In-Person | Online | In Print

Heartbeat International is committed to providing top-level training to the pregnancy help movement through our printed materials, on-site trainings and conferences, and online academy resources. We believe that all pregnancy help organizations should have access to quality training at all times.

In-Person

Heartbeat International is proud to offer several different in-person experiences for training and support. Our Annual Conference brings over 1,000 pregnancy help people together every spring, and in the summer we host our Pregnancy Help Institute with a variety of track options available for pregnancy help leaders. Our quarterly LOVE Approach Ultrasound Clinic championed a new form of training that connects the technical needs and the spiritual needs for medical professionals working in pregnancy help.

In addition to these excellent opportunities, organizations can schedule an on-site, in-depth consultations on a variety of topics including volunteer training, Board training, strategic planning, and more. Learn more about your options by clicking here!

Online

The Heartbeat International Academy provides life-affirming leaders, staff, and supporters with access to online workshops, forums, and courses on timely pregnancy help topics such as the abortion-minded client and how to identify victims of human trafficking. Between more than 250 live and recorded webinars, work at your pace courses, and private customized courses, there's always something at Heartbeat Academy for your team. In addition, live interactive classes are hosted regularly like ConCERT, our advanced distance learning course to take your staff to the next level in pregnancy help.

In Print

Heartbeat has a library of printed resources available for you to have at your fingertips for building an effective and healthy organization. Whether you are starting from scratch, needing some fundraising ideas, hoping to go medical, or simply training your staff, Board, and volunteers, you'll find the tool you need over at our online store.

Recordings from the 2024 Conference can be purchased here. 

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Plan now to attend our Annual Conference in
Birmingham, AL  |  April 30 - May 2, 2025

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Who Should Attend the Heartbeat International Annual Conference?

Heartbeat’s Annual Conference is designed for ministry leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers of life-affirming pregnancy help centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and non-profit adoption agencies, as well as professionals in the areas of medicine, counseling, social work, and education.

Our conference offers the most dynamic training to equip ministers and empower ministries worldwide in the pregnancy help community through the largest international Pregnancy Help Conference, this year both in-person and online!

There will be plenty to learn in person with the following trainings available:

• Unique, Professional Keynote Sessions
• Distinctive, Full-Day In-Depth Training Sessions
• Workshop Presentations from Ministry Experts
• And much more!

Conference Location

Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC)
2101 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N,
Birmingham, AL 35203

Hotel Information (Group code will be in your Conference Registration Confirmation)

• Sheraton Birmingham Hotel 
• Westin Birmingham

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. Our 2025 Pregnancy Help Institute will be July 21-25 in Columbus, OH. Start planning now! Watch for registration to open in early May!

The Pregnancy Help Institute dives deep into core topics useful both in the pregnancy help movement and in life. Organized under four intensive tracks (New Director, Development, 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!)

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

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The Development Track - for Fundraisers

"I am new to this field and have come away feeling equipped to make suggestions and push back on old systems and events that are less effective. I am excited to foster relationships with our supporters and to see where these relationships take us."

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 leaders will join Cindi Boston-Bilotta, Leanna Baumer, Terri Barnhart, and Frances Lacson from Heartbeat's Mission Advancement team to provide a comprehensive view of a 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

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The Media Track - for Leaders

"I am new to this field and have come away feeling equipped to make suggestions and push back on old systems and events that are less effective. I am excited to foster relationships with our supporters and to see where these relationships take us."

The Pregnancy Help Institute's Media Training will take you on a transformative journey! Join us in empowering your team to navigate media interactions with finesse, foster positive relationships with reporters, and uphold ethical standards, ensuring your message resonates authentically with the world. 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

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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)

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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 Information

Check back for 2025 hotel information!

5 reasons you need to come to Pregnancy Help Institute

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.

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Tailored Solutions for Pregnancy Help Organizations

Heartbeat training and consultations support the uniqueness of your organization as you equip staff, board, and volunteers to carry out your mission with excellence. Heartbeat’s personalized consultations provide unique training solutions that elevate your organization to new heights. Whether through a one-day, multi-day, or customized Concierge Consultation, we help you move forward with confidence.

At the core of our consulting services, we’re proud to offer Heartbeat foundational training that equips your team for success:

① Governing Essentials -  This practical training gives new and experienced Board Members the tools, insight, and confidence to lead effectively. Shining light on core governance responsibilities helps boards at any stage grow and strengthen their roles with the executive director, staff, community, and each other.

Offered as a one-day onsite experience or two engaging virtual sessions, the training is led by a Heartbeat expert and tailored to your organization. Topics include mission and vision alignment, legal and financial duties, planning, policy, evaluation, board development, fundraising, and more. All content is based on Heartbeat’s Governing Essentials Board Manual , ensuring a comprehensive and practical foundation for effective governance.

▶ On-site consultations are available on weekdays and Saturdays, usually beginning at 9 AM and ending by 4 PM. We ask that all Board Members and the Executive Director be present. 

▶ Virtual consultations consist of two three-hour sessions held via Zoom, ideally scheduled on consecutive days to maintain continuity. Sessions can be booked on weekdays, weeknights, or Saturdays. Your team may choose to gather in one place or remotely from individual locations to meet with your virtual consultant. To ensure a productive and engaging experience, we ask that all Board Members and the Executive Director attend both sessions, be on camera, and contribute to group discussions.

 **Please note that for both onsite and virtual Governing Essentials consultations, every participant will need their own Governing Essentials manual, which is approximately $35 each for affiliates.

② Strategic Planning - Prepare your organization for the future with a 1½-day consultation that helps answer a powerful question: What should your organization accomplish one to three years from now—and what must happen to make your vision a reality?

Step back, reflect, identify challenges, optimize opportunities, and dream big as a Heartbeat consultant guides your Board and Executive Director in discerning clear, actionable steps for growth and long-term sustainability that will foster missional alignment, strengthen teamwork, and provide a compelling roadmap you can share with your community, partners, and potential donors to help them understand your goals and get excited about supporting your mission!

③ The L.O.V.E. Approach - This one-day, on-site training led by a Heartbeat expert equips staff and volunteers to compassionately engage clients with confidence. Through personal, hands-on instruction, participants learn the core principles of service in a life-affirming organization and have the opportunity to address their own questions and concerns so that they feel more confident going into their initial client interviews, whether on the phone or in the office. This training is based on The L.O.V.E. Approach , the well-loved and proven program developed by Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D.

*This training qualifies for the Life-Affirming Specialist (LAS) Designation

**Please note that for The L.O.V.E. Approach Consultation, every participant will need their own L.O.V.E. Approach training manual, which is approximately $35 each for affiliates.

Pricing for Heartbeat’s Governing Essentials, Strategic Planning, and L.O.V.E. Approach

For both onsite and virtual consultations, the consultation fee is $1,000.00 per day for affiliates/$1,200.00 per day for non-affiliates. For the 1½ day Strategic Planning training, the fee is $1,500 for affiliates/$1,700 for non-affiliates. The consultation fee is due prior to the training. 

For onsite consultations, the organization is also responsible for all expenses related to your consultant’s travel, stay, and meals. 

We ask for a 6–8-week lead time to schedule, along with an initial exploratory conversation by phone with Kathy Jerman, Director of Affiliate Services, or Sara Dominguez, Affiliate Services Specialist. Training can be scheduled by request at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by contacting Christine Grimmett at 614-885-7577.

Through Concierge Consulting, Heartbeat offers a variety of expert guidance from our talented consulting team focusing on organizational & leadership development, creating a healthy team culture, conflict resolution, sexual wellness, fundraising, donor development & more! The great thing about Concierge Consulting is that it is fully customizable to fit YOUR specific needs! Whether you need a one-time strategy session, ongoing mentorship, or a deep dive into a specific subject, our team of experienced consultants is here to help you thrive! 

Heartbeat partners with you to develop a personalized support strategy specifically designed for your team that advances your mission. Pricing will be based on your individual consultation. To learn more about how Concierge Consulting can serve your organization, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (888) 550-7577 for more information.