Please join your community foundation colleagues online for the 2020 Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations, explore what new technology has to offer to help you meet with old friends and make new connections. Dive into the expanded content live or listen to the recording at your convenience later during the year. From “blind-dates” matched by your interests to group discussions, interactive sessions, special events, and virtual “bar hopping” --- there are plenty of fun ways to connect, learn, and grow! The West and the East, the North and the South come together to network and share experiences with others just as passionate about community foundations.
The Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations is an outgrowth of those convened by the Kansas Association of Community Foundations over the last thirteen years, which has gained national recognition and attendance. It is tailored but not limited to small-staffed and volunteer-led community foundations in rural, small urban, and suburban America. It is designed to meet the needs of both new and seasoned board members and staff in practical training to enhance skills in all major areas of community foundation management. We welcome all board members and other volunteers, executive directors and other staff of community foundations from the USA and beyond.
This year’s theme is “Sustainable Community for All”. 2020 is a seminal year for communities across the United States. National elections, changing economic and environmental issues, Covid-19 realities, the peak phase of the transfer of wealth, equity and social justice concerns are just a few of the national headlines. At the heart of urban and rural communities, regardless of size or location, is the desire to have a thriving way of life with access to quality health care and schools, a strong and growing local economy, along with a vibrant culture and recreation scene. Across the country we are adapting and growing to meet this ever-changing world. For community foundations, how do we manage our time and resources to maintain and nurture a place to call home?
Each community has challenges and opportunities specific to that place and region, yet, there are some common approaches. Community Indicator program like Southwest Florida CF’s “CompleteLEE: Sustainability Plan,” Canada’s “Vital Signs” and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals offer common threads across society, economy and the environment. The conference will have a shared focus on how we approach external indicators in ways that shape our unique communities for today and the future. And, how do we use internal measures to better inform foundation operations such as grant programs, donor development, community leadership, impact investing or economic development to serve community foundation’s mission.
From local to national, and back again, this conference provides a menu of retreats, deeper dives and sessions to give every attendee a rich blend of ideas, programs, tools and networks to better position them to do this important work in rural, small urban and suburban communities. This year’s theme will frame two days of over 30 concurrent sessions, three plenaries, 6 deeper dives, and 6 retreats on topics related to: asset development, legal aspects, governance, communications and marketing, finance and operations, programs, public policy and advocacy, and leadership.
The Conference developed rural, fundamental and intermediate/advanced tracks to fit the diverse learning needs of attendees and provide a powerful platform for the exchange of knowledge and practical solutions. Best practices, and know-how are shared to help increase a foundation’s capacities and impact in the community.
2020 continues offering a session by assets size bringing topics pertinent to each group and providing an opportunity to learn and network with those who are “in the same boat”.
Last year, over 479 participants from 183 CFs representing 36 states, DC, Canada and Bermuda attended the Conference. With the online platform, the Conference has the capacity to welcome more attendees! Don’t keep this conference a secret. Please share it with others who might benefit from this opportunity designed by the National Advisory Group comprised of community foundation practitioners in the United States.
Conference Buzz:
“This is the most comprehensive conference for CFs that I am aware of.”
“This is, full stop, one of the most important events of the year.”
Curious what your peers are saying about the Conference? Watch this short Video.
The format of the Conference had to be changed for 2020 from in-person to online but the DNA of this rich offering remains: deep practical learning, concrete ideas to walk away with, valuable connections, and know-how from those who do the community foundation work day-to-day.
No need to spend on travel, hotel, and per diem! More content and more flexibility!
Online Conference special registration offer:
