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December 2007
 Savvy corporations know that vibrant communities are a great place to do business, and that vibrant communities need a sustainable non-profit community. Since 1993, CenterPoint Energy has partnered with the University of Houston to offer the Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference to more than 7,100 professionals from over 3,000 nonprofit organizations.
Through outreach efforts in the community, CenterPoint Energy learned that non-profit organizations in the community continually struggle with budget cuts, board development needs, fundraising, and the changing social, political, and cultural landscape. In response to these challenges, the company created the conference to educate, motivate and energize the nonprofit community. Each year, CenterPoint Energy brings in experts from various fields to share valuable knowledge, best practices, and ways to enhance organizational success.
In order to plan the Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference each year, CenterPoint Energy convenes an advisory board comprised of experts from the non-profit sector to provide recommendations for keynote speakers and conference presenters.
Each year, the conference offers eight tracks covering broad topics such as management techniques, fundraising, volunteerism, leadership, board development, technology, organizational effectiveness, human resources, financial and legal issues, and personal development. Through 32 breakout sessions, the Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference offers sessions appropriate to all levels of expertise and experience, including executive directors, funding directors, leaders, staff members, board members and volunteers.
CenterPoint Energy underwrites the conference each year and provides personnel experience to plan the conference, as well as providing conference participants with what has become known as the "Non-profit Bible," a CD-ROM folder or binder containing conference materials and other resources.
By keeping the registration fees under $50, CenterPoint Energy has made the conference accessible to non-profits with even the most meager budgets.
Last year, CenterPoint Energy impacted 740 participants from over 300 non-profit organizations through the conference. Participants come from diverse organizations such as social service agencies, community and faith-based groups, business and professional associations, schools and other educational institutions.
Surveys have shown that due to the conference, a majority of participants have increased their productivity, energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to serving their clients better. The conference has earned both the Silver Spur Award from the Texas Public Relation Association and the Excalibur Award from the Houston Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
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