Annual Fall Conference · Chicago
Pushing theLimits
Funding Your Vision: Grants. Contracts. Social Enterprise. AI Driven Digital Marketing.
Fund it. Build it. Scale it. Together, we climb higher.
Dates
October 21–22, 2026
Time
8:00 AM–3:00 PM daily
Venue
The Shine Bright Community Center (inside the Discover Center)
Four Focus Areas
Funding your vision
Grants
Where funding starts — foundation, municipal, state, and federal opportunities.
Contracts
Winning and managing government and institutional contracts.
Social Enterprise
Building earned-revenue models that sustain your mission.
AI Digital Marketing
Using AI-driven marketing to grow reach, donors, and impact.
Venue
The Shine Bright Community Center (inside the Discover Center)
8560 S. Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60619
Agenda
2 days of funding strategy
Day One
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- 8:00 AMRegistration & networking breakfast
- 9:00 AMOpening keynote — Funding Your Vision
- 10:15 AMTrack sessions: Grants & Contracts
- 12:00 PMLunch & partner showcase
- 1:15 PMTrack sessions: Social Enterprise & AI Marketing
- 2:45 PMClosing panel & next steps
Day Two
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Full schedule announced soon. Doors at 8:00 AM, same venue.
Tickets
Select your pass
Register online in under a minute. No account needed.
Community
For individuals and community volunteers attending solo.
Includes
- Both days, all sessions
- Networking breakfast & lunch
- Digital resource pack
Professional
For grant professionals who want the full toolkit.
Includes
- Everything in Community
- Reserved priority seating
- Workbook & template library
- Certificate of attendance
Partner Table
For organizations bringing a team together.
Includes
- Reserved table for six
- Logo on partner showcase
- Recognition from the main stage
- Six full-access passes
Ideal for organizations attending as a team.