Annual Summit 2026

On September 24, 2026, Forefront will convene its Annual Summit, Growing Together: Strong Roots Today. Bold Growth Tomorrow. This high-energy day of connection, learning, and shared purpose invites leaders from across the sector to gather, collaborate, and take action for the future of Illinois’ social impact community.
Grounded in Forefront’s mission to build a vibrant social impact sector for all the people of Illinois, this summit explores what it means to strengthen our organizational roots in the face of today’s challenges while planting the seeds for a more inclusive, resilient tomorrow. Through dynamic keynotes, interactive sessions, and cross sector collaboration, participants will cultivate strong partnerships, gain practical tools to support your staff, and envision the future with confidence.

Information

About

Speakers

Agenda

Sponsors

Hotel

Parking

Registration FAQs

Health & Safety

Speakers

The summit will include conversation with renowned scholars, experts, and visionaries about creating a united and thriving social sector. They’ll share their experiences of  practice in organizations, urban and rural communities, and across the sector. More details to come. 

Keynote

Workshops

More details to come.

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Agenda

More details to come.

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Sponsors

Hotel

Hilton Chicago| 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 | See the venue.

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Parking

Self-Parking
$72.00 for 24 hours
Enter Hilton Chicago’s Parking Garage on Wabash Avenue or Balbo Street.

Valet Parking
$88.00 for 24 hours
Service at the Michigan Avenue entrance, or at the Balbo Parking Garage entrance.

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Registration FAQs

Registration fees
Early bird / Regular
Forefront members with budgets under $2 million: $99 / $139
Forefront members with budgets over $2 million: $149 / $189
Non-members: $199 / $239

Early registration rates are available through August 28, 2026.

Who is eligible to attend?
Anyone working in the social impact sector, including operating nonprofits, foundations, corporations, government, and consultants serving the sector are welcome to attend.

What’s included in my registration fee?
Summit registration includes all plenaries and concurrent sessions as well as breakfast and lunch.

How can I cancel or transfer my registration?
Please contact us at [email protected] to cancel or transfer your registration to a colleague. Cancellations received before September 10 will receive a partial refund minus a $30 cancellation fee. Any cancellations received after that date will not be eligible for a refund but can still be transferred to another person.

How can I make an accessibility accommodation request?
Forefront aims to make our gatherings as accessible as possible. ASL interpretation will be provided during all plenary sessions. To request additional accommodations, please contact Emily Long at [email protected] by September 4.

Does this event have a non-solicitation policy?
Yes. Forefront is committed to creating an environment that fosters participation and will not tolerate harassment of any speakers, attendees, or staff. We also ask all participants to support the learning environment by refraining from soliciting funds or business during this, or any, Forefront event.

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Health & Safety

One of our top priorities is to create a safe environment for our attendees, and we ask that each attendee 1) help us create a space where all participants will feel comfortable, and 2) understand that risk tolerances vary from person to person. We are relying on everyone to do their part to keep themselves and everyone else safe during the Summit.

At this time, these are the protocols we have in place to help ensure the safety of all participants. Forefront reserves the right to update these policies at any time. Please continue to refer back to this website to keep up to date. If there is a significant shift in policy, we will email all Summit registrants directly.

Duty of Care Agreement & Liability Waiver

By registering for and attending the Forefront Annual Summit:

• I understand that travel to and participation in events may increase the risk of exposure to communicable diseases or other unforeseen dangers. I hereby forever release, waive, and discharge my right to bring suit against Forefront, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents for fault, negligence, or conduct in connection with exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID-19 or other disease or injury related to attending this event.
•  I agree to comply with all health and safety guidelines put forth related to this event.
• I understand that my failure to comply with all safety protocol procedures as listed above or any direction from Forefront staff onsite may result in immediate removal from the event and cancellation of the registration without refund.

Mask Guidance
At this time, masks will not be required at this year's Summit. Attendees choosing to wear a mask should provide their own for the event, though a limited supply will be available at the registration desk.

Social Distancing & Physical Contact
Color-coded social distance preference indicators will be available to all attendees during registration on-site. While we look forward to being in person, not everyone will have the same comfort with hugs or handshakes.

If You Feel Sick
No person may participate in the event if they become ill or exhibit any signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during the convening. Forefront reserves the right to refuse entry to any participant who exhibits any symptoms of illness.

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