Free Nonprofit Trainings in 2026
BCF strives to help nonprofit leaders develop and implement the best possible practices in carrying out their programs and advancing their missions. Our surveys of nonprofits on Bainbridge Island and throughout Kitsap County have identified these priority needs for ongoing education and training:
- Improving Marketing and Communication
- Building Quality, Efficiency and Depth of Programming
- Maintaining Effective Board Governance
- Developing Powerful Strategic Plans
- Securing Sufficient Resources
- Assuring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Each year, BCF offers a series of workshops and mini courses to meet these needs. Each of these sessions is free. In addition to presentations by skilled trainers/facilitators, they include responses and additional guidance from experienced local nonprofit program managers, and lively discussions by all participants.
BCF also hosts a quarterly roundtable to help nonprofit organizations to focus upon diversity, equity and inclusion. BCF has asked trainers and facilitators to integrate DEI practices into all mini-courses and workshops.
Undertaking Major Fundraising Events
Thursday, January 22 from 1 - 3pm at Bainbridge Performing Arts
A number of organizations in this area gain a significant portion of their yearly income through
one major fundraising event. Several net between $75,000 and $500,000. To gain such an
outcome requires an entire year of planning and excellent execution on multiple fronts,
including filling the seats, maximizing donations, managing volunteers, selecting and setting up
the right venue, optimizing the right auction software, and designing and conducting a program
that motivates attendees. BCF development director Leah Stephens Clark will lead veteran event
managers Sandy Shubach of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Darren Kerbs of Islandwood in
a discussion of how to get the most out of an event.
Register here
Program Evaluation
Thursday, February 26 from 10am - 12pm at Bainbridge Performing Arts
This workshop will be presented by David Harrison, and will help attendees explore
low cost ways to evaluate their programs. This includes gathering real-time information on
organizational services to identify short-term improvements and find efficiencies. It also includes
evaluations focused on the longer-term, including sorting out how a program’s central goals are
being advanced and the extent to which it is meeting community needs. The workshop will
feature how selected organizations are organizing their evaluation efforts.
Register here
Board Excellence Mini-Course
Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 from 3 - 5pm
David Harrison will teach a four-session mini-course on Board Excellence for nonprofit board
members. Harrison is senior lecturer emeritus at the University of Washington’s Evans School and
is former chair of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and Bainbridge Community Foundation. The
four sessions will focus on multiple ways to improve board performance, including:
- Fully understanding and attending to the legal, ethical and organizational duties and
responsibilities faced by board members. - Playing a key role in charting and maintaining organizational direction in conjunction with
the executive director. Keeping the organization’s mission, goals, budget and staffing in
alignment so that programs will remain sustainable. Working with the executive director
and any staff to evaluate proposed program modifications. - Ensuring the careful financial management of the organization. Recognizing and avoiding
financial problems before they become intractable. - Effectively monitoring and participating in the organization’s efforts in gathering support
from multiple sources.
If you have questions, please feel free to email nicole@bainbridgecf.org or call the BCF office at 206-842-0433.
