This event is offered in partnership with the Initiative Foundation, Performance Excellence Network, and Sourcewell.

The Initiative Foundation and Sourcewell are excited to bring the Performance Excellence Network back to Central Minnesota for a Continuous Improvement cohort. Join other Central Minnesota nonprofits and local units of government for this hands-on learning opportunity.

• Sessions will be built around the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework, and will incorporate principles from the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence as well as several other continuous improvement tools and methods.


• Design will be focused on learners new to PDCA and continuous improvement concepts, and sessions will each include peer-learning opportunities.


• Participants will be asked to apply learning from each session in their respective organizations and share their experiences at the next session. Participants will be encouraged to focus on an organizational improvement opportunity through the course of the sessions as they incrementally apply the PDCA methods and associated continuous improvement tools and approaches.

Sourcewell strives to bring the highest-quality resources, information, and training opportunities to our members. We’re honored to partner with regional organizations, like the Initiative Foundation and Performance Excellence Network, to bring this opportunity to our central Minnesota region.   

This beginner‑friendly session is designed for those working in local government, public safety, or nonprofit organizations who want to feel more confident using everyday technology. Participants will learn the basics of computers, internet connections, and common digital tools in clear, non-technical language. The training also focuses on staying safe online. Attendees will learn how to recognize common scams, phishing attempts, and suspicious messages, as well as simple steps to protect personal and work information. No prior technical experience is required!

This event is offered in partnership with the Initiative Foundation.

Grant writing can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it. This workshop demystifies the process and replaces guesswork with practical skills, funder insight, and hands-on practice. Attendees walk away with greater confidence, clearer direction, and a stronger foundation for pursuing grant funding successfully.

A beginner-level, hands-on workshop designed to help nonprofit staff and board members approach grant writing with clarity and confidence.

Participants will leave this workshop able to:

• Assess whether their organization is ready to pursue grant funding


• Identify and evaluate appropriate grant opportunities


• Understand what funders look for in strong grant applications


• Navigate the key components of a grant proposal


• Write proposal sections that tell a clear, coherent, and compelling story

Sourcewell strives to bring the highest-quality resources, information, and training opportunities to our members. We're honored to team up with the Initiative Foundation to bring this opportunity to our central Minnesota region.

This training is offered in partnership with the Initiative Foundation.

Join this training and conversation tailored for nonprofit staff and board members. Nonprofits are not owned by anyone (like typical businesses), they are overseen by a board of directors who represent the best interests of the community. Come and learn about board roles, responsibilities, and ethical and legal obligations. Discuss how board members can best support the organization they serve and how roles change over time based on the evolution of the nonprofit.

Learn best practices for board governance and how board members can best support their organization. The content will be pertinent to new board members as well as those seasoned board members who want to brush up on their roles and responsibilities.