Hosted by MSS, the State of the Nonprofits Luncheon is an annual gathering of nonprofit leaders, board members, funders, business partners, and community champions committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector across Midland County and West Texas.

Event Details

April 9, 2026 | Petroleum Club of Midland
11:00 a.m. Doors Open
11:30 a.m. Program Begins
1:00 p.m. Adjourn

This year’s focus is capacity building, equipping nonprofit organizations with the leadership, governance, systems, and resources needed to serve our community today and into the future.

Through a thoughtful panel conversation, attendees will examine:

• The current opportunities and challenges facing our nonprofit sector
• How organizations are collaborating to strengthen infrastructure
• What sustainable growth looks like in the Permian Basin
• How funders, businesses, and community members can contribute meaningfully

The luncheon is proudly presented by Coterra Energy, with the panel sponsored by Diamondback Energy.

Proceeds support MSS’s mission to empower nonprofits by enhancing efficiency, providing essential shared services, and fostering collaboration across our region.

Join us as we celebrate the impact of our nonprofit community and work together to build a stronger, more resilient sector for West Texas.

Secure Your Sponsorship Now!

Panel Discussion: Building Capacity for Lasting Impact

Panel Discussion Sponsored by

Facilitated by Joni Hires, Executive Director of FMH Foundation, this featured panel brings together regional leaders who are strengthening nonprofit capacity across West Texas in different and complementary ways.

Capacity building is often talked about, but what does it really mean in practice? In a region experiencing rapid growth, workforce pressures, and increasing demand for services, strong leadership, sound governance, financial stability, and collaboration are not optional. They are essential.

Together, we will explore what capacity building looks like on the ground, why it matters in the Permian Basin, and how organizations can position themselves for long-term impact.

Laura Wolf

BasinPBS, General Manager/CEO

Bio Coming Soon...

Amy Hendrick

Nonprofit Management Center of the Permian Basin, Interim Executive Director

Bio Coming Soon...

Christina Escobar

United Way Odessa, Executive Director

Christina Escobar is a native Odessan and proud Texan who has served the nonprofit community through United Way of Odessa since 2013. Over the course of her tenure, she has advanced through multiple leadership roles including Administrative Assistant, Community Impact Director, Assistant Director, and now Executive Director. Her leadership is rooted in relationship-building, staff development, and strengthening community impact.

Christina is a graduate of the Nonprofit Management Center Executive Leadership Course and Leadership Odessa. She earned her degree in Business Leadership from Odessa College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. A devoted wife and mother of three, she remains deeply committed to civic engagement and service across the Odessa community.

Cindy Payton

Every Neighbor, Founder/Executive Director

Bio Coming Soon...

Autumn E. Vest, MPA

MSS Executive Director

Autumn Vest has served as Executive Director of Midland Shared Spaces since 2018, leading the nonprofit shared-services model that supports collaboration and capacity-building across the Midland nonprofit sector. She brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in West Texas, including prior roles as Executive Director of Sibley Nature Center and Director of the CAF Airpower Museum.

A lifelong Midlander, Autumn holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and is a graduate of Texas Tech University. She is passionate about strengthening nonprofit infrastructure, fostering collaboration, and building sustainable organizations that serve the Permian Basin with excellence.

Joni Hires, Facilitator

FMH Foundation, Executive DIrector

Joni Hires serves as Executive Director of FMH Foundation, where she leads grantmaking and strategic community investment efforts across Midland. After earning degrees in Management and Marketing from Texas Christian University, she returned to West Texas and built a 30+ year career spanning healthcare administration, pharmaceutical marketing, and nonprofit leadership.

Joni joined FMH Foundation in 2017 as Project Manager and became Executive Director in 2021. A seasoned public speaker, she delivers keynotes and leadership workshops throughout the region and is a member of the John Maxwell Certified Leadership Team. She lives in Midland with her husband and remains deeply committed to strengthening leadership across West Texas.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring the 2026 State of the Nonprofits Luncheon positions your organization as a visible champion of nonprofit capacity and community impact in West Texas.

Sponsorship levels provide meaningful brand visibility, reserved seating, and recognition across event materials and the event website.

Your investment advances MSS’s work to strengthen nonprofits, improve operational efficiency, and foster collaboration throughout the region.

Join us in supporting the organizations that serve our community every day.

Secure Your Sponsorship Now!

Interested in Nonprofit Staff Seating?

MSS is partnering with sponsors to provide complimentary seating for nonprofit staff members. As the event approaches, any remaining open seats will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, with no more than two representatives per nonprofit eligible for complimentary admission.

Join Waitlist Here

If your organization would like guaranteed seating or more than two representatives in attendance, tickets or sponsor tables may be purchased here.