New year, new fundraising goals! Is your organization ready to increase its impact this year? Recent surveys suggest that nonprofits across the sector will prioritize donor engagement, invest in time-saving technologies, and rebound from unexpected fundraising shortfalls this year. While considering your team’s next big moves, consider signing up for one or more of the biggest and best nonprofit conferences of 2023.
Conference attendees will learn about the latest trends, attend product demos of the latest technologies, schmooze with peers over coffee and snacks, and (of course) pick up some free swag.
In chronological order, here are our picks for this year’s must-attend nonprofit conferences, both virtual and in-person. Mark your calendars!
Download the 2023 Nonprofit Conference Calendar!
Nonprofit conferences you won’t want to miss in 2023:
- Fundraising Transformation Virtual Summit (Transform23)
- The Nonprofit Marketing Summit: The Big Innovation
- Nonprofit Technology Conference (23NTC)
- AFP Icon 2023
- Engage for Good – Agents of Change (EFG2023)
- AFP Planet Philanthropy
- 18th Annual Bridge Conference
- RAISE by OneCause
- NIO Summit
- Neon One Generosity Xchange
- Nonprofit Social Media Summit
1. Fundraising Transformation Virtual Summit (Transform23)
Date: January 25, 2023
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Website: https://tammyzonker.mykajabi.com/transform23
Description: Transform23 is focused on equipping nonprofit teams to elevate their fundraising success. The virtual conference invites attendees to attend sessions from forward-thinking experts, and features a Detroit-based celebrity emcee and a D.J. to elevate the vibe.
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit professionals seeking knowledge from expert speakers on topics such as artificial intelligence, philanthropic psychology, philanthropy in communities of color, crypto philanthropy, and storytelling.
Why You Should Attend:
- Free to attend
- Completely virtual
- Curated and forward-thinking speaker lineup
How to Register: RSVP with your email or Zoom account.
2. The Nonprofit Marketing Summit: The Big Innovation
Date: February 28 – March 2, 2023
Location: Virtual
Website: https://www.nonprofitmarketingsummit.org/
Cost: Free (VIP Passes available for $197.)
Description: The Nonprofit Marketing Summit is a free, 3-day virtual event, bringing together 25,000 marketers and nonprofit leaders eager to learn about new growth strategies. With more than 60 sessions offered, there’s sure to be an insight or two that can help your team take their marketing efforts to the next level.
Who Should Attend: Marketers and executive-level leaders from nonprofits of all shapes and sizes looking to network and learn from some of the most impactful charitable organizations on the planet.
Why You Should Attend:
- Virtual happy hours and networking opportunities!
- Session diversity – topics for everyone
- Three days of jam-packed content
3. Nonprofit Technology Conference (23NTC)
Date: April 12-14, 2023
Location: Denver, CO (Hybrid)
Website: https://www.nten.org/gather/ntc
Cost: Tickets range from $300-$1,049 depending on membership level and time of purchase.
Description: NTEN’s annual conference—the NTC—is devoted to using the best and newest technology for positive change. The conference blends formal educational sessions with informal opportunities to converse and share ideas and resources with fellow attendees.
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit teams that want to make the world a better place through the skillful and equitable use of technology.
Why You Should Attend:
- Hybrid – join from anywhere!
- Conference offers courses, certifications and cohorts
- Scholarships available for registrants
How to Register: Use this link to purchase your ticket.
4. AFP ICON 2023
Date: April 16-18, 2023
Location: New Orleans, LA
Website: https://www.afpicon.com/
Cost: Prices range from $499 – $2,799 depending on membership level and nonprofit organization size. → Learn more about pricing.
Description: Touted as “the world’s no. 1 fundraising conference,” AFP ICON descends on The Big Easy this year. With thousands of fundraising professionals in attendance, the conference offers a plethora of opportunities for fundraisers of all kinds to learn. This year’s special keynote speaker is renowned chef, TV personality and philanthropist Emeril Lagasse.
Who Should Attend: Fundraising and nonprofit professionals. AFP members and attendees from abroad may qualify for discounted registration rates.
Why You Should Attend:
- Global conference with representatives from 25+ countries
- Large exhibit hall
- Impressive speaker lineup
How to Register: AFP members can register via this link. Non AFP members can register here.
5. Engage for Good – Agents of Change (EFG2023)
Date: May 16-18, 2023
Location: Atlanta, GA
Website: https://engageforgood.com/conference/
Cost: Prices range anywhere from $445 – $1,595 depending on membership and portion of the conference you’d like to attend. → Learn more about pricing.
Description: A conference that highlights corporate social impact and those who make it happen behind the scenes. Attendees can learn about 40+ case studies from companies and nonprofits affecting positive change, and be among the first to get insights from the unveiling of the biannual Charity Checkout Champions report.
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit, CSR professionals, and business leaders interested in social impact, as well as those in marketing, program design and even HR fields.
Why You Should Attend:
- Versatile conference to meet the unique needs of attendees
- Highly engaged and energized audience year after year
- Access to HALO Award winners and campaigns
How to Register: Register here.
6. AFP Planet Philanthropy
Date: June 12-14, 2023
Location: Orlando, FL
Website: https://community.afpglobal.org/afpflcaucus/planet-philanthropy-2023
Cost: Tickets range from $500 – $800 depending on your membership and time of purchase. → Learn more about pricing.
Description: Florida’s biggest fundraising conference is back for another year. Organized by a coalition of a dozen local AFP Florida chapters, attendees will sign up for learning tracks covering topics such as annual giving and major gifts, grant writing and corporate giving, executive leadership, IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access), planned giving and prospect research, and more.
Who Should Attend: Florida-based nonprofit professionals as well as those hailing from across the U.S. (including Puerto Rico).
Why You Should Attend:
- A smaller, more intimate gathering
- Engaging social activities
- Great weather!
How to Register: AFP members and non-members can register here.
7. 18th Annual Bridge Conference
Date: August 2-4, 2023
Location: Washington, D.C.
Website: https://www.bridgeconf.org/
Cost: Tickets range from $895 – $1,000 depending on membership. Special rates are available in certain circumstances. → Learn more about pricing.
Description: The Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraising Conference (aka the “Bridge Conference”) is produced by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) chapter of the Washington DC Metro Area and the Direct Marketing Association of Washington. This year’s theme is “Changemakers.”
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit professionals, especially those focused on fundraising and marketing.
Why You Should Attend:
- CFRE credits available to attendees
- Wide variety of sponsors / exhibitors
- Hands on workshops with fundraising experts
How to Register: You can register here.
8. RAISE by OneCause
Date: September 11-12, 2023
Location: Nashville, TN
Website: https://www.onecause.com/raise/
Cost: Prices range from $699 – $899 depending on time of purchase. Early bird rates end January 31, 2023.
Description: Raise, now in its seventh year, is known for innovative topics and forward-thinking content and speakers. With thousands of attendees expected from all over the USA, this is likely to be the largest Raise event yet.
Who Should Attend: Organizers are calling for “passionate and fearless communities of nonprofit professionals, industry leaders, and growth-minded brands” to join them at Raise this year. Note that a majority of attendees hold executive leadership roles.
Why You Should Attend:
- Diverse speaker lineup
- Networking opportunities with other nonprofit leaders
- CFRE credits available for select sessions
How to Register: Use this link to register.
9. NIO Summit
Date: September 19-21, 2023
Location: Dallas, TX (Gilley’s Dallas)
Website: https://www.niosummit.com/
Cost: Varies, with early bird prices starting as low as $695; price increases monthly.
Description: This two-day event (hosted by NextAfter) isn’t just a fundraising conference, it’s an immersive experience. Marquee speakers from both the for-profit and nonprofit industries give actionable insights and steps to improve your results in TED Talk-style presentations. This year’s theme is classic game shows, which will serve as the backdrop for an unforgettable learning adventure.
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit marketing and fundraising professionals ready to increase their results and learn from leaders in the space.
Why You Should Attend:
- Get actionable ideas to immediately improve your fundraising results
- Receive free consulting and advice on your materials from NextAfter consultants
- Build or grow your industry peer network with like-minded innovators in fundraising
- Learn practical ways to raise more money for your cause
How to Register: Use this link to register.
10. Neon One Generosity Xchange
Date: October 11-23, 2023
Location: Virtual
Website: https://neonone.com/resources/generosity-xchange-conference/
Cost: Free
Description: Neon One’s Generosity Xchange is a two-day virtual conference designed to connect nonprofit professionals and thought leaders in the “social good” space. Last year’s event focused on donor insights, fundraiser enablement, and maximizing year-end giving—stay tuned for announcements about this year’s theme!
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit professionals eager to learn more about the latest fundraising trends, solutions, and best practices.
Why You Should Attend:
- Completely virtual
- Engaging speakers
- Exclusive access to Neon One resources including blogs, guides, webinars, and more
How to Register: Check this page for registration details.
11. Nonprofit Social Media Summit
Date: November 8-9, 2023
Location: Virtual
Website: Link not live yet—check out last year’s page in the meantime.
Cost: Ticket price details to be confirmed.
Note: In 2022, registrants had two options for attending the Summit. The first was a general admission ticket that included access to all live keynotes, sessions, workshops, and networking events. The second was a $199 VIP ticket, which grants attendees access to all sessions and networking events, links to recorded sessions and slide decks, and a ticket to a live training session with Julia Campell to help plan a 2023 social media marketing calendar.
Description: The Nonprofit Social Media Summit is a two-day event for nonprofit professionals to learn about new strategies, develop new marketing skills and check out trailblazing new technologies that benefit nonprofits.
Who Should Attend: Nonprofit social media marketers and community builders eager to engage with new and existing supporters across digital platforms.
Why You Should Attend:
- Tailored content for those interested in community building
- Exclusive 1:1 access to Julia Campbell, author of Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits and How to Build and Mobilize a Social Media Community for Your Nonprofit in 90 Days
- Virtual programming
How to Register: Registration link coming soon.
[Free Webinar] New Fundraising Strategies for 2023 + Q&A
Discover how to incorporate non-cash assets like stock and crypto donations into your 2023 fundraising strategy. Brought to you by The Giving Block.
Who Should Attend:
Anyone responsible for development, advancement or fundraising at a 501(c)3 or similar organization including:
- Nonprofits and charitable organizations
- Faith-based organizations and churches
About The Giving Block
Backed by Shift4, a publicly-traded company, The Giving Block makes fundraising diverse assets like cards, stocks, and crypto easy for nonprofits. Since 2018, The Giving Block has empowered mission-driven organizations, charities, universities, and faith-based organizations of all sizes to achieve their mission through innovation and by accepting the preferred assets held and donated by modern philanthropists.
