February 2026

Join or Renew for 2026

Support Leadership Council

Many of you know of and have used our biennial Nonprofit Compensation & Benefits Study. Well, this is the year! This comprehensive study surveys nonprofits of all sizes and types in our region. Any nonprofit who submits a response (even if you can only answer a portion) will receive the final study for free when it is published in early summer. In the next few weeks, our research firm will be sending the survey link to the nonprofit contact from prior years (usually the HR contact or CEO). To ensure that your organization receives the survey link, you can complete this form. We are thrilled to welcome back Dean Dorton as Presenting Sponsor (since 2018!) of the study. 

Here’s something cool: Nonprofits Get It Done. National Council for Nonprofits created this campaign to raise awareness and advocacy for our sector. You may see some of the messaging in our market as Kentucky Nonprofit Network rolls it out statewide. What do you think? Love it? Doesn’t go far enough? Do you think it would resonate in our community? (Anyone who sees me on the weekend knows I’m going to have to get the ballcap).

We’re excited to welcome some new and returning sponsors this month! Their support throughout the year and for specific programs is critical to the backbone support we provide to the nonprofit economy. Want to join them?

Spring is on the way – I can feel it!

Beth Benson

Executive Director

New Nonprofit HR Forum

With your input, we have created a new Nonprofit HR Forum. Distinct from our 9-month Leaders Circles, these in-person meetings will be held quarterly and focus on a different topic and speaker each time, based on participants’ requests. If your role includes HR responsibilities, please keep an eye out for 2026 dates and registration coming soon.

We are delighted to acknowledge our partner Clark Schaefer Hackett Strategic HR as the exclusive sponsor of this program! Partnerships like this are an important part of bringing timely and relevant programming to you. Have topic ideas? Submit them here.

Last Call for Inspire to Hire Event

We will have a booth at Junior Achievement’s “Inspire to Hire” event March 10-11, welcoming thousands of area high school students. Our aim is to make them aware of the wide range of career paths available in the nonprofit economy. We want to share YOUR open positions and career pathways, so please get in touch if you have info that you want us to share. If you want to work a shift at our booth, please contact Beth.

Our 2026 Membership Drive is well underway, and there’s still time for your nonprofit to be part of this dynamic network. Members enjoy access to exclusive programming, valuable resources, and meaningful connections throughout the year. Best of all, one membership covers everyone in your organization!

Visit our membership page to review all the details and select the link for either new or returning members to renew or join today. We have maintained the same dues level as 2025.

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Please extend a warm welcome to our brand-new Leadership Council members:

• CASA of the Northern Bluegrass Region
• FIESTA
• Food For Thought Cincinnati
• Rachel Kirley
• Philanthropy Ohio

Our next BOLD cohort begins April 30 - secure your spot now!



New in 2026! BOLD has been streamlined to 4 sessions with more networking.

Are you looking to get more involved in your community this year and find meaningful ways to use your skills and talents to help those in need? Our BOLD program is the perfect place to start.

Designed for aspiring or novice board members, our core BOLD program will help you turn your passion into action and elevate your impact in our community!

Our spring cohort, BOLD 25, begins April 30. Deadline to register is April 17. Secure your seat now!

BOLD 25: April 30 - May 21, 2026

Registration deadline: 4/17/2026

BOLD 26: Sept. 10 - Oct. 1, 2026

Registration deadline: 9/3/2026

Space is limited. Save your spot now!

BOLD Next Level

We are planning to offer at least one session of BOLD Next Level in 2026, the “201” level of BOLD for more experienced board members. To learn more and make sure we notify you of the dates, click here.

Reminder: LC members can recruit BOLD grads for open board positions.

Attention BOLD Grads: Are you looking for the right board for your skills and passion? Check out our BOLD Board Connections and find your perfect board match!

Save Significantly on Your Workers’ Compensation Premium

Did you know that many alternative discounts are available to help reduce your annual Ohio workers’ compensation costs? Through the Leadership Council for Nonprofits workers’ compensation program, your organization can significantly reduce your workers’ compensation costs through a variety of alternative rating programs. Our program, administered by Sedgwick, offers you quality service and stability through the complex workers’ compensation environment. Learn more here.

A Message from Sedgwick: OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Online Submission

"Now that 2025 is behind us, hopefully you have finalized your OSHA Injury and Illness Log for 2025 and printed, signed and posted the 300A Summary form in a conspicuous location. This was due on February 1st and the Summary form must remain posted until April 30th. Excellent work if you have this completed, however, some employers may still have one more step – submitting their injury and illness information online to OSHA." Continue reading here. 

IT Roundtable

This members-only event is a bi-monthly, in-person gathering of local nonprofit staff with IT responsibilities who want to network, learn, and share all-things IT. Thanks to our longtime sponsor and host NextStep Networking!

Not a Leadership Council member? Join today and take advantage of this informative bi-monthly event!

Date: March 20, 2026

Secure By Design: Building Fraud Resistant Operations

Feb. 24: Join Blue & Co., Blue Pioneer Consulting, WesBanco, and Driehaus Insurance for a cybersecurity panel discussion on how accounting, IT, banking, and insurance work together to protect your organization from cyber events. Learn more and register here.

2026 Cincinnati Nonprofit Capital Project Symposium

March 3: Attend this half-day symposium for nonprofit leaders to gain actionable strategies to move from growth planning to long-term operational sustainability. Learn more and register here.

First Friday Legislative Update 

from OANO

March 6: It only takes 45 minutes to be current with the latest Ohio and National Nonprofit Legislative news! Join the call for timely updates on state and federal policy developments impacting Ohio’s nonprofit sector. Join the call on Mar. 6.

Barefoot PR 2026 Pro Bono Project Applications

Barefoot PR has opened applications for its 2026 pro bono projects. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing may apply for projects in Public Relations, Graphic Design or Strategic Communications. Applications are due by March 13. Learn more and apply here.

ArtsWave's NKY Creative Placemaking Grant

ArtsWave's NKY Creative Placemaking Grant is a funding opportunity that seeks to encourage a breadth of arts programming that will amplify arts and cultural heritage projects in Northern Kentucky. This grant is made possible through a partnership between ArtsWave and meetNKY (Northern Kentucky CVB) to leverage the arts to drive economic vitality, social vibrancy, and a connected community for all. The application will open March 2 and will be due on April 3, 2026 at 5 p.m. Grant guidelines and information to apply can be found here beginning March 2.

Thanks to these top-level sponsors who support Leadership Council’s work in 2026.  Click here to learn about becoming an annual or event sponsor in 2026.