2024 National Conference

A detailed version of our full conference program with session titles and descriptions is available here.

Breakout Sessions: 75-minute, interactive sessions, where participants access and hear from peer practitioners, nonprofit organizations, community members and consultants. Sessions discuss specific concepts, frameworks and tools that have immediate practical application to philanthropic work that leads to more effective and equity-centered grantmaking practices and support thriving nonprofits and communities. Breakouts feature a maximum of three speakers, including a moderator.

Workshops: 2-hour sessions that allow for real time, deeper levels of participant interaction or exploration of concepts, tools and skill-building. These sessions provide appropriate context so that participants are equipped to use what they learn in their grantmaking practice resulting in better support to nonprofits and communities. They should also offer deeper knowledge, training and/or a more tactical dive to help participants increase their capacity. Workshops feature a maximum of three speakers, including a moderator.

Spark Conversations: 45-minute sessions designed to be a highly participatory conversation or engaging activity that provides space for participants to grapple with the issues that matter most in our work. They offer new ideas, explore challenges and offer new insights into our work as grantmakers. Spark conversations feature one to two facilitators to guide the conversation.

Community Building Events: Community building events offer an opportunity for peers to gather during the GEO conference separate from the formal conference program. Check out our community building form during registration for more

Plenaries: Our plenary mainstage will showcase a variety of speakers, highlighting works from individuals in philanthropy, movement spaces and beyond, to dive deep and provide both big ideas, and actionable takeaways on transforming philanthropic culture and practice.

Short Talks: Short Talks are engaging 20-minute, keynote style presentations that challenge current philanthropic culture and practice or inspire participants to think about the topic, their work and/or lives differently.

Active Hour and Mindfulness Moment: To transform philanthropic culture and practice together, we need to take care of ourselves. These sessions will offer participants an opportunity to engage in some inclusive and accessible movement or mindfulness work.

Early Arrivers Social Hour and Welcome Reception: These events will offer opportunities to build relationships and community with other conference participants.

Check out recordings of select 2024 National Conference plenaries as well as our inspiring short talks here.

Looking for a resource from a session that inspired you or hoping to share some of what you learned with your colleagues?

Follow the link to our shared Dropbox of session resources from some of our presenters.