Scrappy Systems: Small Nonprofits That Look Fundable

December 15, 2026 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EST)

Description

Small and mid-sized nonprofits often do powerful work but struggle to present it in ways that feel clear, strategic, and fundable. This session explores practical, low-cost systems that help organizations move from scattered to strategic. Learn how to organize programs into clear focus areas, build simple grant tracking tools, and translate community-based services into funder-aligned language that highlights outcomes and long-term impact. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Identify operational gaps that create inefficiency and limit funding readiness. 
• Develop practical, low-cost systems for organizing programs, data, outcomes, and funding information.
• Strengthen their ability to translate everyday program activities into measurable outcomes and compelling funder narratives. 
• Create an actionable plan to strengthen at least one organizational system using tools and resources they already have.

Speaker Information

Crystal Vandevender is the Executive Director of the Parenting Resource Center in Austin, Minnesota, where she leads organizational strategy, program development, community partnerships, and resource development. With a background spanning nonprofit leadership, higher education, healthcare, and organizational management, Crystal specializes in developing practical, affordable systems that strengthen operations, improve funding readiness, and create measurable impact—without requiring large budgets, expensive software, or additional staff.

Throughout her career, Crystal has led strategic planning, funding diversification, program evaluation, and organizational restructuring. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in leadership. Her approach focuses on equipping nonprofit leaders with practical tools they can use while keeping costs low and mission at the center.