Continuing Education Press Releases

4th Annual Wells Fargo Nonprofit Economic Summit

As Community Needs Continue to Grow How Will Nonprofits Manage Changes Necessary to Thrive?

May 10, 2012 – Even though organizations are getting back on solid financial ground, the rising need of many communities still outpaces economic recovery, leaving nonprofit leaders struggling to adapt. On May 22, 2012, leaders from over 100 Utah nonprofits will convene to discuss strategies for sustainable growth at the Fourth Annual Wells Fargo Economic Summit for Nonprofits.

"Nonprofits meet community needs in so many ways," said Chris Bray, Executive Director, Utah Nonprofits Association. "This summit will provide specific ways nonprofits can manage the pressures to serve our community."

Featured speakers at the 2012 Summit include Marc Fest, founder of Message House; Van Evans, Director of Generations Humanitarian; and Denise Winslow, Community Affairs Manager for Wells Fargo. Presented by the Nonprofit Academy for Excellence at the University of Utah, the Utah Nonprofits Association and Wells Fargo, the summit will also present panels of nonprofit experts discussing Utah's current economic climate and how organizations can best adapt.

"By connecting nonprofits leaders with the expertise of Wells Fargo Bank and other nonprofit experts, we can share important insights and create strategies to better address the needs of our community," said Denise Winslow, VP of Community Relations for Wells Fargo.

Over the past four years, the vast majority of nonprofits have faced increased demands for services, while less than half have been able to meet those needs. The 2012 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey by the Nonprofit Finance Fund found that, in Utah alone:

• 88% of Utah nonprofits anticipate increased demand for services in 2012, yet 53% expect to be unable to meet demand;
• 39% expect the financial outlook for 2012 to be harder than 2011;
• and 26% of those organization anticipate ending 2012 with a deficit.

"The state of Utah is fortunate to be one of most generous and volunteer-driven," said Anne O'Brien, Director of Professional Education at the U, "but the reality of meeting community need is dependent upon board and staff leadership that meets change head-on."

"Utah Nonprofits generate $7.6 billion in annual revenues and employ 51,000 people- almost 5% of the state's workforce," added Bray. "Nonprofits play not only a critical economic role in our state, but in the lives of the many thousands of people who are served by them."

The 4th annual Wells Fargo Nonprofit Economic Summit will be held May 22, 2012, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the 11th Floor Atrium of the Wells Fargo Center, 299 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. The 2012 Summit is free for nonprofit employees, but available spots filled up within hours of registration going live. To be added to the waitlist, or for more information, visit continue.utah.edu/proed/nonprofitsummit/ or call Professional Education at 801-585-1780.

About The Nonprofit Academy for Excellence at the University of Utah

The Nonprofit Academy for Excellence at the University of Utah is a center for excellence that provides learning opportunities customized for managers, staff, and trustees of Utah's nonprofit community and promotes enhanced organizational capacity and effectiveness to professionals seeking training and development in nonprofit management. In addition to high-quality, affordable courses, the Academy offers a meeting place for nonprofit professionals to share ideas and strategies and build relationships that last beyond the classroom.

About the Utah Nonprofits Association

The Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA) is the umbrella membership association of nonprofit organizations in Utah. Incorporated in 1990, UNA was created by, and for, people who strive for a stronger, more professional nonprofit community in Utah. Their current membership includes over 650 nonprofit organizations and individual members.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in America. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 23 on Fortune's 2011 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially.

Additional Links
2012 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey, Nonprofit Finance Fund

Continuing Education at the U enriches the lives of people of all ages in the greater community and beyond by providing extraordinary learning opportunities from the university. The division encompasses nine programs: Academic Non-Credit, Lifelong Learning, Exam/Test Preparation, Professional Education, Technology Education, Youth Education, Distance Education, the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning and the English Language Institute. Founded in 1911, Continuing Education offers credit and non-credit courses that serve over 30,000 students annually from around the world. Information about each of Continuing Ed's programs can be found at www.continue.utah.edu.