Nonprofit Center of Excellence Academy

The Nonprofit Center of Excellence Academy (NCEA) is a week-long intensive capacity building experience for nonprofit executives and board leaders to learn the foundations of leading, managing and governing a nonprofit organization. Aspen Community Foundation is offering the Academy at NO COST to participants.

MISSION: The NCEA strengthens operational and governance leadership through a series of professional workshops designed to build the foundational skills and competencies to sustainably optimize organizational impact.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Nonprofit executive and board leaders serving organizations from Parachute to Aspen, Colorado. This is a cohort-model program for up to 20 nonprofit organizations.

EVENT DATES: January 11 – 15, 2027

EVENT LOCATION: The Hoffmann Hotel, 30 Kodiak Drive, Basalt, CO 81621

EVENT FORMAT: Five-day “conference style” experience delivered in-person.

FEE: ACF offers the Academy at no cost to participants

ACADEMY ELIGIBILITY:

The NCEA is open to applicants that meet all the following criteria:

- A Colorado registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, based in the Parachute to Aspen region.
- Participation is limited to the Executive leader, Board leader and up to one additional staff leader from each organization.

New for 2027: the additional staff can change depending on each day’s topic.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Participation is limited to 20 organizations. Interested organizations must complete the application by 5 pm MST on Friday, October 30, 2026. Once capacity is reached, the application will close.

Application opens at 9 am MST on September 15, 2026.

Please email Valerie Carlin at valerie@aspencommunityfoundation.org with any questions.

| What to Expect

Week-long - 9 am to 4 pm Daily
High-level, survey-style workshops
Focuses on the “Why” and “What” behind each topical area
Group exercises
Facilitated relationship-building opportunities

| Curriculum

The following content will be presented by subject matter experts in each area. The Academy is designed to be at an 101 introductory/survey course level. Expanded content and strategies are offered via the Level Up Series throughout the year.

Values-Based Leadership
Governance Leadership
Fiscal Planning, Management and Oversight
Human Resource Management
Program Design and Evaluation
Mission-based & Impact Focused Communication
Resource Development
Collaboration & Coalition Building

Daily Topics (Subject to Change)

January 13

Tuesday

Financial Principles and Practices of Effective Nonprofit Finances
Lunchtime “Building a Positive Workplace Culture”
Best Practices in Human Resource Management in the Nonprofit Sector

January 14

Wednesday

Program Design – The Continuum of Community Centered Design Strategies
Marketing & Communications – Strategies and Tactics for Effectively Telling Your Story
Organization and Funder Reception