Your Guide to 2026 Nonprofit Conferences for Fundraising, Technology, and Leadership

Planning conference travel takes more than blocking time on the calendar — it means deciding where limited budgets, energy, and attention will have the greatest payoff. As nonprofits look ahead to 2026, sector conferences continue to offer opportunities to learn from peers, explore new strategies, and step back from day-to-day demands to think more strategically about fundraising, leadership, technology, and impact.

While some organizers are still finalizing plans for this year’s events, here’s a running list of nonprofit sector conferences worth attending in 2026.

P2P Professional Forum Conference

Feb. 24-26 | Baltimore

The P2P Professional Forum Conference centers on peer-to-peer fundraising strategy, including walks, runs, rides, and supporter-led campaigns. The conference delivers tactical content, case studies, and networking for professionals responsible for growing participation, revenue, and community engagement.

Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium

March 25-27 | Washington, D.C.

The Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium focuses on practical fundraising strategy, professional development, and peer learning for advancement professionals. The Direct Marketing Association of Washington and The Nonprofit Alliance Foundation host the three-day program for nonprofit fundraisers with sessions emphasizing real-world application and shared learning.

Get a deeper look in our recap of last year’s Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium.

Women’s Philanthropy Symposium

March 31 to April 1 | Chicago

The Women’s Philanthropy Symposium explores how gender shapes giving, leadership, and philanthropic impact. The Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy brings together researchers, fundraisers, nonprofit leaders, and advisers for two days of research-driven insights and practical discussion focused on women’s giving and social change.

Engage for Good Conference

April 21-24 | Palm Springs, California

The Engage for Good Conference examines how nonprofits and companies collaborate to drive social impact through purpose-driven partnerships. Nonprofit leaders, corporate social impact teams, and cause marketers gather to explore sponsorships, employee engagement, and consumer-facing campaigns.

AFP ICON

April 26-28 | San Diego

AFP ICON brings together thousands of nonprofit fundraisers and development leaders for three days of education, networking, and skills building. From the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the conference features more than 100 sessions on donor engagement, leadership, innovation, and equity in philanthropy, along with keynote speakers and peer-learning opportunities.

Explore our past coverage of sessions on unlocking transformation gifts and obtaining government funding.

Collaborative

May 6-7 | Chicago

Collaborative from GoFundMe focuses on nonprofit fundraising, leadership, and innovation through a mix of strategy sessions and peer discussion. GoFundMe curates programming that blends fundraising best practices with leadership development and sector trends.

Social Innovation Summit

June 2-3 | Atlanta

The Social Innovation Summit connects leaders across sectors to focus on partnership building and strategies that accelerate social impact. Landmark Ventures designs the program around cross-sector collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference

July 29-31 | National Harbor, Maryland

The Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference focuses on aligning fundraising and marketing strategy to drive stronger donor engagement and results. The event draws fundraisers, marketers, and nonprofit leaders through a collaboration between the Direct Marketing Association of Washington and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Washington, D.C., Metro Area Chapter, offering sessions and workshops centered on integration, data, and storytelling.

Catch up on key insights in our recap of last year’s Bridge Conference and BridgeTECH. 

Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit

Sept. 22-24 | Fort Worth, Texas

The Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization Summit focuses on digital fundraising growth through testing, optimization, and evidence-backed tactics. NextAfter runs the conference and positions it for fundraisers and marketers who want to build donor acquisition and retention plans they can execute.

Tech Forward

Sept. 27-29 | Kansas City, Missouri

Tech Forward brings nonprofit technology leaders together to explore practical approaches to digital transformation, data, cybersecurity, and IT strategy. Tech Impact hosts nonprofit professionals, technologists, and sector partners for hands-on sessions and peer learning focused on using technology to strengthen operations and advance mission outcomes.

Learn more through our coverage of last year’s Tech Forward. 

National Summit

Oct. 13-16 | Phoenix

Independent Sector’s National Summit brings together nonprofit, philanthropic, and civic leaders to examine the policies, practices, and partnerships shaping the social sector. The event includes plenary sessions, workshops, and peer exchange focused on equity, democracy, and the conditions nonprofits need to thrive.

Cause Camp

Oct. 20-21 | Chicago and virtual

Nonprofit Hub’s Cause Camp brings together nonprofit professionals for focused learning around fundraising, marketing, and leadership. Nonprofit Hub invites practitioners to sessions that emphasize practical skills, peer connection, and real-world application, making the conference a draw for organizations looking to strengthen day-to-day operations and long-term strategy.

AFP LEAD

Oct. 22-24 | New Orleans

AFP LEAD centers on leadership development for fundraising professionals looking to advance their careers and organizational impact. The Association of Fundraising Professionals builds the agenda around management skills, team leadership, and strategic decision-making within nonprofit development functions.

Nonprofit Storytelling Conference

Oct. 26-28 | Tucson, Arizona

Nonprofit Storytelling Conference focuses on fundraising storytelling skills and practical techniques communicators and development teams can apply immediately. The conference frames programming around improving donor response through stronger narratives.

Grant Summit

Nov. 4-7 | San Antonio, Texas

Grant Summit focuses on grantseeking strategies, proposal development, and funder relationships for nonprofit professionals. The Grant Professionals Association convenes practitioners at all experience levels to share tools, techniques, and insights that strengthen grants work.

NonProfit POWER

Dec. 1-3 | Baltimore

NonProfit PRO convenes nonprofit leaders who oversee fundraising and technology strategy for three days of curated conversations and relationship-building at NonProfit POWER, a free, all-inclusive conference for qualified attendees. If you’re a senior nonprofit executive at a midsize or large nonprofit and you are interested in attending, fill out our qualification form here.

As we put the finishing touches on this year’s event, check out the NonProfit POWER 2025 agenda and some highlights:

• Opening keynote speaker Erik J. Daubert of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy unpacked the forces reshaping philanthropy — from a K-shaped economy and the return of the universal charitable deduction to shifting generational giving patterns, donor-advised funds, and AI — and what they mean for your fundraising strategy.
• Shannon McCracken, president and CEO of The Nonprofit Alliance, closed the conference by outlining how nonprofits can navigate mounting policy headwinds — from threats to 501(c)(3) status to increased scrutiny — through a clear “Own Your Value” framework, stronger compliance, and an intentional resilience strategy.
• From AI to peer-to-peer fundraising to direct marketing, other top takeaways include how nonprofits are using technology, live events, and storytelling to deepen donor trust and connection.

Editor’s Note: Have a nonprofit sector conference you think is worthy of this list? Email suggestions to acole@napco.com to be considered for next year's list.