In a fast-evolving nonprofit landscape, staying ahead isn’t just about passion; it’s about progress. Whether your team is focused on donor retention, grant acquisition, digital transformation, or storytelling, there’s no substitute for live learning and direct access to sector experts. The best nonprofit conferences offer more than just inspiration; they deliver practical strategies, hands-on tools, and powerful peer connections that can fuel your mission all year long.
From high-impact virtual summits to dynamic in-person gatherings, the following list highlights twenty leading nonprofit conferences to attend this year and next. Each event offers unique opportunities to sharpen your skills, grow your network, and return to your organization with actionable insights that make a real difference. Whether you’re a development director, communications lead, executive, or program manager, there’s something here for every mission-minded professional ready to take their impact to the next level.
Let’s begin!
1. Double the Donation’s Virtual Workplace Fundraising + Volunteering Summit
When: April 15th-16th, 2026
Where: Virtual (free)
Register → https://doublethedonation.com/workplace-fundraising-summit/
This virtual event offers expert insight into maximizing the full potential of corporate philanthropy programs, covering a wide range of strategies, from matching gifts and volunteer grants to in-kind donations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships. Participants will learn how to tap into various corporate giving channels to increase revenue and foster deeper relationships with business partners.
Whether you’re focused on boosting employee engagement through volunteer programs or enhancing your matching gift campaigns, this summit experience provides practical, actionable advice for nonprofits looking to elevate their corporate giving strategies.
2. Double the Donation’s Community User Conference
When: January 21-22nd, 2026
Where: Virtual (free)
Register → https://doublethedonation.com/community-user-conference/
This virtual conference is exclusively for Double the Donation users looking to maximize the impact of their workplace giving programs. Whether you’re a seasoned user or just getting started, this event will provide in-depth training, expert guidance, and practical strategies to help you use the platform to its full potential.
Learn how to streamline matching gift processes, enhance reporting, and unlock new revenue streams with automation tools that make scaling easier.
3. Double the Donation’s Corporate Volunteer Engagement Summit
When: February 25-26th, 2026
Where: Virtual (free)
Register → https://doublethedonation.com/nonprofit-corporate-engagement-summit/
The Volunteer Engagement Summit focuses on how nonprofits can maximize their corporate volunteer programs to drive social impact. Learn how to leverage volunteer grants and VTO, engage corporate partners, and build meaningful employee volunteer opportunities that align with your nonprofit’s mission.
This event will provide you with the tools and strategies to enhance employee volunteer participation, secure additional funding through volunteer hours, and foster deeper relationships with corporate sponsors.
4. Engage for Good
When: April 21-24th, 2026
Where: Palm Springs, CA
Register → https://events.engageforgood.com/conference/begin
The Engage for Good conference is the premier event for professionals in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and cause marketing space. This in-person event brings together business and nonprofit leaders to explore the latest trends, strategies, and partnerships that drive social impact. With insightful keynotes, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities, attendees will learn how to build authentic cause initiatives that engage employees, customers, and communities while creating measurable business and social value.
5. Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization (NIO) Summit
When: September 22-24, 2026
Where: Fort Worth, TX
Register → https://www.niosummit.com/
This forward-thinking event focuses primarily on digital strategy, A/B testing, donor behavior analytics, and campaign optimization. Practical workshops help attendees experiment with and implement measurable improvements in fundraising outcomes using data-driven tools.
6. bbcon by Blackbaud
When: September 29th-October 1st, 2026
Where: Columbus, OH
Register → https://www.bbconference.com/
An immersive technology conference connecting nonprofit professionals, institutional funders, and vendors. This event features product deep-dives, case studies, and keynotes on tech innovation and social impact strategy. Attendees gain first-hand experience with tools to advance nonprofit operations.
7. International Fundraising Congress (IFC)
When: TBD 2026
Where: Noordwijk, Netherlands
Register → https://www.resource-alliance.org/
A global gathering focused on modernizing fundraising through innovation, leadership, and ethical practice. Attendees benefit from international perspectives and actionable strategies for effective cross-border philanthropy.
8. GrantSummit
When: November 4-7th, 2026
Where: San Antonio, TX
Register → https://grantprofessionals.org/page/grantsummit2026
Designed for grantwriters and development professionals, sessions cover trends in foundation giving, proposal design, lifecycle strategy, and peer networking. You’ll leave better equipped to write higher-impact proposals and manage grant-funded projects effectively.
9. Cause Camp
When: TBD 2026
Where: Pittsburgh, PA
Register → https://cause.camp/
This boutique, affordable conference focuses on storytelling, leadership, and marketing innovation. Attendees leave energized with practical tools, creative strategies, and video access included—ideal for smaller nonprofits with limited budgets.
10. TNPA Leadership Summit (Nonprofit Alliance Leadership Summit)
When: Fall 2026
Where: TBD
Register → https://tnpa.org/leadership-summit-2025/
A senior-leadership event offering keynotes and panels on governance, digital transformation, and sustainability. Great for executive directors and board members seeking to drive strategic change within their organizations.
11. AAWA Annual Conference
When: October 26-29th, 2026
Where: Chattanooga, TN
Register → https://theaawa.org/conferences/
Geared toward animal welfare nonprofits, this conference features sessions on volunteer engagement, fundraising, public outreach, and shelter management. It’s an excellent choice for organizations in the animal welfare or service sector.
12. Central Nebraska Nonprofit Conference
When: March 26, 2026
Where: Kearney, NE
Register → https://www.nonprofitam.org/events/2026-central-nebraska-nonprofit-conference
This one-day regional event brings nonprofits of all sizes together with keynotes, breakout sessions, and workshops. Designed for hands-on learning and peer collaboration, it’s ideal for mission-driven groups in or near Nebraska.
13. Faith & Fundraising Conference 2026
When: February 23–26, 2026
Where: Chicago, IL
Register → https://www.faithandfundraisingconference.org/
Presented by the Association for Christian Fundraising, this conference centers on faith-based nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and marketing. Attendees network with peers and learn strategies aligned with faith-driven missions.
14. True Charity Summit 2026
When: April 22-24th, 2026
Where: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Register → https://www.truecharity.us/summit-2026/
Focuses on dignity-centered poverty alleviation and nonprofit‑church partnerships. Attendees learn strategic approaches to serving communities without stigma and designing sustainable impact programs.
15. ISTR Biennial Conference (Third-Sector Research)
When: July 2026
Where: Lisbon, Portugal
Register → https://www.istr.org/page/ISTR2026
The International Society for Third‑Sector Research brings together scholars and practitioners in philanthropy and civil society. Offers research insights and best practices for nonprofits grounded in global data and evidence-based innovation.
16. Inkubator Writing Conference
When: TBD 2026
Where: Cleveland, OH + Virtual
Register → https://inkubator.litcleveland.org/
While literary-focused, this free conference offers nonprofits valuable sessions on narrative crafting, mission storytelling, and community engagement: skills essential to fundraising and donor messaging.
17. Nonprofit Leadership Conference 2026 (Mission Accepted)
When: June 4th, 2026
Where: Tampa, FL
Register → https://nlctb.org/leadership-conference/
Brings nonprofit leaders together for motivational keynotes, practical training, and leadership networking. Ideal for executive directors and board members refining organizational strategy and resilience.
18. Monthly Giving Summit
When: February 25-26th, 2026
Where: Virtual
Register → https://www.monthlygivingsummit.com/
Join industry experts at the Monthly Giving Summit to explore the latest trends and best practices in building sustainable monthly giving programs. This virtual event offers actionable insights, strategies for donor retention, and ways to increase recurring donations, ensuring long-term financial stability for your nonprofit.
19. AFP Icon
When: April 26-28th, 2026
Where: San Diego, CA
Register → https://afpglobal.org/afp-icon
The AFP ICON conference is the premier event for fundraising professionals. Held annually, it brings together nonprofit leaders to learn from experts, explore new strategies, and connect with peers. This year, attendees can expect dynamic keynote speakers, in-depth workshops, and a wealth of networking opportunities designed to elevate fundraising skills and knowledge.
20. Raise
When: TBD
Where: TBD
Register → https://raise.onecause.com/
Raise is a must-attend event for nonprofit professionals looking to elevate their fundraising capabilities. With insightful sessions, innovative strategies, and expert speakers, this event provides the tools you need to transform your fundraising efforts. Stay tuned for more details on the date and location of this exciting event!
Final Thoughts
These upcoming conferences offer powerful opportunities for growth—whether you’re looking to refine your fundraising strategy, deepen storytelling skills, adopt new technologies, or connect around shared values. Not to mention, free virtual events like Double the Donation’s Workplace Fundraising + Volunteering Summit make development accessible to organizations and budgets of all shapes and sizes.