Attending a conference is a great way to network with organizations in your space, get ahead of professional development opportunities, and learn about new trends in the industry. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, a key player on your advancement services team, an IT professional, or an on-the-ground fundraiser, there are several amazing conferences that focus on fundraising strategy and specific technology platforms. This is our list of the top 10 nonprofit conferences to attend in 2024.
24NTC
Hosted by NTEN
March 13-15
Portland, Oregon (+ virtual)
The 24NTC (Nonprofit Technology Conference) is an annual event organized by NTEN, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering nonprofit professionals to advance their missions through the effective use of technology. The conference focuses on technology best practices and how to use your technology to promote change in your community. It covers various topics related to nonprofit tech, including fundraising, advocacy, data management, and cybersecurity. Typical attendees include nonprofit executives, board members, fundraisers, marketers, IT professionals, and volunteers.
DRIVE 2024
Hosted by CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education)
March 25-27
Washington, D.C.
DRIVE 2024 is hosted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, commonly known as CASE. This event is geared toward nonprofit professionals in the higher education sector, specifically those looking for healthy conversations around data. DRIVE is known for sparking innovation among the crowd and breaking ground on new ideas. The event is suitable for a range of roles within colleges and universities, from Advancement Services to Alumni Relations, Gift Services, and technical teams who work heavily with data.
AFP ICON 2024
Hosted by AFP (The Association of Fundraising Professionals)
April 7-9
Toronto, Ontario
One of the most popular fundraising conferences of the year, AFP ICON is a great place for networking. The event attracts more than 3,000 professionals each year and includes an array of social gatherings to exchange ideas with experienced fundraisers. Conference sessions and workshops dive into all aspects of fundraising, covering a broad range of topics from ethics, accountability, and professionalism to AI in fundraising. Not only is this the place to network, but also there are more than 100 educational sessions to choose from, making it a great training opportunity for your team.
ZURI2024
Hosted by Zuri Group
June 2-4
Savannah, Georgia
We would be remiss to exclude ZURI2024 from the top 10 list of nonprofit conferences, as it is truly one of the most unique experiences in the industry. Designed for collaboration and one-on-one networking, Zuri Group’s event is for professionals across nonprofit, advancement, and healthcare sectors to learn from each other and participate in a supportive community with a common purpose. The interactive program features a mix of hands-on workshops, short, focused sessions, and roundtable discussions that encourage you to engage with peers in your space. With topics ranging from leadership strategy and digital transformation to specific technology systems and data governance, there is a little something for everyone. Between the helpful learning segments and memorably fun activities, there is ample time to connect with Zuri Group’s consultants and technical experts.
Bridge Conference
Hosted by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington and the Association of Fundraising Professionals DC Metro Area Chapter
July 31 – August 2
National Harbor, Maryland
Bridge Conference is an integrated marketing and fundraising event that brings together nonprofit marketing professionals. This event is set up for attendees to share information about new digital marketing strategies and to learn from the most influential thought leaders in the space. Conference topics cover innovative fundraising and marketing strategies alongside common challenges that nonprofits face, such as maintaining donor engagement and transforming one-time donors into recurring givers. It is a great event for your digital fundraisers to glean inspiration from successful campaigns and take helpful insights back to your team.
Dreamforce
Hosted by Salesforce
September 17-19
San Francisco, California
It’s no surprise that one of the world’s leading CRM software companies produces one of the largest technology conferences: Dreamforce. Their annual event draws in thousands of Salesforce customers and organizations interested in learning more about the vast suite of Salesforce products. Some keynote sessions at Dreamforce are known to be led by celebrity speakers (did you see Matthew McConaughey or Viola Davis take the stage last year?) who inspire and charm the audience. Typical session topics include Salesforce product updates, industry trends, CRM best practices, and innovations in digital transformation. Dreamforce is a great learning and networking opportunity for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of Salesforce products.
Nonprofit Innovation & Optimization (NIO) Summit
Hosted by NextAfter
September 18-19
Indianapolis, Indiana
Hosted by NextAfter, a nonprofit fundraising consulting agency, this conference explores innovative strategies and tactics for optimizing nonprofit fundraising and marketing efforts. The event brings in an array of nonprofit professionals, marketers, and fundraisers interested in leveraging data-driven approaches to improve fundraising outcomes. The NIO Summit is particularly helpful for those looking to enhance their understanding of digital fundraising and marketing best practices, which draws in development directors, marketing managers, data analysts, and other nonprofit staff responsible for driving fundraising revenue and donor engagement.
bbcon
Hosted by Blackbaud
September 24-26
Seattle, Washington
If you’re a Blackbaud customer, you’re no stranger to bbcon. Their most prominent event of the year, bbcon attracts thousands of social impact professionals for insights into the latest Blackbaud technology and industry trends. bbcon is known for its long list of enticing session options and ample networking opportunities. Last year, they had a virtual option with session playbacks for those who couldn’t travel to the conference.
ENCC D.C. 2024
Hosted by Engaging Networks
October 8-9
Arlington, Virginia
Engaging Networks is a digital engagement platform for online fundraising, advocacy, data management, and more. If you use Engaging Networks or are interested in learning more about the platform, their conference is a great learning opportunity. You will hear from users around the world, share unique and innovative ideas, and connect in a one-on-one setting. The ENCC program encompasses future trends and the direction of the platform, deep dives into specific features, and demos to further enhance your understanding of what Engaging Networks is capable of. We always appreciate the insightful conversations and great company at ENCC, and each time we go, we find ourselves talking about the outstanding food they serve. It is truly a great experience all around!
2024 Summit
Hosted by aasp (The Association of Advancement Services Professionals)
November 12-15
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Association of Advancement Services Professionals is devoted to empowering leaders who play critical roles in nonprofit operations. Summit 2024 is an annual event for leaders across all nonprofit sectors, from higher education to healthcare, social services, environmental organizations, and more. The program focuses on big-picture topics ranging from data management and analytics to donor relations, nonprofit technology, and fundraising strategy. Summit benefits development professionals, data analysts, marketing and communications staff, and nonprofit leaders.