Frequently Asked Questions: Call for Session Proposals

The summit is the premier gathering for nonprofit, philanthropic, and social impact leaders dedicated to building collective power for sector-wide transformation. Unlike other conferences, it prioritizes collaboration between nonprofits, philanthropies, and social impact organizations and offers practical strategies for implementation, systems change, and cross-sector partnerships.

We welcome proposals from nonprofit leaders, philanthropy professionals, and social impact experts who bring innovative approaches, practical tools, and practice- and experience-based insights. Ideal presenters have deep expertise and a strong commitment to advancing equity and driving sector-wide transformation.

The key tracks include:

• Thriving Workforce: Equitable strategies that reinforce a strong workforce and advance mission impact.
• Financially Robust: Tools and approaches that build long‑term financial resilience and sustainability.
• Trusted & Well-Governed: Accountable and authentic leadership that deepens community trust and credibility.
• Active Advocates: Collective advocacy efforts that unify voices and advance policies for the public good.

Reference the critical topic areas that are relevant to the charitable sector.

Your proposal should focus on these key elements:

• Clear connection between your session and the summit’s aims.
• Equips participants, not just informs them.
• Addresses real conditions the sector is navigating now.
• Built around honest exchange.
• Centers the expertise already in the room.
• Transfers tools participants can use immediately upon return.
• Uses equity-centered design.
• Reflects diverse organizational sizes, geographies, and leadership backgrounds.
• Grounded in practice the presenter has utilized.

Learning occurs in many ways, and there are different approaches to achieve learning objectives. Please review these session formats. If accepted, your proposal will enter the Co-Create process, where Independent Sector will work with you to shape your idea into one of the sample formats that best conveys your concept and ensures a rich experience for attendees. When submitting your session proposal, choose the format that will most effectively present your idea.

Each session will be 90 minutes.

Think critically about the design of your session, including who needs to be in the room to sufficiently reflect the objectives of your session. Please refer to the session formats above.

To submit a session proposal, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Review Requirements
   1. Confirm session alignment with summit aims.
   2. Review evaluation criteria and scoring rubric.
2. Prepare Application Responses
   1. Provide session title and description.
   2. Outline learning objectives.
   3. Share names of speakers.
   4. Detail session format and engagement strategy.
   5. Share equity integration approach.
   6. Include speaker(s) headshot and bio.
3. Submit Proposal
   1. Designate a session point of contact who will be responsible for the submission.
   2. Create an account in our submission portal.
   3. Complete all required fields.
   4. Upload supporting materials.
   5. Submit by April 2, 2026.

The submission form requires the following information:

• Session Title and Description: Describe the idea for the session in as best detail as you can.
• Intended Audience and Learning Objectives: Define who will benefit from the session and what they will learn.
• Session Format: Specify the format you will use to engage participants. Here is a list of sample session formats.
• Equity Integration: Describe how equity is embedded in your content and your instruction.
• Speaker Information: Include the bio and headshot of all your speakers.

Standard equipment includes:

• LCD projector and screen
• Wireless microphones
• Laptop connection capabilities
• Basic audio system
• High-speed internet access
• Flipcharts and markers

The call for session proposals opens on March 9, 2026, and the deadline for submission is April 2, 2026.

Proposals will be reviewed by an external review committee. Final selection will be based on program balance and sector needs. Sessions will be evaluated based on the following rubric:

• Alignment to the aims of the summit.
• Innovative session design and interactive engagement.
• Practical application and implementation of learnings.
• Equity integration across content and delivery.
• Insights from field experience.

Learn more about the evaluation criteria.

All submitters will receive notification by May 4, 2026, including:

• Accept/decline decision.
• Next steps for accepted proposals.

Accepted speakers will receive:

• Complimentary pass to the summit for Independent Sector members.
• 50% discount off the early bird rate for non-members.
• Special recognition in summit materials.
• Networking opportunities with fellow presenters.

Please note that speakers are responsible for their own travel expenses and hotel arrangements.

Speakers retain ownership of their materials while granting Independent Sector a limited license to:

• Share materials with summit participants.
• Use content in summit marketing materials.
• Use session recordings for promotional purposes.

For further assistance, please contact summit@independentsector.org.