Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Building and Managing Nonprofit Partnerships

  • When
    April 21, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Online - Zoom

  Register

  About this Roundtable
  

  Join us on April 21st at 1 PM for an insightful discussion on "Building and Managing Nonprofit Partnerships." This essential event will equip nonprofit leaders with the strategies and best practices to transform their fundraising efforts and secure impactful corporate collaborations.

  Why Corporate Partnerships Now? Discover why corporate partnerships are a powerful opportunity for nonprofits today and what truly differentiates a genuine partnership from a mere sponsorship or donation. Learn from real-world success stories that illustrate effective nonprofit-corporate collaborations and their underlying drivers.

  Overcoming Challenges & Maximizing Impact: Many nonprofits find corporate giving elusive. We'll address common mistakes made when approaching corporate partners and reveal the most effective ways to identify "right-fit" partners for your mission. Learn how to tailor your pitch to resonate with corporate decision-makers and leverage data, storytelling, and impact metrics to win and sustain these vital relationships.

  Building & Sustaining Long-Term Relationships: Move beyond one-time sponsorships to strategic, long-term partnerships. This session will provide actionable advice on maintaining trust and accountability with corporate partners and navigating team turnovers or shifting priorities within corporate teams.

  Future-Proof Your Fundraising: Gain a competitive edge by understanding emerging trends in corporate philanthropy, including CSR, ESG, and employee engagement. Learn how to position your nonprofit as an attractive partner in this evolving landscape. Plus, get invaluable advice on securing your first—or next—corporate partner.

  Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to corporate engagement and unlock new possibilities for your mission. Register today!

  Registration Information
  

  • Registration is required for all WID-NJ roundtable events
    
  • Free for members | $20 for non-members
  • All levels of experience in development, fundraising, and nonprofit management are welcome

  To view a list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!

  About the Speakers
  

  Steven B. Spinner is Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF), where he leads philanthropic services and asset-building strategies that support donors, families, and nonprofit partners across the region. With more than 20 years of advancement experience, he has led major gifts, annual giving, endowment development, board engagement, and campaign strategy, contributing to fundraising efforts totaling more than $200 million. Prior to PACF, Steve served as Director of Development for the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance, where he launched the organization’s first formal fundraising program, and held fundraising leadership roles at the state and national levels with the American Red Cross.
  

  Nelida Valentin serves on the leadership team of the Princeton Area Community Foundation as Vice President, overseeing Grants, Programs and Community Relations. In her role, she oversees discretionary grantmaking and works with community partners, funders and regional networks in support of the foundation's mission, "promoting philanthropy to advance the well being of our communities forever.”

  Prior to PACF, she was the Director of Market Shift, a cluster and business development initiative, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)’s Innovation Institute. Nelida also served as the Executive Director of the Newark Workforce Investment Board for the City of Newark leading the 501c3 NWIB Corporation, coaching central office workforce operations, and ensuring implementation of the state of New Jersey’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. She worked closely with the corporation’s board and reported to the City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development as liaison for workforce development.

  Nelida serves on the boards of Stockton University, The Regional Foundation, and New Jersey Future, and has many years of civic engagement on boards of regional organizations including Greater Trenton Behavior Healthcare, I AM Trenton, Planned Parenthood, City Smiles, and Isles. She was a Commissioner for the Trenton Parking Authority, and a delegate to the President's Summit for the Future of America's Children.

  Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Nelida began her career in public service with the State of New Jersey, working in various departments and capacities. She led the Hispanic Leadership Opportunity Program funded by the Ford Foundation at La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark. In 2001, she developed the Center for Leadership Development at Thomas Edison State College and launched Leadership Trenton.

  She holds a bachelor's degree in business studies from Stockton University and a master's degree from Rutgers University - Eagleton Institute. She is a graduate of Leadership New Jersey and received a certificate of study on the Art and Practice of Leadership series at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Politics at Harvard University. She also taught adjunct graduate study in Leadership and Diversity for Rutgers University's Executive MPA Program. A graduate of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)'s Change Leaders in Philanthropy’s class of 2017-18, Nelida is committed to a practice of philanthropy that centers on strengthening the capacity of nonprofits and funders in support of thriving, vibrant communities.

  Show details
• Ask Me Anything: Careers, Campaigns, and Candid Conversations

  • When
    May 21, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534

  Register

  About this In-person Event

  On May 21, 2026 from 6–8pm, join fellow nonprofit fundraising professionals for Ask Me Anything: Careers, Campaigns, and Candid Conversations—an in-person evening of insight, honesty, and inspiration. Dive into a live Q&A with two powerhouse Chief Development Officers, Karyn Vella and Barbara Lovell, as they share hard-won lessons, career advice, and campaign strategies. This event invites you to ask anything—no topic too big or too personal. Whether you're navigating leadership, growth, or burnout, come ready for real talk and fresh perspective.

  Space is limited, so grab your seat and bring your boldest questions!

  Event Details

  Date: Thu, Sep 25, 2025
  Time: 6PM - 8PM
  Setting: In-person

  Location: Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Rd, Pennington, NJ 08534

  Guests will enjoy an array of light appetizers, desserts, and wine. 
  Please inform us of any dietary restrictions in your registration.

  Feel free to reach out to us with any thoughts or questions at info@widnewjersey.org.

  We look forward to seeing you in person for food, networking, and fun!

  Registration Information

  • Registration is required by Mon, Feb 17, 2025 (space is limited)
  • $35 for members | $45 for non-members
  • All levels of experience in development, fundraising, and nonprofit management are welcome

  To view a full list of our upcoming events, visit www.widnewjersey.org/events and save your spots today!

  
  

  About the Speakers

  Barbara Lovell is a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly two decades of experience in animal welfare and social services, known for blending deeply personal donor engagement with data-driven strategy. She has spent the past ten years at the Monmouth County SPCA, serving as both Associate Executive Director and Director of Development, where she leads all fundraising operations and has helped grow revenue by more than 150%. In her executive leadership role she has helped guide extensive organizational growth while expanding programs and reach beyond county borders. Barbara previously served on the capital campaign team that built New Jersey’s largest domestic violence safehouse with 180 Turning Lives Around. As giving methods and donor expectations rapidly evolve, Barbara advocates for embracing new technology as a force multiplier for small teams while remaining deeply rooted in relationship-based fundraising: authentic storytelling, strong stewardship, and meaningful face-to-face relationships. Her expertise spans donor cultivation, community outreach, capital campaigns, special events, volunteer and committee leadership, and building high-performing development teams from the ground up.
  

  Karyn Vella has over 25 years of experience leading admissions and development teams in independent and Jesuit schools across the country. An alumna of both Phillips Exeter Academy and Dartmouth College, she brings a blend of data-driven, collaborative, team-oriented leadership to her work. Karyn has worked in day and boarding, co-ed and single-sex, PK–12 and 9–12 environments, leading teams as small as two and as large as twenty. She recently completed the historic One Peddie Campaign—the largest in The Peddie School’s history—raising $106M predominantly for endowment. During her career she has partnered with seven heads of school and is currently in the first year of a leadership transition at Peddie. Karyn also chairs the steering committee for the Independent School Leadership Group, collaborating with colleagues across the globe to share best practices and fresh perspectives. Karyn prefers interactive workshops, practical professional development, and values peer to peer mentoring. Outside of the office, Karyn finds peace reading, knitting, swimming and hanging out with her husband, two daughters and a menagerie of four-legged furry friends.

  Show details