About
Forefront’s Annual Summit is the only event that convenes grantmakers, nonprofit professionals, and other social impact sector stakeholders across issue areas and the state to build connections and community.
This year, the Summit will focus on our collective commitment to building a united and thriving social impact sector that promotes equity and has a transformative impact on the wellbeing and economic security of communities across the State of Illinois. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and be inspired by a lineup of dynamic speakers and enjoy opportunities for formal and informal networking with colleagues from all over Illinois.
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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.
Closing Plenary:Using Peacebuilding to Improve Funder-Nonprofit Collaboration
It’s hard to strengthen philanthropic collaboration–and achieve more impact–when you don’t feel like you can be open and honest in a shared funder-nonprofit space. Philanthropic Partnership Workshops (PPW) strengthens philanthropy through peacebuilding. PPW uses conflict resolution strategies to create spaces where nonprofits and funders communicate openly and honestly, improve collaboration, and maximize impact. Catch them at the Closing Plenary at our Annual Summit where we’ll get to experience how their approach can support philanthropic ecosystems to reimagine collaboration and achieve more impact.
Agenda
8:30 a.m. Registration & Light Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Plenary: Toward United & Thriving
10:00 a.m. Keynote: Fireside Chat with john a. powell
11:15 a.m. Book signing & networking break
11:45 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Plenary: 50 years at the Forefront
12:45 p.m. Break
1:15 p.m. Concurrent sessions:
- Advocacy in the Nonprofit Sector: Why We Need a Unified Voice and How to Get There
- Business Model Innovation Through Collaboration
- Court Rulings’ Impact on Our Sector
2:30 p.m. Networking break
3:00 p.m. Plenary: Using Peacebuilding to Improve Funder-Nonprofit Collaboration
4:30 p.m. Closing
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Concurrent Sessions Details
Court Rulings’ Impact on Our Sector
Speakers:
- Colleen Connell, Executive Director, ACLU-IL (Moderator)
- Michelle Morales, President, Woods Foundation
- David Shapiro, Executive Director, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
- Josh Mints, VP, General Counsel, MacArthur Foundation
- Sharmin Shahjahan, Racial Equity Collective Director
Panelists will provide historical context on recent court rulings impacting DEI initiatives and will provide varying examples on how the sector can continue to serve communities of color while confidently managing the business “risk” of advancing racial equity in Illinois.
Advocacy in the Nonprofit Sector: Why We Need a Unified Voice and How to Get There
Speakers:
- Roberto Valdez, Midwest Policy Director, Hispanic Federation
- Niya Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
- Lawrence Benito, Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
- Carrie Ward, Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA)
- Anita Banerji, Senior Director, Strategy and External Relations, Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP)
Calling all policy wonks, community organizers, and people concerned about increasing nonprofit sector civic engagement! In this breakout session, our expert panel will offer real-world solutions for getting seated at decision-making tables, navigating tension and finding common ground, mobilizing stakeholders around shared priorities, lifting up new voices, and achieving major state or federal policy shifts. It’s everyone’s job to engage; join this conversation intended to help reduce “empty calorie advocacy” and increase civic courage in our sector. Moderated by Forefront’s Director of Policy and Government Affairs, Holly Ambuehl. Includes Q&A and discussion.
Business Model Innovation Through Collaboration
Speakers:
- Aina Gutierrez, Executive Director, Rebuilding Exchange
- Jason Matsumoto, Co-Executive Director, Full Spectrum Features
- Dara Munson, President and CEO, Family Focus
- Greg Peterson, CEO, Keystone Alliance
How we work together changes how we work, and collaboration can build more resilient nonprofit business models that center community needs. This conversation, moderated by the Director of the Mission Sustainability Initiative at Forefront, will include nonprofit leaders who have found innovative and collaborative solutions to common challenges like managing social enterprise, accessing capital, succession planning, and building administrative infrastructure.
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Hotel
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile is located two blocks from the Magnificent Mile, a 12-minute walk from entertainment, restaurants, and boat cruises at Navy Pier, and 8 minutes from the Chicago Riverwalk. The Theater District is within a mile. Amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, and free made-to-order breakfast.
Forefront Annual Summit attendees can book a room at the Embassy Suites at a discounted rate of $255 per night. This rate will be available until midnight central time on September 11, 2024, but may sell out earlier. We recommend booking a room as soon as possible to ensure you receive the discounted rate. Reservations can be made online at https://book.passkey.com/go/ForefrontAnnualSummit.
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Parking
Parking is available at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile. Details are here.
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Registration FAQs
Registration fees
Early bird / Regular
Forefront members with budgets under $2 million: $90 / $115
Forefront members with budgets over $2 million: $125 / $150
Non-members: $175 / $200
Early registration rates are available through September 4, 2024.
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 and am committed to taking precautions recommended by the CDC and local, state, and federal agencies.
- I will not attend this event if I have had recent exposure to a COVID-19 case, experience any symptoms of COVID-19 within ten days of the event, or have not been cleared as non-contagious by the healthcare team responsible for my treatment of a diagnosed COVID-19 case.
- 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 but are encouraged. 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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