Call for Proposals: 2026 Collaborative Conference: Rooting Deeper, Rising Together – Jun 4

Posted by PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) on May 12, 2026

Collaborative Conference Partners PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) and Villanova University’s Department of Public Administration are excited to once again gather at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center in beautiful State College, PA. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25!

Special thanks to all who responded to the survey we shared earlier this year – thanks to your input, we’ll be Rooting Deeper and Rising Together – and now we are inviting YOU to help bring that theme to life!

As you well know, nonprofits continue to operate in an increasingly complex and challenging environment. As such, we’re seeking proposals that will support conference attendees in rooting deeper into the relationships, purpose, and strength that have carried us through to now, and rising together into the work we are called to do. Formats this year include working sessions and learning sessions. Each session will be supported by a synthesizer.

• Working Sessions are intended not just to inform, but to gather attendees around a common challenge and offer time, tools, and frameworks to move toward solutions together in real time. Think real-world simulations, design-thinking activities, “impact labs”, and more.
• Learning Sessions are intended to provide some context around the topic chosen – with questions and prompts to generate stories and ideas from those on the ground doing the work. This could look like a more “traditional” workshop format, where facilitators share timely, relevant information, invite attendees to discuss how this topic is showing up in their work, and offer practical, actionable takeaways.
• Synthesizers will help us capture what’s shared, synthesize insights, and connect dots for attendees (this is a role we explored in 2025 and are excited to fully implement this year!).

This is a conference that thrives on collaborative sessions rather than top-down delivery – facilitators with both subject matter expertise and true facilitation skills are encouraged to apply, as well as nonprofit professionals with valuable, on-the-ground experience.

Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Learn more and submit your proposal here.

Need support or clarity before you submit? 

We’re offering open office hours for anyone interested in talking through their proposal ideas, session format, or application process. Join us for part or all of this two session:

• Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 3:00 – 4:00 pm via this Zoom link.
• Thursday, May 28, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 am via this Zoom Link.