Strengthen Your Skills. Serve with Confidence.
A Board Training Series Presented by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation in partnership with the Nonprofit Association of Washington.
Due to overwhelming interest in 2025, the Ben B. Cheney Foundation is proud to offer a second series of free board training opportunities designed to help current and prospective board members, as well as executive directors, feel informed, empowered, and ready to serve in our nonprofit sector.
Whether you’re considering board service but don’t know where to start, are new to board service and looking to build your skills, or are interested in deepening your understanding of nonprofit leadership and finances, this free series, led by experts from the Nonprofit Association of Washington, is a welcoming place to begin.
We believe that when people understand the power and purpose of strong governance, and form networks with others who share that passion, they become catalysts for lasting change in the communities they wish to serve. Â We are offering these free trainings a second year as a way to invest in the leadership potential already present in our community. With the right tools, anyone willing to serve can help a nonprofit, and the community it serves, thrive.
Logistics
Once again, we are offering a free series of two unique learning opportunities – Boards in Gear & Finance Unlocked.
You can register for one session or both, you can attend at any location that is convenient to you, but please only register if you are committed to attending.
Each training session is limited to 80 participants, and as they did last year, spots are expected to fill quickly. Once the 80 spots fill, we will maintain a waiting list in case registered attendees can no longer attend.
Each session will include a 30-minute catered lunch, 3.5 hours of instruction by experts in the field, and an hour of networking and community building.
Class descriptions, dates, times, locations, and registration links below. First come, first served.
We look forward to seeing you there! Come ready to meet nonprofit leaders from across our region.
Boards in Gear
You joined a nonprofit board because you care about the organization’s mission. You want your contributions as a board member to positively affect the issues addressed by the organization.
As a board, you want your nonprofit to thrive and make a difference in the communities served by your organization. Whether your nonprofit is just starting or is long established, getting your board in gear can help put your organization on a clear path forward.
This interactive workshop is based on the Boards in Gear resources developed in partnership with some of our state’s leading board experts. You will leave with concrete action steps, tools, and connections.
Boards in Gear Training Dates:
West Pierce County (Tacoma)
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Workshop: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Informal Networking: 2 p.m.
Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA (will link to their website)
Register Online
Please only register if you are committed to attending, spots are filling quickly.
East Pierce County (Puyallup)
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Workshop: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Informal Networking: 4 p.m.
Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup, WA 98371
Register Online
Please only register if you are committed to attending, spots are filling quickly.
Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits
We each have our own experiences with finance that may stir up excitement, mixed feelings, or uneasiness. These feelings can shape how we approach our relationship to nonprofit finance.
Approaching nonprofit finance in a welcoming way, the Finance Unlocked for Nonprofits workshop aims to help unlock your financial literacy. From key words and forms to understanding how everything fits together, you will increase your basic nonprofit finance knowledge.
The workshop will cover:
- Balance sheet
- Income statement
- IRS Form 990
- Giving
- Oversight
Finance Unlocked Training Dates
West Pierce County (Lakewood)
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Workshop: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Informal Networking: 4 p.m.
Clover Park Technical College Rotunda
Lakewood, WA
Register Online
Please only register if you are committed to attending, spots are filling quickly.
East Pierce County (Puyallup)
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Workshop: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Informal Networking: 2 p.m.
Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup, WA 98371
Register Online
Please only register if you are committed to attending, spots are filling quickly.
These training opportunities are open to all, whether you’re currently serving on a board or simply curious about how to get involved in the organizations that shape our region.
Together, let’s build a collaborative and solid foundation of community leadership!