In a busy conference schedule, it's hard to attend every session that sounds interesting, especially when some consume 90-minute time blocks. Since hopping from session to session isn't the best way to make the most of your conference experience, we've created Learning Labs. By compressing need-to-know elements into 20-minute mini-sessions, each Learning Lab allows you to walk away with a gold nugget and not miss any of the longer sessions.

Keep It Simple: How a Community Foundation Can Use a Single Application for Multiple Donor Advised Funds

Monday, September 10, 11:30-11:45 a.m.

Sponsored by WizeHive

Running multiple grant and scholarship programs with donor-advised funds requires numerous applications and review processes, which places an administrative strain on foundations. Representatives from Wizehive will discuss how online systems can ease administrative burdens and expand programs by streamlining the application, review, and communication processes involved with awarding funds.

Best Practices for Online Applications: Scholarships, Grants, Awards, Etc.

Monday, September 10, 1:30-1:45 p.m.

Sponsored by ScholarSelect

Online application forms can greatly improve the process and experience for you, your applicants, your committee members, and your donors. Learn how to navigate the online world, including application design, collecting applicant information, reviewing the applications you receive, and selecting the recipients. Receive real-life examples and tips from those "in the know."

How Do They Do It? Part One: New Insights Into Online DAF Technology

Monday, September 10, 2:00-2:15 p.m.

Sponsored by Crown Philanthropic Solutions

Explore how the expectations for online donor environments are being redefined. We'll look at how the latest systems can help you deliver multi-instrument information, and touch upon the ways technology is supporting multigenerational donor development; expanding feedback and transparency surrounding the impact of grants, improving communication, and collaboration between families and foundation staff; and how unique marketing tools are helping to capture and retain critical donor relationships.

Breaking the Barriers to Philanthropic Support of Nonprofit News (Extended Learning Lab)

Monday, September 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Thanks to a generous grant in 2011 from the Knight Foundation, the Council formed a working group of grantmakers, practitioners, scholars, and legal experts to (1) examine what tax changes or clarifications could help nonprofit media meet the information needs of communities and (2) issue a report about how to implement those changes. Representatives from the Nonprofit Media Working Group will discuss their findings and subsequent recommendations to the IRS to enable greater philanthropic support of nonprofit news and information services.

How Do They Do It? Part Two: Preparing Your Foundation to Profit From DAF Asset Growth

Monday, September 10, 4:00-4:15 p.m.

Sponsored by Crown Philanthropic Solutions

Curious about what other foundations are doing to meet donor expectations for enhanced online environments, and how they're achieving their goals by adopting leading-edge technology? This session will provide brief insights from two community foundations that have recently made the commitment to expand their online donor and staff capabilities by shifting from Web-based solutions to new technology platforms. You'll also receive valuable feedback from Crown Philanthropic Solutions.

Partnerships with Purpose: Building Agency Endowment Assets

Monday, September 10 - 4:30-4:50 p.m.

Sponsored by Russell Investments

Learn all about a new toolkit developed by the Iowa Council of Foundations (with support from a CFLT Ideal Lab Grant) that will help you grow agency endowment funds at your community foundation. From PowerPoint presentations to workbooks, you'll receive everything you need to create purposeful, long-lasting partnerships.

Civic Engagement & Neighborhood Revitalization: Small Grants, Big Ideas

Monday, September 10 - 5-5:20 p.m.

Discover how the Community Foundation of Central Georgia and the Knight Foundation have partnered on a neighborhood revitalization project that is making a huge difference in the community and helped develop a new crop of young leaders.

Community Foundation Centennial Update

Monday, September 10 - 5:30-5:50 p.m.

A Little Less Conversation and A Lot More Action: Using Tools For Business Model Insights

Tuesday, September 11, 9:30-9:45 a.m. and Wednesday, September 12, 9:30-9:45 a.m.

Sponsored by CF Insights

Do you have questions about your path to sustainability and business model? Need information and insights? Learn what tools are available to you through CF Insights and get started on the path to a stronger business model. CF Insights staff members will provide a quick review of what you can use and how our team can assist you. You'll leave ready for action.

Business Champions for Young Children (Extended Learning Lab)

Tuesday, September 11 - 10-11 a.m.

Listen to representatives from ReadyNation offer their insights on the most effective strategies and tactics for engaging the business community in support of early childhood programs. They will offer specific examples from their work and share some of the lessons they've learned.

GAB Fest 2012 (Extended Learning Lab)

Tuesday, September 11 - 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Embolden's GAB Project premiered at last year's Fall Conference to a wildly receptive audience. Get an update and see how this unique tool allows you to compare your website's key usage metrics with those of your peers and provides unique insight into the effectiveness of your website and online communications initiatives.

Hot Off the Presses: The Latest in Legal Publications

Tuesday, September 11 - 2:30-2:50 p.m.

Hear about the latest and greatest publications available from the Council's legal team'available for purchase on-site'and get a sneak peak at what's on the horizon.

Fostering Innovation in our Communities and Ourselves

Tuesday, September 11 - 4-4:20 p.m.

Hear all about a new program, the Rhode Island Innovation Fellowship, that sits uniquely at the intersection of community problem-solving, donor stewardship, and targeted grants. Fellows will receive up to $300,000 over a three-year period to develop, test, and implement ideas that could dramatically improve life in the state.

Supporting Resilient Nonprofits: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Go from Here?

Tuesday, September 11 - 4:30-4:50 p.m.

Community foundations lead the field in engaging grantees in decision-making and collaborating with other funders. How do we translate what we're learning into strategies for building resilient nonprofits? Panelists will share the surprising findings from recent research on grantmaking practices and profile community foundations that are equipping nonprofits to serve their communities for many years to come.

Super Cool Tools for Communicators (Extended Learning Lab)

Wednesday, September 12 - 10-11 a.m.

There are many tools available today to help you share your stories easily and effectively. This fun and engaging session will introduce you to an arsenal of super cool tools and techniques'from low-tech to sophisticated'to make your community foundation's stories stand out.