“The Deep Dive: A 2026 Nonprofit Council Series

Get ready to suit up and dive beneath the surface! This year our Nonprofit Council’s “Deep Dive” is an 11-month, once-a-month program designed exclusively for nonprofit leaders ready to plunge into the topics that matter most. Each session brings together education, collaboration, networking, and lunch—plus expert speakers who will guide, challenge, and encourage you as you navigate the waters of nonprofit leadership.

Whether you’re snorkeling at the surface or exploring the depths, this series will help you sharpen your tools, expand your knowledge, and surface with actionable strategies.

Quarter One: (January - March) Navigating the Currents — Data & Analysis
Start your journey by charting the waters with data. We’ll explore how to gather, interpret, and apply analysis to steer your nonprofit in the right direction. Think of it as your compass and depth gauge—helping you make informed decisions and uncover hidden opportunities below the surface.

Quarter Two: (April - June) Balancing the Buoyancy — Budgets & Cashflow
Every diver needs balance to stay afloat. This quarter, we’ll zero in on budgeting and cashflow, ensuring your organization can glide smoothly instead of being pulled under by financial undertows. Expert voices will share practical tools to help you stay buoyant and financially secure.

June Agenda: "Shark Bite - Moving from Triage to Choice" by John Holloway
Moving From Triage to Choice is a working session for nonprofit leaders navigating sustained pressure,uncertainty, and change. Drawing on local sector data and a practical facilitated exercise, participants willname what they are carrying, reconnect with agency, and leave with a reusable decision lens to move fromconstant reaction to deliberate choice. This is one not to miss! Bring your team and join us.

John Holloway has spent 30 years inside nonprofit organizations — as a CEO, executive director, andnational consultant — navigating exactly the conditions he will be discussing on June 2nd. As CEO of The Coastal Stewards and Executive Director of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, he led organizations through federal funding loss, workforce strain, and sustained uncertainty.

Through his consulting practice, Growth Guiders, he designed leadership development and governanceprograms for more than 200 organizations and coached nearly 500 nonprofit executives across the country.

He has facilitated peer learning spaces for nonprofit leaders in Western North Carolina and presented at the National Nonprofit Leadership & Governance Conference and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Annual Summit.

John brings both the data and the lived experience to this conversation — and a genuine belief that honest peer spaces change how leaders lead.

Quarter Three: (August - October) Making a Splash — Programming & Events
Now it’s time to make waves! We’ll deep dive into programming and events, exploring creative approaches, measurable impact, and engaging experiences that ripple out into your community. Learn how to design initiatives that don’t just float but truly make a splash.

 Every month includes:

• Networking with fellow nonprofit leaders
• Lunch and meaningful conversations
• Education and skill-building
• Collaboration and idea-sharing
• Expert speakers who bring fresh perspectives

Join us as we take The Deep Dive—where nonprofit leaders come together to explore, learn, and resurface stronger than ever.

November will be a wrap up of the entire year, and December will be our 5th Annual Beyond Words Storytelling Competition.

Join us each month to network, gain education and collaborate with the BEST nonprofit leaders in town!
 
Our 2026 Sponsors:
Annual Sponsor – Masterwing Creative Agency
Lunch Sponsor – Chazin
Education Sponsor - UBS Lansing Hutcheon Wealth Management
Network Sponsor – Charity Dynamics & Auctions and The Non-Profit Tam at Rose Marcom