The call for presentations for the 2026 Great Rivers Conference is closed. Thanks to everyone who submitted a proposal! If you submitted a proposal, you will hear from us mid-November on the status of your submission.
Who should submit a faculty proposal?
We are looking for faculty who can connect with the audience, and share their practice or expert knowledge that can be applied to diverse, local United Ways. It is also important that the sessions/topics offered provide knowledge and ideas are easily
transferred to other United Ways.
Interested individuals will be asked to complete the following information:
Provide your contact information and any co-presenters
Provide a session title, description, and learning objectives (click here for tips on best practices)
Identify the main track(s) of the topic you'll focus on (see information below)
Identify the depth of the content (nuts & bolts, growth & scale, policy & transformational change)
Identify the primary audience and consider how others may adapt content
Session submissions will be reviewed by the Great Rivers Curriculum Committees. Notifications of the Great Rivers Conference Curriculum Committees will be sent by mid-November. Acceptance of session submissions will be based on a variety of factors,
including timeliness of topic, practicality of session, and what conference attendees are looking to learn.
Keep up-to-date on news and information for the Great Rivers Conference by joining our mailing list.
Tracks
In your submission proposal, we ask you to indicate the broad topics your session covers. You can pick more than one, though you will rank which you think to be most relevant. Click on each category below to see the topics covered by that category.
This track includes topics that help local United Ways advance equitable and sustainable solutions that address gaps and disparities that ensure every person has access to the resources needed to thrive:
Programs and initiatives focused on United Way's four impact areas (Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Community Resiliency)*
Programs and initiatives focused on Volunteerism
Programs and initiatives focused on Public Policy & Advocacy
Programs and initiatives focused on strengthening the nonprofit community*
Developing volunteer strategies that are sustainable
Best practices for measuring impact strategies*
Utilizing real-time data to anticipate community challenges and deliver life-changing impact*
Managing community and corporate volunteers to expand the scope of impact work
Knowing how to determine what initiatives and products would interest my community
Understanding best practices for development and equity for community investments
Understanding the product development process
Knowing how others are implementing products and solutions
Learning how United Ways are resourcing impact products*
Understanding methods for community engagement
Aligning allocation methods to strategic plans
* indicates it was a top choice from the 2026 Great Rivers Conference Training Needs Survey
This track includes topics that help local United Ways increase your community standing as the partner of choice for understanding and addressing community issues. Topics United Ways are asking about in this track include:
Strategies to partner with government to expand community investment opportunities
Understanding the Philanthropic Sector to leverage trends and opportunities
Understanding the social landscape to leverage trends and opportunities
Learning what data and tools are available and how others are using them*
Learning how to message community impact to increase fundraising*
Learning marketing strategies that are compelling
Effective community communication
Communication and marketing with a limited budget*
Using market insights to target communication campaigns
Learning how others are using virtual engagement and digital outreach
Learning strategies that are engaging in efficient and effective marketing (no matter the size)
Implementing digital experiences
* indicates it was a top choice from the 2026 Great Rivers Conference Training Needs Survey
This track includes topics around local United Ways build new revenue streams, strengthen the pipeline of donors, and focus on future sustainability. Topics United Ways are asking about in this track include:
Developing compelling products and solutions to increase revenue
Assessing market potential
Customizing donor experiences
Learning new strategies to engage donors and volunteers year round*
Strengthening multiple channels to diversify revenue
Keeping up with the skills needed to fundraise in the changing economy
Understanding how to adapt experiences to match donor interest/passion
Engaging volunteers in fundraising strategies
Applying for Federal, State and local grants
Focus on successful major giving engagement and development
Increasing understanding of donor networks (affinity groups)
Know how others are evolving their individual giving strategies
Know how others are increasing workplace campaign results*
Know what data and tools are available to strengthen your United Way and how others are using them
Know how successful United Ways are assessing their market potential
Understanding what is working for others to grow revenue*
Learning how to deepen relationships with donors
* indicates it was a top choice from the 2026 Great Rivers Conference Training Needs Survey
This track includes session topics that help local United Ways ensure their culture and values, governance, and operational capacities create enduring success, enabling them to be efficient, agile, sustainable, and relevant. Topics
United Ways are asking about in this track include:
Positioning United Way as a nonprofit partner of choice for addressing pressing & specific community needs*
Creating a culture of trust
Partnering and collaborating with community organizations and other United Ways across the network*
Developing professional development programs for staff
Strategic planning*
Leadership in uncertain times
Reigniting passion in your team
Trust Based Philanthropy and other grantmaking strategies
Leadership development
Engaging the board as fundraisers and handraisers*
Developing the board to think strategically*
Establishing and maintaining an effective governance model
Engaging the board in the United Way 2030 Transformation*
Leveraging people, processes, and technology*
Using data effectively*
Understand how to protect donor data and maintain security
Managing staff in a hybrid work environment
Human resources best practices
Establishing and refining financial standards
Developing sound grant reporting and financial processes
United Way Worldwide membership accountability practices and procedures
Convening community partners & members*
* indicates it was a top choice from the 2026 Great Rivers Conference Training Needs Survey
This track includes topics around United Ways with smaller teams and/or in smaller markets (traditionally metro 5-11). Topics United Ways are asking about in this track include:
How to work smarter with fewer staff.
Organization and time management tools and tricks for a one-person office.
What programs can we offer our community when we have a small budget? How do small United Ways handle community impact?
Developing a roadmap to grow from 0-1 staff to 2 or more
View the full 2026 Great Rivers Conference Training Needs Survey report here.
Print Page
