If there's one thing the 2026 Nonprofit Summit reinforced, it's that our region is full of knowledgeable, passionate people who want to see our community thrive.
We welcomed nearly over 160 nonprofit professionals from Muncie and Delaware County, along with our neighbors from Madison and Tipton counties for the fourth annual summit.
What stood out wasn't the knowledge shared, but the willingness of people to learn from one another, collaborate, and find new ways to make a difference.
A stronger community through collaboration
Throughout the summit, conversations sparked ideas for potential partnerships and new ways to support the community.
We saw exhibitors connecting with one another, professionals sharing their expertise during breakout sessions and side conversations, and people recognizing opportunities to combine their knowledge and resources.
It's a reminder that we don't have to work in silos. Our community is filled with people doing important work, and there's a lot of value in bringing those people together.
Jena Ashby, Nonprofit Support Network’s Relationship and Resource Director said, “The spirit of collaboration in our community is stronger than ever. At the Summit, it was truly palpable to see leaders, staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners coming together, not just to support their individual organizations, but to work toward what is best for our community as a whole. That is what makes our nonprofit community so special!”
Turning ideas into action
It's easy to leave an event feeling inspired by everything you've learned. The challenge is making sure those ideas don't get lost once you're back to your everyday responsibilities. We heard attendees chatting about wanting to ensure that the knowledge they gained were actually put into action.
During one conversation, attendees discussed ways to improve their organization's operations and how some of the information they learned could strengthen plans they were already considering.
One suggestion was to think about what could be accomplished in two days, two weeks, two months, and two years. It's a simple way to take what you've learned, identify priorities, and begin putting ideas into action.
The real impact of the summit will be seen in what happens afterward, whether that's implementing a new process, making a connection, or finding a better way to serve the community.
What's next for our nonprofit community?
The 2026 Nonprofit Summit may be over, but the work continues.
Through Network Huddles, Nonprofit Essentials, and other programs and resources, Nonprofit Support Network will continue to create opportunities for nonprofit professionals to learn, connect, and grow.
As we look ahead to 2027, we also want to hear from you.
Our 2026 Annual Survey is an opportunity to share your experiences with Nonprofit Support Network. These results will directly shape the support we provide in the coming year.
Your feedback will help us understand what is working, where we can improve, and what support would be most useful to local nonprofits in 2027.