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 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.

Identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among young people. You’ll build the skills and confidence you need to recognize early warnings signs of a mental health challenge and how to reach out and provide initial and continuing support to young people experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, including suicide. You will also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.