Chamber Investor businesses, their employees, and the general public are encouraged to attend professional development activities that take place throughout the year. Topics may include but are not limited to: resources for business funding, employment and workforce strategies, work-life harmony, building business connections, customer service skill building, advocacy efforts and more.
Coffee & Commerce is an opportunity to exchange ideas, successes, and workplace challenges with other area business leaders. Each Coffee & Commerce features a different focus topic, is held in the morning, and offers a unique platform to enhance your professional partnerships.
Upcoming Coffee & Commerce: Nonprofit Roundtable
May 7, 2025 | 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Fuel Your Mission: Coffee & Commerce Nonprofit Roundtable
Join us for an interactive Coffee & Commerce session designed to support nonprofit leaders, staff, volunteers, board members, and donors.
What to Expect:
Connect with fellow nonprofit advocates and partners over coffee.
Learn expert strategies for grant writing, funding discovery, and securing endowments.
Discuss opportunities, challenges, and best practices to strengthen your organization.
Key Takeaways:
Develop a Compelling Grant Narrative – Discuss what resonates with funders when they review proposals.
Funding Discovery – Share ideas about funding resources, tools and opportunities.
Overcoming Funding Challenges – Exchange best practices about breaking down common funding challenges.
Securing Major Gifts & Endowments – Explore the fundamentals of establishing and managing endowments through shared insights and experiences.
Engage in collaborative discussions, share experiences, and leave with actionable insights to boost your nonprofit’s impact. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and grow within the nonprofit community!
Who Can Attend?:
Anybody can attend!
*Pre-Registration is REQUIRED*
Location
Compass IL (Center for Independent Living Western Wisconsin)
2920 Schneider Ave SE, Menomonie, WI 54751
Attendance Fee
Free for Chamber Member Employees &
$25 for Public
Check-in time
7:15 a.m.
The event will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m.
Topic Experts
Melanie Baumgart
Grant and Giving Coordinator
Royal Credit Union
Melanie Baumgart is an experienced grant writer and reviewer, currently holding the position of Grant and Giving Coordinator at Royal Credit Union. In this role, Melanie facilitates organizations in securing funding from the Royal Credit Union Foundation and oversees the management of donations for Royal Credit Union. Melanie contributes to grant review teams for the Women’s Giving Circle and the Nonprofit Professional Development grants from the Eau Claire Community Foundation. Additionally, she has provided her expertise in reviewing grants for the Red Letter Grant and Downtown Eau Claire, Inc.
Ann Kaiser, CFRE
Owner
AMK Nonprofit Coaching LLC
Ann’s work with grant writing began 25 years ago when she became Executive Director of a nonprofit with only three months’ funding and a mission she strongly believed in. She explored grant writing, took courses, and fell in love with connecting grantmakers’ impact goals with nonprofit work. Ann has served as Executive Director of Family Resource Center for Eau Claire County, Foundation Director for Sacred Heart Hospital, and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley, as well as on nonprofit boards. In March 2023, she began working full-time for her consulting business, AMK Nonprofit Coaching, helping nonprofits build capacity and strengthen communities.
Steve McCarthy
Executive Director
United Way of St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys
Steve McCarthy serves as the Executive Director of United Way St. Croix & Red Cedar Valleys. In 2024 he helped lead the merger of Dunn County United Way and United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys. Prior to United Way, Steve was president of Curative Connections and Envision, both headquartered in Green Bay. He served on the Brown County United Way board of directions and is currently the board president for Inclusa Foundation, a statewide grantor supporting nonprofits that help older adults and people with disabilities. Steve has two adult daughters, and he and his longtime partner have two golden retrievers. Steve has an MA in Writing from Illinois State University and a Certificate in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston.
Thank You Sponsor!
2025 Coffee & Commerce Sponsorships
Sponsorships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to secure your spot early. Our team is dedicated to making your sponsorship experience seamless and successful. Please note that invoices for sponsorships will not be generated until closer to the event or program date. If you have any questions or can't find the sponsorship you're looking for, we’re just a phone call or email away.
Email: info@menomoniechamber.org
Phone: (715) 235-9087