12 of the Best Nonprofit Conferences in 2024 and Beyond
Nonprofits thrive on collaboration and the pursuit of positive change. Nonprofit conferences serve as a vital platform professionals from various organizations to come together, share insights, and strategize on achieving both collective and individual goals..
Attending a nonprofit conference is one of the best ways to grow professionally, make powerful personal and professional connections, and stay ahead of the curve with the latest fundraising techniques and tools.
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of attending nonprofit conferences and provide our top recommendations for must-attend events. Here’s what you can expect:
- The Basics of Nonprofit Conferences
- The Best Nonprofit Conferences in 2024
- Tips for Making the Most of Your Conference Attendance
When choosing which conferences to attend, it’s essential to consider both your nonprofit’s objectives and your personal development goals. For instance, are you aiming to enhance your strategies for corporate giving, leverage nonprofit technology, or engage more effectively with major donors? Keep these goals in mind as you browse the conferences in this list to find opportunities that align with your interests and needs.
The Basics of Nonprofit Conferences
Use the answers to these frequently asked questions to help guide your search for the best nonprofit conferences.
What are nonprofit conferences?
Nonprofit conferences serve as essential gatherings where nonprofit professionals come together to learn, collaborate, and share best practices. These events provide a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, empowering organizations to enhance their impact and strengthen their connections within the sector.
Additionally, nonprofit conferences raise awareness and support for various causes by showcasing the work of nonprofits. They attract potential donors, sponsors, and volunteers, fostering personal and organizational growth. Ultimately, these conferences enable nonprofits to better serve their communities and fulfill their missions.
Why are nonprofit conferences important?
Attending a nonprofit conference requires an initial investment of your organization’s time and resources. For example, you may have to block out a work day to participate, pay a registration fee, and travel to the conference location (if it isn’t a virtual event). Considering all of those requirements, is attending a nonprofit conference really worth it for you and your organization?
To help answer this question, consider a these benefits of attending a nonprofit conference:
- Stay up to date with trends and innovations. Targeted advertising, artificial intelligence, social media trends, and livestreaming are just a few of the innovative technological considerations that nonprofit professionals are talking about now. By attending nonprofit conferences, you can stay on the cutting edge of these new technologies and trends to ensure your organization is using technology to its full potential.
- Network with fellow nonprofit professionals. The networking aspect of most nonprofit conferences allows you to make professional connections that can help your organization down the road. You can learn about other organizations’ successes and failures and ask questions about how other nonprofits have tackled specific issues that you’re also facing. The relationships you build with other nonprofit professionals can help your organization well into the future as you continue collaborating and sharing resources.
- Learn fundraising best practices. Whether the conference topics include the benefits of corporate philanthropy for businesses and nonprofits, innovative marketing strategies, or insightful tips on engaging with different generations of donors, you’re bound to leave with new knowledge in your pocket. You can apply what you learn to your organization’s ongoing activities, programs, projects, and outreach strategies.
Many nonprofit professionals find that the value of attending conferences often makes up for the time and resources required to attend. Nevertheless, be sure to carefully consider whether conference attendance is something that you can fit into your organization’s budget.
The Best Nonprofit Conferences in 2024
Nonprofit conferences happen throughout the year at different locations across the country (and virtually). Some events occur annually, so if you’ve missed one you were interested in this year, don’t worry! Check the host’s website to see if they’ll have it again next year.
Here are 12 of the best conferences to consider adding to your 2024 calendars:
Double the Donation’s Fall 2024 Matching Gift Summit for Nonprofits and K-12 Schools
About this conference:
Matching gifts are an incredible yet often untapped source of fundraising support for nonprofits, universities, and other fundraising organizations. In matching gift programs, corporations match the donations that their employees make to charitable organizations. According to recent matching gift statistics, companies donate $2-3 billion annually through matching gift programs, but an estimated $4-$7 billion is left unclaimed.
Double the Donation’s goal is to assist organizations in securing the matching gift revenue available to them. This includes through resources provided in our Matching Gift Summit, matching gift automation platform, and more.
Specifically, the Summit is dedicated to sharing matching gift best practices, resources, success stories, and more to help nonprofits and K-12 schools manage this fundraising channel more effectively. Attendees will learn about forming strong business partnerships and earning valuable corporate sponsorships to support their projects, events, programs, and more. Plus, attendees have the opportunity to engage with fundraising peers in round table discussions.
Date: September 29th–October 1st, 2024
Location: Atlanta, GA
Registration: https://events.doublethedonation.com/matching-gift-summit-all-nonprofits-and-schools#/
Can’t wait? Check out Double the Donation’s online Matching Gift Academy to explore powerful matching gift insights in the meantime.
What Fundraisers Are Saying:
“Double the Donation’s Matching Gift Summit is invaluable for corporate philanthropy professionals. I would recommend this event to anyone who is interested in growing their matching gift fundraising. The Summit has served as an incredibly helpful resource for our team as we have implemented insights and learnings from the event into our matching gift fundraising strategy.”
— Ariana Romanelli, Lead Associate, Corporate Partnerships at Save the Children
Double the Donation’s Fall 2024 Matching Gift Summit for Higher Education
About this conference:
For professionals in the higher education space, we offer another conference that’s tailored to the specific and advanced fundraising needs of these organizations. Matching gifts are an incredible source of university funding. With 26 million individuals eligible for matching gifts, educational institutions likely have alumni and other donors who are eligible for these powerful corporate giving opportunities.
Double the Donation’s strives to empower organizations to secure available matching gift revenue through our powerful matching gift automation platform, educational resources, and our Matching Gift Summit.
Similar to our Summit for nonprofits and K-12 schools, you’ll connect with other higher ed professionals, hear success stories, discover matching gift best practices, and more through powerful roundtable discussions. Attendees will discover how to form strong business partnerships to support their projects, events, programs, and more. We’ll explore matching gift data across top higher education institutions and helpful topics like messag strategies to inspire alumni to complete their matching gift requests.
By the end of the conference, you’ll be able to manage this fundraising channel more effectively at your institution.
Date: October 1-3, 2024
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Registration: https://events.
Can’t wait? Check out Double the Donation’s online Matching Gift Academy to explore powerful matching gift insights in the meantime.
Nonprofit Marketing Summit
About this nonprofit conference:
There are several marketing conferences on this list, and for good reason. Digital tools and strategies evolve constantly, making it imperative for nonprofit professionals to stay updated on the latest trends.
That’s where the Nonprofit Marketing Summit comes in. This virtual conference brings together 30,000+ nonprofit marketing professionals featuring 75+ High Impact Sessions about new digital marketing strategies. You’ll hear directly from the most influential thought leaders in the space. Although this event is virtual, there are plenty of networking opportunities to take advantage of, including getting connected on social media and joining a text community.
Date: August 20-22, 2024
Location: Virtual
Collaborative
About this nonprofit conference:
Collaborative is a virtual and in-person conference run by Classy, an online fundraising software platform. The conference is focused on helping nonprofit professionals understand fundraising best practices and how to leverage nonprofit technology effectively.
As the conference’s name suggests, the event is focused on bringing nonprofit professionals together in collaborative sessions and workshops. The goal is to challenge your thinking, explore the future of fundraising, and stay on the cutting edge of technology. You’ll leave with new ideas to raise more for your cause.
Plus, speakers include leaders from some of the most prominent nonprofit organizations across the country, connecting attendees directly with experienced leaders and influencers.
Date: May 15-16, 2024 — stay tuned for 2025’s dates
Location: TBD for 2025
Nonprofit Technology Conference
About this nonprofit conference:
From matching gift software to constituent relationship management systems (CRMs), nonprofit technology is what keeps the nonprofit sector in motion.
The Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) is an annual gathering hosted by NTEN, an organization that unites nonprofit professionals to discuss using technology for social good. This conference educates attendees on nonprofit tech best practices and how to use technology to promote change in your community.
Attendees include everyone from nonprofit staff members and volunteers to board members, consultants, and tech vendors. By attending, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions, share resources with fellow attendees, and make long-lasting connections. Plus, the NTC is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment, with racial affinity spaces, a dedication to accessibility for all, and more.
Date: April 16–18, 2025
Location: Baltimore, MD and virtual
AFP ICON
About this nonprofit conference:
AFP ICON is often considered the largest fundraising conference in the world. Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), ICON features dozens of speakers covering a wide range of topics. Past sessions include topics like using donor data to improve future fundraising efforts and ending mental health stigma in the nonprofit workplace.
Attending AFP ICON can help you set yourself and your organization up to effectively tackle the biggest fundraising challenges and opportunities for the year ahead.
Date: April 7-9, 2024 — stay tuned for 2025’s dates
Location: TBD for 2025
Cause Camp
About this nonprofit conference:
Designated a “must-attend” nonprofit conference by Forbes, Cause Camp is an annual gathering of nonprofit leaders, professionals, and industry experts to share resources and discuss every aspect of the nonprofit sector. Cause Camp’s breakout sessions go beyond simple discussions to equip attendees with actionable insights and training materials.
Additionally, participants can browse a comprehensive exhibit hall to connect with vendors and learn more about other nonprofit organizations in attendance. Plus, the conference’s fun evening gatherings allow attendees to get to know one another in a more relaxed environment.
Date: October 21-22, 2024
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Engage for Good
About this nonprofit conference:
Engage for Good links nonprofit professionals with leaders from the corporate world whose organizations are dedicated to furthering positive social change. Attendees can participate in targeted workshops and networking sessions that bring together individuals who face similar issues or focus on similar topic areas.
As a nonprofit professional, attending this conference will enable you to understand corporate philanthropy from a business perspective and make connections with prospective corporate partners. Then, you can return to your organization with deeper insights that can optimize your corporate partnership strategy.
Date: May 14-16, 2024 — stay tuned for 2025’s dates
Location: TBD for 2025
Registration: TBA for 2025
Upswell Summit
About this nonprofit conference:
The Upswell Summit is an annual event for community changemakers who are focused on making their communities stronger and more equitable. Organized by Independent Sector, the event connects professionals from various sectors to address pressing social issues and drive positive change. More information on speakers and panel topics is to come, so keep an eye on the Upswell website.
Date: Fall 2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit
About this nonprofit conference:
The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit (NIO) is an annual conference focused on equipping nonprofit organizations with the latest strategies, tools, and techniques for digital fundraising and marketing. Speakers include the leading experts in fundraising and marketing innovation, meaning attendees can receive insights into cutting-edge outreach techniques to better engage their audiences.
In addition, nonprofit leaders can browse new technology solutions in a sales-free environment to see which tools might work best for their organizations.
Date: September 18-19, 2024
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
About this nonprofit conference:
The foundation of any powerful fundraising or marketing initiative is compelling storytelling. A story can help build a strong emotional connection with your nonprofit’s supporters, inspiring them to lend a hand and support your cause.
The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference is designed to help nonprofit professionals tell better stories to raise more donations. The conference offers three types of sessions:
The “Main Stage Sessions” are designed to reimagine the way you connect with donors by sharing groundbreaking strategies and mind-bending concepts. The “Deep Dive Intensives” are 2.5-hour intensive workshops intended to give you a framework for major donor, direct mail, event, and creative fundraising campaigns. “Implementation Workshops” are 60-minute sessions with small groups, and each workshop teaches a new storytelling and fundraising skill. Attendees will receive personalized help applying each new skill to their organization.
Date: November 11-13, 2024
Location: Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
Good Tech Fest
About this nonprofit conference:
Good Tech Fest focuses on how to use technology and data to make a positive difference in the world. Sessions are led by data scientists, product managers, and fundraising and tech professionals. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about everything from machine learning tools and equity issues in the tech world to crypto philanthropy.
This year, Good Tech Fest will be hosting three conferences on separate dates and in separate locations.
Dates: October 7-8, 2024; April 28-May 1, 2025; May 20-21, 2025
Locations: Nairobi (Fall 2024); Utah (April-May 2025); Virtual (May 2025)
Bridge Conference
About this nonprofit conference:
The Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference, also known as the Bridge Conference, is an annual gathering of nonprofit fundraising professionals, leaders, consultants, agencies, and other marketing professionals. The conference covers both innovative fundraising and marketing strategies along with common issues nonprofits have traditionally faced, such as how to keep donors engaged and transform them into recurring givers.
Date: July 31-August 2, 2024 — stay tuned for 2025’s dates
Location: TBD for 2025
Tips for Making the Most of Your Conference Attendance
Your conference preparation shouldn’t end after you complete the registration form. Conferences are concentrated, action-packed events that seem to fly by once you’re there. That’s why it’s important to go in with a plan of who you want to speak with and what you want to do while at the conference.
Here are a few tips for making the most of your conference attendance:
- Do your research beforehand. Who will be at the conference? Who do you absolutely want to talk to before the event concludes? How can you start a natural conversation with those individuals that builds on things you have in common? Make a list of individuals you’d like to connect with and a few facts you already know about them.
- Decide who will attend the conference. Should a group of staff members from your nonprofit attend the conference or just one or two individuals? Determine who will be the best representatives for your cause and benefit the most from attending.
- Participate in everything you can. You probably won’t be able to attend every single session or panel. However, make an effort to attend a wide array of presentations and discussions based on the topics that interest you the most or that you think will be most beneficial for your organization. This allows you to get the most value out of the event.
- Seek out presentations that are outside of your purview. Consider attending one or two sessions or panels that don’t directly relate to what you do daily. These sessions could end up being the most valuable, because they show you a different perspective or share information about something that you aren’t very familiar with.
- Collect business cards. Gather business cards for organizations and individuals that you interact with and follow up with them after the nonprofit conference. In these messages, thank them for their conversation or presentation and ask any follow-up questions you may have thought of since. If the individual lives nearby, see if you can schedule an in-person meeting or lunch with them to maintain the connection you’ve built.
- Share the information you’ve learned with your team. Create a short presentation for your nonprofit’s other team members who didn’t attend the conference. Summarize the key takeaways you received from the conference and any changes or strategies you think the team should implement going forward. Let team members chime in with their thoughts and feedback on any proposed changes.
We also recommend carrying a folder and notebook with you during the conference to take notes and store business cards, handouts, and other printed materials.
A Final Note About Nonprofit Conferences
When signing up for any nonprofit conferences, remember to approach these events with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Be prepared to engage in meaningful conversations, share your own experiences, and learn from others who are equally passionate about creating positive change.
For more information about nonprofit conferences, bookmark the Double the Donation and NXUnite websites. These sites offer ongoing updates on nonprofit webinars, panels, and conferences that any nonprofit professional can join to expand their skill set and fundraising knowledge.
