Pre-Summit Session for Chief Executive Officers

Who Should Attend: Organizational leaders from across the charitable sector
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM ET
Cost: $80 (member), $100 (nonmember)

This pre-summit session brings together top leaders from across the charitable sector for an exclusive, closed-door conversation on the sector’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities.

Designed for presidents, CEOs, executive directors, managing directors, and board chairs, this session offers a rare opportunity to connect with peers navigating both immediate demands and long-term strategy. Together, participants will co-create bold, aligned approaches to strengthen sector influence and accelerate impact.

Space is extremely limited. Please indicate your interest in attending through the registration link. The Independent Sector team will follow up with further details, including registration and payment.

Financial Leadership for Systems Change: Aligning Fiscal Strategy with Impact

Who Should Attend: Chief Financial Officers and Chief Operating Officers
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM ET
Cost: $80 (member), $100 (nonmember)

This exclusive pre-summit session is designed for nonprofit CFOs ready to move beyond traditional financial management and lead transformative systems change. In today’s unpredictable funding landscape, CFOs face the dual challenge of sustaining fiscal health while breaking free from restrictive funding cycles.

Through expert insights and peer learning, participants will explore bold strategies for financial sustainability, mission-aligned investments, and confidently communicating funding needs to stakeholders.

The interactive format includes small-group discussions based on organizational size, funding structure, and shared challenges — offering space to exchange real-world strategies and build collaborative solutions.

Walk away with actionable tools to align financial decisions with impact priorities, strengthen resilience, and champion equitable funding models that fuel lasting change.

Policy Professionals Advocacy Intensive (PPAI)

Who Should Attend: Experienced policy professionals from across the charitable sector
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM ET
Cost: $80 (member), $100 (nonmember)

Don’t miss the Policy Professionals Advocacy Intensive (PPAI) — a one-day, high-impact conference hosted by Independent Sector. Exclusively for experienced policy professionals, this intensive offers an in-depth look at the complex challenges shaping the future of the charitable sector.

Connect with leading experts, exchange bold ideas, and collaborate on solutions to drive the sector forward. This is policy at its most strategic.

Exploring Buford Highway: A Journey Through Georgia’s Immigrant Communities

Who Should Attend: Open to all summit attendees on a first-come, first-served basis
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM ET
Cost: $60 (member), $65 (nonmember)

Join us for an immersive experience along Buford Highway, one of Georgia’s most vibrant and diverse corridors, known for its rich immigrant history and thriving multicultural businesses. This guided tour will provide participants with firsthand insight into the communities that have shaped the area and continue to make it a hub of cultural exchange and economic opportunity.

The experience includes:

• A guided bus tour from the Signia Hotel to Plaza Fiesta, highlighting key historical and cultural landmarks.
• A visit to Plaza Fiesta, a bustling Latino shopping center with a fascinating history.
• Lunch at an immigrant-owned taqueria, where participants will meet the owner and enjoy an authentic meal. Lunch is included as part of the experience.
• A scavenger hunt, designed to introduce participants to culturally significant items and their meanings.
• A debrief session on the return trip, facilitated by Latino Community Fund Georgia, to reflect on key learnings and fun facts.

Through this dynamic experience, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the immigrant and refugee communities that call Buford Highway home, the challenges they face, and the contributions they make to Georgia’s economy and culture.

Buses will depart for the tour from the Signia by Hilton Atlanta promptly at 10:30 AM ET and return at 3:30 PM ET. The tour includes a moderate amount of walking, so attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. Lunch will be provided.

Pittsburgh Yards: Community-Driven Economic Development in Atlanta’s Southside

Who Should Attend: Open to all summit attendees on a first-come, first-served basis
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM ET
Cost: $60 (member), $65 (nonmember)

Join us for an inspiring visit to Pittsburgh Yards, a visionary 31-acre development designed to build community wealth, create living-wage jobs, and serve as a catalyst for broader economic impact on Atlanta’s Southside. This tour offers a unique opportunity to see how intentional, community-centered development can transform historically disinvested neighborhoods while honoring their rich cultural heritage.

The experience includes:

• A guided tour of The Nia Building, featuring 101 affordable coworking, studio, and office spaces designed for local entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses.
• Exploration of the Container Courtyard, an innovative marketplace created from repurposed shipping containers.
• Lunch with community leaders who participated in the development process (included in registration).
• A panel discussion on equitable development practices, community ownership models, and strategies for preventing displacement.
• Interactive discussions with Pittsburgh Yards tenants who will share their entrepreneurial journeys and the impact of this development on their businesses.

Through this dynamic experience, participants will gain practical insights into how nonprofits, foundations, and community partners can collaborate to create economic opportunity in underserved communities while actively involving residents in the development process.

Buses will depart for the tour from the Signia by Hilton Atlanta promptly at 10:30 AM ET and return at 3:30 PM ET. The tour includes a moderate amount of walking, so attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes. Lunch will be provided.