Join 1,000 nonprofit professionals on November 12, 2025 for New York City’s foremost gathering for nonprofit leadership, management, and movement-building. This full-day, in-person convening is designed to co-create real solutions for our sector’s challenges, spark collaboration, and strengthen community resilience.
This year’s theme, “Onward … Together,” acknowledges both where we are and where we’re going. In a moment that continues to challenge and inspire us, we’re focusing on the strength we find in the community. Through timely discussions, shared resources, and moments of reflection, the 2025 Annual Conference offers space to recharge and recommit—alongside those who understand the work firsthand.
Whether you’re leading an organization, shaping strategy, managing programs, or supporting behind the scenes, this conference is designed for you. Come for the insights, stay for the connection—and leave energized for what’s next. Let’s move Onward … Together.
Overview
Plan Your Visit: Nonprofit New York Annual Conference attendees get a discounted rate of $359 per night for a Marquis Deluxe Room, either King or 2 Double Beds. Reserve your room now!
Keynote
Diane Yentel
President and CEO
National Council of Nonprofits
Diane is a nationally renowned nonprofit leader with nearly 30 years of experience advancing housing and social justice, including nine years as President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, where she led transformative campaigns. Read more…
Agenda
Key Areas of Nonprofit Management
Equity is our throughline and is woven throughout each conference session. Each track will integrate questions and practices that center equity in meaningful and actionable ways.
Session Guide
Below is a dynamic list of conference sessions modeled on Nonprofit New York's Key Areas of Nonprofit Management, ensuring an engaging day for nonprofit leadership and staff alike.
This Session Guide is subject to change.
Advocacy
Advocacy that Meets the Moment: Nonprofits are under attack, facing censorship, funding cuts, and political threats to their very existence. In this high-stakes environment, advocacy isn’t optional. This track equips leaders and staff, regardless of policy experience, to defend their missions, engage lawmakers, and mobilize their communities across city, state, and federal levels. From legal rights to power mapping to coalition building, sessions offer practical tools to help you take timely, effective action, with special attention to protecting the communities most impacted by today’s policy shifts.
Sessions
- Advocacy 101: Getting Started When the Stakes Are High
- Under Pressure: Advocacy Strategies for a Shifting Policy Landscape
- Advocacy Action Lab: Coalition Building for the Long Haul
Advocacy
Advocacy that Meets the Moment: Nonprofits are under attack, facing censorship, funding cuts, and political threats to their very existence. In this high-stakes environment, advocacy isn’t optional. This track equips leaders and staff, regardless of policy experience, to defend their missions, engage lawmakers, and mobilize their communities across city, state, and federal levels. From legal rights to power mapping to coalition building, sessions offer practical tools to help you take timely, effective action, with special attention to protecting the communities most impacted by today’s policy shifts.
Sessions
- Advocacy 101: Getting Started When the Stakes Are High
- Under Pressure: Advocacy Strategies for a Shifting Policy Landscape
- Advocacy Action Lab: Coalition Building for the Long Haul
Advocacy 101: Getting Started When the Stakes Are High
What can your organization legally do? Where do you start? And how do you make time for advocacy when you’re already stretched thin? This session is a primer for nonprofits new to advocacy. Learn what’s allowed under the law, how to identify and engage your local, state, and federal representatives, and how to build an advocacy strategy that fits your size and capacity. Leave with tools to map influence, carve out time, and get started, whether you’re a solo executive director or part of a larger team.
Under Pressure: Advocacy Strategies for a Shifting Policy Landscape
In times of political and funding threats, advocacy is essential to protecting your mission and community. This session explores how to respond when your organization or the people you serve come under attack. You’ll learn how to assess risks, track policy shifts, and engage decision-makers from city hall to Capitol Hill. We’ll cover how to activate your board, staff, and allies; shape the public narrative; and lead with clarity under pressure. With a focus on communities most impacted by sudden changes, this session offers practical strategies for organizations serving them to stay agile, set priorities, and avoid burnout.
Advocacy Action Lab: Coalition Building for the Long Haul
No nonprofit should have to navigate this moment alone. This peer-driven action lab offers a space to connect with others doing advocacy work—and to begin forming the relationships that will carry your efforts forward. Together, we’ll explore how to build cross-sector coalitions, align around shared goals, and support each other when resources are limited. Whether you’re new to collective action or looking to deepen your alliances, you’ll leave with connections and inspiration to strengthen your work long after the conference ends.
Communications
Communicating in Times of Uncertainty: In moments of crisis and constraint, effective communication becomes both more challenging and more critical. This track will help nonprofit communicators navigate uncertainty by focusing limited time, energy, and resources where they matter most. Sessions will explore strategies to break through the noise and maintain trust with key audiences.
Sessions
- Organizational Communications: Telling Your Story with Strategy and Purpose
- Rapid Response Fundraising: Communicating Urgency and Inspiring Action
- Communications Action Lab: Crafting Clear, Compassionate Messages
Communications
Communicating in Times of Uncertainty: In moments of crisis and constraint, effective communication becomes both more challenging and more critical. This track will help nonprofit communicators navigate uncertainty by focusing limited time, energy, and resources where they matter most. Sessions will explore strategies to break through the noise and maintain trust with key audiences.
Sessions
- Organizational Communications: Telling Your Story with Strategy and Purpose
- Rapid Response Fundraising: Communicating Urgency and Inspiring Action
- Communications Action Lab: Crafting Clear, Compassionate Messages
Organizational Communications: Telling Your Story with Strategy and Purpose
Build a clear, values-driven communications strategy that helps your nonprofit connect with funders, participants, and staff. This session blends big-picture strategy with practical storytelling tools to help you cut through the noise, clarify your mission, and communicate with impact. (Learning Circle Session)
Rapid Response Fundraising: Communicating Urgency and Inspiring Action
In moments of crisis, clear and timely communication is crucial to rally donor support quickly and effectively. This session will guide you in crafting authentic, urgent messages that convey the immediate needs while maintaining trust and transparency. Learn strategies for mobilizing donors through compelling storytelling, real-time updates, and meaningful expressions of gratitude.
Communications Action Lab: Crafting Clear, Compassionate Messages
This hands-on session helps you turn storytelling and purposeful messaging into clear, values-driven communication strategies that cut through the noise. Work in small groups to craft and refine key messages for funders, community, and staff—balancing authenticity with strategic care. Walk away ready to communicate with confidence and compassion, even in challenging moments.
Finance
Stability and Sustainability in Finance: Financial stability is the foundation of long-term impact, but achieving it requires both disciplined planning and adaptive strategies. This track will guide nonprofits of all sizes through essential finance skills—from budgeting, reporting, and cash flow management to fostering transparent, cross-functional collaboration during times of financial uncertainty.
Sessions
- Managing Cash Flow and Financial Reporting Without Losing Momentum
- Talking About Tough Stuff: Financial Transparency Across Your organization
- Finance Action Lab: Budget Scenario Planning
Finance
Stability and Sustainability in Finance: Financial stability is the foundation of long-term impact, but achieving it requires both disciplined planning and adaptive strategies. This track will guide nonprofits of all sizes through essential finance skills—from budgeting, reporting, and cash flow management to fostering transparent, cross-functional collaboration during times of financial uncertainty.
Sessions
- Managing Cash Flow and Financial Reporting Without Losing Momentum
- Talking About Tough Stuff: Financial Transparency Across Your organization
- Finance Action Lab: Budget Scenario Planning
Managing Cash Flow and Financial Reporting Without Losing Momentum
Even the most mission-driven work can grind to a halt when the money doesn’t come in on time. This session tackles the real-world challenge of managing cash flow when grants are delayed, reimbursements are slow, and expenses don’t wait. We’ll break down how to forecast cash needs, build reserves, and make smart decisions in tight moments. Designed for nonprofit leaders, finance staff, and program managers, this session offers practical tools and smarter tech strategies to keep things moving, even when the money isn’t.
Talking About Tough Stuff: Financial Transparency Across Your organization
When budgets are tight and funding is uncertain, honest communication is more important than ever. This session will offer practical strategies for talking about financial challenges with staff, board members, and community stakeholders in ways that build trust rather than fear. We’ll also explore how different teams can work together to make thoughtful, values-aligned decisions when resources are limited. Walk away with tools for transparent budgeting, collaborative planning, and leading through uncertainty.
Finance Action Lab: Budget Scenario Planning
Nonprofit leaders need flexible financial tools to adapt to shifting realities. This session will introduce the basics of budget scenario planning — a strategic approach to modeling multiple financial futures so you can prepare, not just react. Participants will explore how to build “what if” scenarios that account for best-case, worst-case, and most likely outcomes, and discuss how to engage staff, boards, and funders in honest conversations about risk, priorities, and tradeoffs.
Fundraising
Building Diverse and Resilient Revenue: Today’s fundraising requires agility, equity, and a strong mix of revenue streams. This track offers practical strategies for building resilience through annual planning, engaged boards, and diversifying funding streams. Sessions will highlight community-centered practices that strengthen donor relationships and support long-term sustainability for nonprofits of all sizes.
Sessions
- Diversifying Funding Streams: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
- Public Funding Access: Unlocking NYC Council Discretionary Funds
- Fundraising Action Lab: Building a Customized Fundraising Plan
Fundraising
Building Diverse and Resilient Revenue: Today’s fundraising requires agility, equity, and a strong mix of revenue streams. This track offers practical strategies for building resilience through annual planning, engaged boards, and diversifying funding streams. Sessions will highlight community-centered practices that strengthen donor relationships and support long-term sustainability for nonprofits of all sizes.
Sessions
- Diversifying Funding Streams: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
- Public Funding Access: Unlocking NYC Council Discretionary Funds
- Fundraising Action Lab: Building a Customized Fundraising Plan
Diversifying Funding Streams: Strategies for Sustainable Growth
Traditional funding sources like government grants and corporate philanthropy have become increasingly unreliable or limited. Relying on a single source of funding can put your organization at risk. In this session, you’ll learn how to approach individual major gifts, demystify donor-advised funds (DAFs), and expand your prospect pool with intentional outreach. We’ll also cover how family foundations often function like major gifts and why leaning into individual giving is more critical than ever. This session will help you navigate tough funding decisions and create a more resilient, diversified funding base beyond traditional corporate and foundation support.
Public Funding Access: NYC Council Discretionary Funds
Get a clear overview of the city’s public funding system and learn the essentials of applying for and managing government grants. This session will demystify the process, helping you understand key requirements and build a foundation for successfully securing this vital funding stream. (Learning Circle Session)
Fundraising Action Lab: Building a Customized Fundraising Plan
This interactive session will guide you through the key components of a strong annual fundraising plan—then give you the space to start building one. Learn how to set clear goals, align strategies with your calendar, and create actionable plans for donor outreach, grant applications, and inclusive campaigns. You'll leave with a customized roadmap tailored to your organization and practical next steps to strengthen your fundraising year-round.
Talent
Equitable and Evolving Leadership: This track explores how leadership must adapt to today’s challenges while addressing systemic barriers to attracting, developing, and retaining diverse nonprofit talent. Sessions focus on advancing equity amid political pushback, reimagining inclusive leadership models, and using data for accountability and change. Participants will gain practical tools and frameworks to build resilient organizations that prepare people for leadership, not just expect them to be “leadership ready.”
Sessions
- Leading Forward: Equity, Access, and the Future of Nonprofit Leadership
- Data-Driven Insights on Leadership Diversity: Strategies for Inclusive Change
- Leadership Action Lab: Leading Forward - Insight to Action
Talent
Equitable and Evolving Leadership: This track explores how leadership must adapt to today’s challenges while addressing systemic barriers to attracting, developing, and retaining diverse nonprofit talent. Sessions focus on advancing equity amid political pushback, reimagining inclusive leadership models, and using data for accountability and change. Participants will gain practical tools and frameworks to build resilient organizations that prepare people for leadership, not just expect them to be “leadership ready.”
Sessions
- Leading Forward: Equity, Access, and the Future of Nonprofit Leadership
- Data-Driven Insights on Leadership Diversity: Strategies for Inclusive Change
- Leadership Action Lab: Leading Forward - Insight to Action
Leading Forward: Equity, Access, and the Future of Nonprofit Leadership
In an era of political pushback and sector-wide change, nonprofit leaders are being called to lead with greater integrity, adaptability, and equity. This session explores how executive leadership can uphold DEIA values amid shifting external pressures, while rethinking internal structures to better support long-term sustainability and retention. We’ll examine evolving leadership models—including lateral advancement, co-leadership, and nonprofit co-op structures—that expand access and break down barriers to advancement. Participants will walk away with strategies to invest in people, lead adaptively, and build more inclusive, resilient organizations.
Data-Driven Insights on Leadership Diversity: Strategies for Inclusive Change
What does the data tell us about who leads—and how can we use it to build a more equitable workplace? This session goes beyond the numbers to explore how workforce and leadership data can inform real change. We’ll look at how to use data to identify gaps, improve hiring and retention practices, and shape a work culture that supports inclusion, transparency, and shared accountability. Whether you're a manager or part of a team, you'll gain tools to use data for better decisions and stronger, more equitable organizations.
Leadership Action Lab: Leading Forward - Insight to Action
In this interactive session, you’ll explore equity, adaptive leadership, and sustainability by examining your organization’s recruitment, retention, and leadership development. Through guided tools and peer discussions, you’ll co-create actionable commitments that center well-being, equity, and inclusion—especially for underrepresented communities. Leave with a concrete plan and next steps to strengthen your leadership pipeline and culture for the future.
Governance
Governance Today: The landscape for nonprofit governance is more challenging than ever, with increased risks from political attacks, compliance demands, and evolving stakeholder expectations. This track equips boards to meet these urgent demands by grounding in core responsibilities like fundraising, oversight, and compliance while building inclusive leadership and agile governance strategies. Designed to guide you from foundational knowledge to advanced practices, sessions provide practical tools to help executive leaders, board members, and governance staff lead with confidence and resilience in uncertain times.
Sessions
- Boards 101: Governing and Fundraising Fundamentals for Today’s Nonprofits
- Board Dynamics in Motion: From Recruiting to Risk-Ready Leadership
- Governance Action Lab: Designing Boards for Impact and Agility
Governance
Governance Today: The landscape for nonprofit governance is more challenging than ever, with increased risks from political attacks, compliance demands, and evolving stakeholder expectations. This track equips boards to meet these urgent demands by grounding in core responsibilities like fundraising, oversight, and compliance while building inclusive leadership and agile governance strategies. Designed to guide you from foundational knowledge to advanced practices, sessions provide practical tools to help executive leaders, board members, and governance staff lead with confidence and resilience in uncertain times.
Sessions
- Boards 101: Governing and Fundraising Fundamentals for Today’s Nonprofits
- Board Dynamics in Motion: From Recruiting to Risk-Ready Leadership
- Governance Action Lab: Designing Boards for Impact and Agility
Boards 101: Governing and Fundraising Fundamentals for Today’s Nonprofits
This session covers the core roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards—including governance basics like oversight, staffing, financial stewardship, and risk management—with a focus on what’s evolving in today’s landscape. You’ll also dive deep into engaging your board as active fundraising partners, learning practical strategies to motivate and equip members to make their own gifts, leverage networks, and advocate effectively. Walk away with clear approaches to build board commitment, navigate legal compliance, and strengthen your nonprofit’s sustainability through shared responsibility. (Learning Circle Session)
Board Dynamics in Motion: From Recruiting to Risk-Ready Leadership
Building an effective board goes beyond filling seats—it requires shifting culture, clarifying roles, and creating pathways for meaningful, inclusive leadership that reflects your mission and values. This session explores how to recruit and retain engaged board members while addressing the evolving role of fundraising, including the risks and opportunities fundraising brings. You’ll also gain practical tools to help your board lead with agility—assessing risk, developing responsive strategies, and turning meetings into action-oriented moments.
Governance Action Lab: Designing Boards for Impact and Agility
This hands-on session gives you space to apply what you've learned. With peer feedback and guided tools, you’ll leave with a practical plan to strengthen governance in your organization, whether that means developing a more intentional recruitment strategy, refining board roles and structures, or redesigning meetings for greater engagement and decision-making agility.
Programs
Adapting to Our Communities’ Needs: Community needs don’t stand still, so how do programs evolve with them? This track explores how nonprofits can build the mindsets, tools, and routines to continuously adapt. From assessing needs and refining strategies to using data for decision-making and managing change, this track offers practical approaches to help organizations shift from reactive programming to intentional, community-informed design. Designed for program staff, managers, and executive leaders committed to responsive, sustainable impact.
Sessions
- Start with Listening: Designing Programs Around Real Needs
- Working Smarter: Using Data and Prioritization to Drive Impact
- Programs Action Lab: Adaptation into Action
Programs
Adapting to Our Communities’ Needs: Community needs don’t stand still, so how do programs evolve with them? This track explores how nonprofits can build the mindsets, tools, and routines to continuously adapt. From assessing needs and refining strategies to using data for decision-making and managing change, this track offers practical approaches to help organizations shift from reactive programming to intentional, community-informed design. Designed for program staff, managers, and executive leaders committed to responsive, sustainable impact.
Sessions
- Start with Listening: Designing Programs Around Real Needs
- Working Smarter: Using Data and Prioritization to Drive Impact
- Programs Action Lab: Adaptation into Action
Start with Listening: Designing Programs Around Real Needs
Effective programs begin with listening—deeply and continuously. This session will explore how to root your program design in the evolving priorities of the people you serve, not just in funder mandates or past models. Learn how to conduct meaningful needs assessments, define your target audience, and co-create a clear theory of change that reflects community-defined impact. We’ll also discuss how to integrate cultural competency, sustainability, and equity into your program’s foundation from day one.
Working Smarter: Using Data and Prioritization to Drive Impact
This session shows how to turn meaningful data into actionable insights that guide your program strategy across all roles—from frontline staff to leadership. Learn how to collect and use evaluation data effectively, then build routines that help your team prioritize what to start, stop, or continue based on real impact. You’ll gain tools to align priorities with community needs, make strategic decisions that prevent burnout, and focus your energy on the work that matters most.
Programs Action Lab: Adaptation into Action
This interactive session gives you the space to reflect on what you’ve learned across the track and begin shaping a plan to apply it. Take time to revisit your program goals, assess where change is needed, and begin outlining concrete next steps. Walk away with a clearer sense of direction and the beginnings of a strategy that reflects your community’s evolving needs.
Technology
Technology with Intention: Technology is transforming how nonprofits operate and connect with communities. This track helps leaders cut through the complexity to adopt tools like AI, data systems, and cybersecurity that truly support their mission. You’ll explore practical ways to build secure, human-centered technology that strengthens your team and deepens your impact.
Sessions
- Strengthen, Secure, Sustain: Building a Cybersecurity Plan That Works
- AI with Empathy: Human-Centered Design in the Age of Automation
- Technology Action Lab: Smarter Workflows, Safer Systems
Technology
Technology with Intention: Technology is transforming how nonprofits operate and connect with communities. This track helps leaders cut through the complexity to adopt tools like AI, data systems, and cybersecurity that truly support their mission. You’ll explore practical ways to build secure, human-centered technology that strengthens your team and deepens your impact.
Sessions
- Strengthen, Secure, Sustain: Building a Cybersecurity Plan That Works
- AI with Empathy: Human-Centered Design in the Age of Automation
- Technology Action Lab: Smarter Workflows, Safer Systems
Strengthen, Secure, Sustain - Building a Cybersecurity Plan That Works
In this session, we’ll cover the fundamentals of a cybersecurity plan: protecting sensitive data, training your team to spot threats, and setting up simple, sustainable practices that keep your organization safe over the long haul. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started, just a commitment to protecting your community and your work. Walk away with clear steps to build a plan that’s practical, effective, and designed to last.
AI with Empathy: Human-Centered Design in the Age of Automation
As artificial intelligence transforms how nonprofits operate, it’s essential to keep people at the center. Discover how next-gen AI tools can automate routine work, uncover insights, and deepen community connections. Learn how to balance automation with care, use AI responsibly, and keep your community at the heart of innovation.
Technology Action Lab: Smarter Workflows, Safer Systems
In this hands-on session, participants will apply key concepts from cybersecurity, technology integration, and AI to develop a customized tech strategy tailored to their organization’s needs and values. You’ll map your current tech ecosystem, identify security gaps, and design workflows that enhance data flow and staff efficiency. You’ll leave with a clear, actionable tech roadmap that balances innovation with security and empathy, ready to implement with your team.
Tickets
| Ticket Type | Early Bird Ticket May 14 - August 31 |
Regular Ticket September 1 - November 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Member Pricing | ||
| Individual Tickets For Individuals Affiliated with a Nonprofit Member Organization | $200 | $300 |
| Group Rate Tickets For Nonprofit Member Organizations purchasing 6 or more individual tickets | $180 | $270 |
| Individual Tickets For Individuals Affiliated with a Business or Philanthropic Member | $400 | $500 |
| Non-Member Pricing | ||
| Individual Tickets For Individuals Affiliated with a Nonprofit Non-Member Organization | $300 | $400 |
| Group Rate Tickets For Nonprofit Non-Member Organizations purchasing 6 or more individual tickets | $270 | $360 |
| Individual Tickets For Individuals Affiliated with a Business or Philanthropic Non-Member | $600 | $700 |
Annual Conference Planning Committee
Our Sponsors
For more information contact Sonali Jhurani at [email protected]
2024 Annual Conference Photos
