Last Updated December 2024
Who should attend GEO’s 2024 National Conference?
GEO conferences are open to current GEO members; all staff and trustees of grantmaking institutions; staff of philanthropy-supporting infrastructure groups, such as regional associations of grantmakers and affinity groups; and staff of academic institutions and programs focused primarily on the study of philanthropy and the practice of giving. We also have limited seats available to consultants who support grantmaking institutions and nonprofits. There are 20 in-person registration tickets available to consultants at the nonmember rate on a first come, first served basis. Consultant organizations are limited to a maximum of two in-person registration tickets per organization. Consultants MUST register using the Consultant registration type; any consultants who register using Non-Member will have their registration cancelled and refunded.
What time will the conference begin and end?
We have an optional early arrivers social hour on Sunday, May 4 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET. Our conference will begin with our opening plenary on Monday, May 5 at 9:15 a.m. Our closing plenary will take place Tuesday, May 6 from 12:15 – 2:00 p.m., with optional community building events taking place until 4:00 p.m.
Where is the conference located? Where should I stay? How can I get there?
Our conference will take place at the Westin Charlotte, located at 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Learn more about the Westin Charlotte here. The Westin Charlotte is located 7.3 miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). We have a room block available at a rate of $250/night plus applicable state and local taxes. We ask conference participants to NOT make travel accommodations until your registration is confirmed.
What are GEO’s COVID-19 policies?
GEO considers the wellbeing of all those on-site at our 2025 Learning Conference a top priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has targeted the most vulnerable among us, leading to heightened vulnerability for members of our community with disabilities and/or chronic illness. We encourage conference participants, speakers, vendors and GEO staff to take a rapid COVID-19 and flu test prior to attending any conference programs. We will have tests and masks available at no cost on site. We also strongly encourage those who are able to stay up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations including bivalent boosters. GEO reserves the right to update our policies at any time. Please continue to refer back to the conference website to remain up to date.
Will there be an option to participate virtually?
GEO is currently exploring a virtual livestream of conference plenaries and select short talk. More information to come at a later date. We encourage you to check out our events page for future GEO virtual programming.
What if I need an accommodation to participate fully?
GEO is committed to providing accessible, inclusive events. During the registration process, you’ll be asked about accommodations including but not limited to dietary restrictions, large print, language interpretation and more. After filling out the accommodation section of registration, GEO staff will reach out to you directly so we can ensure your full participation.
What is your cancellation/substitution policy?
Cancellations for conference registrations received by Friday, April 4 are eligible to receive a partial refund (registration price minus a $100 non-refundable service fee, in addition to any Stripe processing fees, which are also non-refundable). Cancellations for registrations received after April 5 will not be eligible for a refund.
Participants may also choose to transfer their registration to a colleague or peer. Transferred registration may incur additional fees if they are transferred across registration type. Transfers must be requested by Friday, April 4, 2025 in writing by emailing registration@geofunders.org. Refunds will not be offered for transferred registrations or no shows.
It is a few days before the conference and I am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or another airborne illness, have tested positive for COVID-19, am waiting for a test result, or become aware that I had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19. What should I do?
We appreciate all the efforts of conference participants to ensure that others remain safe and healthy. Please monitor your daily health prior to entering the conference facilities and stay home or isolate yourself, and seek medical attention, in such situations. Contact GEO staff to let them know you will be unable to attend the conference or, if the conference has started, that you are not able to continue attending in-person.
In line with our efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses at our in-person conference, we are offering an exception to our cancellation policy only for those who test positive for COVID-19 or the flu, are experiencing symptoms of airborne illnesses, or have a close contact in the days leading up to the conference. Participants will be asked to submit a signed attestation indicating their COVID- and/or symptom-status in order to be eligible to receive a refund. Participants have the option of not seeking reimbursement and instead donating the additional cost to GEO to reduce the administrative burden on GEO’s team. To be eligible for refund, you must contact registration@geofunders.org before 8 AM ET on Monday, May 4, 2024. All Stripe fees are non-refundable.
Are there sponsorship opportunities available?
Yes, sponsorship opportunities are available! Please reach out to Lauren Gentry at gentry@geofunders.org if you’re interested in learning more.
Any additional questions?
If you have questions that weren’t answered either above or in our conference policies, reach out to registration@geofunders.org and we will get back to you as soon as we are able.