Thank you for the vital work you do to build thriving, equitable communities across Northeast Wisconsin!
Last fall, nonprofit organizations across northeast Wisconsin completed a regional survey to share how they had been affected throughout 2025 and what types of support would be most valuable moving forward. We are deeply grateful to every organization that took time to respond.
The survey gave us valuable starting data, and it also raised important follow-up questions. To continue learning, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and Basic Needs Giving Partnership, together with the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative, are hosting a series of Nonprofit Listening Sessions. These conversations will focus on better understanding what nonprofits mean when they name certain needs, how funders and partners can be most supportive, what’s needed right now, and where those needs fall along a continuum – from longstanding, ongoing challenges to more urgent or time sensitive issues.
These sessions are designed as spaces for nonprofit community leaders to gather around key topics that emerged from the survey:
- Advocacy
- Capacity Building
- Technical Assistance
- Board Training
- General Training & Support
Through a series of small, self-directed discussion groups, participants will explore how these issues show up in their day-to-day work and help shape what meaningful support in 2026 could look like.
Listening Session Dates
There are two in-person sessions and one virtual session planned for February.
In-person at the D.J. Bordini Center (5 N Systems Drive, Appleton):
- Tuesday, February 17 | 8:00 AM networking / 8:30 to 10:00 AM session
- Thursday, February 26 | 3:00 PM networking / 3:30 to 5:00 PM session
Virtual:
- Wednesday, February 18 | 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
What to Expect During and After These Sessions
Each session is interactive and conversation driven, giving participants the chance to talk about:
- How you would define and prioritize the topic
- What challenges and opportunities you’re seeing
- What meaningful support in 2026 could look like for your organization, for area nonprofits, and for the broader community
Participants will rotate through discussion tables of their choosing. Throughout the sessions, we’ll use simple tools to capture what is shared, themes, and recommendations.
Please click on one of the buttons below to register for one listening session.
After the series of listening sessions concludes, we will share a summary, highlighting themes that arose and learnings from what was shared.
We hope you will join us. We’re looking forward to listening, learning, and understanding how we can best support your work in 2026.
