Need a New Year Recharge? Attend These Nonprofit Conferences in 2024
There’s something about attending an industry conference that makes you feel more energized and inspired by the work you’re doing. Networking opportunities, hands-on workshops, keynote speeches, and roundtable discussions combine to recharge you — usually when you need it the most. (Also, why is it that conference breakfast muffins are the best muffins?)
In 2024, you can keep that energy up throughout the entire year. We’ve put together a list of the top nonprofit conferences to attend. And as you can see, there’s no shortage of inspiring events.
The connections you make at conferences could lead to new partnerships, collaborations, and even funding opportunities. So, with that in mind, get ready to pack your bags and hit the road. These are the nonprofit conferences you don’t want to miss in 2024.
FEBRUARY
CASE District II Annual Conference
Baltimore, MD
February 11-13, 2024
The annual CASE District II conference connects members with their colleagues and the region’s thought leaders to learn best practices and trends in advancement, leadership, and strategy. Programming supports professionals from every type of institution and at every level of experience. Session topics include alumni relations, marketing and communications, and professional development within nonprofit education organizations.
Attend If You’re: A professional in advancement services, alumni relations, communications and marketing, and fundraising in District II.
MARCH
NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference
Portland, OR, and Virtual
March 13-15, 2024
Also known as NTC, this annual event spotlights essential nonprofit technology best practices. The conference combines in-person and virtual attendance for a unique hybrid experience. No matter your role or how long you’ve been in it, NTC has something for you: networking opportunities like dine-around dinners, 175 educational sessions, thought-provoking keynote speakers, and so much more. You can also expect unofficial attendee-led events to keep the fun going after hours.
Attend If You’re: Interested in using technology to make the world a better place
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium
Washington, D.C.
March 20-22, 2024
Hosted by The Nonprofit Alliance and the Direct Marketing Association of Washington, this symposium is where nonprofit pros come together to imagine, innovate, and impact. Expert speakers aim to answer the big questions that experienced fundraisers and marketers face, such as how to build the best staff, how to stay motivated, and what new technologies to try. You’ll also learn how to use artificial intelligence and drive fundraising innovation.
Attend If You’re: A fundraising or marketing professional with 10+ years of experience
APRIL
AFP ICON
Toronto, Canada
April 7-9, 2024
This year, the world’s No. 1 fundraising conference is heading north to Canada. You’ll find more than 100 educational sessions, industry-leading keynote speakers, and thousands of fellow fundraisers. Want more time? Pre-conference Deep Dives will be held April 5-6 and feature a variety of topics, from Donor Retention Workshops to the Future of Fundraising Events. You can attend one or both days.
Attend If You’re: A supporter of the fundraising profession and nonprofit sector in any way
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
CLA Outcomes Conference
Jacksonville, FL
April 9-11, 2024
Hosted by the Christian Leadership Alliance, this conference is the premier event offering personal and professional development for Christian leaders. Keynote presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions, and interactive forums will cover a variety of topics across nine training tracks. These tracks are based on Leadership, Relationship, and Stewardship, and topics include Board Governance, Resource Development, and Legal & Risk Management.
Attend If You’re: A professional Christian nonprofit, church, educational institution, or business leader
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be speaking
Feeding America Annual Conference
Las Vegas, NV
April 16-18, 2024
Feeding America’s Annual Conference brings together hundreds of food bank professionals, executive leaders, and board members to engage and discuss the pressing topics impacting the food bank sector. In addition to powerful networking opportunities, the organization will also recognize some of its network members and affiliates for their outstanding work.
Attend If You’re: A leader or board member at a Feeding America member organization
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
MAY
DMFA MID-LEVEL SUMMIT
Hyattsville, MD
May 6-7, 2024
The Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association’s Mid-Level Giving Benchmark Summit is an unmatched opportunity to focus on growing your mid-level giving (MLG) program. Join more than 40 nonprofit organizations and over 70 MLG professionals in sessions featuring overall trends, insights, and analysis. The event will also include breakout sessions where you can share data and strategies to evaluate your mid-level program.
Attend If You’re: A mid-level program fundraiser or coordinator
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
2024 PBS Annual Meeting
Las Vegas, NV
May 13-15, 2024
At the PBS Annual Meeting, more than a thousand public broadcasting managers, producers, and other staff will come together to collaborate and gain insights into the latest trends surrounding programming and fundraising. The two-day event features dynamic breakout sessions, interactive workshops, industry experts, and inspiring keynote speakers.
Attend If You’re: A public media professional
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
The Collaborative by Classy
Chicago, IL
May 15-16, 2024
This two-day event brings the top nonprofit leaders together for learning sessions designed to uncover the next big ideas that will drive the industry forward — and help you raise more money. From the end-of-day block party to hands-on workshops and community discussions, there are countless opportunities for you to connect with new ideas, learn the latest trends, and build your peer network.
Attend If You’re: In the nonprofit or social enterprise space and want to learn more about fundraising and tech trends
2024 ASAE Marketing, Membership, Communications + Tech Conference
Washington, DC
May 30-31, 2024
The Marketing, Membership & Communications Conference (MMCC) gives association and nonprofit professionals the insights necessary to take their marcomm and membership strategies to new heights. Learn the latest in engagement, technology, and trends from industry innovators.
Attend If You’re: A marketing and communications or membership fundraising professional who wants to lean into best practices from the industry’s best!
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
JUNE
Planet Philanthropy (AFP Florida)
Orlando, FL
June 3-5, 2024
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Florida Caucus will join fundraisers from throughout the state with more than 300 nonprofit leaders across all industries for educational sessions to drive professional development. You don’t have to be an AFP member to attend. Come early on June 3 for Pre-Con Sessions before the full conference starts with a Launch Party. Education Tracks include Donor Relations, Grant Writing, Social Media, and Executive Leadership.
Attend If You’re: A fundraising professional in Florida
2024 AMA Marketing and Public Policy Conference
Washington, DC
June 6-8, 2024
This year’s AMA Conference will focus on work that addresses the relationships between marketing and public policy activities at the micro, meso, and macro perspectives. Themed “From Grassroots to Government: Empowering Social Change to Address Wicked Problems,” the conference will cover a range of social issues, including housing and urban development, mental health crises, and civil rights. Get there early for the free 2024 Junior Scholar Workshop, happening June 4-6.
Attend If You’re: A marketing scholar, academic, or doctoral student
AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference
Dallas, TX
June 6-7, 2024
This year’s Philanthropy in Action Conference is one-and-a-half days full of learning and networking. The event is exclusively for fundraisers in the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth Metro areas of Texas, which means you can expect to see trends and opportunities specifically for nonprofits in these areas. Through workshops and keynote presentations, you’ll gain insights on institutional giving, personalization at scale, community-centric fundraising, and much more. The event is open to non-AFP members as well.
Attend If You’re: A fundraising professional in the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth Metro areas.
AFP Fundraising Day in New York
New York City, NY
June 14, 2024
Fundraising Day in New York is the largest single-day conference on philanthropy. More than 1,000 fundraisers and industry experts will gather to share ideas, network, and learn from each other. This is a full day with dozens and dozens of learning modules. You’ll gain best practices on general fundraising topics like major gifts as well as areas that are specific to nonprofit pros in NYC. You do not have to be an AFP member to attend.
Attend If You’re: A fundraising professional in New York City
JULY
AFP New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
Date: TBD
AFP New Orleans’ Annual Fundraising Conference is a full day of networking and learning. It includes multiple breakout sessions led by experts in the fundraising space. Topics cover capital campaign success, stewardship, personalization, technology, and more. Attendees will also hear from fundraising and nonprofit leaders in the New Orleans area who understand their unique needs and challenges. This event is open to non-AFP members.
Attend If You’re: A fundraising professional in New Orleans
The Giving Institute’s Summer Symposium 2023
Indianapolis, ID
July 19-21, 2024
Summer Symposium is The Giving Institute’s premier annual event, bringing members together from across the United States to learn, share, and network. The event originated in 1992 as the Summer Institute and has continued annually ever since, now known as the Summer Symposium.
Attend If You’re: Looking to sharpen your fundraising skills and network with industry leaders; Open to Giving Institute members only.
Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference
National Harbor, MD
July 31-August 2, 2024
The 19th annual Bridge Conference is all about Powering Progress. Come learn how to unleash the potential of integrated marketing and fundraising. The event features fundraising and marketing tracks on a range of topics, including donor acquisition, data and analytics, and creative copywriting. Come early for Pre-Conference Workshops on July 31. There’s even a separate track for those with 10+ years of fundraising experience.
Attend If You’re: Virtually anyone in the nonprofit and fundraising space
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
AUGUST
PMDMC
San Diego, CA
August 12-15, 2024
The Public Media Development and Marketing Conference (PMDMC) is devoted to the many issues surrounding public media, including revenue, marketing, and management. Co-produced by Greater Public and PBS, the conference aims to help leaders and revenue-generating professionals build a more sustainable future for public media. Enjoy transformational learning experiences and conference sessions that focus on concrete outcomes.
Attend If You’re: A public media leader or development professional
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
FFE SEMINAR
Indianapolis, IN
August 19-21, 2024
Hosted by the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence, this is the largest conference dedicated to the educational and professional development for those who work with fraternal organizations. Topics include annual giving, capital campaigns, donor engagement, impact reporting, and much more. You’ll gain best practices to help build a brand that matters and boost your resiliency skills, both of which are critical in an uncertain economic climate.
Attend If You’re: A fraternal organization staff member or volunteer leader
*Allegiance Group + Pursuant & GivingDNA will be attending
SEPTEMBER
Raise 2024
Nashville, TN
September 9-10, 2024
Raise is the top conference for event fundraisers. Here, you’ll connect with hundreds of experts, gain valuable professional development, and learn the latest trends and techniques. Get ready for two full days of learning, divided into three session tracks: Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement; Event, Peer-to-Peer, & Auction Fundraising; and Storytelling, Brand, & Leadership.
Attend If You’re: An event fundraiser
TNPA Leadership Summit
Location: TBD
Date: TBD
The Nonprofit Alliance’s annual Leadership Summit prioritizes connections over keynote speakers. It uses special facilitation techniques to stimulate conversations among guests and unleash the potential for guests to emerge as leaders. Attendees can then use these same techniques in their own organizations to ensure all voices are being heard. The result is often greater leadership and innovation.
Attend If You’re: A senior leader with 15+ years of experience, a TNPA member, or an invited guest
2024 AZA Annual Conference
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
September 14-19, 2024
The AZA Annual Conference is the country’s largest gathering of zoo and aquarium professionals. Attendees will explore new ideas and best practices through a series of educational sessions, poster presentations, and roundtable discussions. You can also see emerging technology in the zoo and aquarium industry and connect with more than 2,500 peers from across the U.S.
Attend If You’re: A zoo or aquarium professional
Nonprofit Innovation Summit (NIO)
Indianapolis, IN
September 18-19, 2024
NIO Summit is known for its fun and immersive themes, and this year’s is quite the adventure: “Generosity Jones and the Holy Grail of Fundraising.” This conference is the premier event for fundraisers who want to grow their online fundraising programs and become more innovative digital marketers. You’ll learn from innovators in fundraising, digital marketing, branding, persuasion, analytics, and much more.
Attend If You’re: A nonprofit fundraiser or digital marketer
OCTOBER
Engaging Networks Community Conference DC
Washington, DC
October 8-9, 2024
Join leading nonprofits, agencies, partners and Engaging Networks staff in Washington D.C. for two informative days of case studies, workshops, panels and talks on techniques and best practices that will help any organization raise more money and win more campaigns in 2024 and beyond.
Attend If You’re: Looking to grow your network and learn from industry experts on the most engaging fundraising techniques.
NOVEMBER
AHP International Conference
San Diego, CA
November 6-8, 2024
This is the largest gathering of healthcare philanthropy professionals from around the world. It boasts more than 50 speakers and over 35 sessions on the latest trends, so you can be confident you’re learning best practices and insights from the industry’s experts. You can also expect pre-conference workshops for senior-level professionals, those who are new to healthcare fundraising, and fundraisers prepping for the CFRE Exam.
Attend If You’re: In the healthcare philanthropy space
2024 AAWA Fall Conference
New Orleans, LA
November 18-20, 2024
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement brings those who champion and advance animal welfare together for nearly three days of inspiring keynotes and educational opportunities. Workshop tracks focus on fundraising, communications, industry innovations, and strategic workforces. There’s also plenty of networking, including the conference’s popular Tick, Tock, Talk — a structured opportunity to meet and share with your peers.
Attend If You’re: An AAWA member
DECEMBER
NonProfit POWER
Location: TBD
Date: TBD
NonProfit POWER is an invitation-only summit that brings leaders in the nonprofit space together to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Attendees are key decision-makers who oversee fundraising and technology strategy at leading nonprofits. At the summit, they’ll learn the latest direct marketing tactics, peer-to-peer fundraising strategies, and fundraising technology solutions.
Attend If You’re: An invited leader in the nonprofit space