Solving Tough Issues… Together
The Sounding Board is a space for Lincoln-area nonprofit leaders to confront the messy, specific challenges no training ever seems to address.
We’ll dig into the questions you actually face:
- How do you deal with a board member undermining your authority?
- What happens when your star employee becomes your biggest headache?
- How do you steady the ship after a funder pulls out mid-year?
Nonprofit work is too important to face alone. The Sounding Board is where we tackle the real issues.
How It Works
– Join the member list to get session invitations and post-meeting summaries.
– Receive email revealing the next session’s topic and sign-up link.
– Each session is capped at 20 attendees for conversation quality.
– Sessions meet at Filament Essential Services every other month.
– Every member receives notes after all discussions regardless of attendance.
– Topics are chosen for depth, practicality and immediate usefulness.
Why Join
Real Peer Learning
Go beyond lectures. Share wins, challenges and solutions with people who get it.
Free to Attend
There’s no cost to sign up for The Sounding Board member list; and no cost to attend the meetings.
Every Other Month
Starting bi-monthly to respect your schedule and really take the time to consider how these topics affect you.
Going Deep
Each meeting we dig into a specific challenge. The topics are announced early so you can take time to consider your own experiences and questions before joining the discussions.
Safe & Inclusive
20-person cap per session keeps discussion meaningful and respectful.
Beyond the Meeting
The discussions don’t end when the meeting does. Each meeting’s insights are summarized and given to all members, helping you carry new ideas back to your organization.
Examples of Topics
Funding & Philanthropy
- When your largest donor wants to dictate programming decisions
- Handling the board member who promises big but never delivers
- What to do when a grant requires you to compromise your values
- Managing the wealthy donor who expects special access to your clients
- Breaking up with a toxic funder without losing critical revenue
Leadership & Talent
- Firing your best friend (when personal relationships complicate personnel decisions)
- The star employee who’s poisoning team culture
- When your board chair goes rogue on social media
- Dealing with the long-term employee who’s no longer performing
- Managing up when your board doesn’t understand your work
Collaboration, Advocacy & Community
- When another nonprofit starts offering your exact services
- Responding when community members publicly attack your organization
- Navigating the partner organization that takes credit for your work
- When city council members use your clients as political props
- Handling the volunteer who’s become a liability
Equity, Technology & Systems Change
- When your diversity hire calls out systemic racism in your organization
- Addressing the long-term staff member who uses outdated language
- When community members say your “help” is actually harmful
- Implementing new systems when half your team resists change
- Balancing transparency with protecting vulnerable clients’ privacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join? Any Lincoln-area nonprofit leader or staff member — executives, managers, emerging leaders, and board members.
Why a 20-person cap per session? To make sure everyone’s voice is heard. (The member list is unlimited.)
Do I have to attend every session? Nope. Join when you can, and you’ll still get the summaries if you miss.
How are topics chosen? Organizers select timely, practical themes. Members can suggest topics anytime.
What’s the cost? Free.
Where are meetings held? Filament Essential Services (1300 O Street, Lincoln, NE). Accessibility details are included with each invite.
Become a Member
Sign up to receive meeting invitations and concise summaries. Unlimited membership — invite your peers. Sessions capped at 20 people for quality conversations, not exclusivity.
Sign Up Today
Privacy note: We’ll only use your email to send Sounding Board notifications and summaries. You can unsubscribe anytime.