For nonprofit, academic, and community leaders who want to engage in meaningful cross-sector collaboration.

About Our Event

The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at Texas A&M University invites nonprofit, academic, and community leaders across Texas to Build Relationships, Innovate, Discover, and Get Engaged. The conference showcases existing relationships between nonprofit organizations and university scholars collaborating on applied projects in their communities. 

 

The conference aims to facilitate cross-sector connections with universities to drive social change.  We aim to build relationships that advance community-based solutions and explore data resources that inform decision-making, continuing to raise the reputation of the nonprofit sector. BRIDGE is a solutions-oriented conference that will empower leaders to drive innovative change across Texas by building skills, networking, and sharing ideas. We hope you will join us on this mission to uplift the great work happening across nonprofit and academic spaces in Texas.

 

Free professional headshots were made available to attendees, courtesy of Vacanva Photography.

Vacanva. A curated portrait experience on the go.

Schedule

Monday, February 26th  ​ ​
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM OneStar Joint Network Meeting (by invitation) An in-person meeting for OneStar networks and collaboratives including (but not limited to) Academic Affinity Group, Interagency Coordinating Group, Nonprofit Management Alliance of Texas, Texas Association of Volunteer Centers, Texas Nonprofit Council, Texas Nonprofit Strong, and the Texas Rural Nonprofit Network.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM CNP Faculty Fellows Meeting (by invitation) ​
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Reception ​
Tuesday, February 27th  ​ ​
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM Registration Open & Breakfast Available ​
8:15 AM - 9:00 AM Welcome & Introductions ​
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Notes Join Dr. Kenny A Taylor and Dr. Robbie Robichau in an interactive discussion on the purpose of the BRIDGE Conference and the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
9:45 AM - 11:30 AM Panel Discussion Join us for a panel of nonprofit and academic leaders that engage in cross sector collaboration and projects. Featured collaborations are highlighted below.
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Lunch ​
12:45 PM - 2:45 PM Round Table Exercise Meet engaged nonprofit leaders and higher education researchers dedicated to nonprofit work and discuss pressing topics in a collaborative and interactive exercise.

Topics Include:
• Volunteerism & Philanthropy
• Data & Evaluation
• Building Texas' Nonprofit Sector
• Innovation & Change
• University & Nonprofit Collaboration
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Keynote: Volunteering: The Gateway to Giving Join us in hearing from two distinguished keynote speakers from Bank of America, Jennifer Chandler (Managing Director, President-Dallas, and Head of Philanthropic Solutions) and Dr. Marguerite Stoglin (Senior Vice President and Philanthropic Strategist). They will shed light on the vital role of volunteerism and its profound impact on charitable giving in the United States. Don't miss out on this enlightening session to discover how collective efforts in volunteering can make a lasting difference.
4:15 - 5:00 PM Closing ​

Featured Collaboratives

Dakarai Griffin of Fairview Youth Foundation and Dr. Elizabeth Searing of the University of Texas at Dallas originally connected through a South Dallas nonprofit group coordinated by the State Fair of Texas. FYF operates a portfolio of youth empowerment and education projects centered on James Madison High School. FYF first volunteered as a service-learning partner for a graduate-level asynchronous nonprofit management class, then later worked with other classes in the program such as strategic planning and nonprofit finance. FYF was also paired with a CONNECT@UTD Fellow, which is a fellowship program that pairs graduate students with community organizations that have a specific data-related problem. Following the completion of the last service learning project, Dr. Searing now sits on the FYF board and Mr. Griffin has assumed the Executive Directorship.

A study led by UTA public affairs professors, in partnership with Arlington city leaders, highlights the potential for increased attendance at downtown Arlington events with improvements such as more parking, shaded areas, and 'Instagrammable' photo opportunities. The survey found that respondents consider downtown Arlington among the top three entertainment destinations in the city. UTA is perceived as an anchor institution, and the study aims to enhance the connection between UTA and downtown, considering many students may become future residents. The research involved professors, students, and Arlington's Economic Development Department and Levitt Pavilion.

The OneStar Foundation and the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at Texas A&M University have had a longstanding relationship. The two organizations have worked together on meetings, research projects such as the Built for Texas reports, and most recently the Nonprofit Career Development Certificate. This certificate is available to current and former AmeriCorps members and offers coursework in social justice leadership, performance measurement, strategic management, fundraising, and more. Jaclyn Kolar and Dr. Kenny Taylor have worked together to build this program and ensure it's success in assisting future leaders.

Houston Food Bank has been a valued community partner of the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management program at the University of Houston – Downtown since the establishment of the program 10 years ago. Mr. Brian Greene, the President and CEO of HFB, plays a crucial role on the Advisory Board of the graduate program and teaches as an adjunct professor. Over the years, HFB has consistently served as a prominent service learning and internship site for UHD graduate and undergraduate students across various academic programs. Furthermore, HFB actively participates as a community partner in an ongoing Community-Based Research initiative led by Dr. Hanjin Mao. This research focuses on exploring the challenges associated with technology adoption in nonprofit organizations and identifying strategies for nonprofits to effectively navigate technological changes. The project is a collaborative effort involving faculty, students, and 30 nonprofit organizations within the Greater Houston area.

Keynote Speakers

Volunteering: The Gateway to Giving

Jennifer Chandler is Managing Director, President of Bank America Dallas, and Head of Philanthropic Solutions for Bank of America. As President, Jennifer directs effective collaboration across multiple lines of business, advancing purposeful engagement with client priorities. Deeply committed to corporate stewardship, she serves on the Bank of America Foundation committee and promotes a culture of volunteerism and community support. As Head of Philanthropic Solutions, Jennifer oversees strategy development and advisory/consulting services for non-profit institutions, corporate and private foundations, and ultra-high-net worth families. She directs a nationwide team that offers a suite of integrated capabilities, including Outsourced Chief Investment Office services, board governance and development, grant making, high-impact philanthropy, and fiduciary administration. She also fosters the effective use of cross-enterprise capabilities, resulting in a more unified and directed client experience. Jennifer joined Bank of America in 2001. She earned her B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in two and a half years and her M.B.A. from the University of Dallas, which honored her in 2018 as a College of Business Hall of Fame inductee. Born and raised in Dallas County, Jennifer is very active in the greater Dallas community. She is a Leadership Dallas 2011 alumni, Women’s Exchange Sue Haskoor honoree, and 2023 DCEO Corporate Leadership Excellence Award recipient. Jennifer is also a Dallas Business Journal “40 under 40” and Women in Business honoree. She currently serves on the Dallas Citizens Council, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Museum of Art, and Phoenix House Texas boards and is also a member of the Crystal Charity Ball, Texas Lyceum, United Way Women of Tocqueville, the Dallas Symphony League and the National Charity League. Jennifer and her husband have 4 children and enjoy serving their local community.

Dr. Marguerite (Margo) McClinton Stoglin is a Senior Vice President, Philanthropic Strategist with the National Consulting and Advisory Practice group at Bank of America Private Bank. Based in Dallas, Margo works with the Philanthropic Solutions team providing custom consulting services to both grantmaking and operating nonprofits. Her areas of expertise include education, social services, and faith-based communities. Margo has served in a number of key roles with nonprofits including Washington University in St. Louis, Washington and Lee University, Paul Quinn College and IGNITE National. For a decade, Margo managed her own consulting firm providing strategic guidance to both nonprofit and for=profit organizations. She also has significant board experience, currently serving with a gubernatorial appointment on a statewide commission. She enjoys partnering with key stakeholders to provide the resources needed to serve all communities. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University. She has two master’s degrees. The first is in education is from Harvard University, and the second in business from the University of Texas at Dallas. She also received her doctorate from Florida State University.

About the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy

The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy (CNP) supports a vibrant nonprofit and philanthropic sector in Texas and beyond, through high quality research, professional outreach, and engaged learning.

The center offers several opportunities to become involved in the Bush School, Texas A&M, and the community. The outreach activities support the effective management of nonprofit organization by bringing the most relevant research and scholarship to nonprofit professionals through workshops, seminars and conferences. Our education programs provide rigorous courses that engage students in discussion-based classes. These courses balance a practical skills preparation and challenging curriculum with supportive faculty. Our faculty and students are engaged in cutting-edge research that covers a range of topics and informs our understanding of nonprofits and philanthropy. The program also develops research summaries that provide practical insight to policy makers, donors, and nonprofit professionals.

About our Sponsor, Bank of America:

Bank of America has a strong commitment to volunteerism. In 2000, Bank of America partnered with the Bush School of Government & Public Service to endow the Bank of America Program on Volunteerism in an effort to educate individuals and corporations on the importance of volunteerism in society.

Bank of America is dedicated to making financial lives better through the power of every connection.

Bank of America's story is all about the impact clients and communities can have and the progress they can make. And we are here to serve them, and to help them do it. This starts with a single idea for our company, across all of our businesses based on a simple question that has been core to our legacy of capabilities and service for 240 years: “What would you like the power to do?”