2027 Bridge To Excellence Breakout Proposals

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence of Middle Tennessee invites nonprofit professionals, consultants, subject-matter experts, community partners, and thought leaders to submit breakout session proposals for the 2027 Bridge to Excellence Conference.

Bridge to Excellence breakouts are designed for all, however this year we would like to focus more on intermediate to seasoned nonprofit professionals who are looking for practical strategies, fresh thinking, and tools they can immediately apply within their organizations.

For 2027, breakout sessions will follow a learning journey throughout the conference day by moving participants from big-picture strategy, to practical skill-building, to future-focused innovation and action.

We are especially interested in sessions that:

Address current and emerging challenges facing nonprofit organizations.
Go beyond introductory-level information.
Offer practical tools, frameworks, examples, or resources participants can take back to their organizations.
Encourage discussion, reflection, problem-solving, or interaction.
Present realistic approaches appropriate for nonprofits of varying sizes and budgets.
Focus on education rather than promotion of a product or consulting service.

Proposal Deadline: November 13, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: December 4th, 2026
Conference Date: April 14th, 2027
Conference Location: Westin Nashville

Selected presenters will receive additional information regarding session scheduling, audiovisual support, presenter expectations, and conference logistics. There is a $200 per session fee offered to instructors.

Question Title

1. First and Last Name (Required.)

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2. Title (Required.)

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3. Company/Organization Name (Required.)

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4. Email address (Required.)

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5. Phone Number (Required.)

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6. Website or LinkedIn Profile (Required.)

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7. Will this session have more than one presenter? (there is only one fee provided per breakout session and it is up to presenters to work out payment between each other) (Required.)

Yes

Question Title

8. Which 2027 Bridge to Excellence learning track best fits your proposed session? (Required.)

Track 1 — Leading Through Complexity
For CEOs, senior leaders, department heads, boards, board governanace, board-facing staff, and emerging executives navigating uncertainty, organizational change, decision-making, influence, and leadership challenges.

Track 2 — Strategy, Sustainability & Business Model Thinking
For leaders focused on organizational strategy, financial sustainability, revenue models, partnerships, program design, growth decisions, and long-term organizational health.

Track 3 — Fundraising, Donor Trust & Revenue Development
For development professionals, CEOs, board members, and communications staff addressing fundraising strategy, donor relationships, revenue diversification, board engagement, and ethical fundraising.

Track 4 — People, Culture & Workforce Resilience
For HR, operations, program and senior leaders focused on workforce challenges, retention, supervision, organizational culture, conflict, succession, and leadership development.

Track 5 — Program Impact, Data & Community Accountability
For program leaders, evaluation staff, funders, and senior leaders seeking stronger approaches to outcomes, evaluation, data use, community voice, storytelling, and accountability.

Track 6 — Innovation, Technology & Future-Readiness
For nonprofit executives, operations leaders, technology staff, and boards exploring AI, emerging technology, governance, organizational risk, systems selection, and future planning.

Track 7 — CSR, Philanthropy Leadership & Funding Impact
For corporate social responsibility officers, corporate foundation leaders, philanthropy professionals, and community engagement teams exploring strategic giving, nonprofit partnerships, employee engagement, community investment, impact measurement, and emerging trends in corporate citizenship.

Other (please specify)

Question Title

9. If your proposal could fit a second track which would it be? (Required.)

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10. Proposed Session Title - Please use an engaging title that clearly communicates the purpose of the session. (Required.)

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11. Provide a description of your proposed session. Explain the challenge or opportunity the session addresses. 200 words or less. (Required.)

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12. What learning level would this breakout fall under? (Required.)

Beginner (Audience members new to this material or less than two years of experience)

Intermediate (Audience members having some experience, 2-4 years, with the topic)

Advanced ( Audience members with four or more years of experience in the subject area)

All Learning Levels

Question Title

13. Please list at least three and up to five tangible learning objectives for this session. (Required.)

Learning Objective One

Learning Objective Two

Learning Objective Three

Learning Objective Four

Learning Objective Five

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14. Have you presented this breakout in any other setting or conference? If so please share the date and location and if available a link to the presentation. (Required.)

2027 Bridge To Excellence Breakout Proposals

Question Title

1. First and Last Name (Required.)

Question Title

2. Title (Required.)

Question Title

3. Company/Organization Name (Required.)

Question Title

4. Email address (Required.)

Question Title

5. Phone Number (Required.)

Question Title

6. Website or LinkedIn Profile (Required.)

Question Title

7. Will this session have more than one presenter? (there is only one fee provided per breakout session and it is up to presenters to work out payment between each other) (Required.)

Question Title

8. Which 2027 Bridge to Excellence learning track best fits your proposed session? (Required.)

Question Title

9. If your proposal could fit a second track which would it be? (Required.)

Question Title

10. Proposed Session Title - Please use an engaging title that clearly communicates the purpose of the session. (Required.)

Question Title

11. Provide a description of your proposed session. Explain the challenge or opportunity the session addresses. 200 words or less. (Required.)

Question Title

12. What learning level would this breakout fall under? (Required.)

Question Title

13. Please list at least three and up to five tangible learning objectives for this session. (Required.)

Question Title

14. Have you presented this breakout in any other setting or conference? If so please share the date and location and if available a link to the presentation. (Required.)

Question Title

15. Please upload a headshot. (Required.)

Question Title

16. Please upload a brief bio. (Required.)

2027 Bridge To Excellence Breakout Proposals

Question Title

* 1. First and Last Name (Required.)

Question Title

* 2. Title (Required.)

Question Title

* 3. Company/Organization Name (Required.)

Question Title

* 4. Email address (Required.)

Question Title

* 5. Phone Number (Required.)

Question Title

* 6. Website or LinkedIn Profile (Required.)

Question Title

* 7. Will this session have more than one presenter? (there is only one fee provided per breakout session and it is up to presenters to work out payment between each other) (Required.)

Question Title

* 8. Which 2027 Bridge to Excellence learning track best fits your proposed session? (Required.)

Question Title

* 9. If your proposal could fit a second track which would it be? (Required.)

Question Title

* 10. Proposed Session Title - Please use an engaging title that clearly communicates the purpose of the session. (Required.)

Question Title

* 11. Provide a description of your proposed session. Explain the challenge or opportunity the session addresses. 200 words or less. (Required.)

Question Title

* 12. What learning level would this breakout fall under? (Required.)

Question Title

* 13. Please list at least three and up to five tangible learning objectives for this session. (Required.)

Question Title

* 14. Have you presented this breakout in any other setting or conference? If so please share the date and location and if available a link to the presentation. (Required.)

Question Title

* 15. Please upload a headshot. (Required.)

Question Title

* 16. Please upload a brief bio. (Required.)

1. First and Last Name (Required.)

2. Title (Required.)

3. Company/Organization Name (Required.)

4. Email address (Required.)

5. Phone Number (Required.)

6. Website or LinkedIn Profile (Required.)

7. Will this session have more than one presenter? (there is only one fee provided per breakout session and it is up to presenters to work out payment between each other) (Required.)

8. Which 2027 Bridge to Excellence learning track best fits your proposed session? (Required.)

9. If your proposal could fit a second track which would it be? (Required.)

10. Proposed Session Title - Please use an engaging title that clearly communicates the purpose of the session. (Required.)

11. Provide a description of your proposed session. Explain the challenge or opportunity the session addresses. 200 words or less. (Required.)

12. What learning level would this breakout fall under? (Required.)

13. Please list at least three and up to five tangible learning objectives for this session. (Required.)

14. Have you presented this breakout in any other setting or conference? If so please share the date and location and if available a link to the presentation. (Required.)

15. Please upload a headshot. (Required.)

16. Please upload a brief bio. (Required.)