By: Avi Mayerhoff
As the new year begins, we’re excited to be planning for the conferences we’ll attend. Many events will stay virtual with the option to travel still under consideration, but others will be live in the second half of the year. Take a look at our team’s favorite conferences for learning about the top trends in cause marketing, purpose and corporate social responsibility.
January
From Day One Conference Series, Starts January 12 with monthly conferences throughout 2021, Virtual and In-Person
From Day One is a conference series focused on innovative marketing, fundraising and collaboration. It aims to help you expand your donor base and strengthen bonds with existing donors. Discussions explore how companies can build values into their business—diversity, responsibility, transparency—and stick with them in an economy driven by disruption.
The Sustainable Brands, January 28-29, Virtual
The Sustainable Brands (SB) Member Community gathers each year to discuss how to shift cultural norms collectively and inspire customers to adopt more sustainable behaviors. Corporate Members, Affiliate Members, and Brands for Good Partners come together to uncover and apply best practices in behavior change.
February
Winning with Corporate Partners in 2021, February 10-12, Virtual
Engage for Good (EFG) hosts a mission-critical nonprofit virtual event series exclusively for nonprofit professionals. The high-energy experience is designed to surprise, engage and amuse as it helps you chart your path with corporate partners.
2021 ANA DC Nonprofit Conference, February 17-18, Virtual
At the ANA Nonprofit Federation Winter Conference, you’ll hear success stories from experts and industry leaders. You’ll get actionable solutions for the issues and challenges you face in today’s dynamic environment. This conference brings together fundraising and marketing professionals to exchange innovative ideas for building donor relationships.
Sustainatopia, February 17-18, Virtual
Sustainatopia Virtual Conference Series 2021 has a sharp focus on accelerating business development within social, financial and environmental sustainability and impact. The conference series curates an expert global ecosystem of investors, corporations, foundations, nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, government agencies, think tanks and leading intermediaries within a high engagement, heavy networking format.
The Sustainable Business & Social Impact (SBSI) Conference, February 24, Virtual
This conference is hosted by the Net Impact Club at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. SBSI is the largest conference of its kind in the Southeast, with over 800 people registering in 2020. Prominent leaders in the social impact and sustainability fields share their insights with inspiring talks and engaging panel conversations.
March
Peer-to-Peer Forum, March 1-3, Virtual
Join hundreds of colleagues to hear about the latest trends, share success strategies and make valuable connections. The goal of this forum is to help you make peer-to-peer fundraising work even better for your organization.
Goodness Matters by Benevity, March 2, Virtual
Each year, 1,000+ changemakers from the Benevity client community gather at Goodness Matters to connect and share best practices. This year, for the first time ever, we’re opening up the first day of the conference, March 2, so more companies can get a look at how some of the most purpose-driven brands are creating impact, and we can ide8 on the future of corporate purpose, together.
The Funders Network Conference, March 15-17, Virtual
TFN’s Rise Together conference will create a space for funders to explore the strategies that are creating more equitable, sustainable and resilient places to live-work. The need has increased urgency as we face the dual challenges of a global pandemic and structural racism. TFN’s mission is to leverage philanthropy’s unique potential to help create communities and regions that are sustainable, prosperous and just for all people.
SXSW Conference, March 16-20, Virtual
Experience unparalleled discovery, learning and networking with creatives across interactive, film and music industries. The Climate & Social Action Track highlights innovations that create a positive social impact and contribute to environmentally sustainable systems.
April
CSR 6.0, April 15, San Francisco
CSR 6.0 Summit will provide insights into the growth of CSR as a sector and examine the multi-dimensional ways that CSR programs are implemented in corporations today. It will introduce cutting-edge ideas that will shape the future of CSR as an industry. The alignment of business and social purpose will be explored through a mix of keynote talks, moderated panels, interviews and debates. Networking time with deeper dives into topics of interest will be offered.
BCCCC International Corporate Citizenship Conference, April 25-27, Washington, DC
The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship’s International Corporate Citizenship Conference connects leading corporate social responsibility professionals. Experts come from around the world for insights, information and sharing. This annual event is open to corporate citizenship practitioners only–offering a unique space for candid sharing, feedback and collaboration.
National Diversity and Leadership Conference, April 25-29, Virtual
Get ready for extraordinary networking opportunities. Conference attendees will include leaders and decision-makers across industries. You’ll be able to curate your experience for optimal learning. Choose your favorites from topics like being a better leader, creating a better workplace and embracing multiculturalism and diversity. #BEACHANGEMAKER
May
Cause Camp, May 11, Virtual
The Cause Camp team will offer vibrant programming, including keynote speakers, the Inspire series and workshops. All attendees will have access to the on-demand recordings for one month after the conference. Join to celebrate our collective resilience and dedication to Cause the Change.
CECP Summit: Center to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy, May 25-26, Virtual
CECP empowers corporations to be a force for good in society. The annual summit brings together nearly 300 corporate leaders who drive social strategies for the world’s largest companies. This vital corporate network engages and learns together. They’ll offer powerful insights into trends, partnerships and the business case to advance companies’ role in impact. This year, the summit will explore how companies are driving solutions for society’s greatest challenges.
Engage for Good, May 26-27, Virtual
Engage for Good (EFG) will bring nonprofit and business professionals together in intensive sessions to discuss best practices and lessons learned. They will cover trends and tactics for corporate/cause partnerships and provide networking for top social impact leaders.
June
Ethical Corp Responsible Business Summit, June 1-3, Virtual
The Responsible Business Summit will gather CEOs, Chief Sustainability Officers, investors and leading NGOs from around the globe. Attendees will share and learn about strategies that are helping deliver the required transformation of business.
Sustainable Brands ’21, June 7-10, San Diego, CA and Virtual or Hybrid
Sustainable Brands believes purpose-led brands attract customers, fulfill employees and outperform competitors. Purpose is the driving force of a thriving business, and sustainable innovation separates leaders from the pack. Attend to interact with a global community of change agents.
Social Innovation Summit, June 8-10, Virtual
Welcome, black swans and wayward thinkers. This summit beckons people who want to take action ASAP. In this time of crisis, the event is a call to rise to the occasion. Its aim is to be a forum for the most important conversations to drive vital partnerships for fast program development and engagement.
The Collaborative, June 8-11, Virtual
Join thousands of nonprofit leaders from around the world in engaging conversations and online sessions led by some of the most admired cause marketing experts.
Corporate Giving Conference, June 10-11, Virtual
This conference focuses on corporate philanthropy, sponsorships, employee volunteerism, workplace giving and cause-related marketing. Hear from speakers in the corporate sector who are decision makers in awarding grants, authorizing sponsorships and handling cause-related marketing requests.
Council of Foundations: Leading Together, June 14-17, Virtual
Leading Together remains the destination for philanthropy to engage in provocative conversations about the issues, challenges and opportunities facing the sector. It’s a unique chance to come together, share ideas and make the most of unique strengths.
AFP-ICON (Association of Fundraising Professions), June 28-30, Minneapolis, MN and Virtual
It’s the World’s No. 1 conference for fundraising professionals. Attend for fundraising training, insights into trends and the meaningful connections you need for greater impact. You’ll learn fundraising best practices to stimulate a world of generosity and positive social good.
July
Points of Light, July 14-16, Orlando, FL
This conference is a global convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders. Expect to connect, collaborate and gain and share the knowledge and resources needed to galvanize the power of people to create change. This conference has long been a connector. It strengthens the social sector by providing innovative ideas and resources that make it easier for people to do good in new and meaningful ways.
Bridge Conference, July 14-16, National Harbor, MD
This conference is the premier conference for fundraising and marketing professionals. It provides insights on the latest strategies, techniques and innovations in direct response and major donor fundraising. Join for dynamic keynotes, panels, workshops and networking.
September
INBOUND, September 7-10, Virtual
INBOUND is an annual experience uniting super curious, question-asking professionals with big-name and break-out industry thinkers. Think high-octane events and boundless education sessions. This event’s 250+ speakers are reshaping the future and will help you bring adrenaline for change into everything you touch.
November
ACCP Conference (Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals), November 3-4, Houston, TX
ACCP conference attendees will be connected to relevant and exciting tools and resources within a community of their peers. Meaningful connections will challenge you to think differently about the corporate citizenship industry and the work that you do. This conference is only open to those working for a corporation in a professional corporate citizenship capacity.
2021 Dates to Be Announced (TBA)
America’s Charities Collective Impact Conference
The Charities Collective Impact Conference brings together companies, nonprofits and other partners who have a shared commitment to tackling real-world challenges. It seeks to enable sustainable social impact through workplace giving, employee engagement and related areas of philanthropy.
3BL Forum: Brands Taking Stands
3BL Forum presents corporate leaders on a fast-paced main stage. This conference is keenly focused on the “why” and “how” as business amplifies its leadership and elects to lead on environmental, social and governance issues.
Cause Conference is a gathering of innovators and change-makers. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with hundreds of the brightest mission-driven leaders. Together, you’ll assess societal opportunities and develop innovative solutions to tough problems. You’ll implement methods to track impacts quantifiably and uplift our vibrant community.
Over the past seven years, the Cause Marketing Summit has been the go-to boutique event for educating and engaging a powerful community of cause-minded individuals. Each event attracts over 200 attendees from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Network with a powerful and engaged community working in social impact.
Corporate Responsibility Summit
The Corporate Responsibility Summit assembles top professionals focused on responsible and sustainable business. The Summit discusses the key issues and challenges in CSR, including planning, implementation, effective management and sustainability.
BBBCON is the ultimate conference experience for every person and organization using technology to build a better world. It’s where you go to be inspired, energized, equipped and empowered—all while connecting with your community.
Corporate Philanthropy & Social Impact Conference
Corporate citizenship professionals have consistently worked at the intersection of their companies and their communities with one foot in the company and one foot in the community. The Corporate Citizenship & Philanthropy Forum will examine the internal and external interdependence that corporate citizenship professionals navigate on a daily basis and provide a pathway to advancing the work.
Kindred is an executive network that prepares leaders for the future of socially responsible business. Organizations are now accountable for diversity, equity, inclusion, allyship, sustainability, violence, poverty, nutrition, education and mental health. Kindred helps members close the gap between intent and action with a collaborative network of renowned experts. It opens access to training, information, analysis, data and research.
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