2026 Annual Conference Call for Sessions

November 11 – November 13, 2026  | Portland, OR

Call For Sessions Open Until February 27!

The Exponent Philanthropy Annual Conference is designed for and by lean funders—those who give with few or no staff members. It’s a space where you can have candid conversations about the challenges affecting the causes and communities you care about, surrounded by peers who truly understand.

As part of this community-driven event, we invite you to submit a session proposal and help shape the 2026 Annual Conference. Share your expertise, spark meaningful discussions, and provide fellow funders with actionable insights.

Submit Your Session Proposal Now Apply to be a Session Proposal Reviewer

Preview Proposal Application Form  | Session Design FAQs 

Evaluation Criteria

We are seeking sessions that provide actionable instruction for our community of lean funders. We expect session designers to articulate educational takeaways that are both specific and universal, rather than tell a story about one foundation’s work. Session should: improve an existing practice or mindset; explore a new or emerging practice or mindset; OR offer a unique perspective on a trend in philanthropy.   

We will accept sessions that achieve the following: 

1. Provide participants with practical guidance and takeaways. 
2. Address one of the indicated topic areas below. 
3. Incorporate participant interaction as a learning method. 

Exponent Philanthropy’s Knowledge Committee, additional volunteer members, and key staff will review all submissions and select those most relevant to our audience and that meet at least one of the above criteria. The committee will review all session proposals name blind—i.e., solely on the strength of the proposal in meeting the criteria. 

Timeline 

Submission Requirements 

1. Who: This call for sessions is open to members and non-member funders, current Exponent Philanthropy Sustaining Partners (Platinum, Gold, or Silver), 2026 Conference Sponsors, and entities interested in sponsoring the conference or partnering with Exponent Philanthropy. 
2. How many: Organizations or individuals may submit a maximum of two proposals. All proposals submitted by different individuals from the same organization count toward the limit. 
3. Deadline: February 27. There are no deadline extensions. Late submissions cannot be accepted.  

 Conference Session Details 

• Audience: Our audience includes donors, trustees, and staff from all types of foundations; individual donors and philanthropic families; donor-advised fund holders and managers; philanthropic support organizations; philanthropic service professionals; and thought leaders in the field of philanthropy. 

• Numbers: Breakout sessions can see participant numbers ranging from 30-40 on the lower end to 75-90 on the higher end.   

• Length: Most sessions are 75 minutes. We’re also planning for a small number of longer deep-dive workshops. Exponent Philanthropy will confirm your session’s length at the time of acceptance.   

• Room set-up: Given hotel space and health and safety protocols, session designers will not have discretion over the set-up of session rooms. 

Expectations for Accepted Session Designers 

Proposal submitters are asked to keep the conference dates (November 11-13) available until they’re notified of the status of their proposal. Session designers who do not adhere to the expectations below may have their sessions removed from the conference program at the discretion of Exponent Philanthropy staff.  

Please note that session designers will not receive free or discounted access to the full conference. Speakers may attend at no cost only on the day they are speaking.   

If selected for a session, designers must agree to: 

• Work with a session coach (an Exponent Philanthropy staff member) to design and execute the session. This means being willing and open to adapt the session to fit the criteria. 

• Participate in a session design webinar training to review deadlines, key steps in the process, and Exponent Philanthropy’s educational philosophy. 

• Complete all session planning tasks and meet all deadlines.  

• Participate in a speaker webinar, if speaking.   

• Incur all expenses related to the development and implementation of their sessions. Exponent Philanthropy does not pay honoraria, travel, per diem, or other costs for session speakers or designers.   

• Be present at the conference and serve as a point person in the session (if not speaking) by introducing the session and assisting with technology and handout distribution.   

• Comply with Exponent Philanthropy’s Non-Solicitation Policy: All Exponent Philanthropy programs are non-solicitation environments and shall not be used for commercial sales pitches, self-promotion, or unwarranted criticism of a competitor. Exponent Philanthropy reserves the right to take action as necessary to address violations of this policy.

Session Topics 

Successful proposals will highlight Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy or the fundamentals of foundation management. We seek equity-centered practices throughout all session topics. 

For more on these areas of focus, see our resources: 

• Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy 

• Grantmaking for Equity: Essential, Fundamental Practices 

• 2025 Racial Equity in Lean Foundations 
• Foundation Guidebook 

We are specifically requesting sessions that center on the following:

Submit Your Session Proposal Now Apply to be a Session Proposal Reviewer

Preview Proposal Application Form  | Session Design FAQs