Conference to address challenges faced by nonprofits

The Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida has announced its seventh annual conference, “Nonprofit Works 2025: Charting the Course, Bold Leadership for a New Era,” taking place 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Florida Blue Conference Center, 4800 Deerwood Campus Pkwy., Jacksonville.

“As demand rises and resources tighten, the nonprofit sector must find innovative ways to lead, collaborate and adapt in these challenging times,” said Dawn Lockhart, chief executive officer of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. “This conference will provide members of the nonprofit community, business and civic leaders, and citizens alike the practical tools and inspiration to transform challenge into opportunity.”

This year’s theme reflects the urgent realities facing nonprofits today.

Rising demand for services, combined with shrinking funding streams and heightened competition for philanthropic dollars, have created unprecedented challenges. The conference is designed to give nonprofit leaders practical tools, fresh strategies and renewed inspiration to help their organizations not only weather this moment, but emerge stronger and more impactful.

Conference highlights include:

• Opening Keynote: President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits Diane Yentel, will anchor the day with insights on advocacy and sector-wide collaboration. 

• Keynote Panel:  Featuring Yentel joined by President and CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance Sabeen Perwaiz and Dawn Lockhart to discuss how nonprofits can advocate effectively across federal, state and local levels.

• Luncheon Keynote: Partner and Head of Growth at LaPiana Consulting Lara Jakubowski will explore organizational resilience and how nonprofits can rethink structures and partnerships to adapt to new economic realities.

Breakout sessions will include:

• Advocacy & Communications — strategies for amplifying nonprofit voices at a time of constrained resources.

• Beyond Boundaries: Creating Vibrant Teams — building resilient staff culture while facing workforce and funding pressures.

• Data & Innovation — leveraging the relaunch of the Catalyst Northeast Florida dashboard to strengthen grant applications, tell compelling impact stories and align efforts.

• Strategy & Sustainability — innovative models like shared services and partnerships to stretch limited resources further.

The conference is a rare opportunity for affordable, high-impact professional development tailored to the realities nonprofits are experiencing today. Whether grappling with tighter budgets, searching for sustainable funding models or seeking ways to better demonstrate impact, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to strengthen their organizations and amplify their missions. 

“Funding challenges are real and growing, but so too is the power of collective advocacy,” said Yentel. “At this conference, I look forward to equipping leaders and those committed to supporting nonprofits with strategies to elevate their voices, secure resources and drive meaningful change for the communities they serve.”

For more information on pricing, programming and registration, go to nonprofitctr.org.