Harvard Club of Alabama

Nonprofit Capacity Group

Networking for nonprofit social change professionals.

The Nonprofit Capacity Group is a free, bi-weekly, after work networking event that brings together nonprofit stakeholders interested in building capacity in nonprofits. Hosted in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Church and Rev. Julie Conrady, MDV '06, this event is held at 5:30 PM to 7 PM, generally every other Thursday (schedule changes will be announced).

By "capacity," we mean the resources needed to achieve your organization's strategic vision for social change, including human capital, social capital, and financial capital. The operating principles for the event are: Open, inclusive, and informal; all nonprofit stakeholders are welcome; focus on innovative ways to build nonprofit capacity for social change, including through collaboration with others; and be a connector, make introductions and collaborate. Each meeting opens with a brief discourse on a theme of social change, followed by a lightning round of needs, then networking.

Our special speaker is Ed Fields, Senior Advisor and Chief Strategist in the Office of the Mayor of Birmingham, who will present on "Strategic alignment: The methodology behind the Mayor's strategic plan." Reserve your seat by email.

Ed Fields

Known as a diplomat, creative risk taker and inspirational leader, Ed Fields has a breadth of leadership experience as an executive in public, private, and media entities.

Currently, Ed serves as Senior Advisor and Chief Strategist for the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office. In his role, Ed is responsible for strategic planning, thought leadership and supporting transformative projects on behalf of Mayor Randall Woodfin, a leader whom he has supported as friend and campaign manager in his successful bid for mayor.

Previously, Ed co-founded and led Relax, It’s Handled, a nationally-recognized, award-winning association and event management company for eight years before selling the company.

Ed has also served in key leadership roles in major institutions such as the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and Alabama Media Group, Alabama’s largest news media organization with publications such as AL.com, Birmingham magazine, and The Birmingham News.

A transplant from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ed received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Alabama State University and earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Alabama’s prestigious Manderson School of Business.  He has also received his Institute of Management (IOM) designation, a nonprofit management certification, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He is a 2018 member of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative as well as the Harvard Business School Young American Leadership Program.

Ed has served as a partner in diversity and inclusion for both community-driven and corporate-driven organizations, including his role as founder, executive, volunteer leaders, and producer.
Recently, Ed served as board chairman for the Community Investment Network, a national network of philanthropists with a mission to inspire and support collective giving in and among communities of color.

Ed has received numerous awards and accolades from organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Business Journal, Birmingham Business Alliance, Alabama State University College of Business Administration, and the City of Birmingham where he was named Minority Business Advocate of the Year.

Inspired Quote: “If you know from whence you come, then there really is no limit as to where you can go.”   – James Baldwin, American Novelist