Not Your Typical Ministry. Not Your Typical Training.
The Pregnancy Help Institute has provided thousands of pregnancy help leaders with professional training.
Over time, this training has added key elements vital to the pregnancy help movement as services expand.
This year is no different.
Register by July 18, 2025.
The Pregnancy Help Institute dives deep into core topics that are useful in the pregnancy help movement and life. Organized under four intensive tracks (New Director, Development, Messaging & Media, and Leadership), the Pregnancy Help Institute integrates executive-level instruction in a small-group environment, where you'll have the unparalleled opportunity to process information and strategies with experts and fellow front-line pregnancy help leaders. (Looking for ultrasound training? Click here!)
Subject Line: A Strategic Investment for Today and the Future of Our Organization Dear Board Members, As we continue to grow and serve more women and families in our community, I want to share with you a training opportunity that I believe is essential to our ongoing strength and success: Pregnancy Help Institute, hosted by Heartbeat International, this July. This is not a typical conference. It’s an intensive, small-group training designed specifically for leaders and team members in the pregnancy help movement. With four focused tracks—New Director, Development, Messaging and Media, and Leadership—Pregnancy Help Institute provides deeply relevant tools for our team members at every stage of ministry leadership. The training is executive-level, yet priced for ministries like ours ($999 for affiliates and just $1,134 for non-affiliates). It includes practical, biblically grounded instruction on strategic planning, development, media communication, board governance, team building, and more. Every session is aimed at strengthening the health and effectiveness of our organization as a whole. Why this matters: This is a one-week investment that brings lasting returns—not just to one team member, but for our whole organization. I respectfully ask that you consider supporting this training opportunity and investing in the future leadership of our ministry. Early-bird pricing ends June 21, and final registration is July 18. I’d love to discuss who might benefit most from attending this year. Thank you for your continued support, prayer, and commitment to building a life-affirming legacy together. In His service,◈ Pro tip: Need help communicating the value of this training to your board? Click here for an email template that highlights why investing in this opportunity matters for your organization and the women you serve.▼
Early-bird pricing ends June 21!
Pricing
The New Director Track - for Directors with less than 3 years of experience
"I cannot imagine a more fitting training to kick off this new position. I left challenged, inspired, feeling connected to others in the movement. I am humbled and blessed."
If you have less than three years of experience in directing a life-affirming pregnancy center, medical clinic, maternity home, or nonprofit adoption agency, the New Director training is perfect for you. When you combine the wisdom gained from this training with your calling from the Lord, you are truly prepared to navigate effectively, avoid pitfalls, and increase your effectiveness as a leader. Facilitated by Heartbeat International staff with years of experience in pregnancy help leadership, you'll be in good hands.
Designed for Directors with less than 3 years of experience leading a pregnancy help organization.
Topics include:
- Keys to a Healthy Organization
- Strategic Planning
- Board Governance
- Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, & Training
- Core Client Programs
- Development — Raising Friends and Funds
- Staff Growth & Development
- Energizing Tips to Maintain Focus
The Development Track - for Fundraisers
Advancing development through a more robust understanding of the nature and ministry of development is at the heart of this track. Anyone with responsibility for donor development or a part of the development plan will benefit from this advanced training. Seasoned pregnancy help leader Lisa Stueckemann will provide a comprehensive view of healthy development planning, follow-through, and steps for funding your mighty mission.
Designed for those whose role includes donor development within a pregnancy help organization.
Topics include:
- Biblical Foundations for Fundraising
- Setting Goals and Targets
- Funding Your Mission - Starting and Building
- Creating & Maintaining Monthly Support
- Developing Church Relationships
- Building Major Gift Relationships
- Writing Effective Grants
- Communicating with Financial Partners
- Creating Effective Direct Appeals
- Creating Fundraising Events
The Messaging & Media Track - for Leaders
In this track, we will delve into media landscapes as they relate to pregnancy help, empowering staff with a deeper understanding of various media types and trends. Through interactive sessions, we will unpack the impact of effective communication on public perception, while equipping participants with practical tools to create compelling messaging tailored to diverse audiences and platforms. We will also prioritize personal development by providing public speaking tips, immersive mock interviews, and on-camera practice to bolster confidence. Sessions will include media protocols, interview techniques, relationship building, crisis communication, and continuous improvement. Designed for leaders who want to refine their interview skills.
Designed for leaders within a pregnancy help organization.
Topics include:
- Media protocols
- Interview techniques
- Crisis communications
- Mock interviews
The Leadership Track - for Seasoned Leaders
"The leadership track went beyond expectations. For the first time in a long time, I was challenged in the area of strategic thinking, and I learned a lot that I will carry with me through life as a ministry leader, mother, and wife."
Created for seasoned leaders, the Leadership track contains concepts developed by Built to Lead, an executive coaching program that has trained CEOs, presidents, and ministry leaders nationwide. Here, you will learn proven techniques on how to lead effectively both at work and in your personal life and practice those methods throughout the week. Alumni are welcome to return for this track at any point for more training and refreshment!
Designed for seasoned leaders who want to invest in their ministry through leadership development.
Topics include:
- Personal Leadership Development
- Goal Setting
- Team Building
- Leadership Growth (Leading Leaders)
All Training Tracks will have prerequisite work that must be completed before attending the Pregnancy Help Institute. The list of prerequisites will be included in your registration confirmation.
Hotel & Other Helpful Information
Please remember your registration does not include your hotel accommodations. The hotel options listed below are in an area that may be convenient for you.
Within walking distance of the LAUC training facilities:
- Four Points Columbus Polaris | 8505 Pulsar Place, Columbus, Ohio 43240 USA | Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cmhpf-four-points-columbus-polaris/overview/
- Hampton Inn Polaris | 8411 Pulsar Place | Columbus, OH 43240 | 614-885-8400 | Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cmhpshx-hampton-suites-columbus-polaris/
Within a very short driving distance:
- Hyatt Place Columbus/Polaris | 2006 Polaris Parkway | Columbus, OH 43240 | 614-964-1877 | Website: https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/cmhzp-hyatt-place-columbus-polaris
- Hilton Graden Inn Columbus/Polaris| 8535 Lyra Drive, Columbus, Ohio, 43240 |Phone: 614-846-8884| Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cmhcpgi-hilton-garden-inn-columbus-polaris/
Training Schedule
- Monday, July 21, 2025: Registration and Opening Program starts with a welcome, opening orientation and dinner at 5:00 p.m. at the training facility in Columbus, Ohio.
- Tuesday – Thursday, July 22 through July 24 will include all day sessions (typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Friday, July 25, 2025: Plan to depart from Columbus no earlier than 2:30 p.m.
Meals
Meals included with registration:
Dinner Monday, Lunch Tuesday – Friday. AM & PM breaks throughout the week. Grab breakfast and coffee at your hotel in the morning.
Cancellation Policy
By Registrant:
Refunds may be issued until 12 a.m. EDT (midnight) June 17, 2025. A 50% refund is available from 12:01 a.m. EDT June 18, 2025, to July 9, 2025, 12:00 midnight EDT. No refunds will be issued past 12:01 a.m. EDT July 10, 2025. Method of refund may require transaction fees. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
5 reasons you need to come to Pregnancy Help Institute
- It’s corporate training at a non-profit cost.
Businesses nationwide use Built to Lead to train CEOs, Presidents, and Boards in Leadership Training. We have partnered with these executive coaches to bring you business training at a price you can afford. - It’s far more dynamic and personal than a conference.
Conferences, specifically the big annual ones, are incredible. There are so many people to meet and so much to learn, but sometimes you need more personalized in-depth training. Pregnancy Help Institute is intentionally sized for an intimate learning environment. Pregnancy Help Institute provides individual interaction and personal feedback to help you grow in your role and increase your effectiveness. - It’s vital to invest in yourself.
"We must all learn to lead ourselves with excellence before we can lead a team towards excellence. In other words, we believe that excellence achieved individually will spread organizationally." - Built to Lead’s Belief - A burst of training can take you a long way.
One week can literally revolutionize your personal leadership as well as grow your knowledge and understanding. Working with trainers and fellow participants over an extended time yields an exponential return on your investment of time. - The relationships you build will be powerful.
There's nothing more powerful than realizing you're not alone, and at Pregnancy Help Institute, you are surrounded by people not only who share your values, but also are close to you on the same journey.
Pregnancy Help Institute training qualifies for the Life Affirming Specialist (LAS) designation.
