Placer Community Foundation Summit Equips Regional Leaders with Strategic Fundraising Tools

Placer Community Foundation (PCF) recently hosted 151 nonprofit leaders for its annual Nonprofit Leadership Summit, "Strategic Board Fundraising Made Doable," marking a significant expansion in regional professional development.

The March 19 event, featuring national fundraising expert Brian Saber, drew registrations from 51 distinct organizations. Data from the summit indicates a shifting landscape for local philanthropy. Notably, 53 percent of the participating organizations were attending a Nonprofit Initiative (NPI) event for the first time since 2024.

"The high turnout and the influx of new organizations demonstrate a clear appetite for practical, actionable strategies that empower boards to lead," said Veronica Blake, CEO of Placer Community Foundation. "Our goal is to ensure every nonprofit in our region has the tools to turn their vision into a sustainable reality."

The summit is a cornerstone of the NPI, a program PCF established in 2006. For two decades, the initiative has provided essential, free infrastructure, governance, and sustainability training led by industry experts. While the NPI offers year-round guidance to Placer County agencies, the day-long Leadership Summit has served as its premier annual gathering since 2011.

Participants at this year's summit represented a broad spectrum of sectors, including health and human services, community development, the arts, and environmental conservation. The curriculum focused on demystifying the fundraising process, providing attendees with tools to engage board members effectively and build resilient revenue streams.

The 2026 programming was made possible through a diverse coalition of community catalysts. PCF formally recognizes the following sponsors for their commitment to nonprofit health:

Public & Community Partners: Placer County Board of Supervisors, City of Roseville Grant Advisory Commission, and First 5 Placer.

Corporate Leaders: Five Star Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Meraki Public Affairs, Propp Christensen Caniglia, Roseville Auto Mall, Sutter Health, Teichert Foundation, and US Bank.

Philanthropic Funds: Larry and Linda Welch Charitable Fund, Leo W. Ryan & Geraldine Suskin Community Fund, Robert and Stephanie Snyder Fund, Ruth Burgess Women's Fund at PCF, The Muskavitch Endowment Fund, Thomasmeyer Family, Veronica Blake Fund, and Anonymous donors.

Placer Community Foundation continues to offer resources and workshops for nonprofit professionals. For more information on the Nonprofit Initiative and future events, visit https://www.placercf.org/nonprofit-initiative.