The Collective's Fall Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Registration - $150 for Collective Members | $175 for Non-Members*

Hotel Accommodations:
A limited number of rooms are available at the Tru by Hilton in Midtown Cleveland
Room Rate: $119 - Select 1 King or 2 Doubles (includes complimentary breakfast)

Need assistance?
Email our Conference Hosts from Shoes and Clothes for Kids at [email protected]

*To become a member of the Collective & receive the lower registration rate, email Robert Moxley before completing your registration.

2026 Schedule Note: Tuesday & Wednesday are full days with a half-day on Thursday

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:00am EDT

Mix, Mingle, & Matter: A High-Impact Kickoff for Sharing Ideas, Energy, and Possibility

Tuesday October 20, 2026 9:00am - 12:30pm EDT

We’re going to kick things off with a bang! We’ve invited one of the warmest, most engaging presenters we know to help us get connected and get going. This highly interactive session blends energy, practical workshop content, and plenty of meaningful conversation with colleagues. You’ll leave with a fresh mix of ideas, renewed energy, and a stronger sense of connection.

Paul Wesselmann is a speaker, author, and facilitator with over 30 years of experience helping non-profit teams build resilience, connection, and hope. He’s known as “The Ripples Guy” by the 20,000+ readers who enjoy his weekly Ripples emails.

Speakers

Paul Wesselmann

Leadership Trainer, The Ripples Guy

Paul Wesselmann is a writer, speaker, and educator with over three decades of experience in helping individuals and teams deepen their effectiveness and enjoyment of work, school, and life. He holds degrees in psychology and higher education, is the author of two books, and his i... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 9:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Main Session

12:30pm EDT

Lunch

Tuesday October 20, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

1:30pm EDT

SC4K Free Store Tour

Tuesday October 20, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

Main Session

3:00pm EDT

Afternoon Break

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

3:15pm EDT

Reactive to Strategic: Building a High-Performing Grants Program

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

A successful grants program depends on far more than strong writing. It requires clear organizational priorities, disciplined prospect decisions, meaningful funder relationships, reliable systems, and realistic expectations about how institutional funding develops. Drawing on Grants Plus’s experience with more than 9,000 grant submissions, Lauren Steiner will share 10 practical practices that distinguish high-performing grants programs. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of what contributes to a strong grants program, along with practical ideas they can apply within their own organizations.

Speakers

Lauren Steiner

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GrantsPlus

In 2007, Lauren Steiner founded Grants Plus, which has since grown to become the nation’s leading grant consulting firm, helping nonprofits secure the funding they need to fulfill their missions and create lasting change. Lauren’s deep expertise in grant seeking has been built... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Development

3:15pm EDT

Creating a Nonprofit Social Media Plan (Strategy & Planning)

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Learn how to build a clear, strategic social media plan that supports your mission and drives engagement. This session will cover how to set goals, identify your audience, choose the right platforms, and plan content that aligns with your organization’s priorities, with practical tools you can use right away. Walk away ready to create a more focused, effective social media presence that supports your overall communications strategy.

Speakers

Tim Marshall

Director, Digital Marketing Center, Baldwin Wallace University

Tim Marshall has significant experience in leading both the strategy and execution of digital and traditional marketing communications efforts for organizations across a wide variety of industries, including higher education, healthcare, consumer packaged goods and manufacturing... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Marketing/Communications

3:15pm EDT

Creating a Better Shopping Experience: Organizing Your Free Store

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Learn how to organize your free store to improve efficiency and create a better experience for teachers. This session will cover practical strategies for layout, product flow, signage, and restocking, with real examples you can apply right away. Walk away ready to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more welcoming and effective shopping environment.

By the end, participants will:
· Learn alternative ways to organize their free store / resource center products.
· Learn alternative ways to distribute bulk products to their free store / resource center.
· Have discussed their free store / resource center's obstacles in a collaborative and generative environment.
· Have discussed their centers' product distribution goals and how that aligns with building their community.
· Have identified ways to sharpen their centers' store strengths while keeping their unique identity.

Speakers

Marco Femiani

Teacher Resource Center Program Coordinator, The Education Partnership

Marco Femiani is the Teacher Resource Center Program Coordinator at The Education Partnership, located in Pittsburgh, PA. He is on the Programs team that helps lead Teacher Shopping, The Education Partnership's Creative Corner shopping, as well as TEP's Summer Camp program, which... Read More →

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Operations

3:15pm EDT

Implementing Creative Educator Resource Spaces in Your Store

Tuesday October 20, 2026 3:15pm - 4:30pm EDT

Learn how to design and implement creative spaces such as innovation centers, maker-spaces, and live demonstrations that enhance the teacher experience and bring new energy to your store. This session will cover key considerations, from planning and setup to materials and engagement, with practical examples and lessons learned from centers that have done it successfully. Walk away with ideas and tools to create dynamic, impactful spaces that support educators and inspire learning.

Speakers