2026 National Conference

Explore articles and reflections inspired by the GEO 2026 National Conference and the ideas, questions and insights that shaped this year’s gathering.

Explore the different session formats below, or view the complete 2026 National Conference Program for session titles and descriptions.

Plenary and Short Talk Recordings

Revisit highlights from the 2026 National Conference. Recordings of conference plenaries and Short Talks are available to GEO members and conference participants.

GEO members: Access the recordings through the members-only resource page (login required).

Conference participants: Access the recordings through the Whova conference app. Navigate to each session description to find the corresponding recording. Presentation materials and other session resources are also available in Whova.

Session Formats

Breakout Sessions: Interactive, 75-minute sessions where participants hear from peer practitioners, nonprofit leaders, community members and consultants. Sessions discuss specific concepts, frameworks and tools with immediate, practical application to philanthropic work, helping participants strengthen effective and equity-centered grantmaking practices and support thriving nonprofits and communities.

Workshops: Two-hour sessions that allow for deeper, real-time participant interaction and exploration of concepts, tools and skill-building. These sessions provide the context participants need to use what they learn in their grantmaking practice, resulting in better support to nonprofits and communities. They also offer deeper knowledge, training and/or a more tactical dive to help participants increase their capacity.

Community Events: Participant-led gatherings held outside the formal conference program that offer opportunities for conference participants to create and deepen connections across the sector.

Plenaries: Mainstage sessions showcasing a variety of speakers from philanthropy, movement spaces and beyond who dive deep into big ideas and provide actionable takeaways on transforming philanthropic culture and practice.

Short Talks: Engaging, 20-minute, keynote-style presentations that challenge current philanthropic culture and practice and inspire participants to think about the topic, their work and/or lives differently.

Active Hour and Mindfulness Moment: Sessions that offer participants an opportunity to engage in inclusive, accessible movement and mindfulness work. To transform philanthropic culture and practice together, we need to take care of ourselves.

Early Arrivers Social Hour and Welcome Reception: Events that offer opportunities to build relationships and community with other conference participants.