8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:00 – 9:05 a.m.
Welcome & Introduction
– Gregory A.  Larson & Heidi Neff, Course Co-Chairs

9:05 – 9:35 a.m.
2026 Trends and Data for Minnesota’s Nonprofit Sector
An overview of key developments in the nonprofit field including numbers, legislation, employment trends, compensation, types of nonprofits, areas of growth, areas of decline and important public policy initiatives.
– Kari Aanestad & Halla Henderson

9:35 – 10:05 a.m.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Charities Division 2026 Regulatory Priorities
Get first-hand information on developments in the Charities Division and the Division’s regulation and enforcement priorities for 2026.
– Assistant Attorney General Carol Washington

10:05 – 10:15 a.m.
BREAK

10:15 – 11:00 a.m.
IRS Exempt Organizations Update – Initiatives and Developments Impacting Nonprofits
An overview and important analysis of the IRS Exempt Organization Division’s activities and priorities for 2026.
– Karen A. Gries & Mackenzie P. McNaughton

11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Charitable Fundraising During Emergencies – Advising Mutual Aid Groups
This session explores advising grassroots mutual aid groups, contrasting traditional top-down 501(c)(3) structures with low-barrier frameworks like unincorporated associations and fiscal sponsorships. Gain insights on handling complex crowd-funding tax issues, mitigating organizer liability, and aligning regulatory compliance with horizontal, community-led governance.
– Dierdre Hodgson, Heidi Neff & Claire H. Topp

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
LUNCH (provided by Minnesota CLE)

12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Advising Nonprofits in a Time of Legal Uncertainty
Recent executive orders, legislative and rulemaking proposals, and Department of Justice initiatives have called into question longstanding definitions of charitable activity and created uncertainty and risk for nonprofits. This panel discussion will cover current legal theories challenging nonprofits and provide actionable compliance strategies to protect nonprofit funding and status.
– Susie Brown, Sarah Duniway & Nena M. Lenz

12:45 – 12:55 p.m.
BREAK

12:55 – 1:55 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION A

101
The 990 as a Public Relations Document
A review of the 990’s importance in informing the public and regulators about the activities of nonprofits. 
– Gregory A. Larson & Deborah D. Nelson

102
Tax Exemption Essentials – Rules, Compliance and Issue-Spotting for Federal and State Exemptions
Learn about the rules of the road for nonprofit organizations related to federal and state tax exemptions.
– Susan J.  Markey

103
AI Integration and Data Privacy Governance for Nonprofits
Practical legal guidance on adopting generative AI tools in nonprofit administration, using AI to record board meetings, managing donor data privacy under evolving state privacy laws, protecting proprietary organizational information, responding to a breach, and more.
– Megan A. Bowman & Lisa B. Ellingson
– Kyle R. Kroll (moderator)

1:55 – 2:05 p.m.
BREAK

2:05 – 3:05 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION B 

201
Governance as a Preventative for Fraud – Practical Advice for Ethical Board Service
1.0 ethics credit applied for
This session explores how robust governance acts as a primary safeguard against organizational fraud, specifically framed through the lens of an attorney’s professional ethical duties under the Minnesota Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC).
– Heidi Neff

202
Fundraising Fundamentals – Common Charitable Solicitation Issues
This session provides a foundational understanding of charitable solicitation laws and the key regulations governing how nonprofits can solicit donations, ensuring compliance and protecting both the organization and its donors.
– Angela I. Theodoropoulos

3:05 – 3:15 p.m.
BREAK

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Minnesota Regulatory Oversight and Fraud Investigations
Minnesota’s nonprofit sector has been the focus of intense scrutiny, including high-profile fraud investigations and prosecutions.  This session will focus on the role of the Minnesota Attorney General in charitable oversight, important considerations when your nonprofit receives a CID or otherwise is under investigation and legal considerations for funders when a grantee or partner organization is under investigation.
– Collin R. Ballou, Angela T. Fogt, Erica H. MacDonald & Carol Washington

LIVE IN-PERSON
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota

ONLINE REPLAY
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Attend online
Online replay includes all plenary and breakout sessions. A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.

$345 MSBA members / $345 paralegals / $395 standard rate

Other discounts that may apply:

• Season Pass Discount
• New Lawyer Discount

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 ethics credit for session #201. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.