Best Nonprofit Conferences

In an industry built on connection, storytelling, and impact, nonprofit conferences are more than just annual meetups. They’re accelerators – for your fundraising strategy, digital marketing approach, donor engagement tactics, and leadership development. With 2025 shaping up to be a pivotal year for innovation and rebuilding capacity, the right conference could transform how your organization operates and how it grows.

Below, we spotlight key nonprofit conferences happening in 2025. We’ll also explore how to make the most of your time there – from networking strategies to tools for measuring ROI when you return home.

Whether you're in charge of grant writing, CRM implementation, volunteer management, or social impact campaigns, these events offer the inspiration and expertise your nonprofit needs to thrive.

Why Nonprofit Conferences Matter

Nonprofit professionals juggle a lot – lean budgets, rising donor expectations, and a rapidly changing digital landscape. Conferences offer a space to reset, retool, and reconnect. But more than that, they provide:

The Value of Networking in the Nonprofit Sector

In-person or virtual, the best connections often happen between sessions. Conferences attract development directors, social entrepreneurs, volunteer managers, and nonprofit marketers – all eager to swap stories, share strategies, and solve problems.

Whether you're exploring corporate social responsibility partnerships or trying to boost your email marketing ROI, the people you meet can make the difference.

Learning from Industry Leaders and Experts

The right keynote can unlock a new strategy. The right panel can change how you approach storytelling, event planning, or inclusion and diversity. From advocacy to AI, conferences allow access to proven strategies – and the people who’ve made them work.

How Conferences Help Shape Nonprofit Strategies

Many organizations come away from a great conference with more than ideas – they leave with implementation frameworks. Whether you’re evaluating new marketing automation tools, assessing GDPR and data privacy implications, or rethinking how you measure nonprofit impact, conferences help crystallize the next move.

Top Nonprofit Conferences in 2025

Leading In-Person Nonprofit Conferences

AFP ICON

Date: April 27–29, 2025
Location: Seattle, WA
Audience: Mid-to-senior level fundraising professionals, nonprofit executives, major gifts officers, advancement teams
Key Themes: Fundraising strategy, peer-to-peer fundraising, legacy giving, board governance, donor cultivation, DEI in fundraising
Why Attend: With thousands of attendees from around the world, AFP ICON is one of the most comprehensive events focused on fundraising excellence. Attendees gain exposure to emerging trends in donor behavior, explore storytelling and stewardship strategies, and learn how to strengthen revenue pipelines through donor engagement and campaign planning.

Bridge Conference

Date: July 30 – August 1, 2025
Location: National Harbor, MD
Audience: Marketing directors, digital engagement teams, CRM managers, data and analytics leads, integrated campaign strategists
Key Themes: Multichannel fundraising, CRM integration, data-driven decision making, marketing automation, donor journey mapping, segmentation
Why Attend: Bridge is designed for nonprofits operating at scale or growing quickly. Its content bridges the gap between marketing and fundraising, helping teams use data to increase campaign ROI. From advanced email personalization to predictive donor analytics, this conference is ideal for teams making serious investments in digital infrastructure.

Engage for Good Conference

Date: April 22–24, 2025
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Audience: CSR professionals, nonprofit CMOs, corporate partnership leads, cause marketing strategists, social impact officers
Key Themes: Corporate social responsibility, brand alignment, co-branded campaigns, sponsorship strategy, impact storytelling
Why Attend: Engage for Good is a specialized conference that sits at the intersection of nonprofit missions and corporate purpose. Attendees learn how to structure meaningful partnerships with companies, how to measure social impact in business terms, and how to turn values-based branding into sustainable funding and audience growth.

Good Tech Fest

Date: April 28 – May 1, 2025
Location: Sundance Resort, UT
Audience: Nonprofit CTOs, innovation officers, data scientists, digital transformation leads, CRM architects, impact analysts
Key Themes: AI and machine learning, automation tools, data governance, CRM selection and scaling, measurement frameworks, ethical tech
Why Attend: Unlike broader conferences, Good Tech Fest focuses on how nonprofits use technology for mission fulfillment – not just operations. The agenda includes sessions on AI-driven impact analysis, automating donor engagement, building scalable CRM systems, and designing data infrastructure to support grant reporting and board accountability.

RAISE Conference

Date: September 8–9, 2025
Location: San Antonio, TX
Audience: Event fundraising managers, donor experience teams, peer-to-peer campaign strategists, nonprofit operations leaders
Key Themes: Hybrid and virtual events, donor activation, gamification, volunteer management, event marketing, fundraising software
Why Attend: RAISE delivers actionable insights on making nonprofit events more dynamic, inclusive, and profitable. Whether you're managing galas, walks, or livestreamed fundraisers, you'll learn how to integrate tech platforms with donor psychology to drive deeper engagement and higher returns. It’s especially relevant for nonprofits with lean teams looking to do more with less.

Best Virtual and Hybrid Nonprofit Events

Generosity Xchange

Date: October 2025
Location: Virtual
Audience: Nonprofit professionals across fundraising, marketing, and leadership – especially small to mid-sized teams
Key Themes: Donor engagement, CRM strategy, fundraising automation, community-building, nonprofit storytelling
Why Attend: Hosted by Neon One, Generosity Xchange is a free two-day virtual conference that brings together nonprofit practitioners and thought leaders to explore real-world solutions. It’s highly tactical, offering live workshops and panels on building sustainable fundraising systems, measuring donor lifetime value, and personalizing outreach at scale. Ideal for those who want high-value content without travel.

Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC)

Date: April 16–18, 2025
Location: Baltimore, MD & Virtual
Audience: Nonprofit technologists, digital strategists, data analysts, communications teams, operations leads
Key Themes: Nonprofit technology, digital infrastructure, data ethics, inclusion and accessibility, cybersecurity, AI in nonprofits
Why Attend: Run by NTEN, NTC is the definitive event for nonprofit digital strategy – both in-person and virtual attendees access more than 150 sessions. Key content covers how to modernize your tech stack, integrate platforms, stay compliant with privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA), and promote equitable digital access. It’s also one of the most intentional conferences around DEI in the digital space.

Dream Big: Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Summit

Date: July 16, 2025
Location: Virtual
Audience: Peer-to-peer strategists, volunteer fundraising teams, nonprofit marketers, donor stewardship professionals
Key Themes: P2P fundraising, donor motivation, digital event strategy, marketing automation, supporter engagement
Why Attend: This half-day virtual summit is also hosted by Neon One, and zeroes in on how nonprofits can energize their peer-to-peer communities. The content dives deep into building emotional connection, using behavioral data to improve campaign outcomes, and designing scalable engagement workflows. Strong fit for nonprofits balancing grassroots enthusiasm with structured systems.

Nonprofit Marketing Summit

Date: August 2025
Location: Virtual
Audience: Marketing managers, digital fundraisers, content creators, email and social media strategists
Key Themes: Digital marketing, email automation, social media for nonprofits, SEO, video storytelling, brand voice
Why Attend: Hosted by Community Boost, this event has quickly become a go-to for marketing-forward teams. With over 80 speakers and tracks ranging from TikTok content to lead gen for nonprofit newsletters, the summit gives teams practical playbooks to modernize how they attract, nurture, and convert supporters online. And because it’s free and virtual, you can bring the whole team.

Regional and Niche Conferences for Specialized Fields

Rooted & Rising

Date: May 28, 2025
Location: Virtual
Audience: Fundraisers, nonprofit organizers, equity and inclusion leads, community-based organizations
Key Themes: Community-centric fundraising, racial equity, collective care, movement building, inclusive donor engagement
Why Attend: Designed with a social justice lens, this conference moves beyond traditional fundraising tactics. It’s a space for professionals committed to rethinking power dynamics in donor relationships, centering marginalized voices, and aligning fundraising with community values. Great for organizations focused on long-term systems change and inclusive growth.

Cause Camp

Date: Fall 2025 (TBD)
Location: Grand Rapids, MI & Virtual
Audience: Nonprofit managers, startup nonprofits, grassroots leaders, generalists across fundraising and marketing
Key Themes: Capacity building, nonprofit leadership, marketing, operations, storytelling
Why Attend: Cause Camp blends affordability with high-impact programming, making it a favorite among smaller and newer nonprofits. Attendees walk away with templates, toolkits, and step-by-step guidance across fundraising, volunteer engagement, and board development. There’s also a strong emphasis on work-life sustainability and leadership wellness.

Mission Investors Exchange Conference

Date: Likely late 2025 (prior events held in December)
Location: Typically rotates (past locations: Baltimore, Chicago)
Audience: Philanthropic foundations, impact investors, social finance professionals, high-capacity nonprofits
Key Themes: Philanthropy trends, mission-driven investing, nonprofit finance, strategic partnerships
Why Attend: While more specialized, this invite-only gathering is where funding trends are shaped. For nonprofits building innovative funding models or exploring investment partnerships, MIE provides rare access to major institutional players in the impact capital space.

Alliance Management Institute (AMI)

Date: January 2025
Location: Typically hosted by Nonprofit Leadership Alliance; location varies
Audience: Emerging nonprofit professionals, graduate students, young leaders
Key Themes: Nonprofit management, volunteer programs, advocacy, leadership development, compliance basics
Why Attend: AMI is built for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Sessions cover practical skills like legal considerations for nonprofits, volunteer program design, and digital leadership. It’s also a strong recruitment ground for hiring managers looking to connect with credentialed talent.

How to Choose the Right Conference for Your Nonprofit

Not every conference is right for every organization – and that’s a good thing. With hundreds of nonprofit events on the calendar, choosing the right one comes down to your goals, your team’s bandwidth, and where your organization is in its growth journey.

Here’s a framework to help guide your decision.

1. Align with Strategic Objectives

Start with clarity: what are you hoping to walk away with?

• Want to optimize your CRM and donor engagement workflows? Choose events like NTC or Generosity Xchange.
• Looking to grow brand partnerships or launch a cause marketing campaign? Prioritize Engage for Good.
• Need to improve board governance, grant compliance, or volunteer program structure? Niche conferences like AMI and Cause Camp might be the better fit.

By defining your desired outcomes – e.g. more efficient fundraising operations, a new tech platform, or stronger corporate ties – you can filter events that serve those needs.

2. Evaluate Team Capabilities and Gaps

Not every conference needs to be attended by senior leadership.

• For fundraising strategy, consider sending your development lead to AFP ICON or RAISE.
• For marketing automation or SEO, your digital team will benefit most from the Nonprofit Marketing Summit.
• For AI and data, consider who on your team is best positioned to evaluate tools or implement new processes after returning from Good Tech Fest.

The right attendee isn’t always the most senior – it’s the person most likely to implement what they learn.

3. Balance Learning with Practicality

While some events offer blue-sky vision and inspiration, others deliver granular, ready-to-execute tactics. Make sure you know what you’re getting:

• Looking for innovative trends and peer-to-peer learning? Look for events with workshops, roundtables, and practitioner-led sessions.
• Need hard skills like email segmentation, virtual event planning, or AI prompts for donor communications? Choose events with hands-on labs and tool demos.

Match the format to the way your team learns best.

4. Consider Format, Budget, and Timing

• Virtual and hybrid events offer convenience and affordability – a good fit for smaller or remote teams.
• In-person events often allow for deeper connections and more immersive learning.
• Look for events that provide on-demand recordings so teams can continue learning after the conference ends.
• Apply for grants or conference scholarships (we’ll cover these in a later section) to expand access for budget-conscious teams.

Maximizing Your Experience at a Nonprofit Conference

Attending a conference is an investment – not just of money, but of time and focus. Whether you're flying across the country or logging in from your desk, getting the most out of an event means being intentional before, during, and after.

Preparing for a Conference: What to Bring and Plan

Before you arrive (or log in), take a few steps to ensure you're set up for success:

• Review the session tracks and identify the top 3–5 sessions aligned with your goals.
• Build a list of questions or problems you want solved – whether it's CRM platform confusion or a need for better retention metrics.
• Pack business cards, updated one-pagers, or a quick pitch on what your nonprofit does. For virtual attendees, update your LinkedIn and test your tech setup.
• If you're attending with colleagues, divide and conquer. Assign different sessions, then regroup to share insights and slides.

Preparation is especially crucial when navigating packed multi-day conferences like AFP ICON or Bridge.

Effective Networking Strategies for Nonprofit Leaders

Networking at nonprofit events isn’t just about exchanging names — it’s about finding collaborators, mentors, and potential funders. Some tips:

• Attend smaller breakout sessions or affinity groups where conversations are more targeted.
• Skip the surface-level intros. Ask questions like: “What’s working for you right now in donor retention?” or “How are you approaching AI or automation?”
• Follow up during the conference itself. Send a quick “Great meeting you” message via LinkedIn or email while the connection is still fresh.

Many conferences also offer networking apps – use these to set up informal coffee chats or find attendees working in similar issue areas.

Leveraging Social Media to Enhance Your Conference Presence

Even if your org doesn’t have a major following, live-posting from a conference helps amplify your mission and establish thought leadership.

• Share session takeaways on Twitter or LinkedIn with the official event hashtag.
• Use Instagram Stories or TikTok for real-time clips, behind-the-scenes moments, or quick reactions.
• Tag speakers and fellow attendees – it increases visibility and often leads to follow-up conversations post-event.
• If you're attending virtually, screenshots and reactions still create opportunities for engagement.

Bonus: repurpose this content later for blog posts, board updates, or internal training sessions.

Post-Conference Follow-Ups and Relationship Building

Your work isn’t over when the conference ends. In fact, what you do in the days after can turn casual conversations into meaningful relationships.

• Schedule 15-minute debriefs with your team to discuss what you learned and where it applies.
• Email key contacts within 72 hours – reference the session or conversation you shared and suggest a follow-up chat.
• Create a short internal recap or slide deck for your leadership or development team – especially if new trends or tools were uncovered.
• Identify 1–2 actionable takeaways to implement in the next 30 days, whether it’s a new donor segmentation model or switching up your email cadence.

Trends and Innovations at Nonprofit Conferences in 2025

The nonprofit sector is evolving quickly, and conferences aren’t just keeping pace – they’re leading the way. The best events this year aren’t just talking about what's next; they’re actively testing, modeling, and teaching it. Here’s what’s shaping the 2025 conference landscape.

The Rise of AI and Data-Driven Decision Making

Artificial intelligence is no longer theoretical for nonprofits. From prospect research to donor segmentation and chatbot-based engagement, AI is beginning to influence how organizations operate.

At events like Good Tech Fest and NTC, sessions focus on:

• Automating manual workflows – from acknowledgment emails to recurring donor management
• Using predictive analytics to identify high-value donors or at-risk segments
• Integrating AI within CRMs and marketing platforms to personalize communication
• Navigating ethical considerations, including bias mitigation and algorithmic transparency

Whether you're hands-on with data or overseeing a team that is, this trend is becoming foundational.

Hybrid and Virtual Conference Advancements

Gone are the days when virtual events were considered a backup plan. In 2025, hybrid and fully remote formats are often more engaging, more inclusive, and more data-rich than their in-person counterparts.

Notable improvements include:

• Real-time networking tools that match attendees based on interests or goals
• On-demand session libraries with note-taking and shareable transcripts
• Interactive chat threads with speakers, enabling deeper engagement
• Digital booths where nonprofits can demo tools or services to interested attendees

Events like Generosity Xchange and the Nonprofit Marketing Summit are leading in delivering highly interactive, multi-modal learning experiences.

Inclusion and Diversity in Nonprofit Spaces

Conversations around DEI aren’t just limited to HR or hiring – they’re central to fundraising practices, leadership development, and donor messaging. Conferences like Rooted & Rising place equity at the core of their programming.

Key areas of focus include:

• Dismantling bias in major gift fundraising
• Building inclusive volunteer pipelines and governance boards
• Designing events that are physically, financially, and culturally accessible
• Recognizing and compensating nonprofit leaders of color equitably

Increasingly, events are moving beyond performative allyship and offering frameworks for systemic change.

Sustainable Event Practices for Nonprofits

Even conference logistics are evolving with a purpose-driven mindset. Sustainability is now a key consideration, especially for nonprofits focused on environmental or social responsibility.

Trends include:

• Virtual attendance options to reduce travel-related emissions
• Digital-only collateral and schedules (no more printed programs)
• Catering partnerships with local or zero-waste vendors
• Venue selection based on environmental certifications

Organizations attending events like the Sustainability & Impact Conference are exploring how to apply these same principles across all programming — not just at events.

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