Northeast Rural Philanthropy Days® – July 8 – 10, 2026
Schedule & Workshops
2026 Northeast RPD Schedule & Sessions
Wednesday, July 8th
Location: Yuma High School
Community Resource Center will have a registration and help desk set up located at 1000 S. Albany Street, Yuma CO
Location: Yuma High School
CRC, Steering Committee Leadership, Mayor of Yuma welcomes attendees
Location: Yuma High School
NE CO Intersection Report: John Chapdelaine, Vice President of Eastern CO with the NoCo Foundation, presents the 2026 Northern Colorado Intersections report. The report outlines the regional challenges, demographic shifts, and lived experiences of community members across northeastern Colorado.
About the Speaker: John provides Foundation leadership to the Eastern Colorado office advisory board and visibility throughout the Eastern Plains. John served for 30 years with the State of Colorado, as a teacher, principal, prison-education director, and warden on the Eastern Plains. John lives in Haxtun, is grandpa to two adorable grandsons, and is passionate about the sense of community in Eastern Colorado.
Funders provide overview of their foundations so nonprofits have a high-level understanding of who is in the room and whom they might like to connect with during the conference.
Location: Skyview, The Orphanage, Main Street
Join us for a celebration of the nonprofit sector across the Northeast region. In this highly interactive session, nonprofits and local governments serving across the region will have the opportunity to host a table where their peers, statewide leaders, and funders can approach them to connect and learn more about their work. Form new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and build knowledge about the great work of your organization then enjoy food and entertainment.
Thursday, July 9th
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Professional Development Round 1 (Select one session per round)
Session Summary: Benevon-style system with Point of Entry events, follow-up, ambassador roles, and low-key Ask Events; includes tools and perspective shift to authentic engagement.
Presenter: Joe Haines, CFRE with Joe Haines Consulting.
Joe brings over 30 years of non-profit experience across the country, beginning his career in the early 1990s, working with homeless women in Washington, D.C., during graduate school. Throughout his career, he has served a wide range of causes, including homelessness, food security, youth development, environmental education, animal welfare, and the performing arts. With over 15 years as an Executive Director and 10 years as a Development Director, Joe’s leadership experience is both deep and diverse.
For the past eight years, Joe has led two rural non-profits in Northwest Colorado. His dedication to rural communities extends to his work on the Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days Committee from 2016 to 2023, where he served as Chair of the Regional Leadership Committee (2017–2021) and co-chaired the 2022 Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days Conference. Joe’s extensive background with rural non-profits gives him unique insights into the challenges and opportunities these organizations face.
Session Summary: Interactive workshop treating fundraising as a disciplined business process. Covers staff/volunteer roles, mapping/practicing “asks” with role-play, stewardship for retention, and integrated donor portfolios using recent research.
Presenter: Courtney Johnson, MA, CFRE with CJP Philanthropy Advisors. Rural Western Colorado-based consultant/coach with 25+ years of experience in helping small rural nonprofits build effective systems and donor relations. She highlighted capital campaigns, foundation leadership, and board coaching as key skills. Courtney teaches people how to run their impact organizations effectively, transparently and with systems that work in today’s world. “Fundraising is changing fast. But fundraising is NOT fast, and it is NOT sales. It is about building and maintaining long-lasting, real relationships with people who share your vision.” Small and Medium sized charities, particularly those in rural United States are separated by the “out of sight, out of mind” challenge. She works daily to help organizations overcome these challenges in a world where distance should mean nothing with social media and social networks.
Session Summary: Learn about the growing movement of organizations – community foundations and others – serving as civic hubs in their communities and regions. This session explores some of the frameworks for the civic hub model and examples of how the NoCo Foundation is putting those in practice.
Presenters: CEO Kristin Todd and Claire Bouchard, NoCo Foundation
Kristin is the President & CEO of the NoCo Foundation, where she leads efforts to inspire philanthropy and drive transformational impact across Northern Colorado. With three decades in philanthropy, she has championed the vital role of nonprofits and worked closely with community and business leaders to address complex regional challenges. Her previous leadership roles at the Daniels Fund and El Pomar Foundation helped advance Colorado’s philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. In addition to her professional work, Kristin serves as Board Chair of the Colorado Nonprofit Association.
Claire is a community engagement consultant with the NoCo Foundation, leading strategic communications and convenings that address regional challenges. She has supported initiatives including the Northern Colorado Water Alliance, Intersections, and civic forums that strengthen dialogue and collaborative problem‑solving. With a background in storytelling and a commitment to inclusive engagement, she focuses on how civic hubs build trust, elevate diverse voices, and turn community insight into action.
Session Summary: Overview of AI tools for content, workflows, and admin while preserving mission voice.
Presenter: Holly Ferguson with Designs By Fergie; Phillips County native
Holly Ferguson is the owner of Designs By Fergie, a digital marketing and consulting agency focused on helping rural businesses and nonprofit organizations grow through strategic communications, website development, content marketing, and operational support. Raised in Phillips County, Holly combines deep rural roots with broad experience in marketing, business consulting, nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and community engagement. She graduated from CU Boulder and lived in South Dakota, Nevada, and New York before returning to Colorado and Phillips County almost seven years ago. She is passionate about equipping small teams with practical, results-driven tools that strengthen capacity, improve efficiency, and support long-term impact. Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to helping rural communities thrive while preserving the identity and values that make them unique.
Session Summary: Covers mission oversight, program evaluation, boundaries, and integration through group problem-solving.
Presenters: Paula Bragg & Deb Paulsen, with SARA House — serving 7 NE Colorado counties in victim services
Paula Bragg is the Founder and Executive Director for S.A.R.A., Inc., (SARA House), a nationally accredited child advocacy center, and anti-sexual assault and domestic violence program serving the Thirteenth Judicial District, seven counties in Northeastern Colorado. Paula has 38 years of experience in victim services. She worked for 19 years as the Director of Victim Services in the District Attorney’s Office and 19 years with SARA House. She serves on the Victims of Crime Act Board where she reviews Victims Of Crime Act and Sexual Assault Services Program funding for Colorado. She served on the Board of Director’s for the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) for 18 years serving as Regional Representative, Vice-President, and President. She has received State recognition for her work including Outstanding Victim Advocate Award in 2018, Victims Services Program Award in 2012, and NSVRC Visionary Voice Award in 2102.
Deb Paulsen is an outreach advocate and forensic interviewer for SARA House. Her first connection with SARA House was as a Board Member for 6 years. She has experience working with multidisciplinary teams, mental health services, and community safety.
Session Summary: Overview of how local and state ballot measures reach voters and how individuals and organizations can engage at different stages to support or oppose policy proposals. Includes educational content plus interactive components (discussion and exercises) to build understanding of the process.
Presenter: Kyle Rojas Legleiter is the Senior Director of Policy at the Colorado Health Foundation, working towards a mission of improving health and well-being across Colorado.
Session Summary: Report findings on disparities + thriving definitions, engagement model, and action steps.
Presenter: Meredith Davis joins us from the Office of Health Equity within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). In her capacity as the Community Partnership and Engagement Manager, Meredith works to identify potential community partners with the goal of fostering meaningful partnerships for sustainable relationships between people working in public health and the communities of Colorado. She has worked doing community outreach and engagement work in behavioral health at the State of Colorado prior to joining CDPHE. Originally from New Mexico, Meredith lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and their cat where they enjoy camping, kayaking, and nature walks.
Session Summary: The world of philanthropy – giving, getting and jobs -understanding the world of philanthropy and how you can play role in it
Presenter:
2:20 pm – 3:20 pm Professional Development Round 2 (Select one session per round)
Session Summary: Benevon-style system with Point of Entry events, follow-up, ambassador roles, and low-key Ask Events; includes tools and perspective shift to authentic engagement.
Presenter: Joe Haines, CFRE with Joe Haines Consulting.
Joe brings over 30 years of non-profit experience across the country, beginning his career in the early 1990s, working with homeless women in Washington, D.C., during graduate school. Throughout his career, he has served a wide range of causes, including homelessness, food security, youth development, environmental education, animal welfare, and the performing arts. With over 15 years as an Executive Director and 10 years as a Development Director, Joe’s leadership experience is both deep and diverse.
For the past eight years, Joe has led two rural non-profits in Northwest Colorado. His dedication to rural communities extends to his work on the Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days Committee from 2016 to 2023, where he served as Chair of the Regional Leadership Committee (2017–2021) and co-chaired the 2022 Northwest Rural Philanthropy Days Conference. Joe’s extensive background with rural non-profits gives him unique insights into the challenges and opportunities these organizations face.
Session Summary: Interactive workshop treating fundraising as a disciplined business process. Covers staff/volunteer roles, mapping/practicing “asks” with role-play, stewardship for retention, and integrated donor portfolios using recent research.
Presenter: Courtney Johnson, MA, CFRE with CJP Philanthropy Advisors. Rural Western Colorado-based consultant/coach with 25+ years of experience in helping small rural nonprofits build effective systems and donor relations. She highlighted capital campaigns, foundation leadership, and board coaching as key skills. Courtney teaches people how to run their impact organizations effectively, transparently and with systems that work in today’s world. “Fundraising is changing fast. But fundraising is NOT fast, and it is NOT sales. It is about building and maintaining long-lasting, real relationships with people who share your vision.” Small and Medium sized charities, particularly those in rural United States are separated by the “out of sight, out of mind” challenge. She works daily to help organizations overcome these challenges in a world where distance should mean nothing with social media and social networks.
Session Summary: Interactive session introducing a framework for engaging youth as decision-makers through data, storytelling, and facilitation. Participants will learn how to translate youth insights into actionable, fundable strategies and design youth-led engagement processes tailored to rural communities.
Presenter: Sheila Van de Graaph is the Executive Director of YouthRoots, a Colorado-based statewide nonprofit dedicated to unleashing the power of youth to change the world. With more than 20 years of leadership in youth development, philanthropy, and community impact, Sheila has worked across twelve countries building programs that amplify youth voice and support community-driven solutions. Originally from Kenya, she believes young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders today. Through initiatives like YouthScan, youth grantmaking, and leadership programs, she helps young people lead, influence decisions, and shape stronger communities.
Session Summary: Overview of AI tools for content, workflows, and admin while preserving mission voice.
Presenter: Holly Ferguson with Designs By Fergie; Phillips County native
Holly Ferguson is the owner of Designs By Fergie, a digital marketing and consulting agency focused on helping rural businesses and nonprofit organizations grow through strategic communications, website development, content marketing, and operational support. Raised in Phillips County, Holly combines deep rural roots with broad experience in marketing, business consulting, nonprofit leadership, grant writing, and community engagement. She graduated from CU Boulder and lived in South Dakota, Nevada, and New York before returning to Colorado and Phillips County almost seven years ago. She is passionate about equipping small teams with practical, results-driven tools that strengthen capacity, improve efficiency, and support long-term impact. Her work is grounded in a strong commitment to helping rural communities thrive while preserving the identity and values that make them unique.
Session Summary: Practical framework and interactive exercises for creative problem-solving using existing community assets.
Presenter: Jodi Walker is the Founder and CEO of Kids At Their Best, a nationally recognized rural nonprofit serving youth and families across Eastern Colorado. A lifelong Morgan County resident, she is known for turning limited resources into innovative, community-driven solutions that get results. Jodi is a sought-after professional speaker and presenter, delivering impactful sessions at conferences nationwide on leadership, youth empowerment, and building from the ground up. Her work is practical, real, and action-driven—helping communities think differently, move faster, and create lasting change.
Session Summary: 2026 KIDS COUNT findings with practical uses for advocacy, storytelling, and identifying disparities.
Presenters: Leah Caputo & Maya Gould with Colorado Children’s Campaign
Leah is the Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at the Colorado Children’s Campaign. Her work is building a community of dedicated advocates focused on making Colorado a better place for children and families. Prior to this role, Leah worked in the events and nonprofit space focused on education, healthcare, for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement. Leah is a passionate leader with a mission to make as many community and networking connections. Leah spends a lot of her time outside of being involved in her community. She also has participated in the Colorado Capitol Conference (2023), Colorado Inclusive Economy (2023), volunteers for Junior Achievement as well as The Lindsey Vonn Foundation (through Children’s Hospital of Colorado), and the Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. She holds bachelor of arts degrees in political science and communications studies from the University of Iowa.
Maya serves as the Colorado Children’s Campaign’s Vice President of Research. In this role, Maya leads the creation of the annual KIDS COUNT report, integrates data into policy and advocacy efforts, and works to expand the Campaign’s research and data capacity to better understand and support the needs of children and families in Colorado. Maya brings years of experience in the intersection of research, policy, and advocacy. Directly prior to coming to the Children’s Campaign, Maya worked at the University of Florida on a research team to support the Florida Division of Early Learning in assessing, designing, and improving early childhood systems and at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services leading government affairs and policy analysis activities.
Session Summary: Board work and networking Why? How? Where? When?
Presenter:
3:40 pm – 4:40 pm Professional Development Round 3 (Select one session per round)
Session Summary: Hands-on workshop using the Colorado Common Grant Form to build narratives, leverage library resources, and create grant systems/calendars.
Presenter: Joe brings over 30 years of non-profit experience across the country, beginning his career in the early 1990s, working with homeless women in Washington, D.C., during graduate school. Throughout his career, he has served a wide range of causes, including homelessness, food security, youth development, environmental education, animal welfare, and the performing arts. With over 15 years as an Executive Director and 10 years as a Development Director, Joe’s leadership experience is both deep and diverse.
Session Summary: Actionable ideas for personalized thank-yous, impact updates, and creative stewardship beyond reports to build trust and future funding.
Presenter: Marylu Smith-Dischner of Yuma, Colorado, is a grant administration professional and community leader with experience in nonprofit, government, and higher education settings. She serves as a Post-Award Grant and Contract Administrator in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the University of Northern Colorado, where she supports researchers and organizations in managing sponsored funding and ensuring compliance after grants are awarded.
Session Summary: Looking to launch a planned giving program or reinvigorate an existing one? This hour-long session provides practical, immediately actionable tactics to help you more easily access transformational planned gifts. Together, we will demystify planned giving and make it easier for donors to say “yes” to supporting your mission beyond their lifetimes.
Presenters: Mary Ericson, Philanthropic Advisor & John Chapdelaine, VP of Eastern Colorado, The NoCo Foundation
John provides Foundation leadership to the Eastern Colorado office advisory board and visibility throughout the Eastern Plains. John served for 30 years with the State of Colorado, as a teacher, principal, prison-education director, and warden on the Eastern Plains. John lives in Haxtun, is grandpa to two adorable grandsons, and is passionate about the sense of community in Eastern Colorado.
Mary helps individuals and businesses with their charitable gift planning and leads the Foundation’s nonprofit planned giving support program. She is a self-described nonprofit nerd and has served as development director for two Northern Colorado nonprofits. Raised in Greeley, she received her master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado, bachelor’s in business administration from Colorado State, and remains a loyal CSU Ram. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time in the sunshine with her family.
Session Summary: Interactive session introducing a framework for engaging youth as decision-makers through data, storytelling, and facilitation. Participants will learn how to translate youth insights into actionable, fundable strategies and design youth-led engagement processes tailored to rural communities.
Presenter: Sheila Van de Graaph is the Executive Director of YouthRoots, a Colorado-based statewide nonprofit dedicated to unleashing the power of youth to change the world. With more than 20 years of leadership in youth development, philanthropy, and community impact, Sheila has worked across twelve countries building programs that amplify youth voice and support community-driven solutions. Originally from Kenya, she believes young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders today. Through initiatives like YouthScan, youth grantmaking, and leadership programs, she helps young people lead, influence decisions, and shape stronger communities.
Session Summary: Reframing partnerships as strategic opportunities. Busts myths, shares benefits, cost savings, broader reach, renewed energy, and provides tools plus an interactive “partnership dating game”.
Presenter: Courtney Johnson, MA, CFRE with CJP Philanthropy Advisors. Rural Western Colorado-based consultant/coach with 25+ years of experience in helping small rural nonprofits build effective systems and donor relations. She highlighted capital campaigns, foundation leadership, and board coaching as key skills. Courtney teaches people how to run their impact organizations effectively, transparently and with systems that work in today’s world. “Fundraising is changing fast. But fundraising is NOT fast, and it is NOT sales. It is about building and maintaining long-lasting, real relationships with people who share your vision.” Small and Medium sized charities, particularly those in rural United States are separated by the “out of sight, out of mind” challenge. She works daily to help organizations overcome these challenges in a world where distance should mean nothing with social media and social networks.
Session Summary: Framework for AI as a prediction tool + paper-based exercise and discussion questions.
Presenter: Seth Lindsey is the Project Manager and Lead Facilitator at White River Strategy, a national advisory firm serving nonprofits and foundations. He designs AI curriculum for the social sector and leads AI programming across cohorts, advisory engagements, 1-on-1 support, custom tooling, and workshops for nonprofit and philanthropic partners. From 2023 to 2025, Seth served as an El Pomar Foundation Fellow, including serving on the Northeast Regional Council, where he spent two years working directly with nonprofits and community leaders across nine of the ten NE RPD counties. He holds a B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts with a minor in Leadership Studies from UCCS, graduating summa cum laude in 2023.
Session Summary: Overview of how local and state ballot measures reach voters and how individuals and organizations can engage at different stages to support or oppose policy proposals. Includes educational content plus interactive components (discussion and exercises) to build understanding of the process.
Presenter: Kyle Rojas Legleiter is the Senior Director of Policy at the Colorado Health Foundation, working towards a mission of improving health and well-being across Colorado.
Session Summary:
Deep Speed Dating info session “what youth want YOU to hear and how to connect with us” and
Get Involved Now – Things you can do now to build your future: AmeriCorps, Scholarships, Community Services, Internships, Board Memberships
Presenter:
Location: Red Willow
Appetizers, drinks, music, and presentation from Next50 Foundation
Location: Red Willow
Keynote speaker: Theresa M. Szczurek, Ph.D. – Dr. Theresa Szczurek is known as the catalyst for extraordinary results. As Governor Polis’ first Chief Information Officer she delighted state customers through digital transformation. As a three-time tech entrepreneur and board director she took her first company from zero and sold it for over $40M! As Board chair and acting Executive Director of a nonprofit organization she built an endowment and grew revenues by 2800% in 5 years while tripling giving.
As a Certified Management Consultant (CMC®), accomplished speaker, author, certified board director, and certified LifeBound® coach, Theresa has guided hundreds of public and private sector organizations, for profit and non-profit, to new heights in purposeful profits, productivity, and passion. A highly awarded
professional, Theresa won Public Sector Colorado CIO of the Year award from ORBIE, Business Woman of the Year from Denver Business Journal, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Business and Professional Women, and Woman of Distinction from Girl Scouts of Colorado, Theresa speaks about her Amazon bestseller, Pursuit of Passionate Purpose (Wiley), which uplifts spirit in life and work. It provides a proven, step-by-step formula for success. Learn more at www.TMSworld.com