than just good intentions. This interactive workshop, led by Suzanne Smith, CEO of Social Impact Architects, will help nonprofit leaders and board members understand their roles and responsibilities, improve board dynamics, and implement governance best practices. Through real-world case studies and hands-on exercises, participants will walk away with actionable steps to strengthen their governance practices and enhance their board effectiveness.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 130 registrants. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Coffee & Cause: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 13
Location: Esports Stadium Arlington,1200 Ballpark Way Team Rooms #10-#13 Arlington, TX 76011
About: Where is the next champion for your cause? Likely, they’re applying to volunteer with your organization right now! Join Corina Sadler, CVA for discussion and tips on how to engage the pipeline of talent that is community volunteers, waiting to be inspired and engaged. This session will spotlight both the challenges and the value of working with volunteers for organizations both large and small.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. Breakfast, snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Nonprofit Nosh: Agency Playbook Development Workshop

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. May 21
Location: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library,100 S. Center St., Excellence Room, Arlington, TX 76010
About: Join Abi Erikson-Torres, CEO of the Frontiers of Flight Museum and experienced fundraiser, in this interactive and engaging workshop, designed for nonprofit professionals who are seeking clear, actionable guidance on how to position their agency for growth and sustainability. This session will include lessons on budget planning, fundraising strategies, building out key departments, marketing and social media on a small budget, cultivating authentic relationships with donors and funders, and much more! This workshop will use intensive learning, hands-on practice, discussions, and all participants will leave with step-by-step strategies to move their organization forward immediately.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 30 registrants. Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Donuts & Doing Good: Risk-proofing Your Nonprofit – Simple Steps to Protect Your Mission

Time: 9:30 a.m.- Noon June 11
Location: George W. Hawkes Downtown Library,100 S. Center St., Excellence Room, Arlington, TX 76010
About: Running a nonprofit comes with challenges and unexpected risks—financial mishaps, staff turnover, or security breaches—can quickly derail your work. This interactive workshop is designed for nonprofits that want to protect their organization without needing a either big budget or a legal team. In this session, you’ll learn easy, practical ways to secure your physical and digital assets, making sure the right people have access to key information, putting safeguards in place to prevent disruptions. With real-life examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll leave with a simple action plan to strengthen your nonprofit’s stability to keep your mission on track.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 30 registrants. Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Bagels and Betterment: Nonprofit Accounting – Preparing for Tax Season/Audits and Financial Considerations

Time: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. June 13
Location: Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St., Art Room, Arlington, TX 76014
About: 990's don't need to be scary! Join experts from Sutton Frost Carry for this informative and interactive session on understanding the 990 Form, how nonprofits can track and compile information to help your tax preparer, as well as some of the commonly asked questions when it comes to preparing for tax season, and how you can use your 990 tell your nonprofit’s story.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Coffee & Capacity Building: Digital Defense – Simple & Affordable Ways to Keep Your Nonprofit Safe Online

Time: 9:30 a.m. - noon July 10
Location: Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St., Garden Room, Arlington, TX 76014
About: Small nonprofits are just as vulnerable to cyber threats as large organizations—but you don’t need an IT department to stay protected. In this beginner-friendly workshop, we’ll break down cybersecurity into simple steps you can take right away to keep your all nonprofit’s data safe. You’ll learn how to spot scams, create stronger passwords, back up important files, and transition from paper to digital without losing control of your information. Through hands-on activities and easy-to-follow strategies, you’ll leave feeling confident about improving your nonprofit’s security—no tech expertise required!
Registration: Space is limited to the first 40 registrants. Breakfast snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.

Bites of Impact: HR Trends & Succession Planning

Time: 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Aug. 26
Location: Kathryn Wilemon Lake House Event Center, 6021 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX 76016
About: In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, staying ahead of HR trends is critical for building resilient and future-ready organizations. This interactive workshop will explore emerging HR trends, including changing workforce demographics and evolving employee expectations, and the increasing importance of proactively developing future leaders. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for succession planning such as how to identify high-potential employees, develop leadership pipelines, and how to mitigate talent gaps in an increasingly competitive talent landscape. Whether you are an HR leader, a nonprofit executive, or team manager, this workshop will equip you with practical strategies to future-proof your workforce and strengthen your leadership bench.
Registration: Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. Breakfast/Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided. Register here.