Skip to content

Tennessee Nonprofit Conference Call for Speakers 2026

Tennessee Nonprofit Network is excited to announce the 2026 Tennessee Nonprofit Conference, taking place in the Nashville/Franklin area, September 29-30. This statewide gathering brings together nonprofit professionals, funders, board members, and community partners from across Tennessee for a day of learning, connection, and shared purpose.

The 2026 conference theme, Energized. Engaged. Essential., reflects a defining moment for the nonprofit sector. Nonprofits across Tennessee are doing work that communities depend on every day, yet that work is often misunderstood, undervalued, or taken for granted. At the same time, nonprofit leaders are navigating increased demand, funding uncertainty, public skepticism, and growing pressure to clearly explain their impact.

This year’s conference is designed to meet that moment.

Give a Presentation at the 2026 Tennessee Nonprofit Conference: Energized. Engaged. Essential.

Sessions should help nonprofit professionals strengthen trust, communicate clearly, and demonstrate why nonprofits are essential to the health and stability of Tennessee communities. We are seeking presentations that are practical, engaging, and rooted in real experience, not theory alone. Strong proposals will offer tools, examples, and approaches that participants can apply immediately in their organizations and communities.

In alignment with Tennessee Nonprofit Network’s statewide communications strategy, we are especially interested in sessions that:

• Emphasize local impact and community relevance
• Use clear, human-centered language instead of jargon
• Highlight collaboration, transparency, and accountability
• Reflect the role nonprofits play as essential community infrastructure

Presentation formats:

In-Person: Presenters will present to conference attendees in-person in formats such as a panel or an interactive workshop. The Tennessee Nonprofit Conference will not offer online/virtual sessions.

Workshops are scheduled for 1-hour time blocks. (Time blocks are subject to change.)
Presenters should demonstrate the following:
  • Proven expertise in their topic area, with a strong understanding of the nonprofit sector and its unique challenges and opportunities, especially in this moment!
  • An interactive and inclusive presentation style rooted in adult learning principles that encourages participation, reflection, and practical application. We aren't looking for speakers who simply read from their slides.
  • An engaging presence and facilitation skills that support our goal to make sessions dynamic, memorable, and highly rated by attendees.
  • Diverse perspectives and innovative ideas that reflect the breadth of experiences across communities, geographies, and disciplines.
  • Cultural humility and responsiveness—a commitment to creating welcoming, respectful learning environments for attendees from all backgrounds.
  • Clear alignment with conference tracks, with slides and materials that are well-designed, visually appealing, and easy to follow.
  • Supplemental materials such as worksheets, tools, activities, or additional resources that extend learning beyond the session.
  • Technology comfort level: Can comfortably navigate basic technology.
Selected conference tracks:

Communications
Telling the Right Story, the Right Way

For marketing, communications, and storytelling professionals focused on building trust, elevating local impact, and clearly explaining the value of nonprofits. Sessions should address storytelling without harm, trusted messengers, media engagement, messaging in polarized environments, and communicating outcomes in ways neighbors understand and believe.

Leadership & Governance
Leading Strong, Trusted Organizations

For executive leaders, senior staff, and board members responsible for strategy, governance, and organizational health. Sessions should focus on leadership that strengthens credibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability, including governance practices, financial stewardship, decision-making in uncertainty, and positioning nonprofits as essential community institutions.

Fundraising & Development
Funding the Work Communities Rely On

For development professionals and leaders navigating donor skepticism and changing funding landscapes. Sessions should emphasize relational fundraising, transparency, donor trust, grant storytelling, major gifts, and demonstrating clear return on community investment.

People & Culture
Supporting the People Behind the Mission

For those leading staff, volunteers, and internal culture. Sessions should address volunteer engagement, workforce development, retention, burnout prevention, leadership pipelines, and building healthy, energized teams that sustain the work.

Programs & Services
Delivering Impact Where It Matters Most

For program leaders and direct service professionals responsible for designing and delivering services communities depend on. Sessions should focus on measurable outcomes, community-responsive program design, collaboration, evaluation, and clearly demonstrating impact.
Speaker Honorarium

There is a set $500 honorarium paid per session. (Co-presenters will be paid one $500 stipend that can be split between them).
There is a maximum of two presenters per session allowed. Any additional presenter will be required to register and pay for the conference at the current rate. (Co-presenters should not be added only to support or do Q&A, but must actually co-present.)

*Any colleagues, spouses, or friends that would be interested in attending your session, for any reason, would be required to register and pay.

Proposal Submission Timeline for 2026:

Accepting submissions – March 3
Deadline for submissions – March 27
Selected speakers notified - April 6
Deadline to accept - April 10
Public notification of selected speakers – April 15
Final conference agenda published – April 22
*** Begin your submission below ***
Speaker Submissions will only be accepted via this form.
1.First and Last name (include credentials, if applicable)(Required.)
2.Email(Required.)
3.Company/Organization(Required.)
4.Where are you currently located?
(Please note that travel or hotel cost are not provided by TNN.)(Required.)
5.Phone
6.Name of co-presenter, if applicable (limit 1): (please note: co-presenter must be listed at the time of submission and cannot be added after notification of acceptance)
7.Co-Presenter's Email
8.Co-Presenter's Company/Organization
9.Which track are you submitting for?(Required.)
10.Which track is your second choice, if applicable?
11.Presentation Title(Required.)
12.Provide a brief description for your presentation or activity.(Required.)
13.Presentation Format Preference
14.What kinds of applied learning or resources do you plan on sharing with attendees?
15.How would you ensure your session is engaging and not information heavy?
16.Please describe your experience in or supporting the nonprofit sector.
17.Please describe the ideal audience for this session.
18.Have you presented at other conferences or convenings? If so, where and when?
19.Please share your bio.
20.Please share additional references, social sites, or videos to support your submission.
21.Please check all that apply.(Required.)
Please contact April at acarter@tnnonprofits.org if you have any questions.