2021 Learning Conference

Program

• Salons: Salon conversations are opportunities for participants to network and engage around emergent topics that might not be represented in other programming. The salons are hour-long conversations lightly facilitated by one or two conference participants and open to groups around ten to fifteen people. Salon conversations create space for topics that are often requested by members, or more emergent in nature – thus not fitting in with the breakout/workshop process. Salon conversations will not be recorded.
• Short Talks: Short talks are engaging 20-minute, keynote style presentations that challenge current philanthropic culture and practice or inspire participants to think about the topic, their work and/or lives differently. For our virtual 2021 Learning Conference, GEO will feature a diverse cohort of dynamic and experienced speakers to deliver thought-provoking presentations on our conference theme of learning and evaluation. Each Short Talk will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A session with the live audience.
• Plenaries: What is the role of learning and evaluation in times of crisis? What does it look like to center community in this work? How can we use this function to improve the support we offer to communities? Our plenary mainstage will showcase a variety of diverse speakers – highlighting works from individuals in philanthropy, movement spaces and beyond – to dive deep into these topics and provide both big ideas and actionable takeaways that grantmakers can incorporate into their learning work.
  

Other Opportunities

• Active Hour: Physical, mental and spiritual wellness is a critical aspect of any social change work. We encourage our conference participants to pause a moment in their busy day and lives to connect with themselves and each other in a virtual yoga class, offered by a Minnesota-based practitioner.
  
• Artist Presentations: Join us as we highlight Minnesota-based artists and creatives in performance. While we can’t gather in person together in Minneapolis, we are excited about celebrating the culture of Minnesota with participants where ever they are geographically.
  
• Evening Networking: Community building is a key aspect of GEO conferences and remains critically important as we navigate the new normal and inability to meet in person. During a fun, informal virtual evening activity, meet or reconnect with colleagues in the field who are engaged in learning and grappling with the same questions about how to improve their internal learning practices.
  
• Peer Events: GEO strives to be a networked organization and to provide additional value and peer support to conference participants. We offer participants and peer organizations the ability to host virtual peer events at GEO conferences. Organizations and individuals seeking to host a peer event can do so by reaching out to Allison Punch at punch@geofunders.org.
  

Registration Dates

Early bird registration is now closed.

• $200 GEO Members
• $250 MCF Members
• $300 Nonmembers

Regular registration is now open.

• $300 GEO Members
• $350 MCF Members
• $400 Nonmembers

Late registration opens Friday, April 30

• $400 GEO Members
• $450 MCF Members
• $500 Nonmembers

Join GEO now and receive free access (one registration valued at $500) to the 2021 Learning Conference. Simply complete the membership interest form here, and we will contact you to process your new membership and conference registration. Please note, membership payment must be received by May 1 for this special offer to be applied. More information about GEO Membership & Rates is available on the website.

If you have questions or would like to speak to someone directly, please contact Bo Dorsey, Membership & Development Specialist at dorsey@geofunders.org or 202-355-9544.

Before you attend the 2021 Learning Conference, review our conference policies.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Emerald Adeyemi at adeyemi@geofunders.org for more information.