Three Day Conference in 2025

Purpose of RFP: The Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) seeks proposals from among its member institutions to serve as Host for the 1-day member/ board meeting and 2-day biennial conference, to be held in July 2025. Other dates can be considered. The meeting and conference would take place over three days, with the following suggested format: The first day is the member meeting or board retreat and (smaller, more informal) member reception, and the subsequent two days are the conference, with a (larger) reception on the evening of the first day. The dates are flexible, but traditionally, NACC’s Biennial Conference dates are 3 days attached to the weekends in the second week of July 2025, i.e., Monday-Wednesday 7-9 July 2025 or Wednesday-Friday 9-11 July 2025.

Purpose of Biennial Conference: The 2025 conference will be the 15th anniversary of NACC’s conferences, which are traditionally held biennially. Past academic hosts have provided substantial resources in the form of conference venues and catering, funding, and organizational effort. We salute these past host universities: Arizona State University, University of San Diego, DePaul University, Texas A&M University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, the Bayes School of Business, part of City, University of London, and Auburn University. Conferences do not need to be hosted by one university/program.

The Biennial Conference attracts sponsorships from NACC university members, local host institution philanthropy, and other sources; all of which sustain the operations of the organization. Consequently, the Biennial conference provides a signal to the global academic peer communities of the vitality of NACC and its programs.

Theme for the 2025 Biennial Conference: We encourage interested host institutions to suggest themes for the conference. NACC will assist with having a host/conference committee help develop the theme as needed.

Selected papers may be published in a special issue of our key partner Sagamore Publisher’s Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership.

Eligibility: Respondents to the RFP must be NACC members at the time of the submission materials. Institutions that are in the process of applying for NACC membership may be part of joint applications with current members.

Required Conditions: A dedicated coordinating staff member must be assigned to connect with NACC to plan, arrange, and facilitate conference logistics on site. The host institution(s) may recommend suggested hotels, but accommodations are arranged by the conference participants themselves. Reception space must be provided by the host institution for up to 125 attendees. On-site dining or catering services must also be available. Meeting space must be sufficient for two (non-concurrent) plenary sessions with seating for approximately 80 – 100 attendees, plus five break-out presentation spaces for concurrent topical panels. Presentation hardware, adaptable software programs such as Microsoft PowerPoint, and internet access must be provided, including technical support.

Preferred Conditions: The ideal host institution will be accessible readily by air transport and near a population center of sufficient size to accommodate the group. In addition to in- kind physical services, host institutions are asked to provide sponsorship (for example; covering the costs meals, breaks, or receptions), or to facilitate fundraising from external sources. NACC will also solicit sponsorships from other NACC members, as it has in the past to cover other necessary costs.

Cover Letter and Budget: In a signed cover letter, describe the facilities that will be provided by your institution. Complete a budget indicating the amount of direct and indirect contributions your institution will invest in the Biennial Conference.

Letter of Support from Institutional Executive Officer: Provide a letter confirming support for this proposal signed by the chief executive officer (i.e. president, provost, dean or department head).

Additional information: You are welcome to submit any additional information you think will be useful in helping us in our deliberations.

Due Date: Complete responses to this RFP in PDF format are due no later than Monday, April 5, 2024. The PDF document should include the signed cover letter, budget, and institutional letter of support (plus any additional materials). Email to Nicole Collier, NACC Executive Director: nicole.e.collier@tamu.edu.

Dr. Genevieve Shaker, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Dr. Genevieve Shaker
Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies
Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

New Board Member Feature: Genevieve Shaker

Dr. Gen Shaker, an Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, holds the prestigious Donald A. Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership. Her journey in academia is deeply rooted in her passion for understanding and enhancing the philanthropic landscape. As reflected by several awards for mentoring others, Dr. Shaker also has a well-known personal reputation for the professional development of aspiring scholars and fundraisers.

Dr. Shaker’s research primarily focuses on donor behavior, fundraising practices, the role of philanthropy in higher education, and the role of higher education in advancing the common good. She is known for studies on how academic professionals contribute to philanthropic activities, bridging a unique connection between education and philanthropy. Her many publications benefit from her commitment to research-based practices and are a testament to her dedication in bringing the best academe has to offer to bear on society. Through scholarship and public presentations, she has contributed to the understanding of fundraising strategies and donor relations in the nonprofit sector. Dr. Shaker seeks to apply the best insights from research and practice to policy insights and development.

Dr. Shaker’s academic work is grounded in 20 years of work as an advancement officer for the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts, where she oversaw the school’s $20 million-dollar contribution to an overall $3.9 billion university-wide campaign. This experience has informed Dr. Shaker’s contributions to translating research into practice, drawn from practitioners’ interests, concerns, and challenges. In alignment with the goals expressed through the creation of the Campbell Chair in Fundraising Leadership, she is contributing to the development of fundraising leaders is as an active teacher, collaborator, and research advisor for The Fund Raising School, the Lilly Family School’s professional education program. Professor Shaker has reaffirmed the importance of collaborations between academics and practitioners as a lasting legacy of Campbell’s interest in encouraging research-based practice.

Apart from her academic pursuits, Dr. Shaker is actively involved in community service and volunteer work, embodying the principles she advocates through her research and teaching. She is involved with various nonprofit organizations, where she often lends her expertise in fundraising and philanthropic strategy. She is the current chair of the Greater Indianapolis Board of the American Red Cross, where she has led both the philanthropy and governance committees, a member of the community advisory committee of the Indianapolis Children’s Museum, a frequent advisor to nonprofits in the city, and an anonymous volunteer with several community service organizations. This hands-on experience enriches her teaching, allowing her to provide her students with a blend of academic theory and practical insights.

Through her combined roles as an educator, researcher, and volunteer, Dr. Shaker is helping to shape the future of philanthropic studies and inspiring a new generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector to approach their work with knowledge, innovation, and compassion.

The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy (Johnson Center) of Grand Valley State University (GVSU) now seeks nominations and applications for the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy. The Chair was established at the Johnson Center in 2008 as the world’s first endowed chair for family philanthropy. The Chair is a leading voice on family philanthropy issues, trends, and innovations while serving as a resource for all who seek to advance the many elements of family giving and engagement. Working in this dynamic field, the incoming Chair will develop and implement a creative and comprehensive applied program of research, thought leadership, service, and teaching designed to explore and advance the field of family philanthropy, broadly defined, and to actively advance the dissemination of their scholarship.

Ideal candidates will have a passion for and a deep understanding of the intricate ecosystem of philanthropy, as well as a distinctive combination of academic credentials and senior-level career experience within philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. They will combine not only a nuanced understanding of the history and evolution of philanthropy, particularly family philanthropy, but also its current practice and evolution, including its equity-focused work. A doctoral-level degree is required.

Dr. Ellen Winiarczyk, University College, University of Denver

Ellen Winiarczyk, EdD
Academic Director and
Teaching Associate Professor
Nonprofit Leadership Master’s Program
University College, University of Denver

New Board Member Feature: Ellen Winiarczyk

Dr. Ellen Winiarczyk, EdD, serves as the Academic Director and Teaching Associate Professor of the Nonprofit Leadership Master’s and Certificate Program at the University College, University of Denver. Her journey in the field of nonprofit studies is marked by a profound dedication to both academic rigor and practical application. Dr. Winiarczyk’s extensive expertise is reflected in her role as an educator and through her commitment to cutting edge and practical curriculum to build the sector’s next generation of leaders. She is deeply passionate about exploring the nuances of nonprofit management, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. Her researcher interests include the dynamics of nonprofit governance, the role of leadership in nonprofit sustainability, and the impact of strategic planning on organizational growth. In 2018 she received the University of Denver’s highest excellence in teaching award as an adjunct, the Ruth Murray Underhill Award.

Beyond her work in higher education, Dr. Winiarczyk is equally committed to community service and volunteerism, reflecting her belief in the power of practical engagement and her dedication to making a tangible difference in society. She is a plank member of the Leadership Veteran program and a local nonprofit senior leader program called The Leadership Collective. She brings to the field and to the NACC board a wealth of experience from her 18 years as a consultant in leadership development, program management, and diversity initiatives for various nonprofit organizations, coupled with a decade of service in Washington State government. Her work has included leading AmeriCorps programs, pioneering collaborative training initiatives, and being a grantee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Winiarczyk has also provided coaching for K-12 educational leaders and currently serves as an executive coach at the Center for Creative Leadership. Additionally, she has offered training services for numerous leadership and development programs.

Her blend of academic knowledge and real-world application is a hallmark of her approach to teaching, enabling her to provide students with a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nonprofit sector. Her efforts in both research and community service highlight her as a recognized figure in the field of nonprofit leadership, inspiring a new generation of leaders to approach their work with a blend of knowledge, innovation, and a deep commitment to social impact.