The best nonprofit events board members should know about this year

Industry events give your leadership and board members valuable chances to learn, build relationships and stay on top of the latest developments in the mission-driven sector. They also offer space to connect with peers, explore collaboration opportunities and bring fresh ideas back to the boardroom.

In 2026, there’s a strong calendar of conferences and summits that can help your board deepen its expertise, sharpen governance practices and strengthen your organization’s impact. We’ve compiled a practical list of key events your board members and executives may want to consider this year, based on relevance to nonprofits and mission-driven organizations.

Why events matter for mission‑driven boards

Attending the right events can be a powerful accelerator for your board’s effectiveness. For many organizations, it’s enough to send one or two representatives who can learn, network and then share insights with the rest of the board. In other cases, it may be worth sending multiple trustees or a mix of board and senior leadership.

Here are some of the benefits nonprofit and charity boards can gain from conferences and industry events:

• Networking and partnerships. Events allow board members to meet other organizations, potential funders, corporate partners and sector influencers who may become collaborators or champions for your cause.
• Professional development. Workshops, plenaries and breakouts help board members build skills in governance, strategy, fundraising, risk oversight and more — and stay current on best practices.
• Fundraising and sustainability insights. Development‑focused events help boards understand emerging fundraising trends, donor expectations and innovative approaches to revenue diversification.
• Sector trends and policy updates. Many conferences feature keynotes and panels on regulatory change, demographic shifts, technology, equity and other forces reshaping the nonprofit landscape.
• New ideas for community and donor engagement. Program, communications and volunteer engagement sessions equip boards with ideas they can bring back to staff and committees.
• Inspiration and motivation. Success stories and award recognitions can re‑energize board members and remind them why their governance role matters.

Month‑by‑month calendar of nonprofit events for 2026

Below is a month‑by‑month overview of notable 2026 events for nonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, community foundations and other mission‑driven entities. Dates and locations are based on the latest available information and may be subject to change, so be sure to confirm details directly with event organizers.

January 2026

Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) | NYC

January 9–13, 2026 – New York, NY, USA

APAP|NYC is a major convening for performing arts professionals, including nonprofits that run venues, festivals and cultural programs. Board members can explore trends in programming, community engagement and partnerships across the arts ecosystem.

ICAEW's Charity Conference

January 22-23 2026, Virtual Event

ICAEW's annual Charity Conference has been designed to prepare you with the knowledge and inspiration to succeed with vital accounting, governance and taxation updates affecting the charity sector and inspiring keynotes, plus give you the opportunity to start the year with up to 8 hours of verifiable CPD.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Leadership Gathering

January 26–29, 2026 – Birmingham, AL, USA

This leadership gathering brings together RMHC chapter leaders from across the United States and Canada to share best practices in governance, fundraising and community impact. Board members and executives from health‑related nonprofits may find valuable lessons in volunteer engagement, family‑centered support and cross‑site collaboration.

Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Annual Meeting

January 31–February 2, 2026 – Washington D.C., USA

The ACCU Annual Meeting brings together presidents, trustees and senior leaders from Catholic higher education institutions to explore mission, governance, public policy and leadership in a changing education environment. It’s a strong fit for boards of faith‑based colleges and universities.

February 2026

National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day

February 1–4, 2026 – Washington D.C., USA

NAICU’s flagship event convenes leaders, trustees and advocates from independent colleges and universities to discuss policy issues, financial pressures, enrollment trends and institutional governance. Boards gain insight into the external forces shaping independent higher education and can engage directly in federal advocacy.

Elevate 2026: A Virtual Conference for Social Sector Leaders

February 24-26, 2026 – Virtual

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance hosts this conference experience for social sector leaders. Elevate 2026 will offer opportunities to learn, connect with your peers from across the country, and explore of what it means to be a leader in the nonprofit sector.

CMAA 2026 World Conference and Club Business Expo

February 17-21, 2025 – Anaheim, CA, USA

The CMAA 2026 World Conference and Club Business Expo event and business expo is for club leaders, club managers and hospitality students. This year’s expo will include educational sessions, special speaker sessions, an expo and network opportunities with peers.

NAIS Annual Conference

25-27 February 2025 – Seattle, WA, USA

The NAIS Annual Conference is for administrators, trustees, and teachers at independent schools. This year, the event will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, where attendees will network and learn about professional development.

March 2026

HIMSS26 Global Health Conference & Exhibition

March 9–12, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV, USA

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Global Health Conference is a major convening for healthcare leaders, IT professionals and innovators focused on the future of health systems. Boards of hospitals, health systems and health‑related nonprofits can learn about digital transformation, data governance, cybersecurity and patient‑centered care.

National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) Annual National Conference

March 11–13, 2026 – San Antonio, TX, USA

The NAPAHE conference supports professionals who work closely with presidents and chancellors in higher education, many of whom serve as key liaisons to governing boards. It’s a useful venue for strengthening presidential support structures, board communication and executive coordination around institutional strategy.

2026 Nonprofit Technology Conference

March 10–13, 2026 – Detroit, MI, USA

The 26NTC (Nonprofit Technology Conference) is for people who want to make the world a better place through the skillful and equitable use of technology. Attendees learn essential nonprofit technology best practices while connecting with a community that shares a commitment to social change.

ACEVOFest 2026

March 24-25, 2026 – Hybrid conference, London, UK

ACEVOFest 2026, taking place in London and in hybrid format is a dynamic two-day festival bringing together charity CEOs and senior leaders to explore bold ideas, leadership challenges and the future of civil society.

Advance HE’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Conference 2026

March 25-26, 2025 – Manchester, UK

Advance HE’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Conference 2026 is a flagship annual event that brings together practitioners, academics and senior leaders from across the globe to share learning, challenge thinking and advance the equity agenda in higher education.

Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium

March 25-27, 2026 – Washington, D.C., USA

The Nonprofit Fundraisers Symposium takes place in Washington, D.C. co-presented by the Direct Marketing Association of Washington (DMAW) and The Nonprofit Alliance Foundation will have roundtables, keynotes, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.

April 2026

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) ICON 2026

April 26–28, 2026 – San Diego, CA, USA

AFP ICON is one of the leading global gatherings for fundraising professionals, drawing thousands of attendees from nonprofits of all sizes and missions. Board members and development committee chairs can benefit from exposure to cutting‑edge fundraising strategies, donor engagement practices and ethical standards in philanthropy.

Diligent Elevate 2026

April 22-24, 2026 – Atlanta, GA

Join us for Diligent Elevate 2026, the premier event for governance, risk and compliance professionals. Discover the latest in AI-powered governance, risk and compliance, connect with industry leaders and sharpen your BoardEffect expertise. Reserve your spot now!

Trustee Exchange 2026

April 28, 2026 – London, UK

Now in its 19th year, Trustee Exchange 2026 is a friendly and practical conference for charity trustees and senior leaders. The theme this year is ‘Confronting realities and embracing change’.

2026 Engage for Good Conference

April 21 – 24 2026 Palm Springs, CA, USA

The 2026 Engage for Good Conference brings together business leaders, non-profit and corporate practitioners, and technical experts to learn how to build partnerships that benefit the cause and the business..

May 2026

Technology for Social Justice Conference 2026

May 1, 2026 – Melbourne, Australia

The Technology for Social Justice conference focuses on how technology can advance equity, access and social justice outcomes. It’s particularly relevant for boards and executives of mission‑driven organizations exploring digital tools, data and innovation in support of their social impact goals.

Canadian Universities Governance Association (CUBA/ACCAU) Annual Conference 2026

April 30 - May 2, 2026 – Waterloo, ON, Canada

The CUBA/ACCAU conference centers on governance issues facing Canadian universities, including fiduciary responsibilities, oversight of strategy and risk, and board effectiveness. Trustees, governors and senior leaders in higher education can use this event to benchmark governance practices and learn from peer institutions.

Governance Ireland 2026 Conference

May 7, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland

Governance Ireland 2026 is the biggest governance conference in Ireland. Held by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland at the Printworks, Dublin Castle, attendees can connect with industry colleagues and hear about best practices in the profession.

Charity Times Leadership Conference

May 21, 2026 – London, UK

Charity Times Leadership Conference explores issues around navigating the funding crisis while meeting a surge in demand. Charity CEOs, experts and thought leaders will share strategies, resources and insights on diversifying funding streams.

Future Health Summit

27 – 28 May 2026 – Dublin, Ireland

The Future Health Summit is an international gathering of the brightest minds in the healthcare industry featuring renowned speakers from Ireland, USA, UK, Europe, and further afar to share best practices, innovations and future thinking to the advancement of the healthcare of patients. The theme of the summit, which will take place in Dublin, is “Global Perspectives Delivering for Irish Patients.”

June 2026

Fundraising Convention

June 4-5, 2026 – London, UK

The Fundraising Convention is the UK’s largest gathering of fundraisers returns with practical workshops, inspiring speakers and the latest tools to boost donor engagement.

Texas Healthcare Trustees (THT) Healthcare Governance Conference

June 4–6, 2026 – San Antonio, TX, USA

The THT Healthcare Governance Conference is designed specifically for hospital and health system board members and executives. Sessions often cover quality and safety oversight, financial stewardship, community benefit, and board–CEO relations, making it a strong choice for healthcare trustees.

CAUBO 2026 Annual Conference and Functional Seminars

June 9-11, 2026 – St. John’s, Newfoundland, CA

Canadian Association of University Business Officers conference brings together Canadian university administrators working in a variety of functional areas including finance, human resources, treasury, procurement, facilities, internal audit, risk management and IT.

Points of Light Conference 2026

June 22–25, 2026 – Washington, DC, USA

The Points of Light Conference convenes leaders in volunteerism, corporate social responsibility and civic engagement. Nonprofit boards can gain ideas on how to mobilize volunteers, deepen corporate partnerships and build more engaged communities around their missions.

CFG Annual Conference

June 25, 2026 – London, UK

The CFG Annual Conference 2026, also taking place in London this year is focused on financial resilience and strategic impact, this conference aims to equips charity finance professionals with the knowledge to lead through change.

July 2026

Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) Annual Conference 2026

July 7–8, 2026 – London, UK

The CGIUKI conference focuses on governance, risk, compliance and company secretarial practice across sectors, including charities and membership organizations. Trustees and governance professionals can learn about evolving standards in board practice, regulatory expectations and effective oversight structures.

World Credit Union Conference 2026

July 19–22, 2026 – Sydney, Australia

Hosted by the World Council of Credit Unions, the World Credit Union Conference is a premier international gathering for credit union leaders from around the globe. Board members of financial cooperatives and community‑based lenders can explore governance, digital innovation, member engagement and global trends in cooperative finance.

August 2026

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting 2026

August 15–18, 2026 – Indianapolis, IN, USA

ASAE’s Annual Meeting brings together association CEOs, senior staff and volunteer leaders to discuss membership, governance, strategy and the evolving role of associations. For boards of professional societies and membership organizations, it’s a prime opportunity to reflect on value propositions, leadership pipelines and long‑term sustainability.

September 2026

Third Sector Leaders Forum

September 1, 2026 – Australia location to be confirmed

The Third Sector Leaders Forum gathers nonprofit and charity leaders to explore trends in governance, funding, regulation and social impact across the broader “third sector.” Board members can benefit from peer exchange on strategy, leadership and collaboration across organizations and sectors.

American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) Administrative Professionals Conference

September 13–16, 2026 – Nashville, TN, USA

The Administrative Professionals conference supports administrative and executive support professionals, many of whom play critical roles in board support, meeting coordination and governance processes. Boards may want to encourage board liaisons or governance staff to attend to strengthen the infrastructure that enables effective board work.

NPA Leadership Summit 2026

September 14-16, 2026 – San Antonio, TX, USA

The Nonprofit Alliance’s Leadership Summit taking place in St. Petersburg, Florida this year, aims to build connections between attendees through networking instead of traditional sessions. Registration opens in May, more details to come.

October 2026

AHP International Conference

October 7 - 9, 2026 – Nashville, TN, USA

The annual AHP International Conference is open to healthcare philanthropy professionals from around the world. Attendees will gain insights and practical tips to elevate their performance quickly.

Independent Sector National Summit 2026

October 13-16, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ, USA

Independent Sector’s National Summit brings together leaders from nonprofits, philanthropy and corporate citizenship to discuss the health, equity and effectiveness of civil society. Topics often include public policy, trust in the sector, cross‑sector collaboration and the future of nonprofit leadership — all core concerns for boards.

Charity Finance Summit

October 15, 2026 – London, UK

Charity Finance Summit 2026 is for charity CFOs and finance teams, covering investment strategy, ESG, legacy income and AI-driven financial planning.

November 2026

Australian Community Housing Conference 2026

November 1, 2026 – Australia location to be confirmed

The Australian Community Housing Conference focuses on housing policy, community housing models and strategies to address housing insecurity. Boards of housing associations, social service agencies and mission‑driven organizations working on homelessness or affordability issues will find timely content on governance, funding and cross‑sector partnerships.

LeadingAge Annual Meeting

October 25–28, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA, USA

The LeadingAge annual meeting brings leading researchers on aging sharing studies addressing the most pressing challenges in the field, from sustainable care models and workforce development to person-centered approaches and technological integration. Attendees include nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-driven organizations serving older adults.

Making the most of conferences and events

Whether your board members travel across the country or join virtually, encourage them to share key takeaways with the full board or relevant committees soon after the event. That might include a short written summary, a brief presentation at the next meeting or curated resources stored in your board portal’s resource library.

A modern board management platform like BoardEffect can help your board plan and capture value from events by:

• Storing conference materials, slide decks and notes in a central, searchable resource library.
• Creating dedicated workrooms or folders for event follow‑up, such as action items or policy ideas.
• Setting calendar reminders for key registration and early‑bird deadlines so your board doesn’t miss out on high‑value opportunities.

By thoughtfully selecting events and using technology to support preparation and follow‑through, your board can turn conference attendance into concrete improvements in governance and organizational impact.