November 24, 2025
Crown Point Community Foundation hosts impactful 2025 Nonprofit Academy Annual Conference focused on collaboration, resilience, and sector growth.
South Lake County – The Crown Point Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Academy recently hosted its annual professional development conference, “The Power of We: Stress Less. Connect More. Achieve Big.” More than 100 nonprofit professionals from across Northwest Indiana gathered for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and organizational impact.
This year’s conference featured two nationally recognized keynote speakers. Dr. Deb Mashek, PhD, author of Collabor(h)ate: How to Build Incredible Collaborative Relationships at Work, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in advancing missions and building cross-sector partnerships. Dr. Rebecca Heiss, author of Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You, offered compelling strategies for reframing stress as a tool for success and elevating personal and organizational resilience.
Attendees also participated in nine breakout sessions led by regional and national nonprofit experts, including Thrive Nonprofit Solutions, Socially Acceptable Content & Solutions, Hedges, CCS Fundraising, and more. Sessions explored corporate partnerships, social media strategy, technology and operations, measuring and communicating program impact, nonprofit financial health, and more. Participants enjoyed opportunities to network, connect with local vendors, and take part in fun raffle opportunities throughout the day.
Congratulations to The Humane Society of Hobart and Community Help Network, each selected to receive a $2,500 grant during a random drawing at the event. These grants reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to uplifting nonprofits and supporting their work in the community.
“We are so thankful to once again be a recipient of a “surprise” $2,500 CPCF grant,” noted Bonnie J. Meyer, Executive Director at Community Help Network. “We are deep into formulating our 2026 budget and this $2,500 will serve to make that task a little easier as we work towards serving more food insecure students and their families.”
“I really enjoyed the Nonprofit Academy Conference – the keynotes were inspiring and gave me so much to think about,” shared Petra Julian, Board Member/Grant Writer at Lake County Master Gardeners. “The sessions on technology, financial health, and partnerships were all packed with useful takeaways I can apply to our work with the Lake County Master Gardeners. It was wonderful to connect with other nonprofit leaders and leave feeling energized and equipped with fresh ideas.”
“This was a fantastic conference, not only for professional development but also for networking,” stated Mackenzie Covault, Development Officer at MAAC Foundation. “The breakout session Unlikely Collaborators – Enhance Your Collaboration Ecosystem with Dr. Deb Mashek, PhD was exactly how sessions should be – engaging, thought-provoking and collaborative! It was wonderful to brainstorm, connect and build relationships with others in the community. The experience really highlighted the power of working together to create positive change. I’m already excited for next year!”
“There were many opportunities to learn from each other at the CPCF conference,” added Dr. Brian Thompson, Board President at Down Syndrome Association Northwest Indiana. “The small group presentations and breakout sessions encouraged interaction with the presenters and other attendees. The topics available were vast and it was easy to find a topic that would further my education in the charity space.”
With the investment of our Presenting Sponsor, the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, our Platinum Sponsor, the NiSource Charitable Foundation and NIPSCO, with additional support from the John & Ann Barney Family Foundation, the Nonprofit Academy is setting the new standard for nonprofit professional development to support those seeking to enhance their skills and broaden their impact. Through annual educational and networking opportunities, this initiative equips nonprofit professionals with the essential skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to drive their organizations forward and amplify their mission impact.
“The NiSource Charitable Foundation and NIPSCO are proud to sponsor the Crown Point Community Foundation’s Nonprofit Academy,” said Alexius Barber, Public Affairs & Economic Development Manager at NIPSCO. “We recognize the importance of equipping nonprofits with essential tools that empower them to continue serving our communities effectively. Partnerships like this play a vital role in strengthening organizations’ internal capacity while advancing their missions. We look forward to seeing many of our local nonprofits participate and benefit from the valuable resources offered through the Nonprofit Academy.”
Thanks are also extended to Avalon Manor Banquet Center for hosting and to local partners who contributed to the conference experience, including The Fund Raising School at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, VIA Marketing, AFP Indiana, and On the Go Therapy Mobile Massage LLC. Additional appreciation goes to Hedges, Thrive Nonprofit Solutions, JMCA, Inc., Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, Socially Acceptable Content & Solutions, Purdue Extension-Lake County, and CCS Fundraising for sharing valuable knowledge with attendees.
The event also benefited from the support of HQ Productions, Shane Lawrence Photography, Party People Entertainment, and Party Lane NWI – helping to create an engaging and memorable experience.
The Nonprofit Academy continues to build remarkable momentum as Northwest Indiana’s leading resource for nonprofit training, connection, and collaboration. By investing in the people who power local missions, the Crown Point Community Foundation is cultivating a stronger, more resilient nonprofit sector—one equipped to create lasting change in our communities. As the Foundation looks ahead, plans are already underway to expand professional development offerings, deepen partnerships, and continue fostering an environment where nonprofit leaders can learn, grow, and thrive together.
The Crown Point Community Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to its Board of Directors, sponsors, speakers, and community partners for making this year’s conference an extraordinary success. Together, we’re shaping a future defined by growth, innovation, and shared impact—because when nonprofits thrive, our entire community rises.
About the Crown Point Community Foundation: The Crown Point Community Foundation connects people who care to causes that matter. Since 1990, we have served the citizens of Crown Point and South Lake County through a range of charitable and civic activities, while helping individual donors achieve their philanthropic goals. As a public charitable organization, the CPCF is dedicated to building permanently endowed funds. The Crown Point Community Foundation will help to positively shape the future of the community and act as a facilitator of community good.