April 2026

Join or Renew for 2026

Support Leadership Council

By now, most of you have heard the news that Leadership Council is in negotiations with OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Social Venture Partners Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Cares about a potential merger. The idea that we could bring the strengths and assets of these four organizations together to better serve our nonprofit community is beyond exciting! Your Leadership Council board and I are all in on these conversations, envisioning how we could streamline where you go to get support for your work and enhance what we can offer.

Through the spring and summer, the group will conduct financial, operational, governance, and programmatic due diligence. Discussions will also include input from key stakeholders, including funders, partners, volunteers, and professional advisors. All of us will continue operating independently during this time, and programs, services, memberships, and partnerships will proceed without interruption. Feel free to share any input you have on the idea!

Beth Benson

Executive Director

P.S. Sponsorships are now open for our Oct. 20 Securing the Future conference – reach out if you’re interested!

Last chance to sign up for our spring BOLD cohort!



BOLD has now been streamlined to 4 in-person sessions with even more networking.

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!

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!

Have you renewed your Leadership Council membership for 2026? As part of a regional network of 200+ organizations, our members enjoy access to exclusive programming, valuable resources, and meaningful connections throughout the year. Visit our membership page to join or renew today. Thank you to all of our new and renewing members!

Marketing & Website Services

Firespring is a full-service marketing company specializing in websites, printing, and strategic guidance specifically for nonprofits. When you work with Firespring, you have the confidence to know you’re investing in marketing that works, and you can direct time and energy to your mission. As a valued Leadership Council member, you can save 20% on Firespring services. Learn more about Firespring today!

Safeguard Your Nonprofit Funding: Strategies to Secure Sustainable Revenue

Join UST and Barbara O'Reilly, Principal at Windmill Hill Consulting, to learn where your funding may be vulnerable and how to build resilience in the year ahead. 

Attend to learn how to:

🔹 Identify emerging risks to your revenue

🔹 Respond to shifts in donor behavior and funding priorities

🔹 Strengthen donor relationships before challenges arise

🔹 Implement actionable strategies to protect and grow your funding

Date: April 21, 2026

PBPO Quarterly Employment Webinar Series

Are You Ready? A Leadership Guide to ICE Interactions & I‑9 Obligations

Immigration enforcement activity can be unpredictable, but your organization can still be prepared. Join us for this practical, nonprofit-focused webinar with speaker Kelzé M. Riley Esq., Associate, KMK Law.

Topics include:

• Preparing staff for ICE interactions
• Form I‑9 compliance essentials
• Correcting past Form I‑9 errors

Date: April 22, 2026

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: May 15, 2026

Quarterly Nonprofit HR Forum

Join us for our new quarterly Nonprofit HR Forum to meet with your peers for presentations and discussions on high-level issues affecting our nonprofit workforce. 

Topic: Neurodiversity in the Workplace, presented by Samantha (Sammie) Kelly of Beyond Neurodiversity

Thanks to our sponsor Clark Schaefer Strategic HR!

Date: May 20, 2026

Quarterly Nonprofit Executive Forum

Join us for our new quarterly Nonprofit Executive Forum to meet with your peers for presentations and discussions on high-level issues affecting our sector.

These in-person meetings will be exclusive to CEOs and executive directors and open to members and nonmembers. Stay tuned for the topic announcement!

Thanks to our sponsor UHY (formerly Flynn & Co, CPAs)!

Date: May 21, 2026

2026 Emerging Leader Award Nominations

OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence is accepting nominations for their Emerging Leader Award to recognize talented nonprofit professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise and a commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. The Award provides a full scholarship for the selected honoree to participate in the EXCEL Executive Leadership Program, including one year of executive coaching. Learn more and nominate here. 

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.