Start your day off on the right foot! Meet the CharityMiles team in the Voco Hotel lobby for a casual jog from Voco to the Navy Pier and back. 

Pick up your badge, grab a coffee and light breakfast, and get ready for an inspiring day.

Powering a Future Where Giving is Everywhere

Your first touchpoint with donors is often through your owned channels—are you making the most of them? This session will challenge you to rethink your website, email list, and social media as powerful engines for donor acquisition, cultivation, and retention. Learn how to strategically use these channels to deepen relationships, build loyalty, and create a compelling narrative that keeps supporters engaged. Walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your direct connection with donors—before exploring how earned channels and the broader GoFundMe ecosystem can amplify your reach in the next session.

Most nonprofits focus on owned channels like their website and email list—but what if donors could do the work for you? Discover the power of earned channel that enable supporters to fundraise on your behalf, tapping into their own networks to expand your reach in ways traditional channels can’t. Learn how nonprofits have successfully leveraged channels where supporters are active to tap into new audiences, drive donations, and fuel your missions. Learn how to harness the power of social sharing and peer-driven fundraising to scale your impact—without additional marketing spend. Walk away with a fresh perspective on how to maximize this game-changing channel for your organization.

An introduction to the morning keynote, delivered by our Exclusive Airline Partner, Southwest Airlines.

In an era of overlapping global challenges—climate change, economic instability, and social unrest—how do we not only endure but also thrive? What emotional and structural resources do changemakers need to sustain their efforts for the long haul?

Dr. Sarah Jaquette Ray, author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool in a Warming Planet, will explore the intersection of resilience, burnout, and joy in impact-driven work. Drawing from social movement theory, climate justice activism, and psychology, she will share an “existential toolkit” designed to help nonprofit leaders and advocates navigate uncertainty while sustaining momentum.

This talk will highlight why investing in emotional well-being and collective power is not just necessary for individuals—it’s essential for building a just and sustainable future. Through actionable insights, Dr. Ray will reframe how we approach anxiety, grief, and burnout, demonstrating how joy, desire, and purpose can be powerful forces in driving meaningful change.

This talk is immediately followed by a fireside chat between Dr. Sarah Jaquette Ray and Katrina VanHuss with Turnkey for Good.

Head to City Hall to pick up a lunch, and network with other innovative nonprofit leaders at Recess, City Hall or Morgan MFG. 

Your most powerful fundraisers are the ones who can cultivate comunities around your cause. This session will explore how nonprofits can partner with influencers, streamers, and passionate supporters to drive awareness and fundraising. Whether they have a million followers or a small but engaged audience, these impact creators can amplify your message, mobilize new supporters, and generate real results. Learn how to identify the right partners, craft compelling collaboration strategies, and empower people to raise funds on your behalf.

Think you need a massive ad budget to see real fundraising results? Think again. The biggest secret in nonprofit digital advertising is hiding in plain sight—your existing community. Most organizations focus on constantly finding new donors, but so much opportunity lies in deepening connections with those who already know and care about your mission. By focusing on multi-channel remarketing, you can spend less, raise more, and build a thriving donor base that continues to grow over time. You’ll learn how to stay top of mind and drive more donations by strategically retargeting your warmest audiences across: -Facebook & Instagram Ads – Turn passive scrollers into engaged supporters -YouTube Ads – Capture attention with video and drive action - Google Ad Grants & Paid Search – Maximize free ad dollars and convert search intent into donations We’ll share real-life nonprofit success stories, key audience strategies, and the must-have retargeting framework that will transform your approach to digital ads. If you’re ready to get smarter (not just spend more) with advertising, you won’t want to miss this session. 👉 Walk away with: A step-by-step plan to leverage remarketing and amplify your impact—without breaking the bank.

Join Double the Donation for an interactive discussion on maximizing workplace giving. With a growing number of supporters eligible for matching gifts, corporate volunteer programs, and workplace giving, there’s a powerful opportunity to advance your mission. Explore strategies to help supporters leverage these programs, gain insights on effectively communicating them as a donor engagement tool, and learn how to turn workplace giving into a sustainable force that strengthens relationships and fuels your mission.

Learn how top organizations are driving successful fundraising campaigns by leveraging social media best practices. In this session, we’ll break down actionable strategies to boost engagement, expand your reach, and maximize impact. Plus, get exclusive insights from GoFundMe’s vast data set, uncovering how millions of users mobilize for good. Walk away with practical techniques to “hack” your own campaigns and supercharge your social strategy for greater fundraising success.

Discover how the Greater Chicago Food Depository transformed traditional food drives into a powerful digital fundraising engine using Classy and PayPal. This session will explore how virtual food drives, QR code campaigns, and seamless payment integrations are engaging younger donors, driving recurring giving, and raising millions to fight hunger. Learn how data-driven insights and innovative donor strategies are shaping the future of nonprofit fundraising.

Tight budgets. Big goals. Limited bandwidth. Fundraisers are under more pressure than ever—and that’s where Coastal comes in. In this interactive discussion, we'll break down how to do more with less—while growing your pipeline with new donors hiding in plain sight. From one-time social donors to first-time event attendees, the next generation of major givers is already engaging—you just need to know where to look, how to act, and what to prioritize. We’ll explore how nonprofits are using unified donor data, moment-based fundraising, and AI-driven insights to transform everyday interactions into lasting support. 

You’ll walk away with:

• Insight into how strong data fuels effective 
• Steps to activate AI without losing the human touch
• Ideas to turn casual engagement into lasting support

Your donor personas tell part of the story—but what are you missing? In this session, we’ll explore the hidden insights within your donor data, revealing patterns and behaviors that can transform your engagement strategy. Learn how to identify overlooked opportunities, discover “hidden gem” donors, and apply best practices to deepen connections and drive greater impact. Don’t just analyze your data—unlock its full potential.

People rally around the things they care about most—whether it’s a fandom, a local neighborhood, or a shared life experience. These deeply connected communities are reshaping philanthropy, yet many nonprofits struggle to engage them in meaningful ways. In this session, we’ll explore how grassroots movements, hyper-local networks, and digital micro-communities are driving collective giving. Learn how to identify and activate these passionate groups, empower supporters to self-organize, and create a fundraising culture that feels personal and authentic. The future of giving isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s niche, networked, and deeply human. Is your nonprofit ready to meet donors where they truly belong?

Extend the conversation and insights from the Unlocking Social Media for Nonprofit Success session with impact creator and author, Hunter Prosper. While conversing with Hunter, pick up a pre-sale copy of his new book "Conversations with Strangers" hitting the bookstores Fall 2025.

Wrap up the first day of Collaborative with appetizers, beverages, and live music. Celebrate the impact of the social sector and build connections with like-minded leaders. 

Grab a coffee, light breakfast, and network with peers before day two kicks off.

Pick up your morning coffee and join the Virtuous team at the GoNetwork Lounge for a casual, engaging conversation with peers. We’ll explore simple yet powerful strategies to turn one-time donors into lifelong champions of your cause.

What if everything you thought you knew about philanthropy was wrong? The Lilly School of Philanthropy’s groundbreaking report, The Eight Myths of U.S. Philanthropy, challenges common misconceptions with data-backed insights that reshape our understanding of giving in America. In this session, experts from the Lilly School take the stage to unpack these myths, revealing what truly drives charitable giving, who gives, and how philanthropy is evolving. Whether you're a nonprofit leader, fundraiser, or donor, this conversation will provide eye-opening takeaways to refine your approach and maximize impact.

In a rapidly evolving political and fundraising environment, understanding the forces shaping nonprofit success is more critical than ever. This expert panel will explore the key trends, policy changes, and cultural shifts influencing how charities raise money today—and how to adapt for long-term growth. From regulatory challenges to shifting donor expectations, our speakers will provide insights to help nonprofit leaders navigate complexity with confidence. This session will validate the challenges you’re facing while highlighting innovative strategies to sustain and grow your impact. Walk away with a deeper understanding of why embracing change is essential—and how to harness it to strengthen your mission.

Head to City Hall to pick up a lunch, and network with other innovative nonprofit leaders at Recess, City Hall or Morgan MFG.

Join Tatango for an interactive discussion to explore how both Gen Z and seniors value texting as a timely, trusted, and responsive channel, offering actionable insights for better engagement. Learn strategies for donor cultivation and engagement, as well as how to drive direct response fundraising through targeted text campaigns. We’ll also discuss how to leverage text messaging for event recruitment and coaching, ensuring better attendance and real-time support. Discover how texting can boost event participation, strengthen relationships, and increase giving across generations.

This dynamic workshop shows how journey mapping can transform donor relationships and build a supporter-first organization. Perfect for social impact leaders, it offers hands-on strategies for engaging donors with a seamless, tech-driven approach. Explore 21st-century mapping techniques, incorporating behavioral science, DEI, and AI to connect with multi-generational donors. Leave with actionable steps to create a donor-centric culture.
Learning Objectives:

• Inspire Innovation & Collaboration: Use journey mapping to drive cross-functional partnerships and boost donor engagement.
• Build Stronger Teams: Develop donor-centered teams and involve volunteers in the mapping process.
• Enhance Donor Acquisition & Retention: Apply mapping to attract and retain donors.
• Promote DEI in Engagement: Leverage mapping to foster diverse donor relationships.
• Boost Collaboration with CX: Use customer experience principles to strengthen teamwork and create a supporter-first organization.

In a world of constant noise, how do you make your story stand out? Join Trovon Williams, SVP of Marketing and Communications at NAACP, as he explores how industry leaders are reshaping their narratives to meet modern communication demands. Learn how to harness digital platforms, refine your messaging, tailor your story to your intended audience and elevate your brand in an era where storytelling is everything.

AI is rapidly transforming the way nonprofits operate—but how can organizations embrace its potential while maintaining the trust and emotional intelligence at the heart of their work? In this session, we’ll explore the cautious yet essential role AI plays in supplementing nonprofit efforts, from streamlining operations to enhancing donor engagement. Learn how to strike the right balance between automation and human oversight, ensuring AI remains a tool that empowers rather than replaces. Walk away with a clear understanding of how to integrate AI responsibly, ethically, and strategically to drive greater impact.

Your community is your greatest fundraising asset! Learn how to mobilize supporters, activate board members, and expand your reach using Community-Driven Fundraising. We’ll cover practical steps to design and launch campaigns that inspire action and drive donor engagement. In this session, we’ll talk about converting your transactional donors into an activated community of believers

Nonprofit leaders face extraordinary challenges—and yet they continue to lead with strength and innovation. In this powerful session, we’ll hear from nonprofit leaders who have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Through the power of storytelling, they will share moments of transformation that shaped their leadership and hard-earned lessons on how to face challenges with confidence. This is a moment to recognize and celebrate the strength within our nonprofit community.

Join us for this fireside chat with author, speaker and professional troublemaker, Luvvie Ajayi Jones. Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker and book coach who thrives at the intersection of culture, business and leadership. She has written 4 critically acclaimed bestselling books (including her banner book Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual and her children’s book Little Troublemaker Makes a Mess), establishing her as a literary force with a powerful pen. Her expertise as a marketer and a successful published author drove her to create The Book Academy, a masterclass and coaching platform for aspiring and established authors.

Brought to you by DonorDock.