This workshop will introduce nonprofits to the power of branding and how to make it the core building block of your external communication strategy. We will cover the following topics: establishing a brand personality, crafting an appropriate narrative and brand voice, creating and deploying a visual identity, and how to use social media and a website to tell your brand story.

This workshop is ideal for anyone responsible for shaping and communicating their organization’s mission and values. This includes marketing and communications staff, development and fundraising professionals, executive leadership, and program managers.

Presented by: Kerstin Vogdes Diehn who is the founder and principal of 501c Design — a studio that specializes in designing mission-driven materials for nonprofit organizations, progressive lobbying groups, small businesses, NGOs, and government-funded aid projects. An expert in the Adobe creative suite, Kerstin has over 20 years experience as an art director and graphic designer.

Session Description:
This workshop will provide a high-level overview of the NYC Council Discretionary Expense Funding process—from application through funding timelines, award tracking, and contracting. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance during the registration process.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the end-to-end process of NYC Council Discretionary Expense Funding, including application requirements, review timelines, and key milestones.
Gain insight into tracking and managing discretionary awards, from notification of selection through to contract execution.
Identify common challenges and best practices in navigating the discretionary funding and contracting process effectively.

Intended for:
Nonprofit Organizations based in NYC
Nonprofit Organizations based in NYC with an existing NYC Council Discretionary Award
Beginner and Intermediate Applicants who have never applied or with 1-3 years of experience with the discretionary process.

Presented by: Tamara Keshecki, MM, MPP, is a dynamic policy advocate, nonprofit professional, arts researcher, and accomplished musician. She is the founding principal of AINOK Consulting, LLC providing organizations with research, grant writing, policy and advocacy strategy, and management services.

Keshecki is the Director of Grants and Government Relations for the St. George Theatre Restoration, the Vice-President of the New York Independent Venue Association, co-leader of APAP’s development affinity group, an active member of the New York City Culture@3 Advocacy Working Group, and a Research Associate at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. She’s been invited to present her research at SXSW 2023, ARNOVA 2022, 23, 24, ISTR (Belgium), and STP&A (Spain).

She holds a Bachelor of Music from New York University, Master’s of Music from New Jersey City University, and Master’s of Public Policy from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2014, she received a New York City Council Citation for her contribution to New York City’s cultural community.

Success in the nonprofit sector doesn’t happen by chance—it requires strategy, leadership, and accountability. Nonprofit Excellence is a dynamic one-hour workshop designed to equip nonprofit leaders, board members, and staff with the essential principles that will drive sustainability, credibility, and impact. Through an engaging discussion on 10 proven best practices, participants will gain actionable insights into mission clarity, governance, financial stewardship, strategic planning, fundraising, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, legal compliance, leadership development, and community collaboration. Join us to discover the key strategies that will position your nonprofit for long-term success!

Presented by: Hugh Wesley Carrington, Ph.D. helps organizations optimize performance through training and development of their members at all levels and the streamlining of organizational processes. As Founder of Bridge Innovators, Inc. and an accomplished, dynamic speaker, Hugh blends his love of education, the study of people, and research into his process-driven approach to organizational learning and development. In addition to leading Bridge, Inc., Hugh is currently also an Adjunct Professor at Long Island University in the School of Business, Department of Social Work, and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Session Description:
In this workshop, Joe Kovac, Senior Director of Discretionary Contract Review and Compliance at the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), will join us to provide an overview of the NYC Council Discretionary Expense contracting and reimbursement processes. Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance during the registration process.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the contracting and reimbursement processes for NYC Council Discretionary funding administered by DYCD.
Gain insights into best practices for managing discretionary contracts.

Intended for:
Nonprofit Organizations based in NYC with an existing NYC Council Discretionary contract or award being administered by DYCD.

Presented by: Tamara Keshecki, MM, MPP, is a dynamic policy advocate, nonprofit professional, arts researcher, and accomplished musician. She is the founding principal of AINOK Consulting, LLC providing organizations with research, grant writing, policy and advocacy strategy, and management services.

Keshecki is the Director of Grants and Government Relations for the St. George Theatre Restoration, the Vice-President of the New York Independent Venue Association, co-leader of APAP’s development affinity group, an active member of the New York City Culture@3 Advocacy Working Group, and a Research Associate at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. She’s been invited to present her research at SXSW 2023, ARNOVA 2022, 23, 24, ISTR (Belgium), and STP&A (Spain).

She holds a Bachelor of Music from New York University, Master’s of Music from New Jersey City University, and Master’s of Public Policy from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2014, she received a New York City Council Citation for her contribution to New York City’s cultural community.

Session Description:
This workshop will guide participants through the process of starting, completing, and submitting a new HHS Prequalification registration in PASSPort, required for most organizations receiving NYC Council Discretionary Funding. Topics will include the Nonprofit Questionnaire, the list of required documents, and common mistakes to avoid. Questions are encouraged to be submitted in advance during the registration process.

Learning Objectives:
Learn how to start, complete, and submit a new HHS Prequalification.
Understand the requirements of the Nonprofit Questionnaire and necessary supporting documents.
Identify common mistakes to avoid during the HHS Prequalification process.

Intended for:
Nonprofit Organizations based in NYC interested in NYC Discretionary Funding or other NYC contracts.
Beginner and Intermediate Applicants.

Presented by: Tamara Keshecki, MM, MPP, is a dynamic policy advocate, nonprofit professional, arts researcher, and accomplished musician. She is the founding principal of AINOK Consulting, LLC providing organizations with research, grant writing, policy and advocacy strategy, and management services.

Keshecki is the Director of Grants and Government Relations for the St. George Theatre Restoration, the Vice-President of the New York Independent Venue Association, co-leader of APAP’s development affinity group, an active member of the New York City Culture@3 Advocacy Working Group, and a Research Associate at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. She’s been invited to present her research at SXSW 2023, ARNOVA 2022, 23, 24, ISTR (Belgium), and STP&A (Spain).

She holds a Bachelor of Music from New York University, Master’s of Music from New Jersey City University, and Master’s of Public Policy from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2014, she received a New York City Council Citation for her contribution to New York City’s cultural community.

It’s easy to be enamored by the idea that you can raise large sums of money for your organization by completing a form and writing an essay about your work. But is it really that easy? In this free workshop, the NonProfit HelpDesk will walk you through the realities of grant funding and provide tactics for you to begin raising revenue through grants.

Presented by: Maureen Prout Alvidrez, CFRE, who has been a member of the nonprofit fundraising community for nearly two decades and has provided high-level and hands-on consulting to organizations. Her journey began as Director of Development for Marylawn of the Oranges Academy and then a position in Advancement at Seton Hall University. Prior to that, she honed her skills in management, sales, and marketing at Hypotenuse, Inc., the parent company of SurveyUSA, that specializes in direct messaging, opinion polling, and market research. Maureen also served on the staff of members of Congress in both D.C. and state-based district offices. Maureen brings her breadth of experience in development, project management, small business, government, and community-based organizations to her direct services for clients; working with them to achieve their goals through fundraising planning and execution, capital campaigns, increased Board engagement, as well as grants management, writing, and research.  Maureen is a founding trustee of Hilltopper Stage Productions and served on the Board of The Summit Conservancy throughout its campaign for and construction of the Summit Free Market building. She is a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP-NJ) and is a volunteer in her community. Maureen graduated Manhattanville College and earned her M.P.A. with a concentration in nonprofit organization management from Seton Hall University.

Session Description:
In this workshop, you will be introduced to PASSPort, New York City’s digital portal for contracting and procurement. PASSPort is designed for every stage of the contracting process including registration, solicitations (known as RFx), contract awards, contract registration, contract management, and payments. Participants will learn how to create an account, complete the Vendor Questionnaire, manage existing contracts, and search for contracting opportunities.

Learning Objectives:
Learn how to create and set up a PASSPort account.
Understand how to complete the Vendor Questionnaire and upload required documents.
Gain the skills to manage existing contracts and search for new contracting opportunities in PASSPort.

Intended for:
Small to mid-Size Nonprofit Organizations based in NYC who have been awarded discretionary funding from NYC Council Members.
Beginner and Intermediate Applicants who are unfamiliar with navigating PASSPort or have questions on using PASSPort.

Presented by: Tamara Keshecki, MM, MPP, is a dynamic policy advocate, nonprofit professional, arts researcher, and accomplished musician. She is the founding principal of AINOK Consulting, LLC providing organizations with research, grant writing, policy and advocacy strategy, and management services.

Keshecki is the Director of Grants and Government Relations for the St. George Theatre Restoration, the Vice-President of the New York Independent Venue Association, co-leader of APAP’s development affinity group, an active member of the New York City Culture@3 Advocacy Working Group, and a Research Associate at UMass Amherst School of Public Policy. She’s been invited to present her research at SXSW 2023, ARNOVA 2022, 23, 24, ISTR (Belgium), and STP&A (Spain).

She holds a Bachelor of Music from New York University, Master’s of Music from New Jersey City University, and Master’s of Public Policy from University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2014, she received a New York City Council Citation for her contribution to New York City’s cultural community.