The 2025 National Small Nonprofit Summit

April 8, 2025 - April 9, 2025 | In-Person at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC
Designed by small nonprofit professionals, for small nonprofit professionals.

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Defining Tomorrow Together: Building Resilient Nonprofits

Local nonprofits are endlessly creative, adaptable, and resourceful. As we continue to meet increasing demand for our services and serve as community leaders in uncertain times, we need to strengthen our capacity as individuals, organizations, and as a sector.Spur Local's annual National Small Nonprofit Summit offers affordable and accessible capacity building for small nonprofit staff. Across two days, connect with other professionals and dive deeper into fundraising, communications, management, and other relevant topics. We will focus on ideas, next steps, and takeaways that are effective for organizations with small teams or budgets.Resilient communities require resilient nonprofits. Register to join us today so that we can define, together, what our communities look like tomorrow.

Expert Speakers

Hear from the Spur Local team and guest speakers in keynote sessions, panels, and presentations.

Peer Connections

Meet other small nonprofit professionals in peer-to-peer breakout sessions and networking happy hours.

Actionable Insights

Participate in hands-on workshops and leave with takeaways you can implement immediately.

Effective Ideas

100% focused on realistic solutions that fit small nonprofits with lean budgets and nimble teams.

Presenting Sponsor

Advanced Patron

Ticket

$20

Early bird tickets are available till March 21, 2025 at 11:59pm.Each ticket provides access to both days of the in-person conference.Existing Spur Local nonprofit partners can access the conference for free.

+ Membership

$100

Tickets are available till April 4, 2025 at 5pm.This ticket adds a membership to Spur Local's digital resource library.Existing Spur Local nonprofit partners already receive this membership benefit.

+ Consulting

$250

Tickets are available till April 4, 2025 at 5pm.This ticket adds an hour-long one-on-one consulting session with a Spur Local team member.Existing Spur Local nonprofit partners do not currently receive this consulting benefit.

Day 1 Schedule

10:00 am Introduction to Defining Tomorrow Together: Building Resilient Nonprofits
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
Keynote Reflection with Niciah Mujahid, Executive Director of the Fair Budget Coalition
This opening session will set the stage for the two-day conference.11:00am Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
Breakout A: Adapting Your Strategic Plan to Change
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
In today's ever-changing landscape, nonprofits face new challenges and uncertainties that can slow down or even derail the best-laid strategic plans. However, even amidst unpredictability, progress and achievement is possible. In this session, we'll explore practical strategies for maintaining momentum and driving meaningful results with your strategic plan - from discussing key decision points to embedding accountability best practices. Whether you're facing external disruption or internal change, this session will equip you with the tools to move your nonprofit's strategic vision forward - no matter what comes your way.
Breakout B: Your Case for Support & Donor Messaging: Prioritizing Your Why
Loree Lipstein and Taryn Deaton, Thread Strategies
Our organizations' funding narratives need to be clear now more than ever and crafting a compelling case for support starts with a clear and powerful "why." This session will help you update and enhance your case for support and donor messaging, ensuring they remain compelling and resonate with donors in order to inspire action.
Breakout C: Building Your Communications Strategy as a Small Team
Amanda Liaw and Chiara Frechette, Spur Local
Developing a strong communications strategy is important - but it's not always easy. With limited resources, small budgets, and the constant need to innovate and remain adaptable, creating a plan that drives impact and engagement can feel overwhelming. Join this session to learn how to build a communications strategy that is sustainable for a small team. We will discuss setting clear goals, crafting key messages, prioritizing our efforts to maximize our reach, and most importantly, adjusting our strategies as the year goes on.12:00pm Lunch Break with Conversation Topics1:05pm Data Debrief: 2025 ED Engagement Survey Results
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
Now more than ever, leaders are balancing having to make quick strategic programming and funding decisions while working to maintain stable programming. Join this plenary session where we will reveal the data from our annual survey reflecting the current state of executive director and staff morale and consider what this means for the sector and our work in 2025.2:00pm Panel: Leadership that Lasts: Navigating Sustainability & Succession
Maryam Trowell from Live It Learn It, Scott Rechler from LearnServe, and Jane Wallis from Grassroots Health
Building on insights from our annual engagement survey, it's clear that investing in leadership is essential for the long-term success of our organizations. However, leadership development and sustainability can take many forms - whether through alternative staffing structures or preparing for seamless leadership transitions. Join us for a panel discussion featuring diverse perspectives on resilient leadership and how different organizations are approaching sustainability, adaptability, and continuity in their leadership models.2:45pm Peer to Peer Conversations (Choose One)
Peer to Peer A: Partnering with Your Board
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
Looking to collaborate more effectively with your board? Strong board support is essential, especially during times of change and uncertainty. In this interactive peer-to-peer session, connect with fellow nonprofit leaders to share experiences, strategies, and challenges in building productive board partnerships. Explore what has worked, how boards engage with staff, and ways to foster strong relationships that support the Executive Director - ideally without adding extra workload.
Peer to Peer B: Fundraising Events
Sarah Hall Aguila and Chiara Frechette, Spur Local
As the fundraising world continues to change, so does the climate of events. Some folks are eager to get out in their community and attend events, while others have become more selective about which events they choose to attend. Join this peer to peer session to hear what fundraising event trends other nonprofits are seeing currently, how folks plan strategically to hit their goals, and what goes into a successful event, big or small.
Peer to Peer C: What's Working in Nonprofit Communications?
Amanda Liaw, Spur Local
The way we communicate is always evolving - audiences are spread across multiple platforms, messaging strategies are shifting, and the spaces we prioritize for engagement are changing. Organizations must adapt to new audience behaviors, shifting tones, and evolving logistical challenges to stay effective. Join this peer to peer session to hear how nonprofits are rethinking their communication strategies, refining their messaging for impact, and activating audiences across diverse channels.4:00pm People's Forum: Rally on the Roof
Join 100+ local nonprofit, community, and government leaders to network, share how your organization is doing right now, and find ways to get involved. We'll hear from a few leaders that will inform us about how potential reductions to essential social services will harm local residents and the nonprofit infrastructure. This event is organized by the Coalition for Nonprofit Equity (CNE), and hosted as part of Spur Local's National Small Nonprofit Summit. Member organizations of CNE will be present at the event.

Day 2 Schedule

10:00am Plenary: Advocacy 101: What Nonprofits Need to Know
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
Advocacy can be a powerful tool to drive change and amplify your mission. But where do you start? What exactly is considered advocacy, and how can we effectively use it to amplify our impact? In this plenary session, we'll break down the fundamentals of nonprofit advocacy and explore key policies currently impacting the sector.10:55am Breakout Sessions (Choose One)
Breakout A: Empowering Board Leadership
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
What does strong, effective board leadership look like, and why does it matter? How can we inspire board members to step up and lead with confidence? In this breakout session, we'll dive into the critical relationship between the board chair and executive director, strategies for preparing new board members for leadership roles, and ways to empower your board to take meaningful action.
Breakout B: Resilient Fundraising: Securing Major Gifts in Uncertain Times
Nadine Gabai-Botero, Focus FundraisingBreakout C: Crisis Communications
Amanda Liaw, Spur Local
As we enter through a time of massive uncertainty, our communities will be relying on us to be a pillar of direction and information. While we can't necessarily predict what will happen, we can do our best to prepare for various situations. Join this session to talk through best practices for communicating information clearly and efficiently amidst crisis situations.11:55am Lunch Break12:45pm Peer to Peer Conversations (Choose One)
Peer to Peer A: Navigating Change as a Community
Matt Gayer, Spur Local
How can we shape the future of our sector - together? In this interactive peer to peer session, we'll explore the changes nonprofits are facing and discuss how collaboration can help us navigate uncertainty and regain a sense of control and influence. Through conversations on change management and strategic partnerships, you'll gain insights from fellow leaders and walk away with a practical tool to guide your organization and board in mapping out paths forward.
Peer to Peer B: Responsive Communications
Amanda Liaw, Spur Local
In times of uncertainty, effective and responsive communication is critical. This peer to peer session offers a space for nonprofit professionals to share their experiences, strategies, and challenges in navigating urgent messaging. This session will encourage conversations around approaching responsive messaging, balancing transparency with reassurance, and adapting to rapidly evolving situations.
Peer to Peer C: Giving Programs
Sarah Hall Aguila and Chiara Frechette, Spur Local
Looking to enhance your nonprofit's giving programs? Join this interactive peer to peer session to exchange insights with fellow organizations on what's working, what's changing, and how to build stronger donor engagement. We'll discuss strategies for donor retention and innovative approaches to sustaining and growing giving programs.2:05pm Panel: From Uncertainty to Action
Abel Nunez from CARECEN, Gabby Majewski from DC Affordable Law Firm, and Scott Goldstein from EmpowerEd
With ongoing shifts impacting our communities, how can we take meaningful action today? Join this panel to hear from organizations on the front lines - providing critical services and advocating for those most affected by current changes. Learn how they are adapting, mobilizing resources, and driving impact, and consider how your organization may be able to engage.3:05pm Lightning Sessions, First Round (Choose One)
Lightning Session A: Engaging Donors: Strength-Based Narratives
Neha Rauf, City Kids Wilderness Project
We know the impact of our work internally, but how do we effectively communicate this to donors and inspire their belief in our mission? City Kids Wilderness Project has found the power of using strength-based narratives to highlight the scope of their work. Join Neha Rauf from City Kids Wilderness Project as she shares the communication strategies her organization uses to connect with donors and build lasting support.
Lightning Session B: Using Thoughtful AI Adoption to Create Time for Mission-Driven Work
Remy Reya, Compass Pro Bono
Have you ever wished for a magic wand to make all the administrative fluff disappear? Time is of the essence at small nonprofits, especially in this moment of uncertainty. While there's no magic wand on the market (yet), Compass Pro Bono has found the next best thing: thoughtful, intentional AI adoption. Join Remy Reya, Compass Pro Bono's Deputy Chief of Staff, to learn the key frameworks his team used to sustainably integrate AI into everyday workflows, leading to average individual time savings of 4-5 hours per week in just four months. Participants will take micro-actions to help their organizations embrace the incredible opportunity presented by AI - to sustain their impact and curtail burnout.
Lightning Session C: Boosting Fundraising with Board Support
Ann Hill, Second Story
Are your board members actively contributing to your fundraising efforts? Second Story has successfully leveraged the unique strengths and connections of their board members to boost fundraising outcomes and secure crucial funds, through the creation of a temporary board working group. Join Ann Hill from Second Story as she outlines the creation of this working group and shares tips on how to harness your board members' skills and networks to develop actionable strategies that can strengthen fundraising initiatives.3:35pm Lightning Sessions, Second Round (Choose One)
Lightning Session D: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Effective Leadership
Benny Del Castillo, Volare
As nonprofit leaders, we often navigate challenging and sensitive situations, making it crucial to lead with empathy and understanding. Drawing from his own trauma therapy experience, Benny Del Castillo from Volare (formerly the Network for Victim Recovery DC) will unpack the connections between trauma-informed care and effective leadership. Join to learn key strategies for inegrating these approaches into management practices.
Lightning Session E: Need to Have or Nice to Have: Communicating Relevance in a Crowded Space
Jennifer Barnes Eliot, An Open Book Foundation
In times of uncertainty and a rapidly changing philanthropic landscape, it can be challenging to engage donors, especially if your organization doesn't focus on basic needs. Through targeted communications including newsletters, An Open Book Foundation (AOB) has embraced a transparent messaging style that has resonated with their audience. Join Jennifer Barnes Eliot from AOB as she shares how she's effectively conveying her organization's impact and the urgent need for support through intentional communications planning.
Lightning Session F: Attracting New Volunteers: Teaching Your Volunteers and Staff the Elevator Speech
Susan Sanow, Volunteer Fairfax
Does your staff and volunteers know how to effectively talk about your organization when recruiting new volunteers in your community? Can you express your volunteering needs and impacts in 30 seconds or less? Volunteer Fairfax has successfully developed and shares their "elevator speech" template with hundreds of organizations to help staff and volunteers craft their own concise and compelling messages. Join Susan Sanow, CVA, from Volunteer Fairfax to learn how to develop a 30-second elevator pitch to effectively attract new volunteers for your organization or cause.4:15pm Happy Hour

About Spur Local

Spur Local (formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy) is a small nonprofit based in the Greater Washington region. Since 2003, we have been dedicated to raising awareness for, and capacity of, small and local nonprofits. We have raised more than $65 million for our network of 500 small, local nonprofit partners and trained over 25,000 nonprofit staff.