The pandemic has caused many organizations to put in the extra effort to make their resources available online, including many conferences. Though there’s nothing like being in the same room with your peers, many virtual events have managed to provide truly inspiring content and opportunities for connection.
Looking ahead to 2021, some conferences will remain virtual and some, scheduled for later in the year, will attempt to return to in-person gatherings. Check out these events for nonprofit leaders, communications teams, and fundraisers happening online and/or across the US in 2021.
International Fundraising Conference – Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP ICON)
June 28-30 (virtual)
The AFP ICON and AFP ICON VIRTUAL provide fundraising professionals training, trends, and meaningful connections to make more impact. The conference will be offered both in person in Minneapolis, MN, and online.
The Nonprofit Marketing Summit
August 4-6 (virtual)
The Nonprofit Marketing Summit is the second free virtual conference this year offering nonprofit marketers key tactics and strategies to help scale and grow online revenue and impact. They are expanding from 1 to 3 days, introducing in-person networking watch parties and launching a Social Impact Pitch Competition where one forward thinking nonprofit will win $100K+ prize package.
Dreamforce
September 21-23, San Francisco, New York City, London, and Paris (in-person and virtual)
Dreamforce is the largest software conference in the world. Hosted by Salesforce, attendees will learn from industry visionaries, product experts, Trailblazers, and world-renowned speakers and leaders who can help transform your business, your career, and your life.
Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) International Conference
September 22-24 (virtual)
This conference gathers donor relations and stewardship professionals from around the world to learn, network, and share with each other their extensive knowledge and expertise within the donor relations industry.
Netroots Nation
October 7-9, Washington D.C. (in-person and virtual)
This gathering for progressive activists and independent media makers includes training for a breadth of skill levels, including online organizing, communications, operations, and grassroots organizing/campaigns. It also offers content on progressive issues and networking opportunities.
Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
November 1-3, San Diego, CA (in-person)
This conference is for nonprofit professionals in the areas of fundraising, leadership, and communications who want to learn how to raise more money by telling better stories.
Events that have already happened in 2021 – keep an eye out for 2022 dates to be announced.
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
January 12 (virtual)
The year’s event is a discussion between four philanthropy leaders on how funders have changed their grantmaking practices in 2020, and how to maintain and further improve upon them, to further their organizational missions in the months and years ahead.
Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum
March 1-3 (virtual)
Hear about the latest trends and success strategies and make valuable connections that will make peer-to-peer fundraising work even better for your organization.
Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC)
March 23-25 (virtual)
The NTC conference for nonprofit tech professionals goes virtual in 2021 with over 100 live, interactive sessions, thought-provoking and inspiring keynote speakers, and opportunities to connect with the community and sponsors.
Organizing 2.0 Conference
April 16-17 (virtual)
Organizing 2.0 brings together hundreds of leaders, organizers, fundraisers, techies, and activists to share collective wisdom, skills, and talents. It is run by volunteer communicators and online organizers that cross boundaries between labor, progressives, nonprofits, tech firms, faith communities, and techies of all stripes.
Greenlining Institute Economic Summit
May 5-6 (virtual)
Every year, Greenlining brings together thought leaders at the forefront of the fight for justice and equity. The most important voices from business, government, and grassroots community groups to connect, brainstorm, and strategize. This unique gathering “connects the dots” in a way that’s unlike any other meeting or conference we know of.
Cause Camp
May 11 (virtual)
Cause Camp is an annual two-day nonprofit conference hosted by Nonprofit Hub in Lincoln, Nebraska, and virtually, throughout the world. Cause Camp is dedicated to showing nonprofits how to be more remarkable in the areas of marketing, fundraising, leadership, innovation, and more.
Center for Nonprofit Management 501(c)onference
June 2-4 (virtual)
The 501(c)onference brings together nonprofit, philanthropic, and civic leaders to share knowledge and connect with others. Speakers share tactical tools and case studies that help attendees grow their own organizations.
The Collaborative: Virtual Sessions
June 8-11 (virtual)
This FREE online conference is designed for the social sector to gain insights, strategies, and inspiration. From fundraising and marketing best practices to the latest in technology and data, discover the tools and connections you need to accelerate your organization’s impact.
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