10 nonprofit conferences to attend in 2026

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

Industry leaders are increasingly challenged by a growing list of expectations for support and fundraising, requiring innovative strategies to achieve lasting impact. The good news is they don’t have to do it alone. With an incredible roster of 2026 nonprofit events, opportunities abound for shared brainstorming, key networking, and ample inspiration.

Explore our top three nonprofit conference picks for 2026, plus seven additional must-attend events. Organized by date and focus area, this extended list makes it easy to find the perfect conference to match your nonprofit goals and schedule.

Best nonprofit conferences overall

Collaborative

When: May 6 to 7
Where: Chicago, IL
Category: Leadership, marketing, and fundraising

Collaborative, presented by GoFundMe Pro, brings together over 600 nonprofit professionals for two days of learning, inspiration, and community to explore the latest fundraising trends and shape the future of the sector.

Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower will host the 2026 event. Join to discover bold ideas, practical frameworks, and real-world success stories from leading nonprofits, all designed to help you advance your mission.

Every interactive learning experience and peer-led discussion will offer attendees actionable, relevant, and refreshing takeaways. Collaborative has always hosted an exceptional speaker lineup, and this year will be no different. Some of the keynote speakers and other presenters for this year’s event include:

• Hamza Khan, Future of Work and People-First Leadership Expert & Bestselling Author
• Elatia Abate, Futurist, Entrepreneur, & Future of Work and Strategy Expert
• Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe
• Christa Stelzmuller, Chief Technology Officer of charity:water
• Gretchen Littlefield, CEO of Moore
• Kalina Silverman, Creator of @makebigtalk & Author of Big Talk
• Nathan Chappell, Chief AI Officer of Virtuous

Event highlights:

• A trip to the iconic city of Chicago to immerse yourself in its history, culture, and innovation in and outside of the conference venues
• Interactive learning opportunities to discover new ways to raise more and deepen supporter engagement with GoFundMe Pro
• Networking with inspiring leaders, forward-thinking professionals, and peers who share your goals and interests through curated meetups and the event app’s smart matching
• Fresh ideas, real success stories, and insights you can put to work right away for greater social impact

Each year, we challenge ourselves to raise the bar on discussions, brainstorms, solutions, and concepts in one-of-a-kind sessions and interactive experiences. Secure your spot now and experience the community, inspiration, and insights that make Collaborative unlike any other nonprofit conference.

AFP ICON 2026

When: April 26 to 28
Where: San Diego, CA
Category: Marketing and leadership

The AFP ICON is a nonprofit event hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This annual experience brings together more than 3,000 fundraising professionals from around the world to learn about the latest fundraising strategies, listen to inspiring keynotes, and network with others in the sector.

Event highlights:

• More than 100 educational sessions about nonprofit management, relationship-building, innovation, and ways to tap into fundraising potential
• An option to register for an executive coaching session on-site during the conference
• An impressive list of speakers from across nonprofits, foundations, consulting groups, and other organizations

21st Annual Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference

When: July 29 to 31
Where: National Harbor, MD
Category: Marketing

The 21st Annual Bridge Conference, co-produced by AFP DC and DMAW, is a chance to collaborate with nonprofit fundraisers, direct marketers, communicators, and industry leaders. The in-person event aims to build bridges between donors and missions, nonprofits and their partners, data and storytelling, innovation and impact, and leaders across every sector.

This year’s event theme is “Stronger Than the Moment,” focusing on how nonprofits can remain steadfast in their mission and equip their teams with the right tools and training to weather the ever-changing fundraising landscape.

Event highlights:

• More than 125 breakout sessions across 14 education tracks, including critical sector issues, digital fundraising hacks, storytelling and brand power, practical strategies with real results, and more
• BridgeTECH, a full-day session dedicated to cutting-edge technology, data, AI, and innovation in fundraising and marketing
• An immersive Faith & Fundraising Forum with tailored content and peer learning for faith-based organizations and fundraisers

More nonprofit conferences worth exploring

Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium

When: March 25 to 27
Where: Washington, D.C.
Category: Marketing

The Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium is a three-day gathering for senior fundraising and marketing professionals ready to master AI, protect revenue, strengthen donor trust, and build resilient strategies for what’s coming next.

This event is specifically for anyone with more than 10 years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit marketing. Now in its fourth year, it centers around actionable learning and candid conversations, while leveraging a community of peers who understand your challenges.

Event highlights:

• An impressive speaker lineup, including artist Tucker Bryant and the executive director of philanthropy, strategy, and operations for Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Dr. Una Osili
• A wide range of topics, including unlocking donor advised funds, how donors discover and choose nonprofits in the age of algorithms, and building capacity for what’s next
• An evening reception of professional networking and connections

Double the Donation’s Virtual Workplace Fundraising + Volunteering Summit

When: April 15 to 16
Where: Virtual
Category: Fundraising

Double the Donation’s Workplace Fundraising + Volunteering Summit is an immersive, two-day virtual conference designed for nonprofit fundraising and volunteer professionals seeking to grow their revenue and bring workplace giving engagement to new heights.

Spanning matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll giving, sponsorships, and more, this can’t-miss event features corporate and industry experts sharing practical advice and proven strategies for success.

Event highlights:

• Networking with 5,000+ nonprofit and school fundraising peers and learning from more than 20 expert speakers from organizations like St. Jude/ALSAC, American Cancer Society, Lehigh University, and more
• Deep dives into current trends and opportunities that empower your team to make the most of the corporate giving landscape
• Step-by-step insights into optimizing the supporter experience, with proven tactics for integrating workplace fundraising into your events, campaigns, and beyond

Dreamforce

When: September 15 to 17
Where: San Francisco, CA
Category: Marketing and technology

Dreamforce is Salesforce’s flagship global conference, bringing together tens of thousands of business leaders, marketers, developers, and technology innovators to explore the future of customer engagement, AI, and data-driven growth.

Held annually in San Francisco, the three-day event blends visionary keynotes with practical training sessions, product demonstrations, and community networking designed to help organizations transform how they connect with customers and scale their impact through CRM and AI-powered tools.

Event highlights:

• Major keynote sessions from Salesforce leadership and industry innovators
• Hundreds of breakout sessions, hands-on trainings, and product demonstrations focused on CRM strategy, data integration, marketing automation, and emerging AI tools
• A large partner expo and networking events
• Community experiences and philanthropic initiatives that reflect Salesforce’s culture of giving back and community engagement

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit (NIO)

When: September 22 to 24
Where: Fort Worth, TX
Category: Marketing

The NIO Summit is for those who want to grow their online fundraising and marketing skills. NextAfter hosts the event to showcase worldwide, individually selected experts who will teach you how to become an innovative digital marketer and raise more money to fuel a worthy cause.

This year’s “Saturday Night Live”-inspired theme adds fun, energy, and personality to the in-person conference experience, featuring new skits and parodies of classic SNL sketches, each with a fundraising twist.

Event highlights:

• Unforgettable speakers ready to address pressing issues and emerging opportunities for nonprofits this year
• Live feedback on your website, donation page, email, or digital ads
• Full-day workshops and hands-on breakouts for discussions, application, and working through ideas with peers
• A partner showcase featuring tools, ideas, and support for nonprofit fundraising teams

DAF Giving Summit

When: September 23 to 25
Where: Austin, TX
Category: Fundraising and philanthropy

The DAF Giving Summit is a three-day conference focused on the rapidly growing donor-advised fund (DAF) ecosystem. It brings together nonprofit leaders, philanthropic advisors, and wealth managers to explore trends shaping the future of charitable giving.
Held at the Fairmont Austin, the 2026 summit centers on collaboration across the philanthropic sector, offering practical insights on engaging DAF donors, understanding policy developments, and maximizing the impact of charitable funds.

Event highlights:

• Conversations on policy trends, next-generation donors, and the evolving role of DAFs in charitable giving
• Workshops designed to help nonprofits and advisors better engage and steward DAF donors
• Networking opportunities connecting leaders across the nonprofit sector, financial services, and philanthropy

AHP International Conference

When: October 7 to 9
Where: Nashville, TN
Category: Healthcare philanthropy

The AHP International Conference, presented by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, is the largest annual event targeting healthcare philanthropy professionals. It brings together more than 1,000 individuals from across the globe to gain action-oriented insights and tips for healthcare fundraising.

Event highlights:

• Full-day preconference workshops focused on executive nonprofit leadership challenges and opportunities, essential fundraising and development principles, and certified fundraising executive (CFRE) exam preparation
• More than 40 curated breakout sessions led by the field’s thought leaders and expert facilitators
• Exciting social opportunities, like sunrise yoga, a “40 under 40” breakfast, and an awards dinner

NonProfit POWER

When: December 1 to 3
Where: Baltimore, MD
Category: Leadership, technology, and marketing

NonProfit POWER is a conference for senior nonprofit executives at midsize and large nonprofit organizations who make key decisions and oversee fundraising and technology strategy. It aims to enable these leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships. For those selected to attend, the experience is free and all-inclusive.

The 2026 nonprofit conference covers three key tracks: direct marketing, peer-to-peer fundraising, and technology.

Event highlights:

• Notable speakers in executive- and founder-level positions at top nonprofits
• Best-in-class strategies for omnichannel campaigns, social media, mobile strategy, and crowdfunding campaigns
• Breakout sessions highlighting case studies, one-on-one meetings with leading vendors, and networking events over lunch

Don’t miss out on the top 2026 nonprofit conferences

Nonprofit conferences keep you at the top of your game no matter your experience level or function at your organization. There’s no shortage of options to challenge you and your team in new ways for the strongest return on investment.

Fundraising thrives in community, and it all starts with these professional development opportunities to share in collective learning that strengthens your network in the years to come.

Copy editor: Ayanna Julien