Iowa Council of Foundations upcoming events

Navigating Generative AI as a Philanthropic Leader | 4-Part Learning Series (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Cost: $150 per participant | ICoF Member Rate

Dates:

Session 1: Tuesday, July 28, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 2: Tuesday, August 11, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 3: Tuesday, August 25, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 4: Tuesday, September 8, 10 - 11:30 am

Overview: Join us for a practical four-part workshop that explores the fundamentals of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and helps you develop the insights and skills needed to lead effectively in this rapidly evolving field. Generative AI is increasingly impacting philanthropic work, raising important questions about trust, accountability and impact. This workshop will equip you with the tools necessary to stay informed and lead confidently, empowering you to leverage technology to advance your mission.

The series consists of four virtual 90-minute sessions from July to September 2026. Each session will blend instruction, facilitated dialogue and peer learning. This workshop is available as part of our Midwest Partnership Series and is hosted in partnership with Philanthropy Ohio and Philanthropy Missouri.

Participants are eligible to receive a digital badge through the consultant’s certification partner.

Learning Objectives:

Examples of how generative AI is showing up in philanthropy and related fields
An understanding of how ethics and governance policies will affect AI adoption
Emerging tools and comprehension of AI trends
Leadership mindsets and skills that will help you navigate this changing field
Connections to colleagues within Philanthropy Ohio and our partner organizations

Who Should Attend:

Foundation staff interested in building a foundational understanding of AI and its implications.
Management staff considering how to ethically incorporate AI solutions.
We think this series will have something for everyone working in philanthropy!

Speakers:

Stacy Van Gorp, Ph.D.

Stacy Van Gorp, Ph.D. is a self-described organizational strategy and innovation geek. Stacy’s decades providing consulting services in strategic planning, innovation, research, and program design are rooted in her experiences leading a private foundation and her work in higher education, nonprofit leadership, fundraising and youth services. Her passion is helping leaders cut through complexity to illuminate opportunities. Her research interest centers around the role of trust in accelerating innovation. Stacy is recognized for her expertise in developing actionable models for change within institutions that serve a public good.

Her mission is to connect the people, resources, and ideas to change the world. See What I Mean is the manifestation of that mission.

Jordan Vernoy, CNP

Jordan Vernoy is a network engagement nerd. His tenure in the Feeding America network concentrated on challenging people to think differently about the work of ending hunger in America. Networks can realize their vision by focusing on the people facing the issue, understanding the value each member of the network holds, and maximizing those resources to have the biggest impact. He works with organizations and companies to embrace practices for deepening engagement. Jordan holds a master’s in nonprofit management and is a Certified Nonprofit Professional.

Accessibility: All ICoF Zoom events have AI closed captioning.

Midwest Partnership Series | Leading Lean: Rethinking Foundation Leadership in a Small-Staff Environment (08/19/2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Overview:

Many foundations operate with remarkably small teams. Whether there is one staff member or a handful, leaders are expected to balance strategic vision, grantmaking, board support, community partnerships, compliance, communications, finance oversight, and day-to-day operations—all while remaining responsive to an ever-changing landscape.

Leading a lean organization isn't simply about working harder or becoming more efficient. It's about intentionally designing the work so that limited capacity is focused where it creates the greatest value.

In this interactive session, Regina Pinney, Executive Director of Nonprofit Network, will be joined by Cathy Wilson, Executive Director, Corporate Giving of the Consumers Energy Foundation, for a candid conversation about leading through organizational change. Cathy will share her experience stepping into a foundation that required significant right-sizing as staffing levels changed, including how priorities were redefined, systems were redesigned, and expectations were recalibrated to build a more sustainable organization. Together, they will explore what it means to lead strategically when capacity is limited and every decision about time, people, and process matters.

Learning Objectives:

Together, we'll explore practical strategies for:

Prioritizing the work that delivers the greatest mission impact.
Building practical systems for board management, grantmaking, compliance, and organizational planning that reduce last-minute scrambling.
Establishing realistic expectations with boards, grantees, partners, and community stakeholders.
Determining what only the CEO can do—and what can be delegated, streamlined, redesigned, delayed, or stopped.
Creating an organizational rhythm that supports both strategic leadership and operational excellence.

Participants will leave with ideas, insights and a framework they can immediately apply to strengthen internal infrastructure, improve organizational discipline, and make thoughtful decisions about where their limited capacity will have the greatest impact.

Who should attend:

This session has been designed specifically for corporate funders, but we believe all types of grantmakers will benefit from participation. We anticipate staff engaged in grantmaking operations and program staff who manage relationships with nonprofits will find the content especially useful.

About: This session is being hosted by Council of Michigan Foundations. As a member of ICoF, you have access to customized learning opportunities through our Midwest Partnership Series. This session is appropriate for all foundation types.

Speakers:

Regina Pinney, Executive Director of Nonprofit Network
Regina Pinney has worked in the nonprofit sector as a consultant, executive director, and director of development for more than 25 years. Presently, Regina serves as the Executive Director of Nonprofit Network, a capacity building center serving Michigan, ensuring nonprofits have the resources, tools and ability to help solve the problems our community faces. Regina goes beyond increasing basic board governance and management assistance and coaches organizations to truly rethink how to develop solutions and strategies that impact change.

As a capacity building consultant, Regina is a Bridges out of Poverty certified trainer and cognitive coach, adept at training organizations to be resilient, adaptive and sustainable.

Regina is a frequent speaker and instructor on a wide array of nonprofit management issues and offers one-on-one technical assistance to nonprofit organizations across the state of Michigan. Her areas of expertise include governance, board/staff relationships and general nonprofit management issues.

Accessibility

All ICoF Zoom events have AI closed captioning. If other accommodations would help you attend or participate, please contact us with as much notice as possible.

Navigating Generative AI as a Philanthropic Leader | 4-Part Learning Series (08/25/2026)

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Cost: $150 per participant | ICoF Member Rate

Dates:

Session 1: Tuesday, July 28, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 2: Tuesday, August 11, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 3: Tuesday, August 25, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 4: Tuesday, September 8, 10 - 11:30 am

Participants are eligible to receive a digital badge through the consultant’s certification partner.

Learning Objectives:

Examples of how generative AI is showing up in philanthropy and related fields
An understanding of how ethics and governance policies will affect AI adoption
Emerging tools and comprehension of AI trends
Leadership mindsets and skills that will help you navigate this changing field
Connections to colleagues within Philanthropy Ohio and our partner organizations

Who Should Attend:

Foundation staff interested in building a foundational understanding of AI and its implications.
Management staff considering how to ethically incorporate AI solutions.
We think this series will have something for everyone working in philanthropy!

Speakers:

Stacy Van Gorp, Ph.D.

Her mission is to connect the people, resources, and ideas to change the world. See What I Mean is the manifestation of that mission.

Jordan Vernoy, CNP

Accessibility: All ICoF Zoom events have AI closed captioning.

Labor Day (office closed) (09/07/2026)

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Please note the ICoF office is closed this day.

Navigating Generative AI as a Philanthropic Leader | 4-Part Learning Series (09/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Cost: $150 per participant | ICoF Member Rate

Dates:

Session 1: Tuesday, July 28, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 2: Tuesday, August 11, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 3: Tuesday, August 25, 10 - 11:30 am
Session 4: Tuesday, September 8, 10 - 11:30 am

Participants are eligible to receive a digital badge through the consultant’s certification partner.

Learning Objectives:

Examples of how generative AI is showing up in philanthropy and related fields
An understanding of how ethics and governance policies will affect AI adoption
Emerging tools and comprehension of AI trends
Leadership mindsets and skills that will help you navigate this changing field
Connections to colleagues within Philanthropy Ohio and our partner organizations

Who Should Attend:

Foundation staff interested in building a foundational understanding of AI and its implications.
Management staff considering how to ethically incorporate AI solutions.
We think this series will have something for everyone working in philanthropy!

Speakers:

Stacy Van Gorp, Ph.D.

Her mission is to connect the people, resources, and ideas to change the world. See What I Mean is the manifestation of that mission.

Jordan Vernoy, CNP

Accessibility: All ICoF Zoom events have AI closed captioning.

Thanksgiving Day (office closed) (11/26/2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Please note the ICoF office is closed this day.

Christmas Day (office closed) (12/25/2026)

Fri, 25 Dec 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Please note the ICoF office is closed this day.