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Agenda

January 21, 2026

8:25–8:30 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30–9:10 a.m. – The Nonprofit, Social and Philanthropic Landscape in 2026
Jessica Seney, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Big changes are on the horizon. From a new administration and proposed federal tax legislation to shifting political and economic dynamics, this session will explore what these developments mean for the nonprofit, social and philanthropic sectors. You’ll leave with a better understanding of the potential impact, how to prepare your organization for what’s ahead and have the opportunity to ask questions during the discussion.

9:20–10:10 a.m. – Accounting and Auditing Update
Alexander Buchholz, Partner, PKF O’Connor Davies
Key developments in accounting and auditing standards, including nonprofit-specific updates and emerging issues.

10:30–11:20 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Building Stronger Remote Teams: Effective Onboarding, Training and Mentorship
Cecilia Dahl, Key360 Advisors LLC
Remote work has transformed how CPA firms onboard, train and mentor employees—and without the right strategies, it can lead to lower productivity, disengaged teams and higher turnover. This session will share practical, proven techniques to streamline onboarding, enhance training and build scalable mentorship programs that drive employee satisfaction and client retention. You’ll gain actionable strategies to strengthen your remote workforce, improve efficiency, foster a culture of engagement and learn from real-world examples along the way.

Channel 2: Navigating IRS Rules for Lobbying and Political Activities
John Graham, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Judith Edington, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Advocacy can be powerful — but for tax-exempt organizations, the line between permissible lobbying and prohibited political activity isn’t always clear. This session breaks down the key IRS rules that govern 501(c)(3) charities and their 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) counterparts, helping you understand what’s allowed — and what’s not — when engaging in policy and campaign-related efforts. You’ll also learn how Political Action Committees (PACs) fit into the picture and what safeguards are essential for compliance. From tracking lobbying expenses to reporting on Form 990, you’ll gain practical tools to simplify compliance and strengthen internal controls. We’ll also cover the latest IRS rulings, enforcement trends, and how affiliated entities can collaborate effectively while maintaining proper separation. You’ll walk away with the knowledge and confidence to guide your organization’s advocacy activities within clear, compliant boundaries.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Does Membership Have Its Privileges?
David Trimner, Trimner Beckham
Not all membership payments are treated the same—and understanding the difference is critical for compliance. This session will clarify the distinction between membership fees, which may qualify as charitable contributions and require substantiation and quid pro quo disclosures, and membership dues, which are generally treated as exempt function income. You’ll also explore the written acknowledgment requirements for various types of charitable donations, with practical guidance to help you stay compliant.

Channel 2: Common FAQ when Performing Single Audits in Accordance with the 2025 OMB Compliance Supplement
Jennifer Louis, Emergent Solutions Group LLC
Get answers to the most common questions about performing Single Audits under the 2025 OMB Compliance Supplement and Uniform Guidance Subpart F. With the transition to the 2024 Uniform Guidance and delays in the final release of the 2025 Supplement, this session will provide timely insights and practical guidance to help you stay compliant and confident in your audits.

12:30 p.m. – Day 1 Closing Remarks

January 22, 2026

8:25–8:30 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30–9:30 a.m. – Understanding the Public Support Test
David Trimner, Trimner Beckham
Form 990 Schedule A is essential for establishing that a 501(c)(3) organization is not a private foundation. In this session, you’ll explore the different types of public charity classifications, how the supporting mathematical tests work and what steps are required to change from one classification to another.

9:40–10:30 a.m. – Top Fraudulent Deeds Affecting Nonprofits
David McLaren, Owner, McLaren & Associates CPAs, PC
Fraud schemes targeting nonprofits are becoming more sophisticated every year. This session will highlight real-life cases uncovered in recent engagements to expose today’s most pressing threats to the sector. You’ll learn what to watch for, how to stay proactive and how to strengthen fraud prevention efforts across your organization or client base. Walk away with practical insights you can put to use immediately—and share with your team.

10:40–11:30 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Gen AI in Action as a Transformative Tool for Accountants
Byron Patrick, TB Academy
Generative AI is reshaping the accounting profession—and firms that embrace it are gaining a serious edge. In this fast-paced session, you’ll explore how AI can automate routine tasks, unlock powerful insights and improve communication. Through real-world examples tailored for accounting professionals, we’ll dive into tools and techniques that streamline workflows, boost productivity and address key ethical considerations. Leave with a clearer understanding of how to apply AI in your work and take the next step toward adoption.

Channel 2: Building Resilient Teams for Sustainable Impact; Tracking Your Ability to Stay the Course for Your Mission?
Alyssa Wright, Wright Collective
Designed for nonprofit professionals, this interactive session explores how values, vision and voice align with financial strategy to build stronger teams and more resilient organizations. Through storytelling, facilitated discussion and practical frameworks, you’ll learn how to break down silos between finance and program teams, strengthen operations and foster a culture of shared ownership around impact and sustainability.

11:40 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions (choose one)

Channel 1: Unrelated Business Income (UBI): Practical Guidance Beyond the Basics
David Trimner, Trimner Beckham
Unrelated Business Income (UBI) remains one of the most complex and misunderstood areas for nonprofits and their advisors. This session goes beyond the fundamentals to clarify what qualifies as a trade or business regularly carried on that is unrelated to an organization’s exempt purpose. You’ll review key exceptions, exclusions and the “siloing” rules, as well as the nuanced differences between advertising and sponsorship. Real-world examples and common pitfalls will help you better identify and manage UBI risks with confidence.

Channel 2: Cybersecurity Baseline for Non-Profits
Brian Brunelle, Gravoc
Michael Kannan, Gravoc
In today’s threat landscape, nonprofit organizations face growing cybersecurity risks—often with limited resources. In this session, we’ll provide a practical cybersecurity foundation tailored specifically for nonprofits. We’ll cover common threats, regulatory requirements like GLBA and the Massachusetts Privacy Law (including WISP) and how to identify mission-critical systems and vendors. We’ll also walk through the basics of IT oversight, assurance and security awareness, as well as key planning tools such as risk assessments, business continuity and incident response.

12:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks

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