You can build connections with nonprofits across the U.P. by participating in Grow & Lead’s Thriving Thursdays—every Thursday at noon. Each program is adapted to meet current nonprofit trends. Programs include monthly CEO and peer networking groups, members-only online training, and our resource newsletter Impact Insider. We also offer quarterly community leadership gatherings with training and networking in locations across the U.P. These engagement opportunities help our members continue to build healthy, sustainable organizations that deliver services our communities need to thrive.

•     1st Thursday CEO Peer Network
•      2nd Thursday Caffeinate & Collaborate and Membership Newsletter
•     3rd Thursday Online Trainings
•     4th Thursday Impact Insider-Resource
•     5th Thursday Nonprofit Community Leadership Gatherings

Grow & Lead’s team provides U.P. nonprofits with more than 75 years of combined experience in community engagement, nonprofit management and youth development. Our consulting services maximize sustainability by establishing effective organizational planning, expanding management skills and strengthening board relationships and processes. Our consultation services are offered by the hour, the day, or through comprehensive projects that span weeks to months based on the specific needs of your organization.

• Strategic planning
• Workplace culture
• Diversity, equity and inclusion training and consulting
• Meeting facilitation
• Trainings
• Organizational assessments

Schedule My FREE 15-Minute Consultation

Nonprofits across the U.P. turn to Grow & Lead as a local resource that understands the unique, rural, nonprofit environment of the region. Our membership program helps us form stronger relationships with the organizations we serve. We help answer member requests to improve service delivery, build on donor networks, navigate HR issues, enhance volunteer and youth engagement, and more. We support our members with members-only events, limited free consulting and brainstorming hours annually, free webinars and discounted rates for workshops and trainings.

•  Discounted rates for contracted services
• Online trainings and webinars
• Discounted registration rates for the U.P. Nonprofit Conference, part of the Connect & Grow Conference in partnership with Connect Marquette
• Up to four hours of consulting/brainstorming with a Grow & Lead staff member
• Monthly newsletter submissions and social media exposure
• Monthly newsletter (Impact Insider) with resources to guide organizations

BECOME A MEMBER

As the manager of the Upper Peninsula-wide Give906 campaign, Grow & Lead leverages the collective power of GivingTuesday and U.P. nonprofits to inspire generosity and giving throughout the region. Our nonprofit experts can help you set goals and create a plan for your organization’s GivingTuesday campaign. We will help you develop the narrative around your campaign, manage media, and share your story in the Give906 Giving Guide to boost donations to support your mission.

Visit Give906

As Grow & Lead continues its strategic planning process, we are thoughtfully evaluating our programs and services to ensure they remain responsive to community needs, organizational capacity, and our long-term vision for creating communities that support our youth. As part of this process, we have made the difficult decision to not hold the U.P. Nonprofit Conference in 2026. If you have any questions, please contact info@growandleadup.org. 

While we won’t be gathering at the conference this year, we remain committed to connecting you with high-quality learning opportunities. Click HERE to find more upcoming conferences and professional development events taking place throughout the Upper Peninsula that may be of interest to nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, and community partners.

Grow & Lead supports the youth of our communities as they create positive change and become successful adults. Our Excellence in Education program publicly recognizes outstanding students and educators in Marquette and Alger Counties. Each year, we present top academically achieving high school seniors with  scholarships.  We present educators with professional development awards. Thanks to community support, we can keep investing in the next generation.