Nonprofit and foundation leaders, philanthropists, business and corporate leaders, activists, academics, journalists will meet to chart a course toward a healthy, trusted, equitable charitable sector
(DALLAS-FORT WORTH, November 2, 2023) – Independent Sector and Social Venture Partners (SVP) Dallas will host a national gathering of changemakers at the 2023 Upswell Summit in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas on November 15-17, 2023.
The 2023 Upswell Summit, powered by Independent Sector and SVP Dallas, will provide a central meeting place for nonprofit and foundation leaders, philanthropists, business and corporate leaders, activists, academics, journalists, and changemakers. Cross-sector leaders – including from The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Native Ways Federation, AmeriCorps, Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI), Microsoft, Aspen Institute, and National Council of Nonprofits – will take the stage to offer candid insights about the health and future of the charitable sector.
The Summit’s speakers will dive into some of the nonprofit sector’s most challenging issues – paradigm shifts required to build trust, influence policy change, create stronger communities, and build inclusive workplaces. From sessions on American democracy, to artificial intelligence (AI), and radical philanthropy, the Summit will feature groundbreaking approaches to achieve equity, financial security, and wellbeing for the sector’s greatest asset – its people.
Independent Sector and SVP Dallas are combining the power of bigBANG! – SVP Dallas’ preeminent, annual social impact conference – and Upswell to amplify this year’s impact. The 2023 Upswell Summit will incorporate the local roots and deep community engagement at the heart of bigBANG! conferences, while building on Independent Sector’s five years of Upswell programming, which have brought together more than 12,500 changemakers to learn, share, connect, re-charge, and consider innovative ways to create positive change.
To request a media pass, please contact Nina Ford, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, at media@independentsector.org | 202-467-6113
WHAT: 2023 Upswell Summit
WHEN: November 15-17, 2023
WHERE: Sheraton Dallas: 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, TX 75201
WHO: Nonprofit and foundation leaders, philanthropists, business and corporate leaders, activists, academics, journalists
Summit Highlights:
Thursday, November 16 (8:00 am – 9:00 am CT)
Why Democracy Depends on a Healthy Nonprofit Sector
Hear more about the latest research released in Independent Sector’s 2023 Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector annual report. The future of our sector, our democracy, and the communities we serve rely on our shared commitment to building a healthy and equitable sector. Join a panel of national experts and thought leaders to unpack where we are, where we should be, and what we’ll need to get there. Featuring:
- Carly Bad Heart Bull, Executive Director, Native Ways Federation
- Stacy Palmer, Chief Executive, The Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps
- Victor Tolomeo, Vice President, Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI)
- Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO, Independent Sector
Thursday, November 16 (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CT)
AI and Nonprofits: Transformative, Terrifying, or Both?
We’ll explore with a panel of experts how AI can impact our organizations, how we can take action to reduce its risks, and how we can take advantage of AI to support the communities we serve. Featuring:
- Toshi Hoo, Emerging Media Lab Director, Institute for the Future
- Amy Sample Ward, CEO, NTEN
- Art Taylor, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance
- Jasmine Thomas, Senior Director, Innovation and Society, Microsoft
Thursday, November 16 (4:30 pm – 5:15 pm CT)
Bridging the Gap: Compassionate Leadership and Inclusive Workplaces
The nonprofit sector has weathered paradigm shifts in leadership models before, demonstrating resilience in adapting to the realities of the current climate. In this Main Stage with the Center for Creative Leadership, hear how we can close the gap and what tools those at the helm need to navigate challenges, build inclusive communities, and exemplify compassionate leadership in 2023 and beyond. Featuring:
- Frances Kunreuther, Co-Executive Director, Building Movement Project
- Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project, Aspen Institute
- Andrea Williams, Director, Health Sector, Societal Impact
- Dr. Janelle Williams, Co-Founder and CEO, Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative
Friday, November 17 (8:00 am – 9:00 am CT)
Impact Investing: Fast Pitch
During this “Impact Investing, Fast Pitch!” Main Stage, Social Venture Partners (SVP) Dallas will invite three impact-oriented companies selected as finalists in their 2023 Fast Pitch Competition to “make their pitch” in front of Upswell attendees, as well as SVP Dallas partners and guests, many of whom are individual accredited investors. The winner will receive a $25,000 equity and/or debt investment from SVP Dallas Impact. Featuring:
- Heather Gilker, Founder and Principal, Tokalon Advisors LLC
Friday, November 17 (12:15 pm – 1:30 pm CT)
Exploring the Future State of the Nonprofit Sector Workforce
The nonprofit sector is the nation’s third largest private employer and makes up nearly 6% of the country’s GDP. Independent Sector CEO and President Dr. Akilah Watkins will engage a panel of national sector leaders in a lively interrogation of the state of the nonprofit workforce – including a look back at our history and an assessment of where we currently stand. They’ll also explore shared and disparate perspectives on what our sector priorities should be going forward. Featuring:
- Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, Vice President, Workforce & Regional Economies
- Tim Delaney, President & CEO, National Council of Nonprofits
- Rodrigua Ross, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
Independent Sector and SVP Dallas thank the following sponsors for their generous support of Upswell and this collaboration: The Allstate Foundation, AT&T, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Walmart, Center for Creative Leadership, Communities Foundation of Texas, Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, The Dallas Foundation, Amazon, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Southwest, The Meadows Foundation, Toyota, Vistra, ActBlue, The Addy Foundation, Bonterra, Community Engagement Exchange Program, The Good Foundation, Katherine Glaze Lyle, Sapphire Foundation, Bush Foundation, North Texas Community Foundation Fund to Advance Racial Equity, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
For the full schedule and more information on the sessions and speakers, including updates and changes, visit upswell.org. You may also follow along on social media using #Upswell2023.
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to strengthen civil society and ensure all people in the United States have the opportunity to thrive. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Social Venture Partners is a global network of local Partners aligning passion and purpose helping to build communities able to solve our most entrenched problems. Their focus of helping individuals realize greater impact with their giving, strengthening social impact organizations, and investing in collaborative solutions helps make connections that make a difference and unleash potential. Learn more at svpdallas.org.
