Cary Center-Community and Collegiate Programs

Did you miss our virtual session last week? You're in luck! "The Hidden Research Funders Are Doing On You" with Lauren Steiner, Founder and CEO at Grants Plus, is now available on our YouTube channel: https://aub.ie/ccvideos

Please join us in congratulating Jade Kennedy, Assistant Director of The Children's Advocacy Center of Walker County, for being selected as the 2026 Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year which is sponsored by the Student Philanthropy Board (SPB) of Auburn University--a mentoring initiative of the Women's Philanthropy Board - Auburn University - College of Human Sciences.

The Alabama Nonprofit Employee of the Year Award seeks to honor individuals who, through their professional efforts, are making a difference in the lives of the citizens of Alabama and surrounding areas. The award recipient is selected by the Student Philanthropy Board from the nominations received. We want to draw attention to the often very difficult and emotionally draining work it takes to be successful in the nonprofit field. Reading all the nomination justifications also allows SPB members a glimpse into what it takes to be outstanding in a nonprofit role.

We want to thank all nonprofit professionals for the work you do, and for being a role model to Auburn students.

Last week, we were pleased to partner with the River Region United Way to present a day of training in Montgomery. The Cary Center Nonprofit Training Series took place at the River Region United Way office. This program included sessions on self-care for changemakers, website essentials, marketing with purpose, and engaging young professionals. Lunch was sponsored by Jackson Thornton.

We would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise they shared with these attendees: Angela Peterson-Washington, Imperial Consulting Services Group; Kenley H. Obas, EdD, Kindred Technology Group, LLC; Angie Jordin, exploreMedia; and Tasha Cooper, HandsOn River Region.

Our June virtual program, "Hidden Research Funders Are Doing On You," will take place via Zoom on Thursday, June 11th from 10:30-11:30 AM CST with Lauren Steiner, Founder and CEO of Grants Plus. The one-hour program is FREE thanks to our presenting sponsor, the Walker Area Community Foundation. Registration is required--register today: linktr.ee/carycenterau.

Lauren Steiner is the Founder and CEO of Grants Plus, a national grant strategy and consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations since 2007. With over two decades of practitioner experience, she advises organizations on institutional fundraising strategy, funder cultivation, and building grant programs that reflect both mission clarity and organizational credibility. Lauren serves on the Giving USA Editorial Review Board, and is a recognized voice on grant seeking trends, foundation giving, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in nonprofit institutional fundraising.

Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information See less

Did you miss our virtual session last week? You're in luck! "Talent for All: Building Dynamic Teams," with Melanie E. Jones, CFRE, Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Partner and Keava Boswell Jones, Esq., Chief People Officer with the Jone Collective is now available on our YouTube channel: https://aub.ie/ccvideos

Our May virtual program, "Talent for All: Building Dynamic Teams," will take place via Zoom on Thursday, May 14th from 10:30-11:30 AM CST with Melanie E. Jones, CFRE, Chief Strategy Officer & Managing Partner and Keava Boswell Jones, Esq., Chief People Officer with The Jones Collective. The one-hour program is FREE thanks to our presenting sponsor, the Walker Area Community Foundation. Registration is required--register today: linktr.ee/carycenterau.

Melanie E. Jones, CFRE, is Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Partner of The Jones Collective, Inc., with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership. She partners with organizations to strengthen fundraising, donor engagement, and mission-aligned partnerships. Her expertise includes board development, major and annual giving, grant strategy, and campaign planning. She also serves in governance roles and advances nonprofit capacity, leadership development, and sustainable philanthropy through consulting and speaking.

Keava Boswell Jones, Esq. brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, focusing on building strong teams and effective organizations. She partners with executives and boards to align talent strategies with mission-driven goals, strengthen leadership capacity, and foster high-performing cultures. Her work includes guiding organizations through change, developing talent management systems, and creating policies that balance compliance with organizational values. Keava also trains and speaks on leadership development and workforce strategy, helping nonprofits enhance accountability, engagement, and long-term sustainability.

Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies has partnered with the River Region United Way to present an in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Montgomery at the River Region United Way office on Wednesday, May 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $25 and includes lunch sponsored by Jackson Thornton. Register today at: linktr.ee/carycenterau

Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

We were pleased to partner with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to present a day of training in Birmingham. The Cary Center Nonprofit Training Series took place at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's office. This program included sessions on building strategic partnerships; cultivating transformational donors; preventing burnout in nonprofit work; and new paths to sustainable revenue. Lunch was sponsored by Fortif Law Partners.

We would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise they shared with these attendees: David Butler, Cahaba River Coalition; Justinn Overton, Coosa Riverkeeper; Valerie Cunningham-Trainer, Make-A-Wish Alabama; Nancy Rieves of Fundraising Maximized; and Julia Taliaferro, Children's of Alabama.

Did you miss our virtual session last week? You're in luck! "Creative Impact: Building Programs That Transform Communities," with Hannah Wohltjen, Co-Founder and Chief Research & Evaluation Officer at Elevate Consulting, is now available on our YouTube channel: https://aub.ie/ccvideos

🚨 Alabama, we need your help! 🚨

We’re bringing powerful programs to nonprofits across the state—but we’re missing connections in a few counties, and that’s where YOU come in.

If you know a nonprofit doing incredible work in Bibb, Bullock, Cherokee, Geneva, Greene, Lamar, Lawrence, Limestone, Pickens, Randolph, Sumter, Washington, or Wilcox counties...

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Because when nonprofits get stronger, entire communities thrive.