Our attendees include 400+ professionals across the Bay Area nonprofit sector, with roles spanning program and outreach, fundraising, marketing, advocacy, operations, and leadership. Session proposals should clearly indicate the intended audience (by career level, role, function, or issue area) and any prerequisites.
Nonprofit Convergence is a one-day, multi-track regional conference convened by SVCN to respond to urgent, shared challenges affecting nonprofits across the greater Bay Area. The conference brings together nonprofit leaders, staff, and partners for a day of learning, collaboration, and community building—designed to strengthen the people, organizations, and relationships that sustain our nonprofit community.
The conference is grounded in five core pillars:
- Learning, Professional Development, and Leadership Growth
Supporting nonprofit staff and leaders at all stages through skill-building, peer learning, career pathways, and leadership development—grounded in racial equity, accessibility, and practices that promote sustainability and well-being. - Strengthening Organizations and Operational Capacity
Advancing equitable, accessible, and resilient nonprofit operations, including governance, finance, people practices, compliance, technology, and adaptive leadership in a rapidly changing funding and policy environment. - Working in Partnership with Community
Centering community voice, lived experience, and culturally responsive approaches in nonprofit strategy, service design, and advocacy—recognizing community members as co-creators, not just beneficiaries. - Building Collective Solutions to Shared Challenges
Developing cross-organizational and cross-sector strategies to address systemic issues—such as funding instability, policy threats, and service gaps—through collaboration, shared infrastructure, and coordinated action rooted in racial justice. - Connection, Collaboration, and Alliance-Building
Strengthening relationships, trust, and networks across the nonprofit ecosystem to reduce isolation, foster mutual support, and increase collective impact across the region.
We welcome proposals that reflect diverse perspectives and practices. Please note any accessibility considerations, language needs, or community-centered approaches in your design. Specifically we are looking for proposals that:
- Address urgent nonprofit challenges (compliance, fundraising, leadership, operations, advocacy)
- Provide practical tools and strategies nonprofits can apply immediately
- Center equity, resilience, and accessibility
- Accommodate different learning styles (visual, auditory, experiential)
- Foster peer-to-peer learning and connectivity
We welcome sessions of 30, 45, or 60 minutes in any of the following formats:
- Interactive workshops or skill-building sessions
- Peer learning circles or community roundtables
- Engaging presentations
- Panel discussions or facilitated conversations
- Case study or topic deep dives
Session proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance: How does the topic address current and pressing nonprofit sector needs; showcase real-world lessons; align with our audience needs by role or issue area?
- Credibility: Does the presenter demonstrate recognized expertise and/or lived experience that adds depth, authenticity, and trust to the session?
- Practicality: Are there clear, actionable takeaways and resources?
- Engagement: Does the session include interactive elements and accommodate diverse learning styles?
- Equity & Inclusion: Does the content reflect and advance racial justice, accessibility, and community voice?
- Facilitation Quality: For peer learning circles, does the plan foster meaningful dialogue and networking?
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits is committed to advancing racial equity and inclusion—not only in content, but in how we value the time and expertise of speakers and facilitators. We recognize that unpaid labor disproportionately impacts leaders from underrepresented communities and individuals for whom speaking or facilitation is not part of their salaried role.
- Networking with nonprofit leaders and changemakers
- Complimentary conference registration
- Opportunity to showcase your expertise and contribute to sector-wide resilience
- Eligibility to receive an honorarium
- SVCN offers a fixed speaking honorarium based on session format ($200–$250 for panels; $350 for workshops or peer learning circles)
- Speakers may share a fixed speaking rate for consideration, which will be reviewed and confirmed based on feasibility within the event budget
- Speakers may choose to donate their time in support of sector-wide learning, helping SVCN allocate resources toward equity-centered priorities such as scholarships
Please submit your proposed session via the form below and include:
- Speaker details (name, title, organization, bio, contact information)
- Session title (10–12 words)
- Session description (120–150 words)
- Session format and length
- Intended audience (role/issue area) and career level
- Learning outcomes (3 bullet points)
- Materials to be shared or co-created
- Audience engagement
- Details for any additional speakers in your session
- How your session supports the conference's core pillars
- Submission Period: January 22 - February 8, 2026
- Deadline for Submission: February 8, 2026 at 11:59pm
- Notification of Decision: February 27, 2026
Questions? Contact Danna Elneil, DannaE@svcn.org
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