Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Launches Free Impact Learning Series to Strengthen Local Nonprofits
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 [email protected].
- Caffeine & Capacity Building: Nonprofit Accounting 101: Top Tricks, Tips and Traps, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. March 21 in the reBrary Room of the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St. Click here to register for the Nonprofit Accounting 101 workshop.
- From Good to Great: Elevating Nonprofit Board Governance – Board Workshop, April 22 (time and location to be announced later)
- Uniting for Good – The Power of Partnership in Philanthropy Conference, presented by UTA Department of Communications, and sponsored by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 9.
- Taste & Tactics: Understanding the Grant Writing Process, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3
- Nonprofit Nosh: Agency Playbook Development Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 21
- Coffee & Cause: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. May 13
- Donuts & Doing Good: Risk-proofing Your Nonprofit: Safeguarding Assets & Operations Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to noon June 10
- Bagels and Betterment: Nonprofit Accounting – Preparing for Tax Season/Audits and Financial Considerations, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 13
- Coffee, Cause & Capacity Building: Digital Defense: Strengthening IT Security for Long-term Resilience Workshop, 9 a.m. to noon July 10
- Bites of Impact: HR Trends & Succession Planning Workshop, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26
- Brew, Bagels & Benefit: Nonprofit Accounting, (Topic TBD) 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 12
- Community Engagement Day, presented by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 25
- Grub & Grow: Storytelling for Impact Workshop, Oct 21 (time TBD)
- Muffins & Momentum – Common Mistakes in Grant Writing, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct 9
- Chat & Chew: Event Planning Doesn’t Have to be Scary, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18
Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Support Youth and Families
News, Community, Headlines