Presentation given to the Philanthropy Club of Chicago 3/5/2019 from the perspective of a YNPN Chicago board. Understanding and activating ways to engage young professionals with nonprofits (as volunteers, members, supporters, and even donors)

1. Engaging
Young Professionals
March 5, 2019
Ani Schmidt
@MuseumUnhinged | ani@ynpnchicago.org
Executive Chair, Young Nonprofit Professionals of Chicago
Public Programs Coordinator, Chicago History Museum

2. Digital is everything. Young professionals value
authenticity and transparency.

3. Mission
The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago
(YNPN Chicago) strengthens the nonprofit community by
providing accessible professional development,
resources,and networking opportunities for young
professionals involved in the Chicago-area nonprofit
sector.

5. How do we
define
young?

6. How can we facilitate
connections and build
community?

7. Young professionals value networking.

8. What is engagement?

9. YNPN Chicago is
part of a national
network with 44
chapters

11. A long list...
● Board service
● Weekly newsletter
● Annual awards (nominations and voting)
● Professional development workshops
● Happy Hours
● Peer to Peer discussions and skill shares
● Speed Networking
● Morning meetups
● Gala/special events
● Leadership Institute
● Service/volunteering events
● Facebook/LinkedIn groups
● Instagram/Twitter
● Website/blog/jobs board
● Member spotlight
● Guest blogging
● Twitter chats
● Joint happy hours
● Volunteering
● Event ambassadors/wrecking balls
● National conference
● Leadership breakfasts
● Lunch & Learns
● Book Discussions
● Coffee Power Hour
● Coffee with CEOs
● Mentoring programs
● #AsktheVillage
● Headshot happy hour
● Webinars
● Full day conference/summit
● Lunch with Execs
● 5 minutes in hell (storytelling)
● Member of the Month
● Youtube
● Podcasts

12. Face-to-Face in a Digital World
● Board service
● Weekly newsletter
● Annual awards (nominations and voting)
● Professional development workshops
● Happy Hours
● Peer to Peer discussions and skill shares
● Speed Networking
● Morning meetups
● Gala/special events
● Leadership Institute
● Service/volunteering events
● Facebook/LinkedIn groups
● Instagram/Twitter
● Website/blog/jobs board
● Member spotlight
● Guest blogging
● Twitter chats
● Joint happy hours
● Volunteering
● Event ambassadors/wrecking balls
● National conference
● Leadership breakfasts
● Lunch & Learns
● Book Discussions
● Coffee Power Hour
● Coffee with CEOs
● Mentoring programs
● #AsktheVillage
● Headshot happy hour
● Webinars
● Full day conference/summit
● Lunch with Execs
● 5 minutes in hell (storytelling)
● Member of the Month
● Youtube
● Podcasts

14. Case Study

15. YNPN Chicago Membership
● Current cost= $25
ynpnchicago.org/membership
■ “That’s less than the cost of a cup of coffee a month!”
■ “Members benefit the most!”
● In just over a year, we have over 250 paid members

16. Conclusions
Young professionals value:
● Authenticity and transparency
● Professional growth
● Collective impact
How to deepen engagement:
● Define young and adapt
● Provide space for connections
● Add value through multiple entry points
● Reframe as investment
Ani Schmidt
@MuseumUnhinged
ani@ynpnchicago.org
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of
Chicago
ynpnchicago.org info@ynpnchicago.org
@YNPNchicago #ynpn #ynpnchicago #ynpnchi