Nonprofit Works is the signature conference of the Nonprofit Center. We strive to push the boundaries of learning and practice within the Northeast Florida nonprofit sector through innovative, timely, and accessible programming. By bringing nationally renowned experts to the Nonprofit Works stage, we empower our local nonprofits to explore new ideas in nonprofit strategy and operations, leadership, and more. This full-day event provides nonprofits with the tools and connections they need to strengthen their resilience and impact as the sector faces a new era.
NONPROFIT WORKS: CHARTING THE COURSE
The Nonprofit Center invites you to join us at our 7th Nonprofit Works Conference at the Florida Blue Conference Center in Jacksonville, Florida on October 16, 2025. Our theme is Charting the Course. Join together with your sector colleagues, board members, and philanthropists as we envision what it will take to lead boldly in a new era that will challenge nonprofits to think differently about how to drive missions forward.
October 16, 2025
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
4800 Deerwood Campus Pkwy
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Nonprofit Center Early Bird Member Rate (Annual Budget $200k+): $150.00
Nonprofit Center Early Bird Member Rate: Small & Strong (Annual Budget $199,999 and below): $115.00
Non-Member Rate: $250.00
Nonprofit Center Members, register a team of 3 or more and save 20% with coupon code: NPW25
*Early Bird rates available through September 15!
Keynote Speaker: Diane Yentel
Our morning keynote speaker is Diane Yentel (she/her), President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. Diane is a nationally renowned nonprofit leader, with nearly 30 years’ experience working for, with, and in support of the sector. Prior to joining NCN, Diane led the National Low Income Housing Coalition, serving as President and CEO for 9 years. Under her leadership, NLIHC achieved exponential growth and financial stability, and led visionary national campaigns to historic success.
Throughout her career, Diane has worked closely with members of Congress, the White House, federal agencies, national, state, and local partners, and thousands of nonprofit organizations throughout the country. Diane has testified multiple times before the United States Congress and is frequently called upon to provide commentary to major media outlets and keynote remarks to national, state, and local partner organizations.
Diane previously served as Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Enterprise Community Partners. She was also the director of the Public Housing Management and Occupancy Division at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and worked to advance equitable public policies with Oxfam America and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. Diane served in the Peace Corps in Zambia as a community development volunteer. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY at Stony Brook and a master's degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Our morning keynote address will be immediately followed by a panel.
Keynote Panel: Nonprofit Sector Advocacy at the Federal, State, and Local Levels
Diane Yentel
National Council of Nonprofits
Sabeen Perwaiz
Florida Nonprofit Alliance
Dawn Lockhart
Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida
Keynote Speaker: Lara Jakubowski
Our luncheon keynote speaker is Lara Jakubowski (she/her), Partner, Head of Growth with LaPiana Consulting. Lara is a veteran leader in the social sector, with roots in community development finance and nonprofit capacity building. Her career has been inspired by the people and organizations committed to addressing income inequality. She focuses her client work on solutions that are evidence-based, practical, and sustainable. Lara meets clients where they are and leverages her experiences as a nonprofit Executive Director, lender to affordable housing developers, convener of nonprofits in shared spaces and shared services, Board Member, and technical assistance provider to build client impact.
Prior to joining La Piana in 2017, Lara served as Executive Director of the Nonprofit Centers Network, where she also held the position of national programs director. She has also been the principal of her own nonprofit management consultancy and was Executive Director at Impact Development Fund where she doubled the assets under management. She currently serves as a lecturer in nonprofit financial management at the University of Colorado at Denver’s School of Public Affairs.
Conference Breakout Sessions
Featured Tracks this year include:
- Advocacy & Communications: Bridging the Sector - As nonprofits navigate complex political, economic, and cultural landscapes, the ability to communicate clearly and advocate effectively has never been more essential. This track explores the intersection of advocacy and strategic communication—empowering organizations to build trust and engage diverse audiences in meaningful ways.
- Beyond Boundaries: Creating Vibrant Teams - This track focuses on cultivating strong and resilient teams—supporting nonprofit leaders and HR professionals in navigating the evolving landscape of talent, culture, and operational excellence. From strategic conversations on pipeline to organizational wellbeing, this track provides tools to help leaders foster manage change and build high-performing teams that thrive.
- Data & Innovation: Building a Smarter Sector - As the sector shifts toward data-informed decision-making, nonprofits need the tools and confidence to interpret, apply, and innovate with information. With the relaunch of the Catalyst Northeast Florida dashboard, this track showcases how data can fuel storytelling, drive strategy, and support collective impact. Attendees will walk away with practical ways to use data to strengthen their missions, measure what matters, and lead systems change.
- Strategy & Sustainability: Rethinking What's Possible - Resilience in this new era requires bold choices—sometimes that means merging missions, realigning resources, or reimagining how we work together. This track explores nonprofit partnerships and shared services as strategic pathways to sustainability and amplified impact. Designed for leaders and board members, these sessions provide actionable insights, case studies, and tools to help organizations explore their future with confidence.
Stay tuned for more information on speakers and individual breakout sessions!
Special Session: Catalyst Northeast Florida - New Dashboard Release!
Since October 2024, the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida has hosted 20 Catalyst Convening meetings, bringing together more than 400 community members to help shape a regional data dashboard focused on community well-being. These gatherings included leaders, residents, and experts from various sectors who worked together to identify shared priorities and design a practical, meaningful data framework for Northeast Florida.
Through thoughtful conversations and alignment on language and strategy, each group created a framework based on shared definitions and nationally or locally relevant measures. This process led to the development and refinement of more than 200 community indicators, which will be featured on the new and improved Catalyst dashboard, to be released at the Nonprofit Works Conference on October 16. Join us for the celebration and the big reveal!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Jessie Ball duPont Reflective Practice Endowment Fund
More Details Coming Soon!
Are You Interested in Participating as a Sponsor or Vendor at Nonprofit Works?
Interested in being a Sponsor or Vendor at Nonprofit Works: Charting the Course? Complete the short form below to let us know and we would love to schedule a time to connect!