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17 Must-Attend Nonprofit Conferences Happening in 2023

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Published February 17, 2023 Reading Time: 8 minutes

Nonprofit conferences create unique opportunities for fundraising professionals across all cause categories to come together to discuss the global state of the social sector.

As 2023 unfolds, nonprofit leaders have the challenge of evolving to meet society’s growing demands and deliver services that make a lasting impact. The strong return of in-person conferences and innovative hybrid events will bring even more learning, networking, and collaboration opportunities this year.

We’re helping you find the best nonprofit conferences of 2023 with this comprehensive list of can’t-miss events. No matter your role in the social sector, these conferences will leave you feeling inspired and ready to tackle your biggest goals.

 

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Best Overall Nonprofit Conferences

Collaborative by Classy

When: June 7 to 8

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Collaborative by Classy is a two-day experience curated specifically for nonprofit professionals and social sector experts. With fundraising and technology at the forefront of the conversation, attendees will uncover the ideas that will propel the sector forward and unlock the world’s generosity. 

In 2022, over 293 organizations attended the event in Philadelphia to share goals, brainstorm innovative solutions, and develop lifelong relationships with the most influential thinkers in the sector.

Over the years, attendees have had the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of experts and leading minds, including:

  • Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First
  • Ivy McGregor, Impact Leader, Author, and Executive Director of BeyGOOD Foundation
  • Alex Sheen, Founder of because I said I would
  • Bert Jacobs, Chief Executive Optimist and Co-Founder of Life is Good

The event series begins with a marquee event in June and continues with year-round opportunities to connect with fellow nonprofit leaders. Take advantage of the opportunity to engage in timely conversations about the latest industry trends, priorities, and relevant events.

What to Expect 

  • Intentional learning experiences that leave you ready to raise more for your mission
  • Hands-on workshops and engaging speaking sessions led by a diverse group of experts 
  • Networking opportunities with the sharpest minds in the sector
  • Tangible takeaways and actionable next steps for you to do more good in the world
  • Touches of Philly’s vibrant culinary, art, and music trends in the event venues, parties, and hotel accommodations

Discuss common issues, brainstorm solutions, and explore proven concepts in one-of-a-kind sessions. Don’t miss out on the chance to hear proven tactics for success from industry experts and peers, improve your fundraising skill set with live lessons, and more.

Register Now for 2023 Collaborative

Dreamforce

When: September 12 to 14

Where: San Francisco, CA

Dreamforce is an annual event that brings together the global Salesforce community for learning, fun, community building, and philanthropy. Trailblazers from all over the world gather to share their insights and successes and learn the latest in industry innovations.

Since 2003, Dreamforce has grown into far more than just a conference—it’s a can’t-miss, immersive experience. From inspiring keynotes and sessions to visionary thinking on the future of technology, Dreamforce will empower attendees to grow their organizations and careers.

What to Expect

  • Breakout sessions, trainings, and certification opportunities that will help you discover new innovations to business challenges
  • Demos of the latest technology
  • New people and old friends
  • Like-minded Trailblazers, an incredible network of partners, and new ideas born

Experience Dreamforce to be a part of this celebration of the nonprofit community.

Nonprofit Marketing Conferences

2023 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference

When: August 2 to 4

Where: National Harbor, MD

The 18th Annual Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference is your chance to collaborate with nonprofit professionals, consultants, agencies, and other marketing experts on strategic ways to elevate your voice and change the world.

What to Expect 

  • Dynamic keynotes, panels, and workshops on the latest fundraising strategies, techniques, and innovations  
  • Ample networking opportunities to extend the conversation beyond each session
  • Insights into major donor fundraising and its impact on overall revenue
  • Breakout sessions tailored specifically to nonprofit professionals

Community Boost’s Nonprofit Marketing Summit

When: Feb 28 to March 2

Where: Virtual

At The Nonprofit Marketing Summit: The Big Innovation, attendees will experience three virtual days of free learning from the best and brightest thought leaders in the space. The schedule will offer more than 60 high-impact sessions with speakers from across the sector. 

Prepare to join over 25,000 nonprofit professionals for this immersive summit that will leave you with the strategies you need to drive growth in 2023 and beyond.

What to Expect 

  • Hand-picked speakers that bring the most possible value to all attendees
  • Opportunities to network with fellow nonprofit professionals from world-changing organizations 
  • Ability to register as an event VIP for access to session recordings, notes, and more

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization (NIO) Summit

When: September 19 to 21

Where: Dallas, TX

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit (NIO), hosted by NextAfter, is for those who want to grow their skills in online fundraising and marketing. Hear from hand-selected experts worldwide on how to become an innovative digital marketer and raise more to fuel your worthy cause. 

Attendees enter a whimsical world adapted to the real-life realities of working at a nonprofit organization as a fundraiser or marketer. Most importantly, marquee speakers from both the for-profit and nonprofit industries give actionable insights and steps to improve your results in Ted-Talk-style presentations.

What to Expect 

  • Inspiring new ideas from cutting-edge digital marketers
  • Secrets to building a culture of perpetual learning and performance improvement 
  • Previews of new technology solutions in a no-pressure, sales-free environment
  • Networking opportunities with fellow innovators from the nonprofit and for-profit spaces
  • Instant access to your own experiment research library 
  • 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t walk away with new ideas to grow your fundraising and marketing 

Nonprofit Technology Conferences

NTENNonprofit Technology Conference

When: April 12 to 14

Where: Denver, CO

The NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference is an annual event to help nonprofit professionals understand the benefits of technology, innovation, and forward-thinking. Every aspect is built with a community focus, prioritizing accessibility, equity, and inclusivity.

Regardless of your job, role, or life experience, you’ll walk away feeling more knowledgeable and passionate about your work and your organization’s impact on the world.

What to Expect 

  • Over 130 in-person sessions and 45 live virtual sessions covering digital inclusion, fundraising, IT, leadership, marketing and communications, and program development
  • Inspiring keynote speakers and thought-provoking breakout opportunities
  • Community conversations to share stories and create connections in a relaxed environment
  • Guided art, music, and activities to decompress throughout the day

Choose to participate online or in person with thousands of other attendees, including nonprofit staff, volunteers, board members, funders, consultants, and tech vendors. Take advantage of this opportunity to invest in your personal capacity to do meaningful work. 

Good Tech Fest 2023

When: May 1 to 4

Where: Washington, DC

Good Tech Fest is for you if you want to use data and technology to make a difference in the world. This conference will teach you how to take advantage of everything technology has to offer to support and scale the efforts of nonprofits, government, philanthropy, and social enterprise.

From data science to mobile applications, this conference reminds you that the potential is limitless.

What to Expect 

  • Sessions led by data science and technology professionals on ways to implement technology in your nonprofit programs 
  • Conversations on the role of machine learning and data analytics in your organization
  • Discussions around data ethics and security 
  • Firsthand insight from practitioners on how they utilize data science in their work 

From May 1 to 3, the event hosts attendees in person. On May 3, the conference goes completely virtual, with over 100 workshops led by experts from around the world.

Nonprofit Leadership Conferences

Create Good

When: April 26 to 28

Where: Durham, NC

Create Good is a conference for people brave enough to change the world. This event is about inspiring nonprofit communicators with the latest tools and techniques to fuel their cause. Create Good encourages attendees to come and share what they’ve learned so the whole sector can thrive together.  

What to Expect 

  • Practitioners from around the country lending their perspectives and expertise 
  • Keynote and workshop speakers like Kivi Leroux Miller, CEO and Founder of Nonprofit Marketing Guide, and Darren Margolias, Executive Director of Beast Philanthropy
  • Collaborative conversations about the importance of strength, fortitude, and stubbornness to stay on the path to making change 

Engage for Good 2023

When: May 16 to 18

Where: Atlanta, GA

Engage for Good is where business and corporate social impact leaders come to grow their knowledge and network. With content for your colleagues from marketing, program design, and even human resources, this three-day conference will help maximize your potential in the world of social impact.

What to Expect 

  • Targeted sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities that will link you to pros from other organizations who share your experience or social impact focus
  • Interactive programming and breakouts that address your most pressing questions
  • Access to critical data and benchmarking to measure your influence against others in the space

Start your conference experience by enrolling in one of three special pre-conference sessions: the Nonprofit Leadership Summit, the Business Leader Summit, or the Nonprofit Corporate Alliance Sales Workshop.

Nonprofit Alliance 2023 Leadership Summit

When: September 19 to 21

Where: Washington, DC

The Nonprofit Alliance 2023 Leadership Summit is where you can join fellow nonprofit industry leaders to learn how to navigate the world’s evolving business and service models and harness the power of transformation to strengthen your impact.

What to Expect 

  • Networking facilitation techniques that stimulate critical conversations and liberate the full potential of any group or individual
  • Discussions on leadership burnout and ways to recharge your vitality and endurance 
  • Insight from top leaders on ways to build a roadmap to success 
  • Networking reception to close each day in a more relaxed, comfortable environment

Note that attendance is restricted to The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance members and invited guests and seating will be capped at 150 attendees. Participation is more beneficial and recommended for senior leaders with 15 or more years of experience, the title of vice president and higher, or other distinguishing experience as a sector changemaker

NonProfit POWER

When: December 4 to 6

Where: Baltimore, MD

NonProfit POWER is an all-inclusive experience for qualified attendees to gain insights into the latest peer-to-peer fundraising strategies, technology solutions, and direct marketing tactics. 

What to Expect 

  • Opportunities for connection and relationship building with leaders across the nonprofit spectrum 
  • Insights from key decision-makers at leading nonprofit organizations
  • Best-in-class fundraising solutions across three key educational tracks

Nonprofit Fundraising Conferences

P2P Professional Forum Conference

When: February 22 to 24

Where: Washington, DC

The P2P Professional Forum Conference is a great way to take some time out of your schedule to focus on the people behind peer-to-peer fundraising—your staff, volunteers, and fundraisers. It offers breakout tracks designed with your colleagues from marketing, corporate relations, and human resources in mind. 

What to Expect 

  • Unveiling of the Top Thirty benchmark report
  • Targeted sessions and networking opportunities to link peers who share similar experiences
  • In-depth conversations with winners of the Cash, Sweat & Tears Award and Organization of the Year Award 

NAYDO Conference on YMCA Philanthropy

When: April 11 to 14

Where: Houston, TX

NAYDO’s 42nd Annual Conference on YMCA Philanthropy offers a week of exploring innovation in philanthropy while being inspired by one of the nation’s most innovative cities. Sessions will leave attendees with inspiration and fresh ideas to move the needle on their mission, followed by opportunities to unwind at several special events, like a group barbecue dinner and a NASA Space Center tour.

What to Expect 

  • Inspirational keynote hosted by Suzanne McCormick, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA
  • Preview of NAYDO 2024 in Denver, Colorado 
  • Community service opportunities to participate in throughout the week

AFP Icon 2023

When: April 16 to 18

Where: New Orleans, LA

The AFP ICON, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and designed with fundraising experts and professionals in mind, brings together approximately 4,000 attendees each year to discuss, teach, and learn the latest fundraising trends and best practices.

What to Expect 

  • Impressive keynote speakers like Emeril Lagasse, legendary chef, TV personality, and Founder of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation
  • More than 100 total educational sessions on leadership, relationship building, trends and innovation, and more to help unlock your fundraising potential
  • Pre-conference workshop for an additional registration fee 

Woodmark Summit

When: May 2 to 4

Where: Dallas, TX

The Woodmark Summit is an annual, best-practices-oriented gathering for the senior-level, front-line fundraising staff of the 27 member hospitals in the Woodmark Group’s nonprofit organization. Attendees learn best practices and subject-matter expertise through jam-packed sessions, breakout sessions, and roundtable discussions.

What to Expect 

  • Examinations of “headwinds”—the political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental influences that threaten the success of fundraising efforts
  • Discussions of how to anticipate the threat of headwinds and develop strategies to diminish the impact
  • Ways to increase transformational, principal, and major gifts, and build robust gift-planning programs to fuel your mission

Cause Camp

When: September 14 to 15

Where: Greater Sandusky, OH

Cause Camp is a nonprofit conference that Forbes has named a “must-attend” event for nonprofit professionals. Join the experience to connect with top industry speakers, participate in engaging breakout sessions, and take advantage of one-on-one networking to collaborate with and learn from other leading minds in the space. Ignite your purpose and walk away with actionable strategies you can use right away.

What to Expect 

  • The best and brightest speakers working in or with the nonprofit sector
  • Attendee toolkits complete with swag and other resources to elevate your experience 
  • Prizes for the most engaged attendees 

AHP International Conference

When: September 20 to 22

Where: Orlando, FL

The AHP International Conference is the largest annual gathering dedicated entirely to the needs of healthcare and philanthropy professionals. Join peers from around the world for networking, best practices, and insights from experts on industry trends. 

What to Expect 

  • Over 50 speakers hosting more than 35 sessions on new ways to raise funds and better serve your community
  • Networking and brainstorming with over 700 attendees 
  • Time to get to know peers from large health systems to critical access facilities and everything in between 

Don’t Miss Out on the Top Nonprofit Conferences of the Year

Nonprofit conferences keep you at the top of your game—no matter your experience level or specific function at your organization. Choose the best conferences for your nonprofit in 2023 that will challenge you in new ways, deliver the strongest return on investment, and allow you to expand and strengthen your network.

Man in blue jacket speaking into a microphone at Collaborative

Save the Date for the 2023 Collaborative

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