Hundreds Attend Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit

From United Way of Westchester and Putnam:

Hundreds of nonprofit leaders have joined Westchester Community Foundation and United Way of Westchester and Putnam in a day of learning, networking, and idea sharing at the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit XIV at the Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown on May 2nd, 2016, 8:00 AM to 4:00PM.

“The Summit allows for productive and useful idea sharing across the nonprofit arena,” said Alana Sweeny, CEO and President of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “When nonprofits work together like this, it is a win for our community.”

The summit featured a full breakfast, sixteen workshops, lunch, and a networking reception to complete the day. There are two inspiring keynote speakers, author and founder of Pencils of Promise, Adam Braun along with the president of the Jonathan Rose Companies, Jonathan F.P. Rose.

“Westchester’s nonprofit sector is talented, committed, and bursting with bold ideas and great energy,” said Laura Rossi, Executive Director or the Westchester Community Foundation. “Today’s program is essential to ensure that the sector maintains the highest standards of excellence to strengthen our community.”

Braun is a New York Times bestselling author and the founder of Pencils of Promise. By the age of 31, he had already been named to Business Insider’s“40 Under 40,” Wired Magazine's “50 People Who Are Changing the World,” and was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s first ten Global Shapers. The idea for his organization, Pencils of Promise, came to him when he was traveling abroad in India. Seeing a young boy begging, Braun asked the child what he wanted. The reply was simple, “a pencil.” Using his unique “for-purpose” approach, Braun meshed for-profit business acumen with non-profit idealism, proving that anyone can build a movement that matters.

Jonathan F. P. Rose is the president and founder of Jonathan Rose Companies LLC. The company is a multi-disciplinary real estate development, planning, and investment firm which touches many aspects of community health; working with cities and not-for-profits to build not only affordable and mixed-income housing, but also a cultural, health and educational infrastructure. The company has successfully completed more than $1.5 billion of work. Mr. Rose is also a Vice Chair of Enterprise Community Partners and serves on the Board of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He is an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects. Rose and his wife, Diana, are also co-founders of the Garrison Institute. Mr. Rose’s book on resilient cities, The Well-Tempered City, will be published by Harper Collins in September of 2016.

In addition to these keynote speakers, there were workshops which touched on: mergers, small nonprofit fundraising, board governance with passion, building your brand, legal and HR practices, diverse workplace harmony, volunteer engagement, benefit corporations, and cyber security. These workshops are designed to help nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and board members improve their own skills and enhance their services to the community.

The event was partially underwritten by TD Charitable Foundation, and sponsors included ConEdison, the Westchester County Local Development Corporation, and 14 additional sponsors. Thanks to this support nonprofit professionals are able to attend the event for only $25-$35, making it one of the best sources of affordable professional development for local charities on a tight budget.

About the Westchester Community Foundation

The Westchester Community Foundation connects generous people to the causes they care about and invests in transformative ideas and organizations to improve lives and strengthen our community. The Foundation can be reached at (914) 948-5166 or by visiting www.wcf-ny.org. Follow the Community Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

About United Way of Westchester and Putnam

For the past 50 years, United Way of Westchester and Putnam has operated with the fundamental belief that all people deserve a quality education, enough income to support a family, and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. United Way works with agency partners, government, businesses and community leaders to solve problems that are too complex for any one entity alone. All contributions go toward improving the education, income, and health of the children, youth and families throughout Westchester and Putnam. United Way’s Hudson Valley Region 2-1-1, covering Westchester and Putnam as well as Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties, answers up to 500 calls and 1,000 online inquiries per day ranging from tax, heating, and mortgage questions to childcare, basic needs, natural disaster and crisis calls. United Way of Westchester and Putnam is at 336 Central Park Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. They can be reached at 914-997-6700 or by visiting www.uwwp.org. Follow United Way on Facebook and Twitter (@UnitedWayWP) for the latest news and updates.