Nonprofit conferences are many things: a nice reprieve from the monotony of 9 to 5 work, a bastion of new and innovative ideas, and occasionally a monotonous series of back-to-back presentations that are a perfect time to play Candy Crush on your phone. Nonprofit conferences are where well-meaning individuals gather to share insights, network over lukewarm coffee and rubbery hotel chicken, and occasionally witness a presentation so mind-numbingly dull it makes root canals seem like a lively carnival. Having personally graced approximately 7.3 million of these gatherings over my two-plus decades in the sector (give or take a few hundred thousand, the exact number blurs after a while), and having subjected audiences to my own attempts at public speaking more times than I care to count, I feel uniquely qualified to discuss this vital topic.
And let’s not forget, here in the Volunteer State, we know a thing or two about putting on a show. Our annual nonprofit conference is a significant undertaking. Think of it as a small, temporary nation-state dedicated to the noble cause of… well, whatever your nonprofit does.
So, for all you future presenters out there, trembling slightly as you contemplate the expectant faces in the conference ballroom, fear not! I am here to impart my hard-won wisdom, gleaned from years of both triumphs (a few, genuinely) and spectacular failures (let’s not dwell). Consider this your survival guide to delivering a presentation that won’t leave your audience discreetly checking their emails under the table.
1. Laying the Groundwork (Before You Even Think About PowerPoint)
Before you unleash your carefully crafted slides upon the unsuspecting masses, a few crucial steps are in order. Think of it as the pre-show ritual, the calm before the potentially chaotic storm of your presentation.
- Give ‘Em the Goods Up Front (Goals, Audience, the Whole Shebang): Imagine attending a movie without knowing the genre, the director, or even if it stars that actor you secretly despise. Frustrating, right? Your audience feels the same way. Right out of the gate, tell them:
- Who are you talking to? Is this for seasoned Executive Directors wrestling with strategic planning, or enthusiastic volunteers just dipping their toes into the glorious world of stuffing envelopes? Tailor your message accordingly. Don’t explain basic nonprofit concepts to a room full of veterans, and conversely, don’t launch into a deep dive on Form 990 intricacies for the uninitiated.
- What will they actually get out of this? What actionable takeaways will they be able to implement on Monday morning (assuming they haven’t succumbed to post-conference exhaustion)? Will they learn three new strategies for donor engagement? Will they understand the nuanced art of board governance? Be specific. “They’ll be inspired” is nice, but “They’ll leave with a checklist for evaluating their fundraising appeals” is far more compelling.
- What are your lofty (but achievable) goals for this session? Do you want them to adopt a new perspective? Learn a specific skill? Question their long-held assumptions about stapler usage? Clarity is key.
- Narrow Your Focus (Less is Often More): You know a lot. Twenty-plus years in nonprofits tends to accumulate a vast and often terrifying amount of knowledge. However, your 60-minute presentation is not the appropriate venue to download your entire professional history. Pick one, maybe two, tightly focused topics and delve into them with laser-like precision. Trying to cover everything from grant writing to volunteer management to the ethical implications of bake sales will leave your audience feeling overwhelmed and remembering absolutely nothing. Think quality over quantity. Think focused beam of light versus a scattered, weak glow. Don’t do “Fundraising 101” and expect to cram it into your one-hour slot. “Writing a Mission-Focused Annual Appeal” is more appropriate.
- Always Establish the “Why” (Because “Just Because” Isn’t a Good Enough Reason): This is crucial. Don’t just tell people how to do something; explain why your recommended approach is superior to all other possible (and likely less effective) methods.
- Example: Instead of just saying, “You should segment your email list,” explain why segmentation leads to higher open rates, increased engagement, and ultimately, more donations. Show them the data (if you have it – data is your friend, even if it sometimes feels like a frenemy). Illustrate with a brief anecdote about a time you saw a segmented campaign skyrocket compared to a generic blast.
- Another Example: Don’t just declare, “Regular board communication is essential.” Explain why a well-informed board is more engaged, more effective in their oversight role, and less likely to ask awkward questions during meetings. Share a story about a communication breakdown that led to a minor organizational crisis.
2. Engaging the Unengaged (A Herculean Task, But Someone’s Gotta Do It)
Conference audiences can be a tough crowd. They’re often tired, possibly over-caffeinated, and their minds might be drifting towards the free snacks in the next room. They also paid a lot for this excursion to your conference. It’s your job to reel them in and, dare I say, make them care.
- Talk Like Ted (But Hopefully Less Preachy): The TED Talk format, for all its ubiquity, has some valuable lessons. Think about Ethos (credibility – why should they listen to you?), Pathos (emotion – how can you connect with them on a human level?), and Logos (logic – does your argument actually make sense?). Weave these elements into your presentation. Share your relevant experience (without sounding like you’re reciting your resume). Tell stories that evoke empathy or humor (more on that later). Present your information in a clear, logical, and well-supported manner.
- Use Collaborative Learning Styles (Because Lectures Are So Last Century): Remember those days of passively absorbing information while someone droned on from the podium? Let’s try to avoid recreating that trauma for your audience. Incorporate activities that get people involved.
- Think-Pair-Share: Pose a question related to your topic, have individuals think about it for a minute, then pair up with a neighbor to discuss, and finally, have a few share their thoughts with the larger group. It’s simple, effective, and breaks up the monotony.
- Circle the Sage: Identify a few individuals in the audience with particular expertise on a sub-topic. Have them briefly share their insights while others rotate around to listen and ask questions. This leverages the collective knowledge in the room.
- Small Group Discussions: Divide the audience into smaller groups to tackle a specific problem or brainstorm solutions. This fosters interaction and allows for a deeper dive into the material. Just be sure to give clear instructions and a manageable task. Nobody enjoys aimless wandering in the land of group work.
- Don’t Just Talk, Stand There! (And Encourage Them to Do the Same, Metaphorically Speaking): A presentation shouldn’t be a one-way monologue. Create space for interaction.
- Ask Questions (and Actually Wait for Answers): Don’t just rhetorical-question your way through your slides. Pose genuine questions to the audience and give them time to respond. Even a brief pause can encourage participation. Be prepared for silence, though. It happens. Have a backup question ready.
- Facilitate Discussion: If someone offers a comment or asks a question, don’t just dismiss it and move on. Acknowledge it, build upon it, and encourage others to weigh in. This turns your presentation into a conversation (a controlled conversation, mind you – you’re still in charge).
- Where Possible, Co-Create Answers and Solutions: Instead of presenting all the answers yourself, guide the audience to discover them. Pose a challenge and facilitate a brainstorming session to collectively develop solutions. This fosters a sense of ownership and makes the learning more impactful.
- Use Storytelling to Drive Your Key Points Home (Because Humans Love a Good Yarn, Even About Nonprofit Accounting): Facts and figures are important, but stories are what truly resonate. Weave in anecdotes, case studies (with appropriate confidentiality, of course), or even personal experiences that illustrate your points. A well-told story can make even the most complex topic relatable and memorable. Just make sure your stories have a clear point and don’t meander into tales of your cat’s bizarre eating habits (unless your presentation is about innovative feline fundraising strategies, in which case, proceed).
3. The Visual Element (PowerPoint: Friend or Foe?)
PowerPoint. I have such a love/hate relationship with you. That ubiquitous tool that has the potential to either enhance your presentation or turn it into a visual assault on the senses. Let’s aim for the former, shall we?
- Don’t Read From Your Slides (They Are Not Your Teleprompter, Despite Your Secret Wishes): This is a cardinal sin of presenting. Your slides are meant to supplement your talk, not be a verbatim transcript of it. Use them for key takeaways, visuals, charts, and compelling quotes. If your slides are dense paragraphs of text, your audience will likely read ahead (and tune you out) or be so overwhelmed they’ll just stare blankly into the middle distance. Think of your slides as visual cues, not your script. You are the presenter, the storyteller, the purveyor of wisdom (hopefully). Let your personality shine through, rather than hiding behind a wall of text.
- People Like Numbered Presentations (Apparently, It Provides a Sense of Order in a Chaotic World): For some inexplicable reason, lists with numbers seem to appeal to the human brain. If your topic lends itself to it, consider framing your key points as a numbered list. “The Five Pillars of Effective Volunteer Recruitment,” “Seven Steps to Crafting a Killer Elevator Pitch,” “Three Reasons Your Year-End Appeal Flopped (and How to Fix It).” It provides a clear structure and makes your content feel more digestible. Embrace the power of the numeral.
4. The Nitty-Gritty (Because Details Matter, Especially When Avoiding Legal Snafus)
These are the often-overlooked but absolutely critical elements that can elevate your presentation from “meh” to “magnificent” (or at least prevent it from being a complete disaster).
- Know Nonprofit Best Practices (Unless You Have a Really, Really Good Reason Not To): The nonprofit sector has established norms and generally accepted ways of doing things. If your presentation advocates for a radical departure from these best practices, be prepared to justify your reasoning with compelling evidence and a solid rationale. Simply stating, “Well, I think it’s a better way” isn’t going to cut it, especially with a room full of seasoned professionals who have likely seen a few “better ways” crash and burn.
- Know the Law Around Nonprofits (Ignorance is Definitely Not Bliss Here): This cannot be stressed enough. The nonprofit world operates within a specific legal framework. Promoting activities that are unethical or, worse, illegal, is a surefire way to damage your credibility (and potentially your organization’s). I have, regrettably, witnessed presentations that skirted dangerously close to, or outright crossed, legal boundaries. Don’t be that presenter. If you’re unsure about the legal implications of something, consult with an expert before you stand up in front of a room full of people and potentially lead them astray.
- Practice Your Presentation (Because Winging It Rarely Works, Despite What Your Overconfident Inner Voice Tells You): Practice makes (not necessarily perfect, but certainly significantly better).
- Solo Run: Rehearse your presentation out loud by yourself. Get a feel for the timing and the flow of your content.
- The Recording Booth (Your Living Room): Record yourself presenting. It can be painful to watch, but it’s an invaluable way to identify awkward phrasing, distracting mannerisms, and areas where you need more clarity.
- Friendly Feedback: Present to a trusted friend or family member (preferably someone who won’t just tell you it was “great” no matter what). Ask for honest feedback on your content, delivery, and clarity.
- The Pro Treatment: If possible, do a practice run with a professional colleague or mentor who has experience in public speaking. They can offer valuable insights and constructive criticism. Refine your presentation based on the feedback you receive. Four times is a good starting point, but don’t be afraid to practice more if needed.
- Use the Bathroom Before You Start Your Presentation (This Should Be Self-Explanatory, But Apparently, It Bears Repeating): Trust me on this. There is nothing more distracting (for you and your audience) than the sudden and urgent need for a restroom break halfway through your brilliant insights on strategic partnerships. Plan accordingly. Hydrate responsibly. I speak from experience.
5. The Grand Finale (Leaving a Lasting Impression, Hopefully a Good One)
You’ve navigated the treacherous waters of PowerPoint, engaged the potentially comatose audience, and avoided any major legal missteps. Now it’s time to stick the landing.
- Be a Thought Leader (But Don’t Be a Know-It-All): Take a topic that resonates broadly within the nonprofit sector and offer a fresh perspective. Challenge conventional wisdom (respectfully, of course). Encourage people to think differently. This doesn’t mean being contrarian for the sake of it, but rather offering insightful analysis and innovative solutions. Be provocative in a thoughtful way. Make people say, “Hmm, I hadn’t thought of it like that before.”
6. BONUS TIP: For the Love of All That is Holy, Don’t Be Tone Deaf (Especially When the Nonprofit Sector Feels Like It’s Balancing on a Tightrope Over a Pit of Funding Cuts and Societal Crises):
In case you’ve been living under a rock (a surprisingly comfortable place, I imagine, given the current state of affairs), the nonprofit sector is navigating a… let’s call it a “challenging” landscape. Funding is tighter than a volunteer’s grip on the last box of donuts. Societal issues are piling up faster than grant reports. Staff are stretched thinner than that same volunteer trying to make those donuts last.
Against this backdrop, the absolute last thing your audience wants to hear is a presentation that completely misses the mark on the current realities. This isn’t the time for oblivious optimism or tone-deaf pronouncements from an ivory tower of perceived success.
- Acknowledge the Elephant in the Room (Even if It’s a Herd of Elephants): If your presentation touches on fundraising, be mindful of the economic anxieties many organizations are facing. If you’re talking about program expansion, acknowledge the staffing shortages that plague the sector. Ignoring these realities will make you seem out of touch, at best, and utterly insensitive, at worst. A brief acknowledgment of the current challenges can go a long way in establishing empathy and showing your audience that you understand their context. Something as simple as, “We all know the current funding climate presents unique hurdles…” can make a difference. People with corporate backgrounds or from mega-nonprofits are most guilty of this.
- Consider Your Language Carefully (Avoid Jargon and Platitudes That Ring Hollow): Now is not the time to trot out tired buzzwords or overly simplistic solutions that don’t reflect the complex realities on the ground. Phrases like “innovative disruption” might sound impressive in a vacuum, but they can grate on the ears of those struggling to keep the lights on. Be genuine, be direct, and use language that resonates with the lived experiences of your audience.
- Focus on Practical, Actionable Solutions (That Are Actually Feasible in the Current Environment): While aspirational thinking has its place, now is the time for concrete, realistic strategies that organizations can actually implement with the resources they have. Presenting a dazzling, high-tech solution that requires a six-figure investment might not land well with an audience grappling with budget cuts.
- Be Mindful of Privilege and….Yes, I’m Going to Say It….Even if I Get Arrested…Equity (This Should Always Be a Consideration, But Especially Now): Ensure your presentation is inclusive and sensitive to issues of equity and access. Avoid making assumptions about your audience’s experiences or resources. Be aware of power dynamics and strive to create a presentation that is relevant and respectful to everyone in the room.
In short, be aware of the prevailing winds. Read the room (both literally and figuratively). Demonstrating an understanding of the current pressures and challenges facing the nonprofit sector will not only make your presentation more relevant but will also build trust and rapport with your audience. Because right now, empathy and genuine connection are arguably the most valuable currencies in the nonprofit world. And being tone deaf? Well, that’s a surefire way to empty your coffers of goodwill faster than you can say “unrestricted funding.”
You stand a significantly higher chance of delivering a nonprofit conference presentation that is not only informative but also engaging, memorable, and, dare I say, even enjoyable using these tips. You’re not just sharing information; you’re connecting with fellow passionate individuals who are working tirelessly to make the world a slightly less terrible place. So go forth, prepare diligently, embrace the awkwardness (it’s part of the charm), and for the love of all that is good and nonprofit, use the restroom beforehand. Your audience will thank you. And who knows, you might even inspire someone to put down their phone and actually listen. Now that would be a true triumph.