A conversation about sector trends and how they’re impacting your work

Each year since 2017, our 11 Trends in Philanthropy report has looked both broadly and deeply at new shifts and evolving movements as they emerge to shape our field nationally and globally. But this year, a highly erratic environment makes that project nearly impossible. As executive orders, legal contests, and legislative debates play out, we do not have a clear picture of the impacts on our communities, our organizations and networks, or our resources.

11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2026 is an acknowledgment of the moment we find ourselves in — a moment of hyper disruption, one that combines both great anxiety about where we are headed and great possibility for what could come next. Our future feels more uncertain than ever – but the opportunity to create and scale life-changing innovations for our communities feels present, as well.

• Join a panel of field experts for a timely and important exploration of how our sector has evolved over the past decade, and what the future might bring.
• Learn about specific key trends and macro-level forces shaping — and being shaped by — philanthropy practitioners and colleagues in other sectors.
• Hear from leading voices in philanthropy working to contextualize public debates, offer alternatives and solutions, and support the people most impacted by change.
• Think about how these trends will affect your work and relationships in the year and years ahead.

Panelists:

• Glen Galaich, CEO of the Stupski Foundation
• Elisha Smith Arrillaga, VP of research at the Center for Effective Philanthropy
• Victoria Vrana, CEO of GlobalGiving

Moderator: Elizabeth Dale, acting executive director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy

This workshop will offer an opportunity to learn about and discuss collaborative budgeting and how sharing responsibility for budget development among staff, leadership, and Board members can:

● Be empowering

● Inspire creative, well-rounded, and responsible decision-making (especially during challenging times)

● Enhance organizational and individual wellbeing through greater trust and understanding

In this workshop participants will learn:

● How to create a more collaborative budget process

● Why it can be helpful to utilize the budget process to build shared responsibility for organizational health

● Ways to create space for real conversations about organizational finance that build individual and organizational capacity

Small group sessions are here for you to learn how to better navigate the platform, ask questions, get guidance into specific scenarios, or get an overview if you're just getting started. At the beginning of the call we encourage participants to share their questions or what you're looking to focus on and you're welcome to stay for the whole session or drop once your needs are met.

Register on Zoom

Presented by GrantStation

In this lively session, veteran grantwriter and grantmaker Maryn Boess draws on her 16 years as a grantmaking program officer, and the collective experience of many other private and public grant decision-makers, to give you a realistic, behind-the-scenes look at how “thinking like a funder” can help you sharpen your own grantseeking success.

$69 per person or $159 per group

Register Here

Presented by Dorthy A. Johnson Center

• Join a panel of field experts for a timely and important exploration of how our sector has evolved over the past decade, and what the future might bring.
• Learn about specific key trends and macro-level forces shaping — and being shaped by — philanthropy practitioners and colleagues in other sectors.
• Hear from leading voices in philanthropy working to contextualize public debates, offer alternatives and solutions, and support the people most impacted by change.
• Think about how these trends will affect your work and relationships in the year and years ahead.

Register Here

Presented by The CT Community Nonprofit Alliance

FREE for members, $45 for non-members

Engaging nonprofit Board members in advocacy work is a powerful way to expand your organization’s impact. Board members bring a unique perspective that can influence policy, raise visibility, and ensure that your nonprofit’s needs are heard in legislative discussions.

In this training, we will explore how Board members can take on the crucial role of advocate, aligning with their responsibility to champion the nonprofit’s mission. We’ll discuss effective ways for Boards to become stronger advocates and drive meaningful change for your organization.

Register Here