Every nonprofit professional knows the immense value of networking, professional development, and staying on top of industry trends.
Nonprofit events create pivotal moments that not only bring together minds passionate about change but also foster an environment ripe for collaboration, learning, and inspiration.
These gatherings are more than just meetings; they are catalysts for innovation, networking hubs for like-minded individuals, and platforms for sharing impactful ideas that drive the sector forward.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional in the nonprofit arena or a newcomer eager to make your mark, understanding the landscape of these events can unlock doors to new opportunities, insights, and partnerships.
To help you navigate the numerous opportunities out there, we’ve put together this list of the top nonprofit events and conferences that you should consider attending:
2024 Nonprofit Events and Conferences
NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference
March 19-21 (Portland, OR)
A premier gathering for those passionate about nonprofit technology, the NTC is notable for its comprehensive agenda that encompasses tech-focused workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and insightful keynote addresses by tech leaders and innovative nonprofits.
Designed to cater to a wide range of interests and expertise levels, the NTC offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the latest trends, tools, and strategies in nonprofit technology.
From digital marketing and social media engagement to data management and cybersecurity, attendees will find sessions tailored to every facet of nonprofit tech.
The conference is not just about absorbing information; it’s a vibrant marketplace of ideas, where participants are encouraged to network, collaborate, and share their experiences and challenges.
If leveraging technology to advance your mission is a priority, this is one of ’24’s nonprofit events not to be missed.
Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium
May 7-9 (Washington, DC)
The Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium is a highly anticipated event that promises to immerse attendees in the dynamic and evolving world of philanthropy.
Set against the backdrop of the nation’s capital, this symposium is designed to offer a comprehensive exploration of current trends, challenges, and opportunities in nonprofit fundraising. It brings together top fundraising experts, thought leaders, and innovators for a series of in-depth discussions, practical workshops, and inspiring case studies.
This symposium stands out for its commitment to providing a holistic learning experience. The agenda is carefully crafted to ensure a balance between theoretical insights and practical applications, making it suitable for a wide range of participants, from seasoned professionals looking to refine their strategies to newcomers eager to learn the ropes.
Workshops cover essential topics such as donor engagement strategies, digital fundraising techniques, grant writing, and building effective campaigns, ensuring that attendees walk away with actionable skills and knowledge.
Create Good Conference
April 15-17 (Durham, NC)
Focused on empowering nonprofit communicators, this event harnesses creativity and storytelling to drive social change. It brings together content creators, brand strategists, and communications leaders to explore the best practices in message amplification, brand coherence, and audience engagement.
At the heart of Create Good is the belief that effective communication is a foundational element of social impact. The event brings together a diverse group of professionals to explore and share best practices in message amplification, brand coherence, and audience engagement.
Through a variety of sessions, including hands-on workshops, insightful keynote addresses, and interactive panel discussions, participants will delve into the latest trends and strategies in nonprofit communication.
AFP ICON
March 31-April 2 (Las Vegas, NV)
AFP ICON is hosted by the Association for Fundraising Professionals, a leading organization dedicated to fostering growth and development within the fundraising community.
This premier event is recognized as one of the largest global gatherings of fundraising professionals, drawing attendees from across the globe to engage in a comprehensive program designed to elevate fundraising practices and nurture meaningful professional relationships.
The conference is a showcase of cutting-edge strategies, emerging trends, and innovative tools in fundraising. It offers an extensive range of sessions covering vital topics such as donor retention, digital fundraising, major gifts, and ethical practices in fundraising.
These sessions are led by renowned experts and seasoned practitioners, providing attendees with a rare opportunity to gain insights from some of the best minds in the field.
Good Tech Fest
May 21-24 (Chicago, IL)
The Good Tech Fest is a forward-thinking conference that delves into the transformative potential of data and technology in driving social change. This event is an essential convergence for those at the intersection of technology and social impact, offering a deep dive into how digital innovations can enhance the effectiveness and reach of nonprofit initiatives.
Designed to cater to a broad audience — from tech enthusiasts and data scientists to nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs — the festival creates a dynamic platform for exploring the latest digital trends, data-driven strategies, and innovative tools.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and practitioners who are at the forefront of using technology to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Council On Foundations: Building Together:
May 6-9 (Chicago, IL)
The Council on Foundations’ conference, “Building Together,” is an exemplary gathering that highlights the pivotal role foundations play within the nonprofit ecosystem.
This event is meticulously designed to offer a comprehensive outlook on the vast contributions of foundations to societal progress, emphasizing their ability to mobilize resources, foster innovation, and drive impactful change across communities worldwide.
“Building Together” invites attendees to step into a global forum where they can connect with some of the most influential philanthropic leaders from various sectors.
The conference serves as a unique opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful dialogues about the power of cross-sector collaboration, exploring how foundations, nonprofits, governments, and the private sector can work together more effectively to address complex social issues.
Engage For Good
May 14-16 (Mineapolis, MN)
Engage for Good is a conference dedicated to highlighting the critical role of social good and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in today’s business and nonprofit landscapes.
This event is a pivotal gathering for professionals who are eager to deepen their understanding of how strategic partnerships between companies and nonprofits can drive meaningful social change through cause marketing and social enterprise initiatives.
The conference is designed to foster a collaborative environment where leaders from various sectors—corporate, nonprofit, and social enterprise—can come together to share insights, strategies, and best practices for building impactful collaborations.
Engage for Good offers a rich program featuring expert-led sessions that cover a wide range of topics, including building and sustaining successful partnerships, measuring the impact of CSR initiatives, engaging consumers and employees in social good efforts, and innovating for social impact.
Collaborative by Classy
May 15-16 (Chicago, IL)
The Collaborative by Classy represents a cutting-edge convergence for nonprofit professionals keen on navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the sector.
Hosted by Classy, a leading online fundraising platform for nonprofits, this conference is structured to serve as a dynamic forum that not only highlights the latest trends and strategies but also showcases innovative solutions to the challenges faced by nonprofits today.
With an agenda that encompasses keynote addresses from thought leaders in the nonprofit realm, interactive workshops, and comprehensive panel discussions, the Collaborative is designed to spark new ideas, foster collaboration, and facilitate deep dives into subjects that matter most to nonprofit professionals.
Topics range from digital fundraising and donor engagement to data analytics, marketing strategies, and beyond, ensuring that attendees leave with a wealth of knowledge and actionable insights.
Social Innovation Summit
June 4-5 (Chicago, IL)
The Social Innovation Summit stands out as a hallmark event that effectively merges the realms of technology, leadership, and social impact into a comprehensive and dynamic conference experience.
Described as akin to three nonprofit events rolled into one, the Summit is uniquely designed to foster a cross-sectoral approach to addressing society’s most pressing issues.
It serves as a vibrant forum for community leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives from the nonprofit, business, and government sectors to come together and explore actionable solutions to social challenges.
The agenda of the Social Innovation Summit is thoughtfully curated to encourage deep dives into current and emerging trends at the intersection of technology and social good.
Through a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, participants are invited to engage in meaningful conversations around leveraging technology for social impact, cultivating leadership that drives systemic change, and building collaborations that span sectors and borders.
The Points of Light Conference
June 11-14 (Houston, TX)
The Points of Light Conference is distinguished as the world’s largest gathering dedicated to the power of service and volunteering.
This prestigious event is a beacon for nonprofit professionals, government officials, business leaders, and civic activists, offering a unique forum for the exchange of innovative ideas, practices, and strategies aimed at enhancing community engagement and social responsibility across the globe.
The conference prides itself on its inclusive and diverse agenda, designed to cater to a wide range of interests and sectors.
Attendees can expect a rich program of keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and workshops led by some of the most inspiring figures in the world of service and philanthropy.
These sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics, including effective volunteer management, community service innovation, corporate social responsibility, and the latest trends in digital engagement for social causes.
Nonprofit Storytellers Conference
November 11-13 (Santa Ana Pueblo, NM)
The Nonprofit Storytellers Conference takes place in the serene setting of Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, is a must-attend event for nonprofit professionals who recognize the transformative power of storytelling.
This unique conference is dedicated to the art and science of storytelling, offering attendees a comprehensive exploration of how narrative techniques can be harnessed to drive advocacy, engagement, and impact.
Expert-led workshops form the backbone of the conference, providing hands-on learning opportunities for participants to develop and refine their storytelling skills.
These sessions are led by seasoned storytellers, communications experts, and content strategists who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the field.
Attendees will learn how to craft compelling stories that resonate with their audiences, convey the mission and impact of their organizations, and inspire action.
Raise – The Event Fundraising Conference
September 9-10 (Nashville, TN)
Raise – The Event Fundraising Conference is a gathering for professionals who are dedicated to refining and enhancing their event fundraising strategies.
This conference is uniquely tailored to address the nuances of fundraising through events, making it an invaluable resource for nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups aiming to maximize their fundraising potential.
The conference stands out for its practical, hands-on approach to learning. Attendees can expect a comprehensive array of sessions that cover the A to Z of event fundraising.
From conceptualizing creative event ideas to executing them flawlessly, the workshops are designed to impart actionable tips and innovative strategies that can be immediately applied to any organization’s fundraising efforts.
Topics include event planning and management, donor engagement, sponsorship acquisition, digital fundraising integration, and post-event follow-up techniques to maximize donor retention.
Nonprofit Innovation and Optimization Summit (NIO)
September 18-19 (Indianapolis, IN)
The Nonprofit Innovation and Optimization Summit (NIO) is the destination for nonprofit professionals eager to stay ahead of the curve in digital fundraising and marketing.
This summit is specially designed to illuminate the path toward harnessing the latest technological innovations, helping attendees to significantly elevate their nonprofit’s digital presence and impact.
At the NIO Summit, you’ll be introduced to the newest strategies in digital fundraising and marketing, all tailored to meet the unique needs and challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.
The summit’s agenda is packed with insightful keynote presentations, in-depth workshops, and case study sessions led by some of the most forward-thinking experts and practitioners in the digital domain.
These sessions cover a broad spectrum of topics, including social media engagement, email marketing, content strategy, mobile optimization, and data analytics, with a special emphasis on how these digital channels can be optimized for fundraising success.
Cause Camp
October 21-24 (Colorado Springs, CO)
There are many nonprofit events to pick from each year, but Cause Camp stands out as one to seriously consider.
This convention shines a spotlight on a variety of educational sessions touching on diverse topics from fundraising, leadership, and culture, to propel nonprofit professionals towards organizational excellence.
At Cause Camp, attendees are treated to a rich tapestry of educational sessions that cover a wide range of critical topics, from innovative fundraising strategies and leadership development to building a vibrant organizational culture and enhancing community engagement.
The convention is meticulously organized to ensure that it caters to the diverse needs and challenges faced by today’s nonprofit professionals, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration needed to make a tangible impact in their work.
SOCAP24
October 28-30 (San Francisco, CA)
This conference is meticulously designed to empower organizations to craft and share their narrative effectively, providing tools and strategies for storytelling that resonates and drives engagement.
This year’s conference goes beyond the financial aspects, emphasizing the power of narrative in driving change, engagement, and investment in social enterprises and impact-driven organizations.
Storytelling, as highlighted at SOCAP24, is an essential skill for organizations seeking to connect with stakeholders, attract investors, and drive meaningful engagement.
The agenda includes sessions on narrative development, digital storytelling techniques, and how to measure the impact of storytelling on social investment and community engagement.
Each of these nonprofit events offers a unique opportunity to gain insights, meet leaders in the field, and elevate your nonprofit’s impact. We encourage you to explore these options and see which ones align with your organization’s goals and needs.
