2026
IFT COMING SOON
Registration Opens January 22, 2026
Presented by Essex County Community Foundation, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Community Foundation for MetroWest and South Coast Community Foundation
IMPORTANT
SAVE THE DATE! Registration for ECCF’s 17th annual Institute for Trustees (IFT) opens on January 22, 2026.
IFT is the region’s largest conference for nonprofit leaders dedicated to strengthening the sector. This year’s event features 14 workshops from leading experts on timely topics. It also brings together nearly 1,000 nonprofit leaders, sparking discussions and connections with peers across the state.
IFT 2026 Keynote Speaker
Leadership in Uncertain Times
March 24, 2026 | 7:00-8:30PM Eastern Time
Anne Yurasek, Principal, Fio Partners
about Anne
Anne Yurasek is the Managing Principal of Fio Partners. Starting her career at Deloitte Consulting, she has been an organizational development consultant and trainer for over twenty years in the nonprofit and private sectors. In 2007, she co-founded Fio Partners, a consulting firm that serves nonprofits, foundations, and government organizations. Her strength lies in her ability to listen to her clients’ needs and develop customized solutions. From working with large nonprofits, such as community colleges, libraries, and philanthropic organizations, to working with cross-sector collaboratives, she supports leaders in making critical strategic decisions.
Anne is viewed as a strong partner and strategic advisor to both nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, including current and former clients such as Community Foundation for Western Massachusetts, Youth INC, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Way Finders, various United Ways across Connecticut, and many more. Her ability to guide organizations through their inflection points – whether due to consolidation or growth – is unsurpassed. Anne has an MBA in Management from Columbia University and a BA in Psychology from Wellesley College.
keynote session
Leadership in Uncertain Times
Nonprofit leaders are navigating unprecedented uncertainty that presents both challenges and opportunities for change. Our IFT opening keynote will explore how to stay grounded in your organization’s mission, vision, and values while navigating an uncertain future. Leaders will learn how to make tough decisions while fostering resilience and clarity. We will explore strategies for engaging and activating communities of support, building collaborations, and mapping possible futures. Following the keynote, there will be a panel discussion featuring regional nonprofit leaders who will share their experiences charting their course, leading with courage, and turning uncertainty into opportunity for lasting impact.
IMPORTANT DATES
Registration Opens: January 22
Keynote Session: March 24
Virtual Workshop Sessions: March 25 – June 2
REGISTRATION FEES
Individual Registrations: $130. Please note, a discounted early bird rate of $110 is available through February 24.
Full Board Registrations (no limit on board size): $550. Please note, a discounted early bird rate of $500 is available through February 24.
A limited number of scholarships (based on region) are available for the IFT. Details and the application will be available on January 22.
the IFT is generously supported by ECCF’s Corporate Partners
Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to l.vanalen@eccf.org
get in touch
Rebecca Turner
IFT Consultant
r.turner@eccf.org
thank you IFT partners!
Brace Cove Foundation
John and Mollie Byrnes
Amelia Peabody Foundation
Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation
Edwin S. Webster Foundation
ECCF Trustees
