“Philanthropic Commitments to Meet the Times”

Description:

This session opens with a 15-minute keynote setting the stage for where philanthropy stands in this rapidly shifting landscape. A dynamic panel discussion follows, featuring funders sharing how they’re navigating today’s challenges—and what nonprofits can expect from the philanthropic sector moving forward.

• (A) The State of the Sector: Data, Trends, and the Road Ahead

  Gain fresh insights from the 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey, highlighting sector-wide challenges and innovations. Learn how peer organizations are navigating today’s funding, staffing, and operational landscapes.

• (B) Reimagining Fundraising Strategies for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Needs

  What lies ahead for the social impact sector in the face of shifting county, state, and federal budgets? In this forward-focused session, policy and nonprofit leaders will share insights on the funding landscape through 2030. This session will discuss what is on the horizon, how to prepare, and where advocacy can make a difference.

• (C)  Crisis Response in Action: Strategies to Sustain Communities and Missions

  From natural disasters to policy threats, nonprofits are on the frontlines of multiple crises impacting our communities. This session explores the impact of LA Wildfires, Federal DEI executive orders, and ICE raids as three recent crises nonprofits have had to quickly respond to. Learn how nonprofits are building sustainability in turbulent times.

• (D) First Generation Professional: Paving Leadership Through A New Reality

  As First Generation Professionals continue to enter leadership roles, it is critical to pause and look at the bigger picture of the sector’s financial landscape, pressures for right sizing, and hostility towards DEI efforts. Part wisdom sharing and healing, hear the experiences of this diverse panel standing relentlessly firm on their values.

• (E) Revamp Impact Narratives: Using Data to Creatively Tell Your Impact Story

  Understand how data can support nonprofit programs, fundraising, and advocacy. Discover tools and strategies for gathering and analyzing data, develop a community needs statement, and learn how to tell compelling community stories with data.

• (F) Outdoor Wellness: “Coming Back to Center:” Breath, Movement & Nature

  Step into a restorative outdoor experience designed to help you realign through mindful breathwork and movement. Together in nature, we’ll ground in community, uncover inner strength, and create space for clarity and renewal.

• (A) Nonprofits and the Power of AI

  This interactive workshop will focus on refining existing strategies and introducing fresh, innovative approaches to program and service design. Participants will troubleshoot common challenges and share practical solutions with peers.

• (B) Boosting Up Your Financial Infrastructure

  As nonprofits confront financial forecasting challenges, tough decisions cannot be delayed. Learn mindsets, tools, and strategies to successfully lead your nonprofit forward while considering the emotional and strategic weight of financial decision-making.

• (C) Strategically Partnering Up with Consultants

  Consultants, subcontractors, temporary staff, and external service providers can be powerful resources for real-time operational and program support. This session will provide strategies for effectively managing and assessing these partnerships to maximize organizational capacity.

• (D) Key Decisions: Planning for Survival and Sustainability

  The financial landscape has accelerated the need for thoughtful succession and scenario planning. This session will explore mergers, acquisitions, “right-sizing” strategies, and collaboration agreements to equip leaders with practical tools for making strategic decisions.

• (E) Social Impact Sector Narrative and Mindset Shift: Preparing for our Next Chapter

  The realities of 2025 have introduced the uncomfortable truth: the sector must reimagine itself in profound ways. Moving away from the charity mindset to a critical economic engine of southern CA, come learn about a new identity that both empowers and unites nonprofit social impact sector leaders.

• (F) Outdoor Wellness:  “Messy & Meaningful:” Movement & the Art of Right Now

  Experience creative restoration and inspiration through an outdoor guided session on art therapy and storytelling. This dynamic and interactive space invites participants to reconnect with their purpose while expressing their nonprofit journey in new, imaginative ways.

After much learning and connecting, this space is to encourage thoughtful networking with colleagues. The session will start with an overview of the significance of networking as a key strategy for sector strength. Via an engaging activity, attendees will be given instructions to share what they are seeking for their organizations in the next 6-12 months and name who or what can help them meet that need.

Unstoppable Together: The Summit Social Club

Close out the day with joy, energy, and connection at the Summit Social Club—a space to celebrate and simply be. This is an open invitation to uplift one another and honor the truth that, even through the toughest moments, we are truly unstoppable together. We’ll be featuring live music and an atmosphere you won’t want to miss.