Events &
Trainings

Thrive Initiative – February 12, 2026: Virtual Training with Brazelton Touchpoints Center

“Lifting Family Voices: Honoring Families as their Child’s Advocate“

When: Thursday, February 12, 2026 | Noon – 2:00 PM

Where: Virtual via Zoom

Who: Thrive Participants/Partners and other professionals working with young children and their families

Description: Brazelton Touchpoints Center presents Lifting Family Voices: Honoring Families as their Child’s Advocate: Families bring unique voices and perspectives to advocacy efforts for their children. In this workshop participants will explore strategies that foster meaningful collaboration between providers and families around advocacy. Discuss how to engage with families to understand their goals — whether seeking direct support for specific efforts or expanding their skills and confidence as advocates. Through practical strategies and tools, both providers and families will gain insights into the unique perspectives that they each hold and how they can effectively learn from one another, build strengths-based relationships, and partner together to support children’s overall development.

Register: Please register by February 2, 2026, by emailing Sandy Scheiber at sandy@northlandfdn.org. Share your first name, last name, and email address in the email. You will receive a Zoom Link by email one week before the event. After the event, participants will have access to the workshop recording for 30 days, as well as a survey and a certificate of attendance.

This is the fifth in a series of six free, stand-alone trainings featuring national and regional experts on nonprofit fundraising. Participants may attend any or all of the virtual sessions, held each Thursday, January 15 through February 19, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Featured topics include the federal funding landscape, opportunities for earned revenue, cause marketing, legacy giving, corporate sponsorships, and more. Presented and sponsored by the Northland Foundation to support nonprofit capacity building in our region.

WHEN: February 12, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Virtual via Zoom

WHO: Anyone involved in fundraising/development for nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the 7-county/5-Tribal nation region served by the Northland Foundation

EVENT DESCRIPTION: This session will help you to:

• Understand and debunk misconceptions about endowments—such as the idea that they’re only for large organizations or that funds can’t be accessed—so your nonprofit can confidently explore long-term giving options.
• Explore different charitable giving vehicles, from bequests and donor-advised funds to gifts of stock or life insurance, and learn how they can provide lasting impact for your organization.
• Learn practical strategies to include legacy giving in your donor communications, appeals, and stewardship, turning planned giving into a regular part of your development efforts.

SPEAKER BIO: Jessica Peterson joined Boreal Waters Community Foundation in 2023 and brings more than fifteen years of nonprofit leadership experience. At Boreal Waters, she leads development efforts that strengthen donor engagement, grow charitable resources, and expand the Foundation’s long-term impact across the region, with a special focus on legacy giving and endowment growth. Previously, she served as Development Director at the Depot Foundation in Duluth and held multiple leadership roles in the nonprofit arts sector, including founding and guiding a Twin Cities theater company for more than a decade. A versatile writer and experienced fundraising professional, Jessica is passionate about connecting generous individuals and nonprofits with opportunities to build meaningful, lasting impact in the communities they love.

REGISTER: Free of charge. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JhDZPt3PRziX0k5nTsmkSg

This is the sixth in a series of six free, stand-alone trainings featuring national and regional experts on nonprofit fundraising. Participants may attend any or all of the virtual sessions, held each Thursday, January 15 through February 19, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Featured topics include the federal funding landscape, opportunities for earned revenue, cause marketing, legacy giving, corporate sponsorships, and more. Presented and sponsored by the Northland Foundation to support nonprofit capacity building in our region.

WHEN: February 19, 2026 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM

WHERE: Virtual via Zoom

WHO: Anyone involved in fundraising/development for nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations located within the 7-county/5-Tribal nation region served by the Northland Foundation

EVENT DESCRIPTION: This session will cover:

• The current realities of federal funding.
• Principles and approaches to forecasting federal funding. 
• Federal funding program and application design.
• Building and articulating political support for federal funding applications.

SPEAKER BIO: Named as a Top Lobbyist (nonprofit category) by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics, Brent Merchant has helped secure nearly $100 million in federal support for nonprofit institutions and organizations. Prior to co-creating Merchant McIntyre Associates, Brent secured grant funding for nonprofit clients in the Washington office of Russ Reid, then the largest marketing and communications agency in the world serving exclusively nonprofits. Beginning in 2009, he established the federal government presence for LPB Energy Management, advising the company on policy and legislative matters and overseeing the development and execution of government contracts and partnerships. From 2001 to 2008, Brent served as senior staff at the Department of Energy, where he was named Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Energy. Brent also served as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of Energy, focusing on policy, project management, and operational issues throughout the Department and its National Laboratory complex.

REGISTER: Free of charge. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__3g70UpzTXO_WIh1aTxzcA#/registration