When you’re running a small nonprofit, you can end up feeling like there’s so much to learn—and do—on your own.
You want to write fundraising appeals that inspire people to give. Get your biggest supporters to become peer-to-peer fundraisers. Find the right donor database. Tell your story. Build your brand. Better serve your community.
And while you can learn a ton by attending free webinars online, there’s nothing quite like learning in person. By making the investment to attend the right nonprofit conference, you can grow your network and come away with a deeper, practical understanding of the skills that matter most to your long-term success.
Ready to take your fundraising know-how to the next level in 2019? We’re sharing seven of the best nonprofit conferences for you and your staff to attend this year. If you’re inspired to attend but the cost is too high, a few of these conferences do offer scholarships to attendees. You might even think about kicking off your 2019 fundraising with a sponsorship drive to support professional development at your organization. Because one of the most cost-effective ways to build your impact is to learn new skills.
1. DMA DC nonprofit conference
Washington, DC / February 13-15, 2019 / $799+
Join hundreds of fundraising and marketing professionals at the DMA DC Nonprofit Conference, a three-day event where you can exchange innovative marketing and fundraising ideas that will generate insightful solutions and think creatively to help you make the relationship with your donors even stronger.
Marketing’s evolution is getting more accelerated and you need to keep up. At this conference, you’ll hear case studies from your colleagues that will offer you a more realistic view of the issues, challenges, and successes that you face every day.
Learn more & register here.
2. The 2019 Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum Conference
New Orleans, LA / February 27 & 28, 2019 / $945
Join hundreds of professional colleagues to hear about the latest trends, share success strategies and make valuable connections that will make peer-to-peer fundraising work even better for your organization.
Learn more & register here.
3. 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference
Portland, OR / March 13-15, 2019 / $699 (NTEN members) or $799 (non-members)
At #NTC2019, over 2,000 nonprofit professionals will come together for over 100 sessions exploring technologies, strategies, and trends in the nonprofit sector, an exhibit hall highlighting the latest nonprofit products and services, and networking events every evening. Check out some of the videos and session materials from previous conferences.
Learn more & register here.
4. Cause Camp
Lincoln, NE / March 25 & 26, 2019 / $99 online or $499 in-person
Cause Camp is dedicated to showing nonprofits how to be more remarkable in the areas of marketing, fundraising, leadership, innovation and more. Organizations that attend Cause Camp leave equipped and ready to #CauseTheChange building community and activism.
Learn more & register here.
5. 2019 Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference
National Harbor, MD / July 10-12, 2019 / $765
In today’s environment, fundraisers and marketers must rely on a balance of creative ideas and data-driven analytics to maximize their effectiveness. Find the best mix for your nonprofit at the Bridge Conference.
The Bridge Conference is the premier conference of, by and for fundraising and marketing professionals. It’s a vast, immersive and uniquely comprehensive experience for the latest strategies, techniques, and innovations in direct response and major donor fundraising.
This year, more than 2,200 of the brightest, most creative and most experimental fundraising professionals from every sector of our industry will gather for three enlightening days of dynamic keynotes, panels, workshops, networking events and more.
Learn more & register here.
6. The Giving Institute Summer Symposium
Seattle, WA / July 11-13, 2019 / Price TBA
The Giving Institute (formerly The American Association of Fundraising Counsel) began planning the first Summer Institute for Consulting Professionals in 1991. They perceived the meetings as an opportunity to:
- Give leading consulting professionals in the philanthropic sector a chance to identify and discuss the most important issues facing not-for-profit organizations in their fund-raising endeavors.
- Initiate ongoing review and discussion of the technologies employed in the fundraising profession.
Provide an opportunity for professional leaders, inside and outside the AAFRC, to interact collegially, and to look at new ideas and methods in the profession. - Offer a national setting for the exchange of ideas about the profession.
- Explore standards and changing practices.
- Augment the training of younger professionals.
Learn more& register here.
7. Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
San Diego, CA / October 28-30, 2019 / $1195
Great stories drive donor engagement and raise more money. Learn how to tap into the power of storytelling at this year’s Nonprofit Storytelling Conference.
Learn more & register here.
What skills do you want to gain in 2019? Let us know in the comments!
