Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit 2026

The Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Nonprofit Management at UW-Milwaukee is hosting the Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit 2026:

“Rising Together: Renewal Through Community

June 17, 2026
School of Continuing Education
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
161 W Wisconsin Ave #6000, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Rising Together: Renewal Through Community recognizes that the most powerful responses to uncertainty, disruption, and inequity come from collective action rather than isolated effort. The theme emphasizes how nonprofits, public agencies, funders, and community members can rebuild trust, deepen relationships, and co-create solutions that reflect local realities and wisdom. It elevates the community as both a source of insight and a partner in implementation, highlighting models in which those most affected by decisions help shape policies, programs, and resource allocation. In this way, renewal is not a return to “business as usual,” but a reimagining of how organizations share power, listen, and learn alongside the people they serve.

This theme also speaks to resilience as a shared capacity—not just an internal organizational trait, but something that grows when networks are strong, information is transparent, and collaboration is the norm. Sessions under this banner might explore cross-sector partnerships, participatory decision-making, mutual aid, neighborhood-led initiatives, and inclusive leadership practices that anchor long-term change. By focusing on “Rising Together,” the conference invites participants to move beyond siloed strategies to build durable, community-rooted systems of support that can adapt, respond, and thrive amid ongoing challenges.

We invite proposals for breakout sessions at the Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit 2026. Sessions should provide practical, Wisconsin-focused content that helps nonprofits strengthen their leadership, strategy, and impact.

Completed proposals are due March 15, 2026. All applicants will be notified of decisions by March 31, 2026.

Tracks:

Proposals should be geared to follow the following tracks:

• Executive Leadership
• Fundraising
• Programming
• Consultants

Priority themes:

We especially welcome proposals that address:

• Governance and board development
• Fundraising and donor engagement
• Financial management and sustainability
• Program design, evaluation, and data
• Equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Talent, HR, and organizational culture
• Collaboration, partnerships, and community engagement
• Policy and advocacy (nonpartisan, mission-aligned)

Session formats:

• Workshop (75 minutes): Interactive presentations that include time for questions, discussion, or application activities.
• Short Talk (30 minutes): Focused presentations on a specific tool, case study, or innovation. Ideal for sharing one strong idea or model. Whenever possible, two short talks, preferably offered by separate presenters, will be scheduled into a single breakout session.
• Panel Discussion (75 minutes): Moderated conversations with 3–4 panelists offering diverse perspectives on a shared topic, plus audience Q&A.

Strong proposals:

• Clearly identify the intended audience (for example, executive directors, program staff, board members)
• Specify what participants will be able to do or understand by the end of the session
• Include concrete tools, frameworks, or examples that participants can adapt in their organizations
• Reflect diverse perspectives and, where possible, Wisconsin-based experiences
• Build in opportunities for interaction, reflection, or practice

Key dates:

• Proposal deadline: March 15, 2026
• Notification of decisions: March 31, 2026
• Final session materials due: May 15, 2026“