6 Reasons to Join Us at Collaborative, Live in Chicago

Collaborative is a live conference designed exclusively for the nonprofit sector. This annual event encourages collaboration among the brightest thinkers and doers across the industry as a space for meaningful connections. 

We’d love for you to join us. On May 14-15, 2025, Collaborative heads to Chicago for two days of learning, relationship-building, and inspiration to grow your organization’s impact.

The impact of Collaborative

As a nonprofit professional, meaningful connections can feel hard to come by. The pressure to drive impact is high, and it’s easy to feel isolated. 

Collaborative unites passionate professionals and industry experts to exchange ideas, share strategies, and build a strong, supportive community. More than just a gathering, our event is an opportunity to learn from peers, explore new tools to elevate your fundraising, and leave inspired to amplify your mission. 

We know it takes time to decide to attend an in-person event, so we’ve compiled our top six reasons to attend Collaborative 2025.

Why Collaborative 2025 is a must-attend event 

1. We’ll deliver the full Chicago experience 

Collaborative returns to Chicago for its second year, once again bringing our signature experience to the vibrant West Loop. This dynamic neighborhood provides the perfect setting to step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in creativity, connection, and community. 

Our main venues—Morgan MFG and City Hall/Recess—will host inspiring sessions and meaningful conversations. Beyond the event, Chicago’s West Loop invites you to explore, from its lively Guinness Open Gate Brewery and Time Out Market Chicago to its renowned restaurants and gathering spots. 

It’s your opportunity to network, recharge, and soak up the city’s energy before, during, and after the event.

2. You’ll get face time with the social sector’s top leaders 

We’re dedicated to providing the content that matters to you most. After listening to our attendees’ requests and concerns, we’re able to present thoughtful commentary on the nonprofit industry’s most pressing topics. 

This knowledge and feedback help us curate an agenda full of industry experts eager to share their insights and ideas on the sector’s current and future landscape. The best part? You can connect with these leaders between sessions in an intimate and meaningful way.

Some notable past speakers include:

• Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America
• Anna Rathmann, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute
• Avril Benoît, Chief Executive Officer of Doctors Without Borders
• Benjamin Lloyd Crump, Esquire, Founder and Principal Owner of Ben Crump Law
• Brian Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, Co-Founders of I AM ALS 
• Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Host and Executive Producer of “UNDISTRACTED”
• Dion Dawson, Founder and Executive Director of Dion’s Chicago Dream
• Heather Bennett, Chief of Staff at Direct Relief
• Joan Garry, Principal of Joan Garry Consulting and Founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab
• Mick Ebeling, Founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs
• Reshma Saujani, Activist, Founder of Girls Who Code, and Founder and CEO of Moms First
• Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed 

3. You’ll gain access to hands-on learning with product experts

Get personalized guidance from our product experts and coaches in the Innovation Lounge. Whether you prefer one-on-one meetings or small-group workshops, this space helps you maximize your impact with GoFundMe.

In this hands-on coaching space, you’ll find dedicated stations where you can:

• Upgrade your donation pages
• Fundraise directly on your website
• Make your campaigns more intelligent
• Claim and optimize your Nonprofit Page

This is your chance to collaborate, ask questions, and gain actionable insights tailored to your fundraising needs.

4. You’ll establish new, meaningful connections 

Nonprofit leaders share similar goals and face challenges that quickly evolve with the ever-changing giving landscape. However, opportunities to meaningfully engage as a community are rare. 

It’s vital for nonprofits to come together with industry experts and each other to build a community where the best ideas can come to life. 

By attending, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that: meet face-to-face with hundreds of nonprofit professionals and experts in the sector. Plus, you’ll get to connect with fellow attendees and have a little fun at our after-hours events.

We’ve set the stage for idea exchanges and free-flowing conversations that will leave everyone feeling more inspired as they return home.

5. You’ll gain valuable insights from peer-led power sessions

Some of the best insights come from those who’ve been in your shoes. Our unconference-style sessions create a space for open dialogue, idea-sharing, and problem-solving with peers and industry partners.

Each session centers around a key topic. But instead of a traditional presentation, you’ll engage in dynamic discussions where everyone contributes. Whether you have a challenge to workshop, a success story to share, or want to learn from others, these small-group conversations will leave you with fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways.

Join the conversation, expand your network, and gain real-world insights from those who understand your work best. Attendees will also be eligible to earn three Certified Fund Raising Executive points.

6. You’ll learn about leading services and resources to continue advancing your mission

Collaborative connects professionals to each other and services that will benefit and increase their impact. You’ll learn more about resources you can leverage to help advance your mission and gain access to key partners who can help you troubleshoot your organization’s specific challenges. 

You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions in person about what resources may benefit your organization and what works well for others.

Will we see you at Collaborative 2025?

The future of the social sector is evolving quicker than ever. At Collaborative, we come together to learn how to navigate the sector’s ever-changing landscape and engage in timely conversations that empower us to accelerate our impact.

Join the conversation leading up to the event by following #wearecollaborative on Instagram and Twitter.

Copy editor: Ayanna Julien