In November, we’ll elect a new President and Congress – and we’ll know how (and why) various next generation-led political movements succeeded or failed. What lessons can next generation leaders learn from this election cycle? And how can we adjust our strategies to be more influential in the future?

Before the 2016 election cycle began, plans were being drawn up for 2018, 2020, and well beyond. And outside of elections, policymaking happens constantly at the local, state, and national level. You need to be equipped to advocate for your community every day of every year. We’ll give you strategies to get a seat at […]

How do your audiences consume messages? On phones and tablets? Through print? Over the airwaves on TV or radio? Choosing the right media outlets for your audience is a critical skill to learn. We’ll explore the full range of what’s available and teach you how to make smart decisions to get the best results.

Emotional Intelligence is how we manage behavior, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions. It’s something that can be learned, honed, and leveraged to better connect with people. And, it’s a core competency for every effective leader. Learn the tactics for putting it to use for your career and community.

By 2040, people of color will comprise the majority of the American population. This rapid demographic shift will have profound implications for the charitable sector and NGeners are best positioned to help their organizations prepare. We’ll equip you with tools and strategies for helping to move your organization into the future.

When it comes to leadership, change is a constant. Whether at your organization, in your personal life, or in society, change determines how we live and work. And every change is an opportunity. We’ll teach you how to navigate change with grace and optimism (and how to negotiate inevitable obstacles).

The kickoff is designed for first-time conference goers and new IS members. Join other newcomers, leaders within the IS community, and IS staff for this opportunity to get a jump start on the conference and make meaningful connections.

As the political dust settles, hear how policies and laws impacted voter registration and access to voting in 2016 and how money played a role. We’ll also take a look forward as we build our agenda to promote accountability in government and empower people’s voice in the political process.

Presented by Association of Fundraising Professionals Every nonprofit requires a healthy fundraising program, but many organizations are stuck in a vicious cycle. Join us as we roll out a new Fundraising Culture Assessment tool you can use in your own organization and have a candid discussion about what kind of leadership & resources you and […]

Presented by GEO Serving in a C-Suite role means you are on the front lines in ensuring that your organization is accomplishing its mission while operating effectively and efficiently. Join other first-time C-Suiters for an honest dialogue about your role and how you can be more effective in building teams, operationalizing the CEO’s vision, and […]

Sponsored by Accenture Data is available all the time and everywhere, yet we’re challenged in harnessing it. If we adopt a data-driven culture, we can revolutionize our organizations with improved insights, increased efficiency, and greater collaboration. This session will examine how you can use data analytics to improve outcomes and strengthen your impact.

The trend towards religious disaffiliation of Millennials isn’t negating the building of innovative communities and developing ritual. Find out what the younger generation is looking for. How we are gathering, engaging institutions, and deepening our experience of leading community.

This interactive session will ask participants to prototype and test tools designed to help grantees and grantors work through the struggles inherent in partnership. Your input will be used to shape resources Independent Sector will release in 2017 to promote healthy grantee-grantor dynamics and help individuals better leverage their power within these relationships.

Philanthropy has been asked to step in and save the day when government has failed. But instead of taking over, we have several examples of philanthropy building effective partnerships with government and related agencies in areas as diverse as public safety, health, and youth. Listen to leaders who have been involved in effective partnerships share […]

This is Dan Cardinali’s first CEO led session as IS president. Following his town hall plenary with conference attendees, Dan will continue to lean in to gather impressions and feed-back from CEOs and heads of organizations.

While organizations strive for community engagement, incorporating stakeholder voices into decision-making can be challenging. Hear from organizations who have done this well, and engage with fellow attendees to create new models that work for you.

sponsored by Global Impact The 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed in partnership between the UN, nonprofits, governments and business. The SDGs, which address poverty alleviation, equality and inclusion, the environment, economic growth, energy, a peaceful and just society, resonate both domestically and globally. Learn the role and opportunity for U.S. nonprofits in […]

Presented by The Bridgespan Group Just because there’s a clear need for a social program or service doesn’t mean there’s demand. We call this the “need-equals-demand fallacy.” And it’s widely felt. Join speakers to discuss the steps that organizations can take to stimulate beneficiary participation.

Presented by Community Wealth Partners Leaders who want make their organizations more transparent and collaborative, and have greater impact in their communities, should consider the central role of culture on these outcomes. This session will help you understand how to build and maintain an internal culture – aligned values, norms, and daily behaviors - that […]

Join author Ian Haney López for a book club session connecting his recent book, Dog Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class, to the 2016 elections. Dig deeper into the role and mechanics of veiled racial appeals in this year’s presidential campaign, and then brainstorm about where we […]

How can philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, and government ignite partnerships to create lasting change? Senior leaders will highlight specific national and local examples of partnerships and share the thinking behind their decisions and lessons learned.

Research has shown that income, racial equity, education, employment opportunity, affordable housing, and other social indicators are inextricably related to the health of our communities. Learn new ways of working and collaborating across sectors to achieve big picture solutions that revitalize our communities.

Presented by GlobalGiving Authentic partnerships between charitable organizations and corporations should benefit both sides of that relationship. Speakers will discuss how they’ve helped businesses use charity work to make positive change in their communities, and how nonprofits can better use the space, technology, and expertise of businesses to make a more meaningful impact.

Nonprofits are constantly challenged to bring up something new or innovative to funders to grab their attention. How do you decide to stick with what you’re good at or to experiment with new ways, especially when the bets are high for your organization and your stakeholders?

A futurist can foresee the opportunities and threats coming down the pipeline – a useful mindset to lead any organization. Hear from different sector leaders about trends in their field and how they adapt to the seismic changes happening throughout society.

What are the ways you go about building your talent pipeline? Learn how your peers are engaging cross-sector players, grooming existing staff, and reassigning existing staff to new roles – all while strengthening organizational culture. Learn from your peers what they are doing to keep their organizations attractive to the best and brightest.

Sponsored by LOR Foundation This session will explore cultural and economic resilience in small towns. James Fallows, national correspondent for The Atlantic, will be joined in conversation by Deb Love, executive director of the LOR Foundation, which makes grants to improve livability and the quality of life in the Intermountain West.

Why does race and ethnicity matter so profoundly for health in the U.S. and elsewhere? Internationally recognized Harvard professor David R. Williams will discuss health trends by race and immigrant status and stunning new research on the added burden of race. He presents why moving a health equity agenda forward is central to the personal […]

Join us for an engaging dialogue where participants will serve as peer consultants to discuss how to cultivate a non-competitive dynamic amongst C-Suite staff. We’ll emphasize how to build trust using transparency and communication as its centerpieces and how the CEO fits into this effort.

Sponsored by Democracy Fund Trust in Congress is at a historic low and it’s tempting to shrug that off as nothing unusual. But there’s a real opportunity for the charitable sector to better connect Congress with our citizens and influence them to do a better job. Using an in-depth systems analysis that demonstrates how we […]

Sponsored by CyberDx Growing Cyber Threats are not confined to large businesses, governments, and individuals. The risk to not-for-profit donors, operations, and employees is growing. This session focuses on rising cyber-crime, potential impacts to Independent Sector members, the need for C-Level and Board attention, and what you can do to reduce your risk.

Presented by Urban Institute We know that building the capacity of nonprofits to assess outcomes can be game changing, but to accomplish this we must reframe the conversation to embrace more collaborative approaches between funders and nonprofits. This session will explore new models for achieving and measuring performance through deeper engagement.

Presented by TechSoup Fueled by technology, civic engagement today often looks different than successful movements of American history. Hear speakers discuss the effect of these changes have on our democracy and how the charitable sector could be more supportive of our evolving methods of civic engagement.

Presented by Center for Creative Leadership The powerful intersection of brain science and leadership has profound implications for leaders and organizations at all levels. This session offers a focused, engaging, and high-application exploration of the emerging field of “neuroleadership” to help us live, learn, and lead with enhanced energy, attention, and emotional regulation in an […]

Learn how the U.S. compares to other countries in terms of some of the most important issues of the day including poverty, migrant movements, gender equality, and an engaged civil society. Find out where America is thriving and falling short, and how your organization helps bridge the gaps.

An employee was caught stealing from your organization. Your donor database was hacked. A prominent news outlet questioned your business practices. When a crisis hits, are you prepared to respond? How will you make decisions about balancing privacy and transparency when communicating with donors, staff, and the public?

Be part of this participant-led discussion and deep dive into race and healing. Whether the conversation was started in another session or hasn’t been addressed yet, conference attendees can bring their best thinking and experiences to discuss solutions and strategies with the support of your colleagues.

Bryan Stevenson, multi-award winning Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated and the condemned. Join this year’s Gardner Leadership awardee in a riveting conversation about his journey in protecting human rights and promoting social justice.