Our Annual Conference

Unlike any other conference, the Exponent Philanthropy Annual Conference is designed specifically for and by lean funders—those who give with few or no staff. This is your chance to make connections, let your guard down, and talk about the challenges and issues affecting the communities and causes you care about most.


November 11–13, 2025 Columbus, OH	November 11–13, 2026 Portland, OR	November 17–19, 2027 Boston, MA

Every year, lean funders from across the country gather in person to:

…learn from each other.
…share what they are doing.
…be inspired.
…see friends.
…make friends.
…ask questions.

…find solutions.
…focus on their giving….evaluate their practices.
…build their network.
…discover their potential.
…and feel the strength and energy of our community.

While we offer many virtual learning opportunities throughout the year, our Annual Conference is exclusively in-person.

Our reputation for providing timely and relevant educational content to staff, donors, and trustees at all levels of experience, serving all types of foundations, is the result of years of working with and listening to lean funders from across the country and the sector. As a member-led organization, we understand the commitment required to participate in the Annual Conference, and we are dedicated to ensuring that you maximize the value of the resources you invest in our event.

- Interested in holding a session or speaking at one of our conferences? Read our Conference Guidelines
- For information on exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact us at corporate@exponentphilanthropy.org
- Read Exponent Philanthropy’s Participant Guidelines.

New! Conference Scholarships

Are you part of a small-staffed or all-volunteer philanthropic organization? Is your foundation newly established or operating with limited resources? 

Exponent Philanthropy is excited to offer, for the first time, up to seven full scholarships to cover registration for our 2025 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. These scholarships are designed to help lean funders access the learning, connection, and inspiration of our premier annual event. 

We thank the Reinberger Foundation for its generous support of this scholarship program.

Who Should Apply:
We welcome applications from members and non-member funders who meet one or more of the following criteria: 

- - Newly established foundations (less than 5 years old)
  - All-volunteer-run foundations
  - Individuals in their first five years as a board member, donor, or staff person
  - Giving circles or public charities that make grants
  - Foundations or donors with less than $5 million in assets
  - Individuals who are new to their role at a foundation (under five years)

What the Scholarship Covers:

- - One complimentary conference registration (a $1480+ value) 
  - Access to all events and activities that are included in conference registration – sessions, meals, networking events, and more.

Scholarship recipients are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of all travel and lodging.

Deadline to Apply: August 29, 2025. Applicants will be notified of selection by September 12, 2025.

Apply Now!

Questions? Contact Althea Georgantas. 