Enterprise Risk Management Events

On February 20, 2025, GRF and NC State University’s Enterprise Risk Management Initiative held their 6th annual ERM in Nonprofit Organizations Workshop, Navigating the World of Uncertainties Impacting Nonprofit Organizations. Nearly 100 nonprofit executives and board members attended to discuss strategies for enterprise risk management. Here are key takeaways from the event.

Key Topics

• Highlights from Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for 2025
• The Complex Risk Environment for Nonprofits in 2025
• Beyond Risk Identification and Assessment: Competency-based Training for Risk Owners
• Escaping Common Risk Management Traps
• How Foundations Are Thinking About ERM

Read a recap of key takeaways

On February 22-23, 2024, GRF and NC State University’s Enterprise Risk Management Initiative convened over 100 nonprofit executives and board members to discuss enterprise risk management strategies and tactics for their 5th annual workshop.

This annual workshop covered a myriad risks impacting nonprofits today:

• Preparing for Advances in Artificial Intelligence
• What is on the Horizon for ERM? AI, ESG, DEIA, and Other Emerging Risks
• Embedding ERM in Project Selection and Strategic Decision-Making
• Engaging the Board of Directors on ERM
• Strengthening Risk Culture to Support Growth and Impact
• Highlights from Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for 2024 & 2034

Read a recap of key takeaways

On February 23-24, 2023, the 4th annual GRF-NC State ERM for Nonprofits Workshop brought together nonprofit executives and board members to share their experiences and discuss strategies and tactics for strengthening enterprise risk management at tax-exempt organizations. Topics covered included:

Day 1 Topics

• Current State of ERM Practices
• Management-Level Risk Committees
• Using ERM to Add Value Throughout the Organization
• Maintaining Momentum with ERM Initiatives
• Results from the Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for 2023 and 2032 Report

Day 2 Topics

• ERM and ESG: Growing Expectations
• Risk Appetite – Roundtable Discussion
• Blind Spots

Read a recap of key takeaways

The events of 2020 and 2021 remind us that change is a reality that ushers in all kinds of uncertainties that trigger both risks and opportunities. Organizations benefit when their boards and management teams embrace change as the “new normal” and run with its advantages.

To help non-profit and association leaders and their boards embrace the opportunities that change presents, GRF in partnership with NC State University hosted our 3rd annual workshop series.

Individuals leading risk management and strategic planning efforts at nonprofit organizations and members of nonprofit boards were invited to come together to share their insights about managing the unfolding issues in 2021 lessons learned for moving forward.

• Day 1 (November 4, 2021): Linking ERM, Strategy, and Budgets
• Day 2 (December 9, 2021): Managing Talent and Culture Challenges in 2021
• Day 3 (February 24, 2022): Supporting the Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

This high-level workshop provided the tools and hands-on training to confidently and competently explore questions regarding effective enterprise-wide risk management and oversight for non-profit settings.

The event facilitates interaction with peers at other organizations to gather insights and ideas during a real world, comprehensive workshop.

• Day 1 (November 6, 2020): Leveraging ERM to Navigate These Challenging and Uncertain Times
• Day 2 (December 10, 2020): Strengthening Operational Preparedness
• Day 3 (March 4, 2021): Using Risk Insights to Inform Strategy

NC State Poole College of Management ERM Initiative and GRF CPAs & Advisors hosted a special workshop, ERM in Non-Profit Organizations, on Thursday-Friday, October 17-18, 2019 in Raleigh, NC.

ERM leaders gathered at Vaughn Towers in NC State’s football stadium for a CPE-eligible workshop featuring real-world illustrations of ERM implementation by ERM leaders at non-profit organizations along with discussion sessions for sharing ERM challenges and successful best practices.

Limited to just 50 participants, this intimate and interactive environment promoted greater interaction between attendees and speakers, and allowed sharing of experiences with colleagues.

Read recap of key takeaways (PDF)